Back to: Maharashtra Board Class 10th English Guide & Notes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Through the poem, “The World Is Mine”, Joy Lovelet Crawford has tried to portray a message that one should be happy with what one has. The poet stresses the importance that no one is born perfect but every one of us should be thankful for being blessed in life.
Stanza 1
Today on a bus, I saw a lovely girl with silken hair I envied her, she seemed so gay, and I wished I was so fair When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle She had one leg and wore a crutch, but as she passed- a smile O God, forgive me when I whine I have two legs, the world is mine
In the first stanza, the poet talks about a lovely girl, whom she saw on a bus. The poet uses narration in the first-person voice. She says that upon seeing the pretty woman, she complained to God- wishing that she, too, were as beautiful. As the beautiful lady got up to leave the bus, she saw that she walked clumsily. It was then that the poet noticed that the woman had one leg and wore a crutch.
What surprised the poet was that the woman did not complain, but instead passed- a smile. The beautiful woman was happy and unlike the poet, who has two legs, she did not complain. After witnessing the sight, the poet felt ashamed and begged God for forgiveness. She told God that she was thankful for having two legs and the world is mine.
Stanza 2
And then I stopped to buy some sweets, The lad who sold them had such charm I talked with him, he seemed so calm, and if I were late, it would do no harm, And as I left he said to me "I thank you, you have been so kind' It's nice to talk with folks like you. You see, I'm blind O God forgive me when I whine I have two eyes, the world is mine
In the second stanza, the poet says that she had stopped to buy some sweets at a shop. While buying the sweets, she found the lad, who sold them, quite charming. As the poet talked to the lad, the latter seemed so calm and happy. As the speaker was leaving, the shopkeeper thanked her for being so kind as hardly people bothered to talk to him because he was blind. On hearing that, the poet once again begged God to forgive her for her complaints. She also thanked God for giving her two eyes through which she is able to see and realize that the world is mine.
Stanza 3
Later walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue He stood and watched the others play; it seemed he knew not what to do I stopped a moment, then I said, why don't you join the others dear' He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear O God forgive me when I whine I have two ears, the world is mine
In the third stanza, the poet was walking down the street when she came across a child with eyes of blue. The poet saw that the child was standing alone and watching the others play. The poet was confused and went ahead and asked the child why don’t you join the others dear.
The child did not reply and the poet realized that he could not hear. The poet recalled a long time back when there was a baby who was alone and had no family and friends. It was like seeing the same child. Once again, the poet looked up to God and begged for forgiveness when she whines. She was thankful for having two ears to listen and realize that the world is mine.
Stanza 4
With legs to take me where I'll go With eyes to see the sunset's glow With ears to hear what I would know O God forgive me when I whine I'm blessed, indeed, the world is mine
In the final stanza of the poem, the poet understood that one should be happy with what one has. It delighted her that she had legs to take me, eyes to see and ears to hear. The poet feels blessed and earnestly begs God to forgive her when I whine. The poet is not alone as she has a family, friends and herself, beautiful and whole. She is blessed to have everything and still realize that the world is mine.
Conclusion
Through this poem, the poet is teaching the readers the worth of the things we have. She urges the readers to be happy with what they have and learn to value things. She tells the readers that we are indeed blessed and lucky in life. The poet understands the value of life on earth and realizes that her complaints are nothing compared to the sufferings of some people.
