The Rebel: NCERT Class 7 English Poem Explained

A Detailed Summary of The Rebel

The poem 'The Rebel' by D.J. Enright paints a vivid picture of a person who finds satisfaction in being different from others. The poet lists a series of situations where the rebel's behavior is in direct contrast to the group's. The entire poem is built on this pattern of contradiction. For example, when everyone in the group has short hair, the rebel lets his hair grow long. But as soon as others start growing their hair long, the rebel immediately cuts his short. The same pattern applies to speaking in class: if everyone is talking, the rebel becomes silent, but if the class is quiet, he creates a disturbance. His choice of clothing is also opposite; he wears a uniform when others wear colourful clothes, and wears 'fantastic' (bright and fancy) clothes when others are dressed soberly. He prefers cats when in the company of dog lovers, and praises dogs among cat lovers. This constant opposition continues with his preference for weather and activities. The poet concludes by saying that having rebels among us is good because they challenge norms, but being a rebel oneself can be very difficult and isolating.

Stanza-wise Explanation

• Stanza 1 & 2:
  Lines: "When everybody has short hair, / The rebel lets his hair grow long. / When everybody has long hair, / The rebel cuts his hair short."
  Explanation: This opening sets the entire tone. The rebel's actions are not based on his own preference, but on being the opposite of the majority. The moment the 'norm' changes (from short hair to long hair), the rebel immediately switches his stance to maintain his oppositional identity. This highlights the rebel's need to stand out.

• Stanza 5 & 6:
  Lines: "When everybody is wearing a uniform, / The rebel dresses in fantastic clothes. / When everybody is wearing fantastic clothes, / The rebel dresses soberly."
  Explanation: This example moves from physical appearance (hair) to social conformity (clothing). 'Fantastic clothes' mean colourful and fashionable outfits. 'Soberly' means plain and simple. The rebel defies the dress code, whether it is formal (uniform) or informal (party wear). His goal is simply not to blend in with the crowd.

• Stanza 7 & 8:
  Lines: "In the company of dog lovers, / The rebel expresses a preference for cats. / In the company of cat lovers, / The rebel puts in a good word for dogs."
  Explanation: Here, the poet shows that the rebel's contradictory nature extends even to simple preferences and conversations. He will deliberately praise dogs just because he is surrounded by people who love cats, and vice versa. It shows how deep-rooted his need to be different is, affecting even his casual opinions.

Understanding the Theme and Tone

How to Answer Reference to Context Questions

For questions that ask you to 'explain with reference to the context', follow a simple three-step structure to get full marks:

1. Reference: Start by identifying the source. Name the poem ('The Rebel') and the poet (D.J. Enright).
2. Context: Briefly explain what is happening in the poem just before these lines appear. For example, you might say, "In this poem, the poet is describing the contradictory nature of a rebel who always does the opposite of others."
3. Explanation: Explain the meaning of the given lines in your own words. Describe what the rebel is doing or saying in that specific instance and how it fits the overall theme of the poem.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: What are the main characteristics of the rebel as described in the poem?
  A: Step 1: Identify the core behaviour of the rebel. The primary characteristic of the rebel is his tendency to contradict others and go against the prevailing norm.
  Step 2: List specific examples from the poem to support this. He grows his hair long when others have it short, stays silent when others talk, wears colourful clothes when others wear a uniform, and prefers cats in a company of dog lovers.
  Step 3: Conclude by summarising his personality. The rebel is an non-conformist who values being different above all else. His actions are defined by what others are doing, as he simply does the opposite.
  Final answer: The main characteristic of the rebel is that he is a non-conformist who consistently does the opposite of everyone else to maintain his individuality. This is shown through his choices in hairstyle, clothing, conversation topics, and even preferences for pets.

• Q: Why does the poet say, "It is very good that we have rebels"? What does this line mean?
  A: Step 1: Understand the positive role of a rebel. Rebels challenge the existing rules, norms, and ways of thinking.
  Step 2: Explain why this is beneficial for society. By challenging norms, rebels prevent society from becoming stagnant. They introduce new ideas and perspectives, which can lead to positive changes and progress. They make us question if the 'normal' way is always the 'best' way.
  Step 3: Connect it to the poem's conclusion. The poet acknowledges this positive role, suggesting that rebels are essential for a dynamic and healthy society, even if they seem difficult.
  Final answer: The poet says it is good to have rebels because they challenge societal norms and prevent stagnation. They bring fresh perspectives and encourage change, which is essential for a society's growth. While they might be inconvenient, their role in questioning the status quo is valuable.

• Q: The poet suggests that being a rebel may not be a good thing. Why?
  A: Step 1: Recall the final line of the poem: "You may not find it very good to be one."
  Step 2: Think about the social consequences of being a rebel. A person who is always disagreeing with others and going against the group is often isolated and may not have many friends. They can be seen as difficult, annoying, or strange.
  Step 3: Explain the emotional impact. This constant opposition can be lonely and emotionally taxing. The rebel is always on the outside of the group, which can lead to a feeling of not belonging anywhere.
  Final answer: Being a rebel may not be good because it can lead to social isolation. A person who constantly contradicts others may be disliked and find it hard to make friends, leading to a lonely existence. The poem suggests that while rebels are useful to society, the personal cost for the rebel can be high.

• Q: If someone doesn't wear a uniform to school, what does the rebel do? What does this show about his character?
  A: Step 1: Identify the specific scenario from the poem. The poem states, "When everybody wears a uniform, / The rebel dresses in fantastic clothes."
  Step 2: Apply the rebel's logic in reverse. If everyone else is not wearing a uniform (and likely wearing colourful 'fantastic' clothes), the rebel would do the opposite.
  Step 3: State the rebel's action. The rebel would choose to wear a uniform or dress very plainly and soberly.
  Step 4: Explain what this reveals about his character. This shows that the rebel's choices are not based on personal taste but are a reaction against the majority. His primary motivation is to be different, not to express a genuine preference for a certain style of clothing.
  Final answer: If someone doesn't wear a uniform to school, the rebel would likely wear a uniform or dress very soberly. This shows that his character is defined by opposition; his goal is not to wear something specific but to simply not wear what everyone else is wearing.

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