Class 12 English — Chapter 12: Time and Time Again
Chapter 12: Time and Time Again is a chapter in Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope), part of the CBSE NCERT curriculum followed by over 25 million students across India. This chapter covers 7 topics including Author's Context: A.K. Ramanujan, The Clocktowers as a Central Metaphor, Sources of Imperfection and Diversity. BrainWeave provides free AI-powered explanations — by voice or text, in Hindi or English — with no signup required.
What you'll learn
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▸Author's Context: A.K. RamanujanA.K. RamanujanlinguisticsfolkloreSouth Indian culture
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▸The Clocktowers as a Central MetaphorCore conceptclocktowersmetaphorsocietywell-managed city
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▸Sources of Imperfection and DiversityCore conceptaccidents of alloymaker's shaking handdonor's whimimperfect
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▸Theme of Communal DisharmonyCore conceptcommunal disharmonyfeudsalliancesocial fabric
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▸Transient Disruptions to Ordersirenchange of windbackstreet quarrelinterruption
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▸The Violent Destruction of Time and OrderCore conceptriottime bombeyelessdestruction
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▸Human Violence vs. Nature's 'Precise' Actprecise act of naturelightninghuman violencejuxtaposition
Chapter Summary
Understanding the background of A.K. Ramanujan as a linguist, folklorist, and translator, and how these interests influenced the complex, multi-layered nature of his poetry.
Analyzing how the collection of different, slightly unsynchronized clocktowers in a city serves as a central metaphor for a diverse, complex, and imperfectly coordinated society.
Identifying the specific reasons the poem gives for the clocks' different times, such as material flaws ('accidents of alloy'), human error ('a maker's shaking hand'), and social history ('a donor's whim').
Examining the poem's reflection on the social fabric, particularly the 'perennial feuds and seasonal alliance of Hindu, Christian, and Muslim,' as a key factor influencing the city's rhythm.
Understanding how momentary events like 'a change of wind,' 'a change of mind,' or a 'siren' can interrupt the clocks' chimes, symbolizing the minor and major disturbances in everyday social life.
Analyzing the powerful imagery of a destroyed clock ('eyeless, silent') and its causes—human violence ('a riot', 'a peace-march time bomb') or natural disaster ('a night of lightnings')—to understand the fragility of societal order.
Contrasting the chaotic, man-made destruction from riots and bombs with the 'precise act of nature' during a lightning storm, and exploring the poet's nuanced view on these forces.
Practice Questions from this Chapter
Tap "Get Solution" on any question to ask our AI tutor.
- Explain how sundials work. Get Solution →
- Describe the history of clock invention. Get Solution →
- Compare different types of timekeeping devices. Get Solution →
- Who is the author of the poem 'Time and Time Again'? Get Solution →
- According to the text, A.K. Ramanujan was a professor of what subject at the University of Chicago? Get Solution →
- What two interests, besides his main field, influenced A.K. Ramanujan's work? Get Solution →
- The poem mentions a clock maker's 'shaking hand' in which country? Get Solution →
- What three religious communities are mentioned in the poem in relation to their feuds and alliances? Get Solution →
Did you know?
- 💡 Atomic clocks are so accurate they lose just one second every 300 million years.
- 💡 Ancient Egyptians used special stars called "decans" to tell time at night.
- 💡 Big Ben is the name of the huge bell inside London's famous clock tower.
- 💡 Before railroads, many towns had their own unique local time, not shared with neighbors.
- 💡 A "leap second" is sometimes added to clocks to match Earth's slightly slowing rotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many topics are covered in this chapter?
This chapter covers 7 key topics: Author's Context: A.K. Ramanujan, The Clocktowers as a Central Metaphor, Sources of Imperfection and Diversity, Theme of Communal Disharmony, Transient Disruptions to Order, and more. The BrainWeave AI tutor explains each one with examples.
Is Chapter 12: Time and Time Again important for board exams?
Yes — Class 12 is a CBSE board exam year, and every NCERT chapter is part of the syllabus. Use BrainWeave's AI tutor to master this chapter, then practice with the auto-generated quizzes and mind maps.
Can I get NCERT solutions for this chapter in Hindi?
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