The poem initiates reflecting the history with passing time. The poet puts light on how the
centuries have passed, and on the way, stories have layered the books of history, adding new
chapters to its existence. While the action of the commoners walking is described as a tidal
movement, in contradiction, the noblemen are beheld riding.
?Now in the sunshine?in the shade? implies to the not-so-good times and the good times that
people face when they embark on their journey of creating history. Everyone faces impediments
or challenges and exhilaration in their life and on the way, history is created.
This brings the readers to contemplate the disparity that was prevalent in the treatment of the
people according to their status or wealth. The ones with power and influence had the luxury to
ride whereas the common man was bound to walk on foot. The radical views of the historians are
often obscured by historians, but the poet here in an attempt to break the stereotypes, unleashes
the harsh reality.
People on the move resemble the tide because of the large numbers in which they move. This
tide never stops, it moves onwards. We know this because as the onward movement happens,
and amidst all this, history is created.
The second stanza puts light on the curators of history. The poet then reiterates that it?s not only
the kings and queens who are responsible in the creating history, but common people like
builders, soldiers, merchants, lawyers and the like. The poet is of the opinion that the more
clearly we see the past, the more clearly we?ll see the present and thus become equipped to
improve it. So, he also brings forth how each field and the people gaining expertise in it, add
value to the chapters of history. By the churchmen, he not only refers to the bishop or the canon,
but the religious people all around who build ideologies or beliefs of people to follow. By the
lawyers, the poet refers to all the people in jurisdiction who are responsible for making laws and
codes of conduct for a nation. By the reference to builders, the poet indicates how the builders or
the architects are responsible for the designing a city, town or a district, like how the Harrappan
civilization was known for its archaeology. The poet specifically mentions ?Romans? making roads
can also be seen as a satire that it?s not only the Romans who were responsible for making roads,
but the common men.
Although, it can also refer to how the Romans developed the roads. Although they did not invent
drainage, sewers, the alphabet or roads, but they did modernize them. They did invent
underfloor heating, concrete and the calendar that our modern calendar is based on. Concrete played an important part in Roman building, helping them construct structures like aqueducts
that included arches. So, the poet might refer to how their involvement was important in building
roads and they are equally important, comparing them to the importance of a common man. The
poet also mentions that soldiers instead of generals should also be given equal importance
because they also risk their lives in battles, and their role is pivotal in strengthening the defense
of a nation. Moreover, the merchants also elevate the economic status of a nation and thus they
shouldn?t be overlooked. Thus, people, the ordinary people make changes and amidst all, this
history is shaped.
The poet then builds a contrast between the artisans who shape the fate of their masterpiece
with their will against the rulers who shape the fate of the people. Although, they both have
unquestionable authority to create their art, but the difference is that the artisan fiddles with the
inanimate whereas the rulers get to deal with the human resource. The poet also highlights that
even nations elect kings for its administration to run, but people move ahead without giving
weight to the radical views it brings upon the fate of the ordinary. Amidst all this, people move
ahead in processions crafting history; adding new chapters to the subject and finding new
revelations to the already existing history. This the summary .

Ques.2 Why does the poet refer to the masses? movements as ?a great tide? or ?great cavalcade??
Ques.3. What does the poet mean by the line, ?and now in the sunshine/and now in the shade/people move onward??? Ques.4 What is the central idea of the poem? (60 ? 80 words)
Ques.5 How does the poet build a contrast between the artisans and the rulers?
Analytical Question
Q1. The poet talks of the onward movement among people that is constantly happening, leading to the
creation of history. If you had to think of your own life, and how your movements are contributing to a
making of history, what are the things you think people of the future would want to know about these times ? Explain .

Please tell me the answer.