velopment of character and an appreciation of worthy ambition and
enduring friendship.

ASSIGNMENT

The lesson should be assigned in such a way as to encourage the pupils'
natural desire to learn something through their own efforts. A few
questions should be given to be answered from their own study, for
example:

1. What does the first line show regarding
Tennyson's present thought of Hallam?

2. What stanzas describe the progress of the
man who reminds him of Hallam?

3. What is described in the remaining stanzas?

4. What lines suggest something about this
man's feelings toward the scenes and friends of
his youth?

5. In what respect, according to the last
stanza, does Tennyson show that one of these
old-time friends is like himself?

CLASS WORK

What does Tennyson describe in the first four
stanzas?

Stanza I

Why does he call the man "divinely gifted"?
Because he has had great natural gifts.

When should we call a man of only ordinary
ability "divinely gifted"? What have you read
that illustrates this? (If the pupils cannot
answer this question, the teacher should tell
briefly the parable of the talents.)

What is meant by "Whose life in low estate
began"? Why are the details about his early
life mentioned? State briefly the thought
contained in this stanza.

Stanza II

What was the effect of his humble birth on his
progress in early life? In what ways did it act
as a bar: (1) upon his own mind; (2) upon the
good-will of others toward himself? Which of
these two do the following lines from
_[OE]none_ indicate that the poet would say
must be overcome first?

Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control,
These three alone lead life to sovereign power.

State in your own words, the full meaning of
"breaks his birth's invidious bar".
NOTE.--"Invidious" means likely to incur, or
bring on envy, ill-will, or hatred.

What idea is suggested in the second line as to
the opportunities which come to such a man?
Imagine him grasping these fleeting chances.
What were his probable feelings toward those
things which eluded his grasp? (Be careful in
answeri