This Blog is a part of Thinking Activity assigned by Dr. and Prof. Dilip Barad sir regarding I.A Richards' Figurative Language - Practical Criticism where I have been given the poem titled ' Khalasi by Saumya Joshi for close reading and my interpretavive biases on the same.Here is the link to the professor's blog for background reading:Click here
Here is the link to the professor's research article for background reading:Click here
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Interpretation of Poetry according to I.A. Richards
According to I.A. Richards, poetry should not be understood only by its literal meaning. He explains that a poem communicates meaning through language, and words carry more than one kind of meaning. In Richards’ work, there are four kinds of meaning that help in interpreting poetry:
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Sense – what is directly said in the poem.
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Feeling – the emotions or attitudes of the poet toward the subject.
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Tone – the poet’s attitude toward the reader.
-
Intention – the poet’s purpose or the effect he wants to create.
Richards also points out that readers often misunderstand poetry. He identifies four types of misunderstanding:
- Misunderstanding the sense of poetry due to careless or intuitive reading.
- Over-literal or prosaic reading of poetry.
- Defective scholarship, such as wrong use or understanding of metaphors.
- Difference in meaning of words in poetry and prose, especially in figures of speech like metaphor and personification.
Thus, I.A. Richards teaches that correct interpretation of poetry requires attention to sense, feeling, tone, and intention, and awareness of common misunderstandings. His theory helps readers appreciate poetry more deeply and accurately.
Khalasi - Saumya Joshi
ગોતીલો
ગોતીલો તમે ગોતીલો ગોતીલો ગોતીલો
નથી જે માઝામા
ખાલી વાવતા ધજા મા
એવો હાડ નો પ્રવાસી ગોતીલો
ગોતીલો તમે ગોતીલો ગોતીલો ગોતીલો
ગોતીલો તમે ગોતીલો ગોતીલો ગોતીલો
નથી જે માઝામા
ખાલી વાવતા ધજા મા
એવો હાડ નો પ્રવાસી ગોતીલો
કાંઠેથી જાં તુ જા, દરિએ
દરિએથી જા તુ જા, તલિએ
કાંઠેથી જા તુ જા
ગોતીલો તમે ગોતીલો ગોતીલો ગોતીલો, ઓહો
કાંઠેથી જા તુ જા-જા
દરિએ થી જા તુ જા, તલિએ
કાંઠેથી જા તુ જા
ગોતીલો તમે ગોતીલો ગોતીલો ગોતીલો
ગોતીલો તમે ગોતીલો ગોતીલો ગોતીલો
એ વેહવા દો, વેહવા દો, વેહવા દો જ્યાં વહિએ
વેહવા દો વેહવા દો, વેહવા દો
રેવાડો, રેવાડો, રેવાડો જ્યાં છાઇએ
રેવાડો, રેવાડો, રેવાડો
વેહવા દો, વેહવા દો, વેહવા દો, આહી
રેવાડો, રેવાડો, રેવાડો, આહી
[ગાથા]
નથી જે માઝામા
ખાલી વાવતા ધજા મા
એવો હાડ નો પ્રવાસી ગોતીલો
એવો કોણ છે ખલાસી મને કૈદોને
એના થામ ને ઠેકાણા મને દાઇદોને
એવો કોણ છે ખલાસી મને કૈદોને
રેવાડો, રેવાડો, રેવાડો જ્યાં છાઇએ
રેવાડો, રેવાડો, રેવાડો
વેહવા દો, વેહવા દો, વેહવા દો, આહી
રેવાડો, રેવાડો, રેવાડો, આહી
ગોતીલો તમે ગોતીલો ગોતીલો ગોતીલો
ખેવાયા, ઓ ખેવાયા
હમબો રે હઈ, હઈ, હઈયા
નિકલીજા લૈને તુ તારી નઈયા
હમબો રે, હઈ, હઈ
હમબો રે હઈ, અએ
ખેવાયા, ઓ ખેવાયા
હમબો રે હઈ, હઈ, હઈયા
નિકલીજા લૈને તુ તારી નઈયા
હમબો રે, હમબો રે હઈ, હઈ, હઈયા
એ વેહવા દો, વેહવા દો, વેહવા દો જ્યાં વહિએ
વેહવા દો વેહવા દો, વેહવા દો
[ગાથા]
નથી જે માઝામા
ખાલી વાવતા ધજા મા
એવો હાડ નો પ્રવાસી ગોતીલો
એવો કોણ છે ખલાસી મને
ઓ ખેવાયા
એવો કોણ છે પ્રવાસી મને
હઈ, હઈ, હઈયા
એવો કોણ છે ખલાસી મને
લૈજા નઈયા
એવો કોણ છે ખલાસી મને
ઓ ખેવાયા
એવો કોણ છે પ્રવાસી મને
હઈ, હઈ, હઈયા
[પૂર્વ-ગાથા]
નથી જે માઝામા
ખાલી વાવતા ધજા મા
એવો હાડ નો પ્રવાસી ગોતીલો
