Ode on Solitude

Ode on Solitude

by Alexander Pope

Stanza 1

Happy the man, whose wish (ইচ্ছে) and care (যত্ন)

A few paternal (পৈতৃক) acres (একর) bound (ঘিরে),

Content (সন্তুষ্ট) to breathe his native air (নিজের দেশের হাওয়ায়),

In his own ground (ভূমি).

[সেই মানুষই সুখী, যার সমস্ত ইচ্ছা ও চিন্তা নিজের কয়েক একর পৈত্রিক জমিকে ঘিরেই। নিজের জমিতে নিজের বাতাশে নিঃশ্বাস নিয়েই সে খুশি।]

🟩 Difficult Words (Bangla + English Meaning)

• Ode – প্রশংসার কবিতা (a poem of praise)
• Solitude – একাকীত্ব (being alone, peaceful loneliness)
• Paternal – পৈত্রিক, পিতার কাছ থেকে উত্তরাধীকারসূত্রে প্রাপ্ত (from father, inherited)
• Bound – ঘেরা (surrounded, limited by)
• Content – সন্তুষ্ট (happy, satisfied)

Explanation of Metaphors and Deep Words

“Paternal acres” means ancestral land, the land that a man inherits (gets) from his father.

“Native air” means the air of one’s own homeland. It suggests emotional comfort in natural belongings. 

Explanation:

In the first stanza, the poet tells us who a happy man is.  According to the poet, a man is happy if he is satisfied with a few acres of land that he gets from his father. All his wish and care are limited to the land only. That is, a happy man does not hanker after riches. He is contented with what he has. He is contented to breathe his own air in his own land.

Stanza 2

Whose herds (গরুগুলি) with milk, whose fields with bread,

Whose flocks (ভেড়ার পাল) supply him with attire (পোশাক),

Whose trees in summer yield (দেয়) him shade (ছায়া),

In winter fire.

The poet again says that happy is the man who has cows that give milk, who has fields that give food, who has sheep that give clothes, who has trees that give shade in summer and firewood in winter. This means that in his house or land a happy man has everything that he needs to live. That is, he is not depended on anybody. 

Stanza 3

Blest! (ধন্য) who can unconcern'dly (চিন্তামুক্তভাবে) find (পায়)

Hours, days and years slide (কেটে যায়) soft away (শান্তভাবে),

In health (স্বাস্থ্য) of body, peace (শান্তি) of mind,

Quiet (নির্জনতা) by day,

[ধন্য সেই, যে চিন্তামুক্তভাবে ঘন্টা, দিন এবং বছরগুলো (অর্থাৎ সময়) কাটিয়ে দিতে পারে, যার আছে সুস্থ দেহ, যার মনে আছে শান্তি, আর দিনে যে নির্জনতা খুঁজে পায়।]

🟩 Difficult Words (Bangla + English Meaning)

• Blest (Blessed) – আশীর্বাদপ্রাপ্ত, ধন্য (happy, fortunate)
• Unconcern’dly – চিন্তামুক্তভাবে (without worry)
• Slide soft away – ধীরে ধীরে কেটে যাওয়া (pass slowly and peacefully)

Explanation of Metaphors and Deep Words

“Hours, days and years slide soft away”

• Time passes gently
• Suggests life without stress or anxiety

“Quiet by day,”

• Symbol of perfect peace and health

Explanation:

Now the poet says that a man is blessed if he can see time (hours, days and years) pass quietly without worry. That is, he has no mental burden or tension. He enjoys good health and mental peace. His days pass calmly and quietly. 

Stanza 4

Sound sleep by night, study and ease

Together mix'd (মিশে); sweet recreation (নিনোদন);

And innocence (নির্দোষ), which most does please (আনন্দ দেয়),

With meditation (ধ্যান).

🟩 Difficult Words (Bangla + English Meaning)

• Recreation – আনন্দ, বিনোদন (pleasant relaxation)
• Innocence – নির্দোষতা (purity, goodness)
• Meditation – ধ্যান, চিন্তন (deep thinking, reflection)

Explanation of Metaphors and Deep Words

“Sound sleep by night”

• Symbol of perfect peace and health

“Quiet by day, sound sleep by night”

• Symbol of perfect peace and health

Explanation:

At night, he sleeps a sound sleep. His life is a perfect mix of study and rest. He has time for sweet recreation. That is, he finds pleasure in simple and peaceful life. He is innocent and spends time in meditation. That is, he finds pleasure in thinking calmly.

