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.

The poet is baffled as all his attempts at teaching them have been futile. Which line from the poem suggests this ?

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.

The poet is baffled as all his attempts at teaching them have been futile. Which line from the poem suggests this ?

Accepted Answer

The poem "Last Lesson of the Afternoon" by D. H. Lawrence expresses the poet's frustration and sense of futility in his attempts to teach his students. The correct answer, Option 3, "It all goes down the same abyss," effectively captures the poet's feeling of hopelessness and the belief that his efforts are in vain.

### Explanation for Option 3:

1. **"It all goes down the same abyss."**  
   This line metaphorically suggests that all the poet's efforts in teaching, as well as the students' learning, are ultimately pointless and lead to nothingness. The word "abyss" conveys a sense of a deep, dark void where everything is lost, emphasizing the poet's despair and the futility of his attempts to impart knowledge. This line encapsulates the central theme of the poem, which is the poet's disillusionment with the educational process and his perception that his efforts are wasted.

### Explanation for Why Other Options are Incorrect:

1. **Option 1: "What do I care for all that they do amiss!"**  
   This line reflects the poet's frustration with the students' mistakes and lack of progress. However, it does not specifically convey the overall futility of his teaching efforts. Instead, it focuses more on the poet's personal indifference to the students' errors rather than the broader sense of hopelessness.

2. **Option 2: "What is the point of this teaching of mine, and of this learning of theirs?"**  
   While this line questions the purpose of teaching and learning, it does not capture the depth of despair and futility as effectively as Option 3. It raises a rhetorical question about the purpose but lacks the metaphorical weight of the "abyss" that suggests complete loss and hopelessness.

3. **Option 4: "And yet I'm supposed to care, with all my might."**  
   This line highlights the poet's internal conflict between his expected role as a caring teacher and his actual feelings of indifference. However, it does not directly address the futility of his teaching efforts. It focuses more on the poet's struggle with his responsibilities rather than the ultimate ineffectiveness of those efforts.

In conclusion, Option 3 is the correct answer because it most effectively encapsulates the poet's sense of futility and despair regarding his teaching efforts, as expressed in the poem.