CBSE Class 9 English – Echo and Narcissus

Chapter Overview

“Echo and Narcissus” is an ancient Greek myth from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Echo, a talkative nymph cursed by Hera, falls in love with Narcissus. He rejects her, and she fades until only her voice remains. Narcissus, cursed by Nemesis, becomes infatuated with his own reflection, wasting away until a flower grows in his place. The tale explores themes of self‑obsession, unrequited love and transformation. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Important Keywords

• Echo: Nymph cursed to only repeat others’ words. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Narcissus: Handsome youth who falls in love with his reflection. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Curse: Punishment by gods—Echo by Hera, Narcissus by Nemesis. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• Reflection: Narcissus sees his image in water and mistakes it. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Metamorphosis: Transformation—Echo into voice, Narcissus into flower. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Narcissism: Excessive self‑love, named after Narcissus. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}