Fear (poem)- by Khalil Gibran - (Interactive English- Intermediate Second Year)

Fear (poem)- by Khalil Gibran

(Interactive English- Intermediate Second Year)

Fear (poem)- by Khalil Gibran

It is said that before entering the sea 

A river trembles with fear.

She looks back at the path she has

traversed, from the peaks of the mountains,

the long winding road crossing

forests and villages.

 

And in front of her, she sees an ocean

so vast, that to enter there seems

nothing more than to disappear

forever. But there is no other way.

The river cannot go back. Nobody can go back. 

To go back is impossible in existence.

 

The river needs to take the risk 

of entering the ocean

because only then will fear disappear,

because that’s where the river will know

it’s not about disappearing into the ocean,

but of becoming the ocean.

Answer the below questions in below 100 words.

1) What is the central idea of the poem Fear?

2) What does ‘nobody can go back’ mean in the poem Fear? Explain from your point of view.

3) How can one overcome fear? Explain.

4) What does the line “The river needs to take the risk of entering the ocean” mean? Discuss.

Model Answer:

About the Poet:

The Poem ‘Fear’ is written by Khalil Gibran (1883-1931). He is a Lebanese – American writer, poet, and philosopher. He became famous for his book “The Prophet”, which is a collection of philosophical essays written in poetic form. He wrote both in Arabic and English.  

About the poem:  

The central idea of the poem is ‘overcoming of fear’. It explores several themes such as the fear of losing oneself, the journey of life, and the need for courage to face the unknown. Through the image of a river, the poem encourages us to take risks, accept change, and move forward bravely.

The poem Fear gives us a glimpse of how a river feels as it travels through mountains, forests, and villages on its way to merge with the ocean. When it finally reaches the ocean, it becomes afraid. The ocean is so vast that the river fears it will disappear forever.

However, the river realizes that going back is impossible. It must face the ocean. The poem suggests that we can conquer fear only by taking risks and moving forward, without looking back.

The most powerful message of the poem is in the line: “It is not about disappearing into the ocean, but of becoming the ocean.” This means that when we face our fears and accept change, we do not lose ourselves — we grow and become something greater.

Critical Comment:

“The only way to overcome fear is to face it.”