'Instead of the cross, the Albatross / About my neck was hung.' (a) Why evil looks? (b) Why hang albatross? (c) Meaning of 'evil'?
'Instead of the cross, the Albatross / About my neck was hung.' (a) Why evil looks? (b) Why hang albatross? (c) Meaning of 'evil'?
- (a) Why evil looks? The sailors gave the Mariner evil (hostile/reproachful) looks because they blamed him for killing the albatross, believing this act had brought the curse of fog, mist, and the becalmed sea upon the ship.
- (b) Why hang the albatross? The dead albatross was hung around his neck instead of the cross as a mark of guilt and penance — a heavier, more painful burden than a crucifix, forcing him to carry a constant reminder of his sin.
- (c) Meaning of 'evil' Here 'evil' means wicked, harmful, or hostile — describing the accusing looks of the crew, not literal devilishness.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark each.
Hint
The bird was an omen.
Quick Oral Answer
The crew made him wear the bird as punishment for killing luck.
Analysis & Explanation
These lines from Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner mark the turning point where the crew shifts blame onto the Mariner for killing the albatross.
Concept
- The albatross was regarded as a bird of good omen; its death is linked by the sailors to the ship's misfortune (fog, mist, the becalmed, breezeless sea).
- The crew replace the cross (a symbol of faith/penance) with the dead bird, turning it into a symbol of guilt and punishment.
Common mistakes
- Students often confuse 'evil looks' with the Mariner's own guilt; it is actually the crew's hostile, accusing looks directed AT him.
- Do not translate 'evil' as 'devil' — here it is an adjective meaning wicked/harmful/hostile, not a noun.
Real-world
- The passage illustrates scapegoating — blaming one individual for a larger, unexplained calamity, a pattern still seen in real crisis situations today.
Common Mistakes
- 1Ignoring the cross replacement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017?
This question carries 3 marks in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in English (Communicative)?
This question is from the chapter "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in English (Communicative)?
This question covers the topic "Extract Analysis" from CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative).
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017 paper?
This is a Short Answer question from Section C in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017 paper.