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98100 67744
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V.K.Mahajan
A Roadside Stand
By: Virendra Mahajan
Mob: 9810067744
Email: [email protected]
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
ABOUT THE POEM
Introduction
"A Roadside Stand" highlights the stark reality of class difference between the city rich and the rural poor and calls
for deepest sympathy and concern
for the latter. The roadside stand owner, representing the rural poor, complains of the indifferent attitude of the city
folk as represented by the city motorists and appeals to them to come forward to relieve the rural poor of their
misery, want and poverty.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
Summary
The speaker saw an old little house by the side of a road. Its shed had been recently renovated. Vehicles passed
by this stand at a great speed. The inmates of the roadside stand stood expectantly waiting for a passers-by to
halt for food and refreshments. They craved for some city money to fall into their share so that they could support
their lives with it. The money, city folk spent in saving their flowers from fading away could be better used in
supporting the lives of village folk from sinking.
However, city folk were indifferent to their lot. Their vehicles passed by on the highway with their drivers minds set
on their destination. Those who cared to stop were quite critical of the poor decor of the stand and its artless
interior and paint. They would also complain about the signs of 'N' and S' being turned
wrong. The rich city dwellers passing by the stand would also disapprove of the wild berries and the crook-nocked
squash offered for sale here. They felt that these unhygienically maintained roadside stands marred the scenic
beauty of this beautiful mountain scene.
The speaker questions the rich city dwellers why they are being mean and stingy although they have a lot of
money. He does not want to complain about the harm these people cause to the natural scenery. He is more
concerned about the pain and sorrow their unsaid words cause to the trust. The country people have bestowed on
them. The poor rustic folks establish their roadside stand fur away from the city and hope that some money from
the rich city dwellers would pass into their hands and it will help them grow and enjoy a comfortable living. By
letting some city-money pass into their hands, the city dwellers will probably keep their promise of providing them
economic independence which the ruling party has failed to do.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
The speaker further remarks that he had heard in the news that all the poor people like him would be drawn out of
their poverty and be privileged to live a comfortable life in their villages. They will also be able to taste the urban
comforts of having a
theatre and a store; so they will not have to worry about their living. The capitalists and the men in power
impersonate as their benefactors but in their greed these beasts of prey impose themselves on the country people
and lure them with benefits
Which are tactfully calculated by them. They come with vain promises to provide the country dwellers benefits
which would comfort them beyond their imagination. Thus tempted and lured innocent rustic forget to know and
protect their rights. Their greedy benefactors then sleep over their promises leaving them even more miserable
and wretched.

The speaker feels that sometimes he cannot bear the thought of having to face so much deprivation. traves in vain
like a child for his wishes to be fulfilled. He is sensitive to the sadness he sees prevailing at the open windows of
the roadside stand where the owners wait expectantly with an open prayer for the shrieking of the brakes or the
sound of a car stopping. In that lies their hope of earning some city money. They hope vainly that of all the
thousand cars that speed away past their stand, at least one would stop even if it is to enquire about the prices.
When one does stop, their hopes are shattered, for it only digs up the grass and uses the
yard to back and turn around or to enquire for the way to its destination. Sometimes some motorists stop to
enquire if they could buy a gallon of gas from the stand. This indifferent and unfeeling behaviour upsets the
country folk tremendously.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
The speaker finally laments that the spirit to progress economically is not found in the countryside. The country
folk thus voice their complaints against such economic disparity. The speaker accepts unequivocally (expresses
his intention clearly and firmly) that it would be a great relief work if these poor rustics could be driven out
of the pain of poverty.
He then wonders that when he gains his sanity how he would desire his countrymen to pull him out of his pain.
The last lines of the poem probably express the poet's lament that he was not recognised so well in his own
country America where he earned his due recognition only after proving his mettle in Britain.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
THEME
The poem "A Roadside Stand" is a sympathetic and humane outcry against the economic disparity that prevails in
the cities and the countryside. The poor, deprived rustics wait for city money to roll into their hands so that they
can also enjoy a comfortable life.
