A House, A Home Poem- Introduction
In this poem the poet has explained the difference between a house and a home. He elaborates on the role that family members play in a home.
A House, A Home Poem- Summary
The poet has tried to define and differentiate between a house and a home. He says that a house is made of bricks, stone and hardwood. It also has fine paints, chimney, window glass, doors, corridors, roof and tile floors. A home is another name for loving family members who take care of each other and work selflessly for one another. Brothers-sisters, fathers and mothers together make a home. It is their unselfish acts of kindness and sharing towards one another that makes a house a home.
A House, A Home Poem- Explanation
Stanza 1
What is a house?
It’s brick and stone
and wood that’s hard.
Some window glass
and perhaps a yard.
It’s eaves and chimneys
and tile floors
and stucco and roof
and lots of doors.
Yard: A measuring unit (1 yard equals to 3 ft. or 36 inches), garden or corridors outside the house
Eaves: the part of the roof that hangs out over the walls to provide shade, elevations of the roof
Stucco: fine paint used for wall surface
Chimneys: smokestack, a pipe which takes smoke or combustion gases up from the fire.
In this stanza, the poet is explaining the ingredients or material used to make a house. The poet says that bricks, stone and wood are used to make a house. It also has window glass and corridors or open space in front and back of the house for gardening. Tiles of the floor, fine paints, roof, elevations of the roof and many doors that give it a perfect look of a house. Thus, a house is a completely non-living thing.
Stanza 2
What is a home?
It’s loving and family
and doing for others.
It’s brothers and sisters
and fathers and mothers.
It’s unselfish acts
and kindly sharing
and showing your loved ones;
you’re always caring
Unselfish: without any selfish interest, selfless
Kindly: lovingly, considerate
Here, the poet has explained the nature of a home and what makes a house- a home.It is the family members- brothers-sisters, mothers- fathers who together make a home. Their acts without any selfish interest, their concern for each other, their wish to work for each others’ happiness and well-being. Their wish to show love and care towards each other is what makes a house – a home.
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Question 1:
Do you agree with what the poet says? Talk to your partner and complete these sentences.
(i) A house is made of __________________
(ii) It has __________________
(iii) A home is made by __________________
(iv) It has __________________
(i) A house is made of brick, stone, hard wood, window glass, and a yard.
(ii) It has eaves, chimneys, tile floors, stucco, roof, and lots of doors.
(iii) A home is made by loving family members (mother, father, brother, and sister).
(iv) It has unselfish acts, sharing, and caring for the loved ones.
2. Now complete these sentences about your house and home.
(i) My house is ………………….
(ii) The best thing about my home is——-
Answer:-
(i) My house is made up of bricks, marbles and tiles. It has beautiful windows made up of glass with a balcony and a roof.
(ii) The best thing about my home is that all of us understand and help each other in any distress. We live together peacefully and take out time for each other. We care for each other.
3. Who all are parts of a family?
Ans. Parents, Sisters and brothers are parts of a family They stand together in all ups and downs in life.
4. Define a house.
Ans. A house is a non-living structure made up of bricks, stones and woods. It consists of windows doors and a yard.
5. Differentiate between a house and a home based on the poem.
Ans. A house is a structure made up of bricks and stones. It has windows, doors, chimneys and a roof. On the other hand, a home is a place where family members live together selflessly. They love and care for each other
6. What is the basic idea of the poet?
Ans. The basic idea of the poet in the poem A House, A Home is to show the importance of a home over a house. While doing this she compared a house with a home. According to her, a house is just an infrastructure which is built up of bricks, stones and woods.
There may be windows, tile floors, stucco and lots of doors but it is of no use until it is made a home. A home, according to the poet can be made by a family of father, mother, sister and brother who cares and loves each other without any selfish interest.
They share and are together in each other’s happiness and sorrow.
7. Why does family play an important role in a home?
Ans. A home becomes a home due to the presence of a family which consists of a father, mother, brothers and sisters.
They do unselfish acts and take care of each other.