Stanza 5

Thus, let me live, unseen (চোখের আড়ালে), unknown (অপরিচিতভাবে);

Thus unlamented (না কাঁদুক) let me die;

Steal (চুপচাপ নিয়ে যাও) from the world, and not a stone

Tell where I lie.

Explanation:

At last, the poet prays that he may live a quiet life. He wants to remain unseen and unknown. That is, he does not hanker after name and fame. He also prays that God may 'steal' him from the world. That is, he wants to die silently. No one should lament or mourn when he dies. He does not even want a gravestone to show where he is buried.

🟩 Difficult Words (Bangla + English Meaning)

• Unseen – চোখের আড়ালে (not seen)
• Unlamented – যাকে নিয়ে কেউ কাঁদে না (without being mourned)
• Steal from the world – চুপিচুপি পৃথিবী ছাড়া (leave the world quietly)

Explanation of Metaphors and Deep Words

“Unseen, unknown”

• Symbol of freedom from fame
• Rejects social ambition

“Not a stone tell where I lie”

• Stone = gravestone
• Means no desire for remembrance or glory

4. Critical Analysis (Line-by-Line Ideas Explained)

The poem begins by defining true happiness. Pope clearly states that happiness does not come from wealth or power, but from limited desires and contentment.

In the first stanza, Pope praises a man whose needs are small and whose life is tied to his land. This shows Pope’s belief that ownership without greed brings peace.

The second stanza strengthens this idea by showing that nature provides everything. The man does not need money or markets. He lives in harmony with nature, showing self-reliance.

In the third stanza, Pope shifts from physical needs to mental peace. Health and peace of mind are shown as greater blessings than riches. Time passing softly shows a life free from pressure.

The fourth stanza describes the perfect daily routine—sleep, study, rest, recreation, innocence, and meditation. Pope presents an ideal balanced life, where the mind is calm and the soul is pure.

In the final stanza, Pope’s personal wish becomes clear. He does not want fame during life or praise after death. This rejection of ambition shows his belief that public life destroys inner peace.

Throughout the poem:

• There is no conflict
• No dramatic emotion
• Only calm reflection
• The language is simple, but the ideas are deep and philosophical.

5. Conclusion

“Ode on Solitude” teaches that true happiness lies in simplicity, self-contentment, and peaceful isolation.

Alexander Pope shows that a life close to nature, free from ambition and desire for fame, is the best life.

The poem encourages students to:

Value peace over success

Health over wealth

Inner happiness over public recognition

It is a timeless poem that reminds us that less desire brings more happiness.

⭐ One-Line Central Idea (for exams)

The poem shows that true happiness comes from a simple, peaceful life close to nature, free from ambition, fame, and worldly desires.

Questions and Answers

1. Who wrote the poem “Ode on Solitude”?

Answer: The poem was written by Alexander Pope, a famous English poet. He loved nature and simple life.

(বাংলা অর্থ: কবিতাটি লিখেছেন ইংরেজ কবি আলেকজান্ডার পোপ। তিনি প্রকৃতি ও সরল জীবনকে ভালোবাসতেন।)

2. What kind of life does the poet admire?

Answer: The poet admires a simple and peaceful country life. He believes happiness comes from living quietly with nature.

(বাংলা অর্থ: কবি একটি সরল ও শান্ত গ্রামের জীবনকে ভালোবাসেন। তিনি বিশ্বাস করেন, প্রকৃতির সঙ্গে শান্তভাবে থাকলেই সুখ আসে।)

3. What makes the man happy in the poem?

Answer: He is happy with his own land and simple things. He has food, clothes, and peace without needing riches.

(বাংলা অর্থ: সে নিজের জমি ও সহজ জীবনে সুখী। তার কাছে খাবার, পোশাক ও শান্তি আছে—ধনসম্পদের দরকার নেই।)

4. How does nature help the man?

Answer: His cows give milk, his fields give food, and his trees give shade and firewood. Nature gives him everything he needs to live well.