The city dwellers pass by the old sheds of these roadside stands in an insensitive manner, paying no heed to the
expectant eyes of the poor rustics who look up to them for help. If ever anyone stops there it is only to lash out
their complaints against
the ugly and unhygienic surroundings. The poet thus brings out the wide disparity between the 'haves' and the
'have-nots' with pitiless clarity and humanity and seems to suggest that the economic well-being of a country
depends on a balanced development of the villages and the cities.
A Roadside Stand- Explanation
GLOSSARY
pathetically pitifully
pled made an earnest request or appealed
withering becoming dried up and dead
out of sorts upset
marred spoiled
bottles or containers quarts
kin a group of people of common ancestry
mercifully compassionately
beneficent generous
swarm to throng
enforcing imposing or compelling
soothe calm
longing a strong desire
in vain without success or result
lurks lies hidden
squeal a shrill sharp cry or noise
plow up to break up the surface of the ground by driving across it again and again
Bound ready to travel in a particular direction or to a particular place
Requisite necessary or required
at one stroke with a single immediate action
sane sensible and reasonable
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
(1) The little old house was out with a little new shed
In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,
A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,
It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,
But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.
The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead
(a) What does the little old house' refer to?
The 'little old house' refers to the roadside stand.
(b) What is the condition of the roadside stand ?
The roadside stand is in a miserable condition. The owner lacks the resources to maintain it artistically though he has
given it a fresh look by renovating its shed.
(c) What was the real purpose of setting up of a roadside stand ?
The shed was set up to earn some "city money and not to earn just two square meals.
(d) Explain: 'too pathetically pled.'
The owner desperately pleads for the rich city dwellers to stop at his roadside stand to buy his wares so that some money
could flow into his hands.
(e) How would this money help the country folk ?
The city money would help the country folk live a better life. This money will remove their want and poverty.
(f) How do the passers-by react ? Is their attitude right?
The passers-by do not respond to their pleas. They rush away in their polished cars with their mind focussed only on their
destination. According to the speaker, their attitude is not right for they fail to realize their duty towards their poor rural
brethren.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
(2) Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong
Offered for sale wild berries in wooden quarts,
Or crook-necked golden squash with silver warts
(a) What does the poet mean by, if ever aside a moment'?
The city dwellers do not care to pause and show concern for the innocent rustics at the roadside stand. If ever
they momentarily pause to have one look at these people, they are rather critical in their comments.
(b) Explain: 'out of sorts.
The expression means ill, sick or upset. Here it means upset. The city dwellers are upset that the artless decor of
the stand is in disharmony with the surroundings.
(c) What are the complaints of the city dwellers?
The city dwellers complain that the country folk have destroyed the scenic beauty of the landscape by their
tastelessly painted roadside stand. Even their 'N' and 'S' on the sign-boards is wrongly presented.
(d) What are the city dwellers offered at the roadside stand?
They are offered wild berries in wooden containers and golden squash at the roadside stand.
(e) Do you think the city dwellers are happy with what they are offered ?
The city dwellers do not approve of the things they are offered for sale at these roadside stands.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
(3) Or beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene,
have the money, but if you want to be mean,
Why keep your money (this crossly) and go along
The hurt to the scenery wouldn't be my complaint
So much as the trusting sorrow of what is unsaid

(a) Explain: "Or beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene."

The expression means that the city dwellers feel upset about the way roadside stand mars the beauty of the
mountains.
(b) Who does You' refer to ? What is the reason of their affluence?
You' here refers to the city dwellers. They are more affluent than the country folk because they have access to the
rapid industrialisation which has made money to flow in their hands.
(c) What character trait of the city dwellers is highlighted here ?
The poet points out the mean and selfish nature of the city dwellers.
(d) Does the poet approve of their behaviour?
No, the poet does not approve of their behaviour. He is rather critical that the city
dwellers are possessive about their money. They do not share it with the rustics.
(e) What is the trusting sorrow? What remains unsaid ?
