The Swing ~By Robert Louis Stevenson, Summary and Question Answers
The Swing,
~By Robert Louis Stevenson 
How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside—
Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown—
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!
Summary of the Poem – "The Swing"
"The Swing" is a joyful and vivid poem by Robert Louis Stevenson that expresses the happiness a child feels while swinging. The poet describes how wonderful it is to fly up in the air on a swing. As the swing goes up, the child enjoys the view of the blue sky, gardens, rooftops, rivers, trees, cattle, and the countryside. Swinging gives a thrilling feeling of flying and lets the child see the world from a high point, making it one of the most delightful experiences of childhood.
Short Question Answers
1. Q: Who is the poet of the poem "The Swing"?
A: Robert Louis Stevenson is the poet of the poem "The Swing".
2. Q: What does the child enjoy doing in the poem?
A: The child enjoys swinging up in the air.
3. Q: What color is the air described in the poem?
A: The air is described as blue.
4. Q: What is the ‘pleasantest thing’ the child can do?
A: Swinging is the pleasantest thing a child can do.
5. Q: What does the child see while swinging?
A: The child sees gardens, green trees, brown roofs, cattle, rivers, and the countryside.
6. Who is the speaker in the poem?
→ A child.
7. What color is the roof?
→ Brown.
8. Name two things the child sees while swinging.
→ Trees, rivers.
9. What is the mood of the child in the poem?
→ The child is happy and excited while swinging and enjoying the views from above.
10. Why does the poet call swinging the “pleasantest thing”?
→ Because it gives a joyful experience of flying and seeing beautiful scenes.
11. What do the lines “Up in the air I go flying again” suggest?
→ They suggest the excitement and repetitive joy the child feels while swinging.
Long Question Answers
1. Q: Describe the child’s experience of swinging as mentioned in the poem.
A: The child finds swinging a delightful experience. As the swing goes up in the air, the child enjoys the feeling of flying. The child can see beautiful scenes like the blue sky, gardens, rivers, trees, cattle, rooftops, and the countryside. The feeling of going up and down gives the child great happiness and fun.
2. Q: What are some of the sights the child sees from the swing? How does the poet use these sights to show the joy of swinging?
A: From the swing, the child sees the garden green, rooftops brown, rivers, trees, cattle, and the countryside. The poet uses these images to show how high the child goes and how much joy it brings to see the world from above. These visuals make the experience of swinging even more pleasant and exciting.
3. Describe how swinging gives the child a view of the world.
Answer:
Swinging gives the child a unique and joyful view of the world. As the child goes up in the swing, they feel like they are flying in the air. From this height, the child can see far and wide—over walls, rooftops, green gardens, trees, rivers, cattle, and the countryside. This view is exciting and magical, making swinging feel like an adventure. The poet beautifully expresses the feeling of wonder a child experiences while swinging and seeing everything from above.
4. Explain the poet’s use of imagery in the poem.
Answer:
The poet, Robert Louis Stevenson, uses vivid imagery to help the reader imagine the joyful experience of swinging. Words like "air so blue," "garden green," and "roof so brown" help create colorful and clear pictures in our minds. He describes scenes like rivers, trees, cattle, and the countryside, which a child sees from high up in the air. These images make the poem lively and allow us to feel the thrill of swinging through the air, just like the child in the poem.
5. What does the poem tell us about the innocence of childhood?
Answer:
The poem reflects the innocence, simplicity, and joy of childhood. It shows how a simple activity like swinging can bring immense happiness to a child. The excitement of flying through the air and watching the world from above highlights a child's ability to find wonder in everyday experiences. The poem reminds us that children find joy in nature, movement, and imagination, which are often overlooked by adults. It beautifully captures the pure and carefree spirit of being a child.
6. What makes the swing a symbol of joy in the poem?
Answer:
In the poem, the swing becomes a symbol of joy because it brings fun, freedom, and a sense of flying to the child. The swing lifts the child up into the sky, offering beautiful views and a thrilling motion that feels like soaring. The poet describes it as the “pleasantest thing” a child can do, showing how something so simple can bring great happiness. The up-and-down motion, the scenes from above, and the child’s delight make the swing a perfect symbol of childhood joy and freedom.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Who wrote the poem "The Swing"?
a) William Blake
b) Robert Frost
c) Robert Louis Stevenson
d) Rudyard Kipling
Answer: c) Robert Louis Stevenson
2. What is the most pleasant thing a child can do according to the poem?
a) Playing with toys
b) Reading a book
c) Swinging
d) Watching TV
Answer: c) Swinging
3. What does the child see from the swing?
a) Only the sky
b) Trees, cattle, rivers, and rooftops
c) People in the park
d) Birds in cages
Answer: b) Trees, cattle, rivers, and rooftops
4. What color is the roof described in the poem?
a) Red
b) Green
c) Yellow
d) Brown
Answer: d) Brown
5. How does the child feel while swinging?
a) Sad
b) Angry
c) Happy and joyful
d) Sleepy
Answer: c) Happy and joyful
6. What does the child compare swinging to?
a) Running
b) Flying
c) Sliding
d) Jumping
Answer: b) Flying
7. What word is repeated to show motion in the poem?
a) Jump
b) Fall
c) Up
d) High
Answer: c) Up
8. What literary device is used in the line “Up in the air and down!”?
a) Metaphor
b) Simile
c) Repetition
d) Alliteration
Answer: c) Repetition
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