(বাংলা অর্থ: তার গরু দুধ দেয়, ক্ষেত ফসল দেয়, আর গাছ ছায়া ও কাঠ দেয়। প্রকৃতি তাকে বেঁচে থাকার সবকিছুই দেয়।)

5. What kind of person is truly blessed, according to the poet?

Answer: A person who lives in health and peace is blessed. He spends his days calmly without greed or worry.

(বাংলা অর্থ: যে মানুষ সুস্থতা ও শান্তিতে থাকে, সে ধন্য। সে লোভ ও চিন্তা ছাড়া শান্তভাবে জীবন কাটায়।)

6. What does the poet mean by “peace of mind”?

Answer: It means the happiness that comes from a calm and honest heart. When a person has no guilt or greed, his mind is peaceful.

(বাংলা অর্থ: এটি সেই সুখ বোঝায় যা আসে শান্ত ও সৎ মন থেকে। যখন কারও মনে অপরাধবোধ বা লোভ থাকে না, তখন মন শান্ত থাকে।)

7. What does the poet want in his last wish?

Answer: He wants to live unseen and die quietly. He does not want fame or people to mourn for him.

(বাংলা অর্থ: তিনি চান অজানা হয়ে বাঁচতে ও শান্তভাবে মরতে। তিনি খ্যাতি বা মানুষের শোক চান না।)

8. What lesson does the poem teach us?

Answer: It teaches us that true joy comes from simplicity and peace. We should not run after money or fame.

(বাংলা অর্থ: কবিতাটি শেখায় যে প্রকৃত আনন্দ আসে সরলতা ও শান্তি থেকে। আমাদের অর্থ বা খ্যাতির পিছনে দৌড়ানো উচিত নয়।)

9. What kind of happiness does the poet reject?

Answer: He rejects the noisy life of cities and false pride. He does not want luxury but wants inner peace.

(বাংলা অর্থ: তিনি শহরের কোলাহলপূর্ণ জীবন ও ভণ্ড অহংকার প্রত্যাখ্যান করেন। তিনি বিলাসিতা নয়, মনের শান্তি চান।)

10. What is the main theme of the poem?

Answer: The main theme is the joy of simple living and peace of mind. It shows that true happiness is found in nature and contentment.

(বাংলা অর্থ: কবিতার মূল ভাব হলো সরল জীবনের আনন্দ ও মনের শান্তি। এটি দেখায় যে প্রকৃত সুখ প্রকৃতি ও তৃপ্তির মধ্যেই লুকিয়ে আছে।)

1. What does the poet mean by “A few paternal acres bound”?

“A few paternal acres bound” means a small piece of land that a person inherits from his father. It is not a big estate. It is just enough land to live peacefully on. 

The poet thinks such a man is lucky because he has what he needs and does not have to depend on others.

2. Why is breathing ‘native air’ important in the poem “Ode on Solitude”?

“Breathing his native air” means living in one’s own birthplace — the place where someone was born and where he grew up. 

It is important because it gives the person peace, comfort, and happiness.

The poet believes that true joy comes from living in one’s own home and own land, not from traveling or chasing fame.

3. Who is a blessed man according to the poem “Ode on Solitude”?

According to the poem, a blessed man is someone who:

• Lives quietly and happily in the countryside.
• Has enough food, milk, and clothes from his own small land.
• Is healthy, honest, and content with what he has.
• Does not look for fame, wealth, or power.

Such a man is truly blessed because he enjoys peace, nature, and his own simple life.

4. What makes the man happy in the poem “Ode on Solitude”?

The man is happy because:

• He lives close to nature.
• He grows his own food and lives simply.
• He spends his time in quiet work, rest, and prayer.
• He is free from worries, greed, or other people’s praise.

His happiness comes from contentment — being satisfied with a peaceful and honest life.

5. What lesson do you learn from the poem “Ode on Solitude”?

The poem teaches us that true happiness comes from a simple and peaceful life, not from riches or fame. It reminds us to be satisfied with what we have, to enjoy nature, honesty, and quiet living and to avoid greed and pride. In short, the lesson is: A simple, content life is the best life.