The country folk trust that their rich brethren in the city would come to their help but they feel sad when this trust is
breached by the city people through their indifference. Although the city people have said nothing but their silence
speaks volumes about their cold and indifferent attitude towards the rural poor, who feel hurt by it.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
(4) And ask for some city money to feel in hand
To try if it will not make our being expand,
And give us the life of the 'moving-pictures' promise
That the party in power is said to be keeping from us.
(a) What does 'city money imply?
The expression refers to the rich resources of money which the city dwellers have
accumulated through business and industry.
(b) What do the country folk wish for ?
The country folk wish for some money from the city dwellers to flow into their hands so that they can also live a
better life.
(c) Explain: 'make our being expand.
The country folk believe that if some money from the cities flows into their hands, they could hope to progress and
thus enjoy better living standards.
(d) What does 'life of the moving-pictures imply?
The expression refers to a luxurious and an advanced lifestyle which is projected as a dream world in the movies.
(e) Why is the poet critical of the ruling government?
The poet expresses his criticism because the party in power promises better living
conditions for the rustics during their election campaigns. These promises are, however, soon forgotten once the
party gains power.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
(5) It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store,
Where they won't have to think for themselves anymore
(a) What is in the news?
The politicians use the media to hit the news headlines by spreading the rumour that better living conditions would
be provided to the villagers. They would be given respectable places to live in the villages and enjoy a comfortable
life.
(b) Who are the 'pitiful kin'?
The pitiful kin refers to the poor village folk. They are akin to each other in their poverty stricken pathetic
conditions.
(c) What promise is given to the rustics ?
The country folk promise the village folk with respectable living space in the villages. They also promise a far
superior lifestyle to these rustics. This they would do by buying out the assets of the village people.
(d) How will the country folk be benefitted?
The country folk will be benefitted as they will be provided space near the theatre and the store. This will give them
better living standards and they will not suffer the pangs of insecurity in life.
(e) Are these promises fulfilled ?
These promises are not fulfilled by the ruling government for their benefactors only believe in filling their coffers.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
(6) While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.
(a) Explain: 'greedy good-doers.
The expression refers to the crooked politicians who pose as the benefactors of the masses in the name of
removing their poverty but are actually greedy for power and pelf.
(b) Explain the irony in the expression: "beneficent beasts of prey”.
The beasts of prey are not beneficent by nature. They are only out to kill their prey and not to show mercy to them.
But the men in power are beasts of prey in the garb of our benefactors. They exploit the common people for their
vested interests.
(c) What kind of benefits are enforced on the country folk ?
The men in power enforce such benefits on the country folk which are well calculated in their own interest.
(d) Explain : 'soothe them out of their wits
The men in power approach the country folk with tall promises of providing better living conditions and a
progressive life. The innocent rustics repose blind faith in these promises and feel comforted and soothed to an
extent that they fail to see through or rationalise their crooked ways.
(e) Who teaches them to sleep and how?
The men in power with their tall promises and assurances teach the innocent country folk to sleep over and ignore
their sufferings which are a result of the prevailing economic disparity.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
(7) Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear
The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
That waits all day in almost open prayer
Por the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,
Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass
(a) What can't the narrator bear?
The narrator cannot bear the thought of so much deprivation to the innocent country folk. They are allured with
false promises which are never going to be fulfilled.
(b) What does 'childish longing imply
Children nurture so many unfulfilled dreams and desires which may or may not be fulfilled. The country folk's
expectant wait for some good to fall into their share has been referred to as childish longing by the poet.
(c) Why is 'sadness' lurking at the open window?
Sadness lurks near the open window of the roadside stand as no city dweller halts there to take refreshments. The
people who own the roadside stand are left in poverty when their hopes for a better living are belied.
(d) What do the people at the roadside stand wait for ?
They expectantly wait for the loud shrieks of brakes and the sound of a stopping car. It raises their hope for some
city money to flow into their hands.
(e) Why are the cars referred to as selfish?
The cars are referred to as selfish for the owners of the car do not care t0 stop at the
roadside stand to share the pain and suffering of the people there or contribute in enhancing their financial status.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
(8) Just one to inquire what a farmer's prices are.
