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2. Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

a. What does the poet mean by ‘bludgeonings of chance’?

i. tough times ii. failure iii. defeat iv. disaster

b. Is there positivity in the second line?
c. What does the speaker suggest in these two lines?

Time to think and answer

1. Summarise the poem in your own words.

2. Invictus means ‘unconquerable’ or ‘undefeated’. According to Nelson Mandela, one should

not back down or be afraid when things seem bad. Do you think the poem conveys the same
message? Explain.

3. Do you believe that you are the master of your fate? Or do you think external factors like
your parents, your environment, etc., make your fate? Present your opinion in a short essay.

Time to enjoy

1. What is the theme of the poem?

2. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?

3. Which figures of speech have been used in the poem?

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