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| Five Haikus by Matsuo Basho | Summary and Exercises |
1. Our dreams wonder even to the place we have not gone or seen. How and where do the dreams of the poet wander? Describe.
It is true that our dreams wander even to the place we have not gone or seen. The dream is the only thing which can travel anywhere inside or outside the world. The poet's dream also wander on the isolated broad and open land area not for farming.
2. Where and why is a man treading rice in the haiku, 'By the Old Temple'? Describe.
In the haiku, by the old temple, we are shown that sometimes we don't use or utilize the thing around us and we waste them with our behaviour. In this haiku, the man is walking on the rice in the field which is by the old temple where peach blossoms.
3. What is the connection between 'a wanderer' and 'winter rain'? Describe.
In the third haiku there is a deep connection between the 'wonderer' and 'winter rain'. Just like winter rain wonders here and there. Just like we don't have any idea when the winter rain will occur , the wonderer is also in the same condition. He is wondering here and there. He has no any fixed idea about where he is going and where he will reach.
4. Is it the butterfly or the orchid having scent? What is the link between them? Discuss.
It is the orchid which is having scent because it is obvious that flowers have scent in them. The link between the butterfly and the orchid flower is that of lover and beloved. Just like a butterfly is fulfilled with the scent and the sweet water of the orchid, the lover is also complete and fulfilled with the true love of his beloved. This haiku can also be interpreted in negative sense. Just like the butterfly runs away after perfuming the scent of the orchid and sucking its sweet water, the false lover can also betray the girl after taking advantage of her.
5. What image of the family do you get into your mind when you read the haiku 'The Whole Family'?
In the haiku, 'The Whole Family', we are presented with a family which we can imagine are in grief. They are in sorrow of someone's death and the whole family is going to visit the grave of the demised member.