And one did stop, but only to plow up grass
In using the yard to back and turn around;
And another to ask the way to where it was bound;
And another to ask could they sell it a gallon of gas
They couldn't (this crossly); they had none, didn't it see?
(a) What does 'one' refer to?
'One' here refers to a stopping car owned by aa city dweller.
(b) What do the country folk expect them to enquire for?
The country folk expect them to enquire for the prices of their products which could induce the city people into
buying these products.
(c) Did the car stop to enquire for the prices ?
No, the car did not stop to enquire for the farmer's prices. It only ploughed up the grass to back and turn around.
(d) What are the other reasons for which the cars stopped at the roadside stand?
The cars halted at the roadside stand either to enquire the way towards their destination or to ask for a gallon of
gas if they ran short of it.
(e) How did the people at the roadside react at their enquiry?
The people at the roadside stand were rather cross especially when the city car drivers enquired for a gallon of
gas. They were rather infuriated at city folks' ignorance for they could clearly see that they were farmers selling
fruits and vegetables, not gas.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
(9) No, in country money, the country scale of gain,
The requisite lift of spirit has never been found,
Or so the voice of the country seems to complain,
I can't help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.
And then next day as I come back into the sane,
I wonder how I should like you to come to me
And offer to put me gently out of my pain.
(a) What does the poet mean by 'country money or 'country scale of gain ?
The expression refers to the financial resources in the country side. The country folk being dependent on farming cannot hope for rich
resources of money.
(b) What spirit is lacking in the countryside ?
The spirit required to be progressive and affluent is not to be found in the countryside.
(c) What does the voice of the country complain?
The voice of the country complains of the backwardness of the countryside. The affluent city dwellers do not share their affluence
with the country folk.
(d) What is the wish of the poet?
The poet wishes that great relief measures must be adopted to provide economic affluence to the country people and draw them out
of their pain.
(e) How does the poet express his concern for the country people?
The poet experiences insufferable pain at the plight of the rural people. The poet feels deep concern for them and wants that some
serious steps must be taken to reduce their pain. The day he learns of the relief work it would gently pull him out of his pain and
suffering.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
Q1.The city folk who drove through the countryside hardly paid any heed to the roadside stand or to the
people who ran it. If at all they did, it was to complain. Which lines bring this out ? What was their
complaint about?
The city folk drove through the countryside with mind set on their destination. They did not bother to look at the
roadside stand. If at all they stopped, they were critical of its poor decor, artless interior and paint which marred
the scenic beauty of the mountains. They also complained of the wrong signs put up by the stand owners and the
way wild berries were being sold in wooden quarts.
The following lines bring out this complain:
"The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,
Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong"
Q2. What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?
The folk running the roadside stand made a plea to the city dwellers to buy their stuff so that they could also earn
some money to improve their lot and standard of living.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
Q3. The government and other social service agencies appear to help the poor rural people, but actually
do them no good. Pick out the words and phrases that the poet uses to show their double standards.
The following words and phrases have been used by the poet to show the double standards of the government
and other social service organisations.
i) "the party in power is said to be keeping from us" (Political promises made to country folk have remained
unfulfilled)
(i) "greedy good-doers" (The benefactors and philanthropes have an axe to grind)
(ii) "beneficent beasts of prey" (City dwellers think of working for the benefit of the country folk only to exploit them
for their vested interests)
(i) "enforcing benefits/ That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits" (All the welfare schemes have an
ulterior motive to promote the interests of the city dwellers/ govt/ the rich)
Q4. What is the 'childish longing' that the poet refers to ? Why is it 'vain' ?
The expression refers to the dreams and desires of the p0or rustics. Like innocent children they dream of a better
life which they can enjoy with the help received from the city dwellers. They vainly long for city folks to stop and
pay attention to their needs. It is referred to as vain for their desire will never be fulfilled this way.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
Q5. How does the poet express his insufferable pain at the thought of the plight of the rural poor ? Which
lines bring out this idea ?
The poet is immensely pained at the incessant suffering and miserable plight of the rural poor. Relating his pain
with the suffering of the country folk, the poet feels he would experience immense joy and relief in being able to
relieve these people of their pain and suffering. They need a healing touch as much as he does.