એ, ગોતીલો, તમે ગોતીલો ગોતીલો
When I read the poem “ગોતીલો” for the first time, I do not feel that it is describing a clear event or story. Instead, it feels like an emotional journey. The repeated word “ગોતીલો” immediately gives me the sense of a wanderer someone who is restless and constantly moving. The poem appears to speak about a person who does not belong to comfort or pride but lives through struggle and continuous searching.
Images of the shore, sea, boat, sailor, and flowing water make me feel that the poem is symbolic rather than literal. I sense that the journey across the sea represents life itself. The repeated questions such as “એવો કોણ છે ખલાસી મને કૈદોને?” do not seem to demand direct answers. Instead, they express longing, uncertainty, and a desire for guidance. Phrases like “વેહવા દો” make me feel that the poem encourages surrender to the natural flow of life rather than resistance. My understanding of the poem comes more from its rhythm, repetition, and emotional movement than from any fixed meaning, which makes it deeply relatable and reflective.
1) Sense
According to I. A. Richards, sense refers to the basic intellectual meaning of the words. In this poem, the sense appears to be about a traveler who is constantly moving between the shore and the sea. The poem speaks of a wanderer who is not living in comfort and does not rely on empty pride. The references to the boat, sailor, sea, and journey suggest movement and travel. Literally, the poem describes a restless traveler asking for guidance and direction, moving forward while accepting uncertainty. Thus, the sense of the poem is about an ongoing journey marked by struggle and search.
According to I. A. Richards, sense refers to the basic intellectual meaning of the words. In this poem, the sense appears to be about a traveler who is constantly moving between the shore and the sea. The poem speaks of a wanderer who is not living in comfort and does not rely on empty pride. The references to the boat, sailor, sea, and journey suggest movement and travel. Literally, the poem describes a restless traveler asking for guidance and direction, moving forward while accepting uncertainty. Thus, the sense of the poem is about an ongoing journey marked by struggle and search.
2) Feeling
Richards defines feeling as the emotional attitude conveyed by the poet. While reading the poem, I strongly feel restlessness, longing, fatigue, and quiet hope. Expressions like “હાડ નો પ્રવાસી” create a sense of physical and emotional exhaustion. The repetition of “ગોતીલો” deepens the feeling of endless wandering. At the same time, lines like “વેહવા દો” give me a sense of acceptance and calm. The poem does not feel angry or dramatic; instead, it feels tired, searching, and emotionally honest. These feelings make me emotionally connect with the speaker.
Richards defines feeling as the emotional attitude conveyed by the poet. While reading the poem, I strongly feel restlessness, longing, fatigue, and quiet hope. Expressions like “હાડ નો પ્રવાસી” create a sense of physical and emotional exhaustion. The repetition of “ગોતીલો” deepens the feeling of endless wandering. At the same time, lines like “વેહવા દો” give me a sense of acceptance and calm. The poem does not feel angry or dramatic; instead, it feels tired, searching, and emotionally honest. These feelings make me emotionally connect with the speaker.
