Class 8 English Chapter 7 Sympathy
Subject: English
Board: SEBA Assam
Medium: English
Introduction
The poem “Sympathy” by Charles Mackay beautifully teaches us the value of kindness and true compassion.
It shows that money may help someone for a moment, but sympathy and love heal a person forever. The poet compares two people — a proud rich man and a humble poor man — and tells us whose help was truly valuable.
Summary of the Poem Sympathy
The poet was once in great sorrow and distress.
A proud rich man noticed him but did not speak kindly. He simply gave the poet some gold coins without any sympathy or warmth. The poet was thankful but still felt lonely, because love and comfort were missing.
Later, when the poet recovered, he returned the gold to the proud man and thanked him. Yet, he realized that money can never equal true kindness.
After some time, the poet again fell into pain and sadness. This time, a poor man saw him and helped selflessly. He bandaged the poet’s wounds, gave him bread, and took care of him day and night. His compassion came from the heart, not from wealth.
The poet felt that he could never repay this poor man’s goodness. He ends the poem with a beautiful line:
“Oh, gold is great, but greater far
Is heavenly sympathy.”
It means sympathy is divine a blessing from God that money can never buy.
Poem Text Sympathy (by Charles Mackay)
I lay in sorrow, deep distressed;
My grief a proud man heard;
His looks were cold, he gave me gold;
But not a kindly word.
My sorrow passed – I paid him back
The gold he gave to me;
Then stood erect and spoke my thanks,
And blessed his charity.
I lay in want, and grief, and pain;
A poor man passed my way;
He bound my head, he gave me bread,
He watched me night and day.
How shall I pay him back again
For all he did to me?
Oh, gold is great, but greater far
Is heavenly sympathy.
Central Idea / Theme
The poem conveys that true help comes from the heart, not from money.
Real sympathy means understanding another person’s pain and sharing it.
The proud man’s charity lacked warmth, while the poor man’s care was filled with love. Hence, sympathy is heavenly — it is the most precious human value.
Moral of the Poem
“Kindness and compassion are worth more than gold.”
The poet teaches us that showing sympathy and helping others with love is far more meaningful than giving money without feelings.
Question and Answers
Q1. How did the proud man help the poet?
A. The proud man gave the poet gold but spoke no kind word. His help lacked sympathy.
Q2. What did the poor man do for the poet?
A. The poor man gave the poet food, bandaged his head, and looked after him day and night.
Q3. Why does the poet think he cannot repay the poor man?
A. Because love and sympathy cannot be measured or returned; they are divine gifts.
Q4. What does “heavenly sympathy” mean?
A. It means pure, godly compassion that comes from a loving heart not material help.
Q5. What is the main message of the poem?
A. The poem teaches us that real help is not about money but about caring for others with true sympathy.
Poetic Devices Used
Poetic Device Example Explanation
Alliteration “He bound my head, he gave me bread” Repetition of ‘h’ and ‘b’ sounds
Repetition “He gave me…” To create rhythm and emphasis
Rhyme Scheme abab Every alternate line rhymes
Metaphor “Heavenly sympathy” Compares sympathy to a divine quality
Vocabulary from the Poem
Word Meaning Example
Distressed Full of sorrow or pain The poet was deeply distressed.
Charity Help given to others The proud man showed charity by giving gold.
Sympathy Feeling of pity and care The poor man showed heavenly sympathy.
Erect Standing straight The poet stood erect and thanked the proud man.
Choose the Correct Option (MCQs)
The proud man helped the poet by
(a) giving him money ✅
(b) speaking kind words
(c) taking care of him
(d) ignoring him
The poor man helped the poet by
(a) giving gold
(b) giving him food and care ✅
(c) laughing at him
(d) running away
The poet calls sympathy “heavenly” because
(a) it is expensive
(b) it is a blessing from God ✅
(c) it comes from the rich
(d) it is ordinary
Word Play – Jumbled Words
Jumbled Word Correct Word Antonym Part of Speech
wsoror sorrow joy noun
ymsapthy sympathy cruelty noun
dkiynl kindly harshly adjective
ifegr grief happiness noun
Human Values in the Poem
Human Value Meaning Synonym Antonym
Kindness Being gentle and generous Care Unkindness
Sympathy Sharing others’ sorrow Compassion Cruelty
Charity Helping others selflessly Generosity Greed
Grammar Practice – Polite Requests
Change the sentences into polite form:
1. Give me some bread. → Could you please give me some bread?
2. Take me to the doctor. → Would you mind taking me to the doctor?
Writing Task
Write a short story (in 5–8 lines) based on the theme of the poem:
A rich man once helped a poor beggar by giving him money, but no kind word.
Later, when the beggar was sick, a poor farmer took care of him, fed him, and stayed by his side.
The beggar realised that love and kindness are worth more than gold.