The following lines bring out this idea:
"I wonder how I should like you to come to me
And offer to put me gently out of my pain.“
Q6. Where was the roadside stand ? What was its condition?
The roadside stand was located at the edge of the highway road. lt's tastelessly done up decor did
not attract the passers-by, though the owner had given it a new look by renovating its shed.
Q7. What support do the country folk expect from the city dwellers ?
The cash-starved country folk look up to the city dwellers for their patronage and financial support.
They feel that if some money flows into their hands, they can also hope to lead an improvised and
prosperous life.
Q8. What, according to the poet, contributes to the progress and affluence of the cities ?
The increasing industrialization and scientific progress in the cities helps in generating more money and hence
increases the purchasing power of the city dwellers. They thus, blossom unlike the countryside which is
languishing in poverty,
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
Q9. Did the city dwellers stop at the roadside stand?
The city dwellers did not care to stop at the roadside stand. They were never impressed by its poor decor.
Moreover, they were too engrossed in their thoughts and worries. The hubbub of the city life had made them self-
centred and so they had no time to wait and fulfil the needs of the poor rustics.
Q10. Did the city dwellers appreciate the roadside stand ?
The city dwellers did not appreciate the roadside stand. They never stopped there for refreshments. If ever anyone
stopped there they would be critical of its poor decor. They would also complain about the signs being wrongly
placed there.
Q11. The roadside stand is a farmer's den. What textual evidence can you cite in support of this
statement?
The roadside stand is a farmer's den for it sells wild berries and golden squash which are countryside fruits and
vegetables. The city dwellers have no interest in the things offered at the roadside stand.
Q12. How does the poet criticise the city ways?
The poet is critical of the city ways for the city folk have allowed themselves to be so carried away by city lifestyle
that they have no time to stand and appreciate the nature's beauty. They speed past the countryside and
denigrate its beauty without showing compassion and concern for the country people. They also show no
appreciation or concern towards the beautiful mountain scene.
Q13. How does the poet highlight the mean and selfish nature of the city dwellers ?
The poet sees the city dwellers as mean and selfish as they refuse to extend financial support to the country folk.
They are rich and affluent but still possessive about their money. They do not let this money flow into the hands of
the country folk by buying what the latter have to offer them.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
Q14. How would the flow of city money into the hands of the country folk help them ?
The country folk would also be able to enjoy better living standards and a progressive life if some the city money
could flow into their hands.
Q15. What is the complain of the country folk against the party in power?
The party in power promises them a dream world, a luxurious and progressive life. But these promises prove to be
false as they are not fulfilled. The country folk thus complain that they a deprived of what they had been promised
by the people in power.
Q16. What empty promises are being made to the country people?
The men in power use the media to give assurances to the innocent country folk that they would soon be pulled
out of their poverty, They would be provided better living conditions with theatre and stores. They can then enjoy a
secure life and will not have to worry about themselves any longer.
Q17. Give examples of contrast and irony in the poem?
The use of expressions 'greedy good-doers' and 'beneficent beasts of prey' beautifully bring out the use of irony
and contrast by the poet. The men in power pose to be the benefactors and good-doers of the poor rural people.
In reality they are greedy for power and pelf and exploit the rural masses the for their vested interests.
Q18 Are the politicians genuinely interested in the betterment of the countryside?
The politicians are not genuinely interested in the upliftment of the countryside. They shower benefits on them only
during the times of elections. Thereafter they just sleep over the promises they had made and also teach the poor
how to accept their suffering as a part of the their destiny. These people learn to accept their suffering lying down.
 A Roadside Stand- Explanation
Q19. What is the 'open prayer made by the country folk ?
The country folk make an open appeal to the city dwellers that they should not be selfish. They expectantly pray
for the city cars to stop at their roadside stand and help them lead a better life.
Q20. What are the different reasons for which the cars halt at the roadside stand?
The city dwellers halt their cars at the roadside stand at times to plough the grass and use the yard to back and
turn around. At other times, they stop to enquire for the way and sometimes ironically to ask if they could sell them
a gallon of gas.