I Became an Author by W. B. Yeats-Questions and answers

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

The Island of Statues is a pastoral play written by –
- a) W. B. Yeats
- b) Emily Dickinson
- c) T. S. Eliot
- d) C. J. Jung
  Answer: a) W. B. Yeats
When W. B. Yeats was a schoolboy, he suffered from –
- a) stress
- b) cold
- c) fever
- d) psychological weakness
  Answer: d) psychological weakness
Who was the chief friend of W. B. Yeats in Irish school?
- a) Charles Johnson
- b) John O’Leary
- c) Standish O’Grady
- d) Edward Dowden
  Answer: a) Charles Johnson
W. B. Yeats received the Nobel Prize for Literature in –
- a) 1921
- b) 1923
- c) 1913
- d) 1902
  Answer: b) 1923
W. B. Yeats was born in –
- a) 1865
- b) 1863
- c) 1861
- d) 1862
  Answer: b) 1863
Bury was –
- a) a classical historian and editor of Gibbon
- b) editor of The Times
- c) philosopher
- d) architect
  Answer: a) a classical historian and editor of Gibbon
W. B. Yeats was a/an ______ poet.
- a) Indian
- b) American
- c) Italian
- d) Irish
  Answer: d) Irish
Isadora Duncan was a –
- a) dancer
- b) writer
- c) designer
- d) poet
  Answer: a) dancer

Comprehension-Based Multiple Choice Questions

What is the primary focus of W.B. Yeats’ essay “I Became an Author”?
- a) Yeats’ struggles with academic subjects
- b) The development of his poetic voice and literary growth
- c) The influence of his family on his writing
- d) His travels across Ireland
  Answer: b) The development of his poetic voice and literary growth
What did Yeats struggle with during his early academic life?

A) Lack of talent in writing
B) Disinterest in academic subjects
C) Lack of creative ideas
D) Excessive focus on poetry
Answer: B) Disinterest in academic subjects

Who was the first significant literary influence on Yeats, as mentioned in the essay?

A) Charles Johnson
B) John O’Leary
C) Shelley and Keats
D) Standish O’Grady
Answer: C) Shelley and Keats

What was Yeats’ first significant work, and what role did it play in his career?

A) “The Island of Statues,” marking his entry into the literary world
B) “The Wanderings of Oisin,” showcasing his poetic maturity
C) “The Isle of Statues,” influencing Irish intellectual thought
D) “The Island of Statues,” representing his early philosophical musings
Answer: A) “The Island of Statues,” marking his entry into the literary world

Which of the following figures supported Yeats and influenced his literary development?

A) Charles Johnson and Standish O’Grady
B) William Blake and Samuel Taylor Coleridge
C) Thomas Hardy and John Keats
D) George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde
Answer: A) Charles Johnson and Standish O’Grady

What does Yeats emphasize as an essential part of a writer’s journey?

A) Having natural talent
B) Consistently avoiding failure
C) Perseverance and learning from failure
D) Publishing early and frequently
Answer: C) Perseverance and learning from failure

How does Yeats describe his early approach to writing?

A) Highly focused and successful from the beginning
B) Lacking direction and skill
C) Influenced by the works of Irish poets only
D) Very methodical and organized
Answer: B) Lacking direction and skill

What is one of the key messages Yeats shares with aspiring writers?

A) Success comes immediately if you’re talented enough
B) Literary greatness is achieved only through formal education
C) Failure is an inevitable part of growth and should be embraced
D) A writer should stick to one genre to succeed
Answer: C) Failure is an inevitable part of growth and should be embraced

In what way does Yeats’ essay contribute to the development of young writers?

A) It provides a perfect guide to writing success
B) It offers a reflective narrative about the challenges and growth in a writer’s life
C) It focuses on achieving quick fame and recognition
D) It emphasizes avoiding failure at all costs
Answer: B) It offers a reflective narrative about the challenges and growth in a writer’s life

What lesson can aspiring writers take from Yeats’ early career struggles?

