CLASS-XII

SEMESTER-III

UNIT-2 (VERSE)

“Ode to the West Wind” by P. B. Shelley Short Questions and Answers 2025

Important Questions

1. Who is the author of “Ode to the West Wind”?

ANS: The author of “Ode to the West Wind” is Percy Bysshe Shelley.

2. What type of poem is “Ode to the West Wind”?

ANS:  “Ode to the West Wind” is a lyric poem.

3. In which year was “Ode to the West Wind” published?

ANS: “Ode to the West Wind” was published in 1820.

4. How many stanzas are there in “Ode to the West Wind”?

ANS: There are five stanzas in “Ode to the West Wind”.

5. What is the rhyme scheme of each stanza in “Ode to the West Wind”?

ANS: The rhyme scheme of each stanza is terza rima, ABA BCB CDC DED EE.

6. What are the three elements of nature addressed in the poem?

ANS: The three elements of nature addressed in the poem are the wind, the leaves, and the waves.

7. What does the West Wind symbolize in the poem?

ANS: The West Wind symbolizes change and transformation.

8. What season does the West Wind bring?

ANS: The West Wind brings the autumn season.

9.  How does Shelley describe the effect of the West Wind on the leaves?

ANS: Shelley describes the West Wind as driving the dead leaves like “ghosts from an enchanter fleeing.”

10. What is the poet’s request to the West Wind in the final stanza?

ANS: The poet requests the West Wind to lift him like a wave, a leaf, or a cloud, and to spread his words across the world.

11. What does Shelley compare himself to in the poem?

ANS: Shelley compares himself to a withered leaf, a cloud, and a wave.

12. What does the phrase “Destroyer and Preserver” refer to in the poem?

ANS: The phrase “Destroyer and Preserver” refers to the dual role of the West Wind in bringing death and decay, as well as nurturing and creating new life.

13. What is the theme of “Ode to the West Wind”?

ANS:  The theme of “Ode to the West Wind” includes change, transformation, and the power of nature.

14. How does the poet view the West Wind’s power?

ANS: The poet views the West Wind’s power as both destructive and regenerative.

15. What does Shelley hope his poetry will achieve, according to the final stanza?

ANS: Shelley hopes his poetry will inspire and influence people, spreading his ideas and bringing about change.

16.  What metaphor does Shelley use to describe the West Wind in the first stanza?

ANS: Shelley uses the metaphor of a “breath of Autumn’s being” to describe the West Wind.

17. How does the West Wind affect the Mediterranean Sea in the poem?

ANS: The West Wind stirs the Mediterranean Sea, causing it to awaken from its summer slumber and creating waves.

18.  What does the “wingèd seeds” metaphor in the first stanza signify?

ANS: The “wingèd seeds” metaphor signifies potential new life that lies dormant until the spring wind awakens it.

19. How does Shelley personify the West Wind throughout the poem?

ANS: Shelley personifies the West Wind as a powerful and uncontrollable force that can both destroy and create.

20. What is the significance of the West Wind being called a “Wild Spirit”?

ANS:  The term “Wild Spirit” signifies the untamed and free nature of the West Wind, emphasizing its power and independence.

21. In the second stanza, how does Shelley describe the sky’s reaction to the West Wind?

ANS: Shelley describes the sky as being filled with clouds that are likened to decaying leaves, driven by the West Wind.

22. How does the West Wind affect the Atlantic Ocean in the poem?

ANS:  The West Wind causes the Atlantic Ocean to tremble and awaken, stirring its depths and causing movement in the underwater vegetation.

23. What literary device is used in the line “O thou, who chariotest to their dark wintry bed”?

ANS: The literary device used is apostrophe, as Shelley directly addresses the West Wind.

24. What does Shelley wish for himself in relation to the West Wind’s power?

ANS: Shelley wishes to be as free and powerful as the West Wind, able to spread his ideas and inspire change.

25. How does the poem “Ode to the West Wind” reflect Romantic ideals?

ANS: The poem reflects Romantic ideals through its emphasis on nature’s power, the celebration of individualism, and the expression of intense emotion and imagination.

26. What is the effect of the repetition of “O hear!” at the end of each stanza?

ANS: The repetition of “O hear!” emphasizes the poet’s plea for the West Wind’s attention and highlights the urgency and passion of his request.

27. In what way does the poem express a sense of hope and renewal?

ANS: The poem expresses hope and renewal through the imagery of the West Wind bringing new life and growth, symbolizing the potential for change and rebirth.

28. What does the poet ask the West Wind to do with his thoughts and ideas?

ANS: The poet asks the West Wind to scatter his thoughts and ideas across the world like leaves, to inspire and awaken others.

