Question

Read the poem.

The Pardah Nashin

by Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu was an Indian poet and activist. Known as the "Nightingale of India," she advocated for India's independence, social welfare, and equal rights. The Pardah is a religious and social practice of seclusion in some Hindu or Muslim communities of South Asia. Women are either physically separated from males using separate buildings, screens, walls, or curtains, or they may be concealed by loose clothing and veils.

Her life is a revolving dream
Of languid and sequestered ease;
Her girdles and her fillets gleam
Like changing fires on sunset seas;
Her raiment is like morning mist,
Shot opal, gold and amethyst.

From thieving light of eyes impure,
From coveting sun or wind's caress,
Her days are guarded and secure
Behind her carven lattices,
Like jewels in a turbaned crest,
Like secrets in a lover's breast.

But though no hand unsanctioned dares
Unveil the mysteries of her grace,
Time lifts the curtain unawares,
And Sorrow looks into her face . . .
Who shall prevent the subtle years,
Or shield a woman's eyes from tears?

What is the central idea of this poem?


A. Religious traditions are essential to happiness and prosperity.

B. Locking women away behind walls, screens, or curtains robs them of their dignity.

C. A woman's beauty is equal to that of the stars and heavens.

D. Cultural practices, like the Pradah, are necessary to protect women.

Answer 1

The central idea of Sarojini Naidu’s poem "The Pardah Nashin" revolves around the practice of locking women away behind walls, screens or curtains which robs them of their dignity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The poetess belonged to a culture where women and men were treated differently. With the excuse of protecting women from being coveted, they have been robbed off their freedom and kept behind walls or screens or more precisely “the pardah.” This way of "protecting" has adverse effects and the ones involved are the victims unwillingly. Sarojini Naidu says through her poem that a pardah may hide a woman’s face and youth from the eyes of others but it’s unable to shield a woman's eyes from tears and to protect their feelings. It doesn’t consider her wishes but only limits their lives, abilities and happiness at large.

Answer 2

Answer: B. Locking women away behind walls, screens, or curtains robs them of their dignity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author of this poem, Sarojini Naidu (1879 - 1946), came from a culture where women were to receive a different treatment from men. Women's freedom was taken away with the excuse of protecting them from "eyes impure". If their bodies and faces, their beauty and youth cannot be seen, then they will not be coveted. However, such a way of "protecting" has its own way of harming those involved. It does not "shield a woman's eyes from tears". It does not protect their feelings, does not take their wishes into consideration. It only limits their lives, their abilities, their happiness.