The Wonderful Words

Introduction

The section “The Wonderful Words" is an 18-line poem by Mary O'Neill in which the poet discusses the significance of words in society. Additionally, he extols the virtues of the English language and encourages the readers to study it so that we may express ourselves. He concludes by saying that as words are the food and dress of our thoughts, we should utilise them beautifully while expressing them.

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Explanation

THE WONDERFUL WORDS

• Never let a thought shrivel and die

• For want of a way to say it

• For English is a wonderful game

• And all of you can play it.

• All that you do is match the words

• To the brightest thoughts in your head

• So that they come out clear and true

• And handsomely groomed and fed—

• For many of the loveliest things

• Have never yet been said.

• Words are the food and dress of thought

• They give it its body and swing

• And everyone’s longing today to hear

• Some fresh and beautiful thing;

• But only words can free a thought

• From its prison behind your eyes

• May be your mind is holding now

• A marvellous new surprise!

MARY O’NEILL

Summary

The poet is emphasising here that no idea or concept should perish, that it should never go without being spoken simply because you lack verbal or linguistic proficiency. The English language is a treasure chest, full of wonderful words and phrases. Everyone, according to the poet, is capable of playing it, which indicates that everyone can make efficient use of it. You can find the right words to express your thoughts or ideas and make them clear, simple and easy for the readers to understand. Never assume you can't do it. There are still many wonderful and beautiful ones that have not been spoken or done yet simply because of a lack of nurture, words, and knowledge.

The need of mastering a language thoroughly and accurately is stressed by the poet. Words give every notion or idea in our thoughts a framework. The poet urges that we should never believe that we have no fresh ideas as they have not yet been investigated and looked through. Thoughts and ideas are confined in our minds; they still haven't made it through yet. Thoughts and ideas can be expressed clearly and beautifully only using words. Only words have the power to release them. Therefore, it is essential to study and develop our language.

Explanation

The poet emphasises in the opening line of the poem that we should never let a notion or an idea die because we do not have the words to convey it and that this is something that we should never do. We must not allow the idea or thought to fade away just because we are unable to articulate it.

According to the poet, English is like a wonderful game that all can play. It is a highly rich language that may be used to effectively communicate ideas. One just has to choose the right words to get a great idea out of his or her mind and then to the world in a clear and perfect way.

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According to the poet, there are a great number of wonderful ideas and concepts that have not been expressed or carried out because people do not have the understanding of how to properly convey a notion or an idea.

In the second stanza, the poet claims that words are the food and dress for our ideas, which are meant to be conveyed. They offer the direction and structure to our ideas. Though all of us have a tremendous desire to listen to new ideas that are both fresh and attractive, words are the only sole means by which it is possible to give expression to an idea or thinking; one might be holding marvellous new surprises in our minds which only requires correct words to convey them.

Conclusion

The poem serves as a tutorial on the power of words to alter one's thoughts and understanding.

FAQs

Q1. Why do we speak words as per the poet?

Ans: To convey our thoughts to the world.

Q2. Which language is a wonderful game?

Ans: English