A) You must have a mentor to succeed
B) Literary success comes instantly with the right ideas
C) Hard work, reflection, and learning from mistakes lead to growth and success
D) Early work should always be perfect to gain recognition
Answer: C) Hard work, reflection, and learning from mistakes lead to growth and success

Short Answer Type Questions

Who wrote ‘The Sad Shepherd’?
Ans: Ben Jonson wrote ‘The Sad Shepherd’.
Who was Isadora Duncan?
Ans: Isadora Duncan was an American and French dancer.
Who was Standish O’Grady?
Ans: Standish O’Grady was an Irish author, journalist, and historian.
Who was John O’Leary?
Ans: John O’Leary was a leading Fenian and Irish Republican.
Who was Gordon Craig?
Ans: Gordon Craig was an English modernist theatre practitioner known for acting and directing.
Who influenced the Irish intellectual movement?
Ans: John O’Leary and Standish O’Grady influenced the Irish intellectual movement.
Name a pastoral play by W. B. Yeats which appeared in the review.
Ans: The Island of Statues.
When did W. B. Yeats win the Nobel Prize?
Ans: In 1923.
Whose library allowed the author to find the poets of Young Ireland?
Ans: John O’Leary’s library.
How was the author a professional writer?
Ans: As a professional writer, Yeats was slow and unmanageable. He was stiff and responded slowly.
Why did the author feel less confident among average men?
Ans: Because he believed he lacked the knowledge others had.
Who was the chief friend of the author in the Irish school? What did he say?
Ans: Charles Johnson. He said that Yeats didn’t want to learn anything and couldn’t learn anything.
Who inspired Yeats to read his poetry? What did he understand after reading? Who admired him?
Ans: Charles Johnson inspired him. After reading, Yeats realized he could write. John O’Leary admired his poetry.
How old was Yeats when his father took him to see Hamlet?
Ans: Ten or twelve years old.
What was the Dublin University Review?
Ans: An ambitious political and literary periodical.
Why should one go to school according to Yeats’ father?
Ans: To study certain subjects.
Who was Charles Johnson?
Ans: Yeats’ chief friend in Irish school.

Long Answer Type Questions

What did the author expect from young writers? Why?
Ans: He expected young writers not to begin as he did because his methods led to failure. He wanted them to follow the right path from the start.
What did the author’s father use to say?
Ans: He said Yeats lacked interest in studies and couldn’t focus on anything that didn’t interest him.
What do you mean by “poetic temperament” and “psychological weakness”?
Ans: Poetic temperament means a natural inclination towards poetry. Psychological weakness refers to emotional or mental vulnerability.
“I was one of the rising poets” – Who is referred to as ‘I’? How did he realize this?
Ans: ‘I’ refers to W. B. Yeats. He realized it after the publication of Wanderings of Oisin gained many subscribers through John O’Leary.
How does Yeats describe his school days in ‘I Became an Author’?
Ans: He spent long hours preparing but learned little. He would always be at the bottom of the class, except in subjects he found easy.
Discuss W.B. Yeats’ personal and literary growth as depicted in his autobiographical essay “I Became an Author.” How does Yeats reflect on his early struggles and mistakes, and what lessons does he offer to aspiring writers?
Ans: In W.B. Yeats’ autobiographical essay “I Became an Author”, Yeats provides an honest and introspective account of his journey from an uncertain schoolboy to one of Ireland’s most celebrated literary figures. The essay explores his early academic struggles, initial mistakes as a writer, and eventual growth into a distinguished poet and author. Through this narrative, Yeats offers valuable lessons for aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, self-reflection, and the willingness to learn from failure.
Early Struggles and Academic Disinterest:
Yeats begins the essay by admitting his early disinterest in academics. As a schoolboy, he found it difficult to engage with subjects that did not captivate his imagination, and his father often remarked on his inability to focus on anything that didn’t intrigue him. This admission highlights Yeats’ early sense of non-conformity and his tendency to pursue what truly interested him, even if it meant struggling with conventional academic subjects. Rather than seeing this as a disadvantage, Yeats frames it as a characteristic that later shaped his literary development, suggesting that writers should not be discouraged if their strengths do not lie in traditional academic subjects.
Early Literary Efforts and Influences:
Despite his early challenges, Yeats was passionate about writing poetry. He credits the encouragement of his friend, Charles Johnson, as a key factor in continuing his literary endeavors. Yeats’ first significant literary work, “The Island of Statues,” was written when he was just eighteen or nineteen. Although the play lacked the literary depth he would later achieve, its publication in the Dublin University Review marked his entry into the literary world. This early work, heavily influenced by the poets Shelley and Keats, reflects Yeats’ formative period in which he was still finding his voice. The inclusion of these influences also demonstrates Yeats’ eagerness to learn from the poets he admired, even if his early work lacked sophistication.
Literary Growth and Development:
As Yeats matured, his writing underwent significant development. The essay highlights his persistence in honing his craft and refining his poetic voice. One of the pivotal moments in his literary journey came with the publication of “The Wanderings of Oisin,” which marked his growing recognition as a poet. During this time, Yeats received critical support from influential figures such as John O’Leary and Standish O’Grady, who helped shape his intellectual and literary perspective. Yeats’ evolution as a poet illustrates the importance of mentorship and collaboration, as he was able to find his place within the larger Irish literary and intellectual movement.
The Role of Failure in Growth:
A key lesson that emerges from Yeats’ essay is the idea that failure is an essential part of the creative journey. Yeats is candid about his early mistakes, admitting that his first works lacked direction and refinement. However, he views these failures not as obstacles but as vital stepping stones toward success. This perspective is crucial for aspiring writers, as it emphasizes that growth and improvement are the result of consistent effort and the willingness to learn from mistakes. Yeats encourages young writers to embrace failure, as it provides the opportunity for self-reflection and eventual refinement of their craft.
Lessons for Aspiring Writers:
Through his personal narrative, Yeats provides several important lessons for aspiring writers. First, he emphasizes the importance of dedication and perseverance. Writing, he suggests, is not an easy or immediate path to success, but rather a long process of learning, refining, and growing. Second, Yeats stresses the significance of self-awareness. He is transparent about his flaws and early missteps, which adds authenticity to his narrative and makes his success all the more inspiring. Third, Yeats advocates for the importance of mentorship and community. Just as he was supported by figures like O’Leary and O’Grady, aspiring writers should seek guidance from those who have navigated the literary world before them.
Finally, Yeats’ essay serves as a reminder that literary success does not come without challenges. His journey proves that even the most celebrated authors begin with uncertainty, but with perseverance, hard work, and the willingness to learn, they can overcome obstacles and find their unique voice as writers.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, W.B. Yeats’ essay “I Became an Author” provides a deeply personal and insightful reflection on his development as a writer. Yeats’ journey from a struggling schoolboy to a renowned poet is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of learning from failure, and the need for mentorship in the creative process. Aspiring writers can take away invaluable lessons from Yeats’ experiences, particularly the idea that success in literature is not an immediate result but the outcome of continuous effort, self-reflection, and growth.