29. How does the structure of the poem contribute to its meaning?

ANS: The structure of the poem, with its five interconnected stanzas and consistent rhyme scheme, mirrors the continuous and unending power of the West Wind.

30.  What is the significance of the final line, “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”

ANS: The final line signifies hope and the inevitability of renewal and rebirth, suggesting that after hardship and decay, new life and growth will follow.

31.What is the overall mood of “Ode to the West Wind”?

ANS: The overall mood of “Ode to the West Wind” is a mix of melancholy and optimism, reflecting both the destructive power and regenerative potential of the West Wind.

32. How does Shelley depict the relationship between the poet and nature in the poem?

ANS: Shelley depicts the relationship between the poet and nature as one of deep connection and mutual influence, with the poet seeking inspiration and empowerment from the natural world.

33.  What role does imagery play in “Ode to the West Wind”?

ANS: Imagery plays a crucial role in “Ode to the West Wind,” vividly describing the effects of the wind on the leaves, sky, and sea, and enhancing the emotional and thematic impact of the poem.

34. How does the use of terza rima contribute to the poem’s structure?

ANS:  The use of terza rima, with its interlocking rhyme scheme, creates a sense of continuity and flow, mirroring the constant and dynamic movement of the West Wind.

35.  What does Shelley mean by “unawakened earth” in the first stanza?

ANS: By “unawakened earth,” Shelley refers to the earth lying dormant and lifeless during autumn, awaiting the rejuvenating touch of the wind and the coming spring.

36. How does Shelley use personification in “Ode to the West Wind”?

ANS: Shelley uses personification to give the West Wind human qualities, portraying it as a powerful, conscious force capable of both destruction and creation.

37. What is the significance of Shelley referring to the wind as “Pestilence-stricken multitudes” in the first stanza?

ANS:  This phrase highlights the destructive power of the wind, comparing the dead leaves it drives to a plague-ridden crowd, emphasizing decay and death.

38. How does the poem reflect Shelley’s revolutionary spirit?

ANS: The poem reflects Shelley’s revolutionary spirit through its call for change and transformation, as well as the poet’s desire to spread his radical ideas and inspire others.

39. What is the symbolic meaning of the “azure sister of the Spring”?

ANS:  The “azure sister of the Spring” symbolizes the gentle, life-giving winds of spring, in contrast to the wild, powerful West Wind of autumn.

40. How does Shelley convey the theme of interconnectedness in the poem?

ANS: Shelley conveys the theme of interconnectedness by illustrating how the West Wind influences various elements of nature—the leaves, sky, and sea—showing the unity and interdependence of the natural world.

41.  What role does the poet’s personal reflection play in the poem?

ANS: The poet’s personal reflection adds a layer of introspection and emotional depth, as Shelley contemplates his own life, struggles, and aspirations in relation to the power of the West Wind.

42.  How does Shelley describe the West Wind’s effect on the natural world in the second stanza?

ANS: In the second stanza, Shelley describes the West Wind driving clouds across the sky, likening them to leaves shed from the “dying year” and creating a turbulent and dynamic scene.

43.  What literary devices are prominent in “Ode to the West Wind”?

ANS: Prominent literary devices in the poem include personification, metaphor, simile, apostrophe, and vivid imagery.

44.  How does the poet’s plea to the West Wind reflect his desire for poetic inspiration?

ANS: The poet’s plea to the West Wind reflects his desire for poetic inspiration by asking the wind to infuse him with its power and creativity, enabling him to spread his visionary ideas.

45. What transformation does the poet seek in the poem?

ANS: The poet seeks a transformation of his own spirit, wishing to be uplifted and invigorated by the West Wind, and to have his words spread far and wide like the wind’s influence.

46.  How does “Ode to the West Wind” address the theme of mortality?

ANS: The poem addresses the theme of mortality by depicting the cycle of life and death in nature, with the West Wind acting as a force that brings decay but also paves the way for new growth.

47. What does Shelley imply about the power of nature in the poem?

ANS: Shelley implies that the power of nature is immense, uncontrollable, and transformative, capable of both destruction and renewal.

48. How does the poet’s tone shift throughout the poem?

ANS: The poet’s tone shifts from one of awe and reverence for the West Wind’s power to a more personal and urgent plea for transformation and inspiration.

49. What is the significance of the West Wind’s dual role as “Destroyer and Preserver”?

ANS: The dual role of the West Wind as “Destroyer and Preserver” signifies the natural cycle of decay and regeneration, emphasizing the interconnectedness of death and rebirth.

50. How does Shelley’s use of natural imagery enhance the poem’s themes?

ANS: Shelley’s use of natural imagery enhances the poem’s themes by vividly illustrating the West Wind’s effects on the environment, reinforcing the ideas of change, power, and the cyclical nature of life.

CLASS-XII

SEMESTER-III