3) Tone
In Richards’ terms, tone reflects the poet’s attitude toward the reader. To me, the tone of the poem is reflective, questioning, and gently pleading. The poet does not instruct or accuse the reader but invites them to share the experience of wandering. The repeated questions addressed to the sailor create a tone of dependence and vulnerability. The musical repetition and folk-like rhythm soften the tone, making it feel intimate rather than forceful. I feel as if the poet is speaking quietly to the reader, not arguing but sharing a condition of life.
In Richards’ terms, tone reflects the poet’s attitude toward the reader. To me, the tone of the poem is reflective, questioning, and gently pleading. The poet does not instruct or accuse the reader but invites them to share the experience of wandering. The repeated questions addressed to the sailor create a tone of dependence and vulnerability. The musical repetition and folk-like rhythm soften the tone, making it feel intimate rather than forceful. I feel as if the poet is speaking quietly to the reader, not arguing but sharing a condition of life.
4) Intention
According to Richards, intention refers to the response the poet wants to evoke. From my reading, I feel that the poet’s intention is not to explain life but to make the reader feel the condition of wandering. By repeating images of movement and questions without answers, the poem makes me reflect on my own life journey. The poet seems to want the reader to accept uncertainty, struggle, and flow as natural parts of existence. The intention is emotional and experiential rather than informative, encouraging self-reflection rather than understanding facts.
According to Richards, intention refers to the response the poet wants to evoke. From my reading, I feel that the poet’s intention is not to explain life but to make the reader feel the condition of wandering. By repeating images of movement and questions without answers, the poem makes me reflect on my own life journey. The poet seems to want the reader to accept uncertainty, struggle, and flow as natural parts of existence. The intention is emotional and experiential rather than informative, encouraging self-reflection rather than understanding facts.
Misunderstandings in the Poem
(According to my reading, in the light of I. A. Richards)
(According to my reading, in the light of I. A. Richards)
1) Misunderstanding of the Sense of Poetry
If I read the poem carelessly, I might think it is only about a sailor or sea travel. By focusing only on repetition and rhythm, I may miss the deeper meaning of life journey and emotional wandering. An intuitive reading without reflection can reduce the poem to a song-like text.
If I read the poem carelessly, I might think it is only about a sailor or sea travel. By focusing only on repetition and rhythm, I may miss the deeper meaning of life journey and emotional wandering. An intuitive reading without reflection can reduce the poem to a song-like text.
2) Over-Literal or Prosaic Reading
If I read the poem literally, I may misunderstand it as a simple narrative about boats and sailors. This kind of reading ignores the symbolic meaning of the sea, shore, and journey. Treating the poem like prose removes its emotional depth and symbolic richness.
If I read the poem literally, I may misunderstand it as a simple narrative about boats and sailors. This kind of reading ignores the symbolic meaning of the sea, shore, and journey. Treating the poem like prose removes its emotional depth and symbolic richness.
3) Defective Scholarship; Inappropriate Metaphor
I may also misunderstand the poem if I try to force historical, political, or philosophical meanings into it. Over-analyzing the symbols without paying attention to their emotional effect can distract me from the poem’s lived experience of wandering and searching.
I may also misunderstand the poem if I try to force historical, political, or philosophical meanings into it. Over-analyzing the symbols without paying attention to their emotional effect can distract me from the poem’s lived experience of wandering and searching.
4) Difference in Meaning of Words in Poetry and Prose
Misunderstanding occurs when I expect logical clarity instead of poetic suggestion. Words like “ગોતીલો,” “હાડ નો પ્રવાસી,” and “વેહવા દો” are not literal expressions but emotional and symbolic ones. Recognizing metaphor and personification helps me understand the poem more fully.
References :
Barad, Dilip. I. A. Richards – Figurative Language – Practical Criticism. ResearchGate, Jan. 2024, doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.23687.98724.
Barad, Dilip. “Just Poems.” Dilip Barad | Teacher Blog, 23 Sept. 2015, https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2015/09/just-poems.html. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
Misunderstanding occurs when I expect logical clarity instead of poetic suggestion. Words like “ગોતીલો,” “હાડ નો પ્રવાસી,” and “વેહવા દો” are not literal expressions but emotional and symbolic ones. Recognizing metaphor and personification helps me understand the poem more fully.
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