Grammar: Do as Directed

When eighteen or nineteen I wrote a pastoral play under the influence of Keats and Shelley. (Change the voice)
Ans: A pastoral play was written under the influence of Keats and Shelley when I was eighteen or nineteen.
I hated fools. (Change the voice)
Ans: Fools were hated by me.
I recall three plays, not of any merit. (Use a phrasal verb)
Ans: I call up three plays, not of any merit.
How did I begin to write? (Use a phrasal verb)
Ans: How did I set out to write?

Exercise: Answer the Following

Who inspired W. B. Yeats to read his poems? What did the author understand after reading? Who admired him for those writings?
Why did some undergraduates invite the author? How did the author feel at that time and why?
Why did the author begin to write The Wanderings of Oisin? How did this writing help him?
How did the author spend his time in London? Why did he take many days to write poetry?
How does W. B. Yeats describe his school days in I Became an Author?
Name the two persons who influenced the Irish intellectual movement.
What was Yeats’ question to the person he could trust?
Discuss the contribution of the men Yeats met as he evolved as an author.
Narrate briefly what happened after Yeats wrote a pastoral play when he was eighteen or nineteen.
Related Post:I Became an Author by W.B. Yeats – Summary & Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the central theme of W. B. Yeats’ essay I Became an Author?

The central theme of the essay is the struggle and perseverance involved in achieving one’s goals. Yeats shares his journey of becoming a renowned poet and author, emphasizing how failures and challenges are integral parts of success.

2. Is I Became an Author a fictional or non-fictional work?

I Became an Author is a non-fictional autobiographical prose. It is written in the first-person point of view and offers insights into the early life, influences, and writing journey of W. B. Yeats.

3. Why is I Became an Author important for students?

This essay is important because it motivates readers, especially students, to keep working toward their goals despite initial failures. It also provides a real-life example of resilience from one of Ireland’s greatest literary figures.

Disclaimer:

This content is created solely for educational and informational purposes. It draws upon publicly available educational materials, literary texts, and the author’s interpretation. All summaries, analyses, and explanations are original and intended to support learning. No copyright infringement is intended.