Corona Says – Summary and Exercise Solutions
Corona Says - Summary | Class 11 English (Poem)
"Corona Says" is a satirical and thought-provoking poem written by the contemporary Nepali poet Vishnu S. Rai. In this poem, the poet personifies the COVID-19 virus, giving it a voice to speak directly to humanity. Rather than portraying the virus simply as a villain, Rai uses it as a messenger of nature, exposing the arrogance and destructive behavior of the human race.
The poem serves as a "wake-up call" to humans who have long considered themselves the masters of the Earth. Corona reminds us that while we mourn the deaths caused by the pandemic, we often ignore the millions of deaths caused by our own wars, greed, and ecological destruction. The virus argues that it has come to give the Earth a much-needed rest—allowing the skies to clear of dust and smoke while humans are forced to experience the same "caged" existence that they usually impose on animals in zoos.
The speaker emphasizes that the Earth is not human property alone; it belongs to the birds, the fish, the trees, and even the microbes. The poem ends with a chilling warning: even if this pandemic departs, others will follow if humanity does not shed its "inflated ego" and return to a life of harmony with nature. Failure to do so may result in the collapse of civilization, sending humans back to the "cave time" of their ancestors.
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Understanding the Text
a. Who is the speaker in the poem?
Answer: The speaker in the poem is the Corona Virus (personified), acting as a representative of the natural world.
b. Who claims that they are superior to all?
Answer: Human beings, specifically modern humans, claim to be the crown of creation and superior to all other living organisms on Earth.
c. Why has the speaker come to the Earth?
Answer: The speaker has come to Earth to teach a lesson to humanity, to provide the Earth with some "rest," and to challenge the destructive activities of humans who have forgotten their place in the ecosystem.
d. What positive changes have occurred on Earth after the speaker's visit?
Answer: After the virus's arrival, human activity slowed down, leading to several environmental benefits: the sky became clear of dust and smoke, pollution levels dropped, and nature began to recover as humans were confined to their homes.
Reference to the Context
a. What does the speaker mean when he says: "But have you ever counted / How many have died so far / Because of you and your wars?"
Answer: In these lines, the speaker highlights human hypocrisy. While humans view the virus as a cruel killer, the speaker points out that human-led wars have caused far more death and destruction throughout history. It suggests that human violence and political greed are more "viral" and deadly to our own species than a biological pandemic.
b. Explain the following: "If you don’t get rid of your inflated ego, / You’ll be back to your cave time..."
Answer: The speaker warns that human civilization is fragile. Our "inflated ego" makes us believe we are invincible, but if we continue to destroy nature and ignore the laws of the environment, nature will eventually strike back so hard that our advanced society will collapse. We could lose all our progress and be forced back into a primitive, prehistoric existence ("cave time").
c. What does the speaker mean by: "The earth is not your property alone—It’s as much ours as yours."?
Answer: This is the central philosophical argument of the poem. The speaker is advocating for Environmental Egalitarianism. It means that every creature—from the smallest crawling insect to the tallest tree—has an equal right to exist and use Earth’s resources. The speaker criticizes the anthropocentric view that humans "own" the planet.
Reference Beyond the Text
a. What human behaviors are responsible for suffering in people's lives?
Answer: Several behaviors lead to human suffering, including:
Ego and Arrogance: Believing that nature exists only to serve humans.
Greed: Over-exploiting natural resources for profit.
Violence: Engaging in wars for power and land.
Indifference: Ignoring the suffering of other living beings and the health of the planet.
b. How does an epidemic differ from a pandemic? Briefly explain the impact of Corona Virus on human life and environment.
Answer:
Epidemic: A sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a specific local area or population.
Pandemic: An epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, affecting a large number of people worldwide.
Impact of COVID-19:
On Human Life: It caused widespread loss of life, psychological fear, and a massive global economic crisis. It disrupted education and made millions of people jobless.
On the Environment: It had a surprisingly positive temporary impact. With industries closed and transport stopped, carbon emissions fell, air quality improved significantly, and wildlife was seen returning to urban spaces.
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