Writer: – Shiddhicharan Shrestha (1912-1922)
Summary
The poem “New Nepal” is composed by Shiddhicharan Shrestha. In this poem, the poet spokes for the hopes and frustration of politically suppressed people who were struggling for democracy. For writing revolutionary poem, the poet was jailed for 18 years. In this poem the poet inspired and encouraged Nepalese people to speak up for their rights.
“New Nepal” is a political poem that voices a strong call for Nepalese to rise above the inequities of the past and bring in a resurgence of freedom and human dignity. This poem is written during Rana`s rule. People were not able and courageous enough to speak anything against cruelty. If anyone tried to speak against them, that person would be punished or penalized to death or lifetime imprisonment. Through this poem, the poet wanted to inspire innocent people who had been suppressed by Rana`s and their atrocity as well as suffered from racial, political, cultural, economical discrimination and ignorant.
The poet prayed for Nepalese people to wake up, raise their voice against such ill-treatment, and fight for justice and freedom. He told the reader to speak truth, show courage and bravery and move forward to bring a bright day. He prayed mother Nepal to bless us with courage and caution, power and union. Our unity can make it possible. He advise us not follow distasteful rituals, heartless class division and chains of discrimination. And to eliminate completely such evil elements to change our Nepal into a “New Nepal”.
Understanding
1. Who is the intended audience of the poem ? Who is the speaker ?
Ans: Nepalese people is the intended audience of the poem. The speaker is Shiddhicharan Shrestha, a revolutionary character and freedom fighter.
2. What is the general context of the poem ?
Ans: The general context of the poem is the hope and aspiration for a better future for Nepal.
3. Why is courage stifled ? What is the effect of such a stifling ?
Ans: Courage is stifled due to the oppressive nature of Rana`s, which creates a sense of fear and powerlessness in the people.
This stifling of courage has negative effects on the society, as it prevents people from speaking out against injustice and standing up for their rights. It leads to a lack of progress and development, as people are afraid to take risks and try new things.
4. What does the poet call for and who does he call ?
Ans: In the poem “New Nepal,” the poet Siddhicharan Shrestha calls for a new Nepal that is free from corruption, poverty, and oppression. He calls on the people of Nepal, particularly the youth, to rise up and work towards building a new nation. The poet also emphasizes the need for unity, cooperation, and progress towards a better future for Nepal.
5. What is the theme of the poem ?
Ans: The theme of the poem is the call for unity, courage, and hard work among Nepali people to create a new and better Nepal. The poet encourages Nepali people to take a stand against Rana`s oppression and injustice and work towards creating a society that is just, equal, and prosperous. He emphasizes the need for unity and urges Nepali people to work together to build a new Nepal, free from corruption, poverty, and inequality.
6. What are the evil elements refferd to in the poem ?
Ans: The evil elements reffered to are corruption, dishonesty, greed, and selfishness, heartless class division, distasteful rituals.
Rhetoric/Language/Writing
1. Write a character sketch of the type of person the speaker is on the basis of what he says in the poem ?
Ans: The speaker is an optimistic and patriotic individual who is deeply invested in the development and progress of his country, Nepal. He is a person who dreams of a bright and prosperous future for his countrymen and believes that this can be achieved through unity and hard work.
The speaker is a person who is not afraid to speak his mind and voice his concerns regarding the social and political issues that plague his country. He is someone who is aware of the injustices and corruption that exists within the society and calls for an end to such practices. He believes that the country needs to be rebuilt from the ground up and calls for the involvement of every citizen in this effort.
The speaker is a person who is not only critical of the flaws in his society but is also capable of seeing the potential and possibilities for growth and development. He envisions a Nepal that is free from poverty, illiteracy, and corruption, where every citizen has equal opportunities to succeed and thrive. He is a person who believes in the power of the youth and calls for their active participation in building a better future for the country.
2. What is the tone and mood of the poem ?
Ans: The tone and mood of the poem is revolutionary and reformational. Also, the tone of the poem “New Nepal” is serious and contemplative, while the mood is hopeful and optimistic. The speaker expresses a strong desire for change and improvement in Nepal and acknowledges the obstacles and challenges that lie ahead.
3. What do “Heartless class divisions” refer to ?
Ans: “Heartless class divisions” refers to the unfair and unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among people belonging to different social classes. The phrase suggests that the existing social structure in Nepal is dividing people based on their economic and social status without taking into account their needs, aspirations, and potential.
The poet criticizes such a class system, which is insensitive to the sufferings of the poor and marginalized and is perpetuating inequality and injustice in the country.
Discussion
1. What wrongs of “Old Nepal” does the poet want “New Nepal” to amend ?
Ans: In the poem “New Nepal” by Siddhicharan Shrestha, the poet wants the “New Nepal” to amend the wrongs of the “Old Nepal,” which include poverty, inequality, oppression, and corruption. He criticizes the past social system, where the upper-class people dominated the lower-class and neglected their basic needs. The poet also expresses his frustration with the political system of old Nepal, which he believes was corrupt and failed to provide justice to the people. The poet wants the “New Nepal” to eradicate these social evils and build a society where all citizens have equal rights and opportunities, where justice and freedom prevail, and where poverty and oppression are eliminated.
2. The poem reads like a prayer. Do you agree ? Give reason.
Ans: The poem “New Nepal” by Siddhicharan Shrestha reads like a prayer because the poet is calling out to the people of Nepal to awaken their consciousness and work towards building a better future. The poem expresses the poet’s deep desire for a new Nepal, free from the social and economic ills that plagued the old Nepal. The tone of the poem is hopeful and optimistic, and the poet seems to believe that the people of Nepal have the power to bring about the changes he envisions. The repetition of the phrase “New Nepal” throughout the poem adds to the prayer-like quality of the poem, emphasizing the poet’s hopes and aspirations for his country.
