The central idea of "The Clock Tower" is that the Clock Tower (Ghantaghar) in Kathmandu is akin to an old, retired soldier who has lost its past glory and now stands silently in loneliness and decline. The poem shows how time and age reduce once-powerful things into mere memories, leaving behind only symbols of the past. It reflects on the fading of pride, the sadness of old age, and the inevitability of change.
Summary
The poem compares the Clock Tower (Ghantaghar) in Kathmandu to an old, retired soldier who has nothing left but memories of his past. The speaker describes how all the old military uniforms have either worn out, been eaten by rats, or been given away to relatives. Only two objects remain as symbols of army life: a large, old-fashioned pocket watch hanging from the neck and an ancient hat on the head.
With these two remnants, the image of a pensioned veteran is created — a person who spends his lonely, sad old age casting bait into Ranipokhari pond, standing silently by its bank. In the same way, the Clock Tower, standing beside Ranipokhari, seems to brood endlessly.
The poem conveys a sense of nostalgia, loneliness, and decline. The Clock Tower is no longer a proud or vibrant symbol of time and power, but rather a relic of the past, quietly enduring like an old soldier who has outlived his prime.
Interpretation
The poem "The Clock Tower" can be interpreted as a reflection on the passage of time, ageing, and decline. Bhupi Sherchan presents the Clock Tower not just as a building, but as a symbol of forgotten glory and loneliness. By comparing it to an old retired soldier, the poet shows how once-important figures or monuments eventually lose their power and significance.
The reference to worn-out uniforms, an old watch, and a hat suggests that material symbols of pride and achievement cannot stop the effects of time. Just like the soldier spends his sad old age by Ranipokhari, the Clock Tower also stands silently by the pond, brooding and neglected.
Through this image, the poet reminds us that everything — whether people, monuments, or institutions — fades with time. The poem encourages readers to think about impermanence and the way society often forgets what once seemed proud and powerful.
Understanding
The old military clothes have either worn out, been eaten by rats, or been given away to relatives.
The two souvenirs are a large, old round pocket watch hanging from the neck and an ancient hat on the head.
Yes, it is apt. The Clock Tower is compared to an old retired soldier spending his sad and lonely days beside Ranipokhari. This comparison fits well because the tower, like the soldier, has lost its former glory and now stands in silence.
Yes, the poet is sympathetic. Words and phrases like “jealously guarding,” “pensioned senior vet,” and “long, sad days of old age” show the poet’s pity for the Clock Tower and its lonely, faded condition.
Rhetoric/Language/Writing
1. Describe the setting of the poem. What light does the setting throw upon the character of the "senior vet" (l. 11)?
The setting is Ranipokhari, a pond in Kathmandu, where the Clock Tower stands nearby. The “senior vet” (the retired soldier) is shown spending his old age sadly by this pond. This setting suggests loneliness, uselessness, and a loss of past pride, which matches the condition of the Clock Tower itself.
2. How does the single word of the last line affect the mood of the poem?
The last word, “Broods”, creates a sad and heavy mood. It shows the Clock Tower as a lonely figure, quietly reflecting on its lost importance, giving the whole poem a feeling of sorrow and decline.
3. Comment on the use of simile (comparison between two things) and personification (giving human characteristics to something non-human) in the poem.
The poet uses a simile when he compares the Clock Tower to a retired soldier standing by Ranipokhari. This makes the tower appear old, tired, and forgotten. Personification is used when the tower is described as if it could “guard” souvenirs and “brood” like a human. These devices make the tower feel alive and deepen the sense of pity and sadness in the poem.
Discussion
1. Description of the clock tower and characterization of the "senior vet" seem to merge into the fabric of the poem. How successful is the poet in providing a realistic image?
The poet is highly successful in providing a realistic image by blending the description of the Clock Tower with the character of a retired soldier. At the beginning, he shows how old military uniforms have either worn out, been eaten by rats, or given away, leaving behind only a large round pocket watch and an ancient hat as symbols of the past. These details immediately create the picture of a lonely, pensioned veteran. This image is then transferred to the Clock Tower, which stands silently by Ranipokhari, brooding like the old soldier who has lost his pride and usefulness. The simile and personification make the tower appear human, filled with sadness and memories of past glory. The description is simple yet powerful, allowing readers to visualize the tower not as a lifeless structure, but as a living symbol of old age, loneliness, and forgotten history.
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