The Empty Heart question answer & Summary (Periasamy Thooran

The Empty Heart question answer & Summary (Periasamy Thooran

Chapter Summary (English)

Written by renowned Tamil writer Periasamy Thooran (1908–1987), “The Empty Heart” illustrates how unbridled greed destroys human life.

The poem tells the story of a wealthy man who is never satisfied with his fortune. Praying relentlessly to the wish-yielding tree (Kalpaka/Kalpataru), he asks for a single pot of gold. The tree generously grants him seven pitchers filled to the brim with gold coins. However, to test him, the tree adds an eighth pitcher that is only half-full.

Instantly forgetting his seven full pitchers, the man becomes obsessed with filling the eighth one. Driven mad by greed, he abandons his health, comfort, and family (mother, wife, and children) to gather more coins through any means necessary. He starves himself, works day and night, and loses his sanity. Ultimately, he dies without ever filling the half-empty pot.

The core message of the poem is clear: Greed is endless, but human life is not. A half-filled purse is not a curse, but the void of discontentment in one’s heart certainly is.

A. Oral Questions

1. What is your opinion about a greedy man?

Answer: A greedy man is looked down upon by society because his uncontrolled desires prevent him from finding peace. Ultimately, his endless greed leads him to ruin and disaster.

2. What does a greedy man do to satisfy his ambition?

Answer: To satisfy his ambition, a greedy man often resorts to unethical methods, works compulsively, and neglects his family and health to accumulate wealth.

3. What ultimate result does he come across?

Answer: He suffers from constant mental unrest, loses his moral compass, and often meets a tragic or premature end without ever achieving true satisfaction.

B.1. Short Answer Questions

1. Why was the man not content, although he was rich?

Answer: The man was not content because his heart was consumed by an insatiable desire to accumulate more and more wealth.

2. When was the gift given by the tree?

Answer: The tree granted the gift after the rich man repeatedly prayed to the wish-yielding tree (Kalpaka) for a pot of gold.

3. Why was the tree called unkind?

Answer: The tree is called unkind because it gave him an eighth pitcher that was only half-full, which triggered his destructive greed and ultimately destroyed his peace of mind.

4. When did the man ask for a pot of gold?

Answer: The man asked for a pot of gold when he prayed repeatedly under the Kalpaka tree morning, noon, and night.

5. Why was he given seven pots?

Answer: He was given seven pots by the generous wish-yielding tree to satisfy his initial prayer for wealth.

C.1. Long Answer Questions

1. Explain the title “The Empty Heart” in the context of the poem.

Answer:

The title “The Empty Heart” symbolizes a state of perpetual discontentment. Even though the man possesses seven full pitchers of gold, his heart remains spiritually “empty” because of his endless greed. The half-filled eighth pitcher represents his unfulfilled desires. Because he focuses entirely on what he lacks rather than what he has, his heart remains empty, proving that wealth cannot fill a void created by greed.

2. Is the name “Kalpaka” justified? Explain.

Answer:

Yes, the name “Kalpaka” is fully justified. It originates from the Tamil context and corresponds to the Indian mythological concept of Kalpataru—a divine, wish-yielding tree. In the poem, the tree instantly fulfills the man’s prayer by granting sevenfold what he asked for, thereby living up to its name.

3. “Contentment is a way of life.” Discuss.

Answer:

Contentment is the foundation of true happiness and mental peace. A contented person remains satisfied with basic necessities and enjoys life regardless of material wealth. Conversely, a person lacking contentment remains miserable even if they possess abundant riches. Real happiness depends not on external wealth, but on inner peace and satisfaction.

4. What does the term “gold/silver pitcher” symbolize?

Answer:

The pitcher symbolizes the human heart, while the gold or silver inside represents material wealth. A half-filled pitcher represents an unfulfilled mind that is constantly chasing material gain. The metaphor demonstrates that while physical containers can be filled, an empty, greedy heart can never be satisfied.

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