1) Mention three major themes in Carl Dennis’ poem, “The Greenhouse Effect”. Comment on the theme of nature’s resilience in the poem.(3+3)
Ans. Three major themes in Carl Dennis’ poem are –
1) Climate change and global warming: it is the central theme of the poem. The rising temperature changes geography, agriculture, power and everyday life.
2) Social and political irony: the poet uses irony to show the foolishness of humans. The rise of new nations in the north and the fall of existing powers is presented humorously.
3) Human responsibility and moral lesson: The poem warns that humans themselves are responsible for environmental degradation.
The theme of nature’s resilience appears through the poet’s humorous prediction. Though the human civilization would collapse, nature would adapt itself in its new forms. “the green belts begin to slide closer to the poles”, “Greenland and Antarctica will join the new great powers”, “the sheep grazed among the winds of the great civilization” show the nature’s power and ability to survive even if the humans fail to do so.
2) Comment on the theme of economic disparity in the greenhouse effect? What is the poet’s aim in writing the poem “The Greenhouse Effect”? (3 + 3)
Ans. In “The Greenhouse Effect,” Carl Dennis shows how global warming will increase economic disparity. As the climate warms, Greenland and Antarctica will gain new fertile land and become the new great powers. In contrast, the grain belts and the plain States will convert to dust balls and lose their economic Strength. The common people will become unpaid labourers. They will not be able to buy cars; they will use trolleys. They will replace ornamental trees with practical nut trees. The government buildings will decay due to a lack of tax collection.
The poet’s aim in writing the poem ‘The Greenhouse Effect’ is to warn readers about the dangerous consequences of environmental degradation due to global warming. The poet urges the people to think rationally and not to remain indifferent to the future crisis. Otherwise, human survival on this beautiful planet will be over soon.
3) What events will supposedly take place according to the poet in the poem ‘The Greenhouse Effect’?
Ans. In the poem The Greenhouse Effect Carl Dennis imagines several events that will supposedly take place due to global warming. The grain belts will move to the polar regions. The plains will turn into giant dust bowls. Countries like Greenland and Antarctica will become new powers as the melting ice creates new fertile lands. The Suburbs will disappear, and they will be farms. Lawns will be replaced with vegetables and practical nut trees in place of decorative oaks and elms. Citizens will work as unpaid labourers. They will repair the public buildings because the government will be too poor to maintain them. Cities will be destroyed like Roman temples, and sheep will graze in the ruins. New economic powers will emerge, like Korea, and they will send their armandas to capture the new fertile land.
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The Greenhouse Effect by Carl Dennis– Questions and Answers (S.A.Q.)