Read the following poem titled 'Last Lesson of the Afternoon' by D. H. Lawrence and answer the question given below :

When will the bell ring, and end this weariness?
How long have they tugged the leash, and strained apart,
My pack of unruly hounds! I cannot start
Them again on a quarry of knowledge they hate to hunt,
I can haul them and urge them no more.

No longer now can I endure the brunt
Of the books that lie out on the desks; a full threescore
Of several insults of blotted pages, and scrawl
Of slovenly work that they have offered me.
I am sick, and what on earth is the good of it all?
What good to them or me, I cannot see!

So, shall I take
My last dear fuel of life to heap on my soul
And kindle my will to a flame that shall consume
Their dross of indifference; and take the toll
Of their insults in punishment? — I will not! —

I will not waste my soul and my strength for this.
What do I care for all that they do amiss!
What is the point of this teaching of mine, and of this
Learning of theirs? It all goes down the same abyss.

What does it matter to me, if they can write
A description of a dog, or if they can’t?
What is the point? To us both, it is all my aunt!
And yet I’m supposed to care, with all my might.

I do not, and will not; they won’t and they don’t; and that’s all!
I shall keep my strength for myself; they can keep theirs as well.
Why should we beat our heads against the wall
Of each other? I shall sit and wait for the bell.

What is an 'abyss' ?

Question

Read the following poem titled 'Last Lesson of the Afternoon' by D. H. Lawrence and answer the question given below :

When will the bell ring, and end this weariness?   
How long have they tugged the leash, and strained apart,                
My pack of unruly hounds! I cannot start 
Them again on a quarry of knowledge they hate to hunt, 
I can haul them and urge them no more.

No longer now can I endure the brunt   
Of the books that lie out on the desks; a full threescore  
Of several insults of blotted pages, and scrawl  
Of slovenly work that they have offered me. 
I am sick, and what on earth is the good of it all?  
What good to them or me, I cannot see!

So, shall I take
My last dear fuel of life to heap on my soul
And kindle my will to a flame that shall consume
Their dross of indifference; and take the toll
Of their insults in punishment? — I will not! —

I will not waste my soul and my strength for this.
What do I care for all that they do amiss!
What is the point of this teaching of mine, and of this
Learning of theirs? It all goes down the same abyss.

What does it matter to me, if they can write
A description of a dog, or if they can’t?
What is the point? To us both, it is all my aunt!
And yet I’m supposed to care, with all my might.

I do not, and will not; they won’t and they don’t; and that’s all!
I shall keep my strength for myself; they can keep theirs as well.
Why should we beat our heads against the wall
Of each other? I shall sit and wait for the bell.

What is an 'abyss' ?

Accepted Answer

In the context of the poem "Last Lesson of the Afternoon" by D. H. Lawrence, the term "abyss" is used metaphorically to describe a situation or feeling of hopelessness and futility. The correct answer, Option 1, defines an "abyss" as a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm of an immeasurable depth. This definition aligns perfectly with the poet's expression of despair and the sense of an insurmountable void in the teaching and learning process described in the poem.

1. **Explanation for Option 1:**
   - The poet uses "abyss" to convey the depth of his frustration and the futility he feels in trying to teach students who are indifferent to learning. The imagery of a "deep or seemingly bottomless chasm" effectively captures the sense of an overwhelming and endless struggle, which is central to the poem's theme. The abyss symbolizes the emotional and intellectual void that the teacher perceives in the educational process, emphasizing the profound disconnect between his efforts and the students' lack of engagement.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**
   - **Option 2:** "A part of a surface that is lower than the parts around it" does not capture the metaphorical depth and hopelessness implied by "abyss." This definition is more literal and does not convey the emotional or existential void that the poet is describing.
   - **Option 3:** "A weather condition in which the pressure of the air becomes lower, often causing rain" is unrelated to the context of the poem. The term "abyss" is not used to describe weather conditions, and this definition does not fit the metaphorical use in the poem.
   - **Option 4:** "A part of a surface that curves inward" is a geometric description that lacks the emotional and metaphorical depth required to understand the poet's use of "abyss." It does not convey the sense of an insurmountable void or the profound despair expressed in the poem.

In conclusion, Option 1 is the correct answer because it accurately reflects the metaphorical use of "abyss" in the poem, capturing the depth of the poet's frustration and the sense of an endless, hopeless struggle in the teaching process.