NCERT Solutions For Class 11 English
Hornbill
Childhood (Markus Natten)
CONTENTS
Ø Theme
Ø Summary
Ø Poetic Device
Ø Stanza based Q-Ans
Ø Question Answers
Theme/ central idea
"Childhood" by Markus
Natten delves into the poet's contemplation of his bygone youth, meticulously
examining the nuances of innocence that characterize this phase. Childhood
embodies an era marked by unconditional love for all. The poet earnestly
endeavors to identify pivotal moments when his perceptions and understandings
of the world underwent transformation. The poem explores the thematic terrain
of losing childhood, marking the initial steps toward maturity, characterized
by rational and sensible thinking. Additionally, it underscores maturity as the
capacity to independently form opinions, free from external influences. The
poem also alludes to the prevalent hypocrisy in society, where apparent harmony
masks underlying discord among individuals.
Summary
In the poem, the poet reflects upon the
elusive moment when he lost his childhood and the inherent innocence he once
possessed. He becomes acutely aware that his perception of the world has
evolved, allowing him to discern the hypocrisy prevalent in people around him.
Recollecting various instances in his life, he contemplates whether the day he
turned eleven or the realization that concepts like Hell and Heaven are not
tangible in this world marked the departure of his childhood. The poet also
explores the revelation that adults, despite their outward appearance, are
often hypocritical, particularly in matters of love. Another pivotal moment he
considers is when he recognized the autonomy of his mind, capable of generating
original thoughts, making him an individual with a distinct personality. In the
final stanza, he ponders the location of his lost childhood, concluding that it
resides in a forgotten place and can only be glimpsed in the innocent
countenance of an infant.
Poetic
Device
Rationalism
– The poet
employs rational thinking to comprehend the loss of childhood, questioning if
it was the moment he turned eleven or when he acknowledged the absence of Hell
and Heaven in the realm of geography.
Was it the day I ceased to be
eleven, Was it the time I realized that Hell and Heaven, Could not be found in
Geography,
Rhyme Scheme
– The poem
'Childhood' follows the ABBCCD rhyme scheme. Refrain – A recurring group of
phrases echoes throughout the poem.
When did my childhood go? Was that
the day!
Individuality
– In the
third stanza, the poet recognizes his capacity to utilize his own mind and
generate independent thoughts, discovering a sense of individuality within.
Antithesis – The juxtaposition of contrasting
words is evident in the pairing of "Hell and Heaven."
Alliteration
– Repetition
of the same letter or sound at the beginning of closely connected words is
found in expressions like "The time," "My mind,"
"Whichever way," and "Thoughts that."
Inversion – The reversal of the subject-verb
order is employed, as seen in the line "To use whichever way I
choose."
Stanza based
Q-Ans
Stanza 1
When did my childhood go?
Was it the day I ceased to be
eleven.
Was it the time I realised that
Hell and Heaven,
Could not be found in
Geography,
And therefore could not be,
Was that the day!
Q1:
At what age does the poet become conscious that his childhood has ended?
Ans: The poet
becomes aware of the conclusion of his childhood at the age of eleven.
Q2:
What makes the age of eleven significant for the poet?
Ans: The age of
eleven holds importance for the poet because it is when he starts
distinguishing between fact and fiction.
Q3:
What attribute does the poet acquire during this phase of his life?
Ans: At this
juncture, the poet begins to develop the quality of making sense.
Q4:
When did the poet realize that concepts like 'hell' and 'heaven' are imaginary?
Ans: The poet
came to this realization when he couldn't locate these concepts in his
geography books.
Q5:
Why does the poet feel concerned?
Ans:
The poet is troubled because he has lost his innocence.
Q6:
Where has the poet's childhood disappeared?
Ans: His
formative years have faded into obscurity.
Q7:
How does a child perceive an adult?
Ans: As children
grow older, they acquire the ability to discern between fact and fiction,
shaping their perception of adults.
.
Stanza 2
When did my childhood go?
Was it the time I realised that
adults were not
All they seemed to be,
They talked of love and
preached of love,
But did not act so lovingly,
Was that the day!
Q1:
What is the reason behind the poet not expressing admiration for grown-up
individuals?
Ans:
The poet holds the belief that adults fail to implement
what they advocate.
Q2:
What is the source of the poet's perplexity?
Ans:
The poet grapples with the challenge of differentiating
between the characteristics of being a child and those of being an adult.
Q3:
How does the poet view the inhabitants of the world?
Ans: The poet
perceives people in the world as hypocrites.
Q4:
Select a term from the text that is synonymous with 'sermonized.'
Ans: Preached.
Stanza 3
When did my childhood go?
Was it when I found my mind was
really mine,
To use whichever way I choose,
Producing thoughts that were
not those of other people
But my own and mine alone
Was that the day!
Q1: Elaborate on the phrase 'My
mind was really mine.'
Ans: This
expression conveys that the poet had complete autonomy and control over his own
thoughts.
Q2: What does the phrase
'Producing thoughts that were not those of other people's' imply?
Ans: This phrase
indicates that the poet now feels at ease expressing his own ideas
independently, free from the influence of others.
Q3: Which life stage is being
discussed in the passage?
Ans: The poet is
undergoing the transition into adulthood.
Q4: What does the poet reveal
about his thoughts in these lines?
Ans: These lines
reveal the poet's sense of uniqueness.
Stanza 4
Where did my childhood go?
It went to some forgotten
place,
That is hidden in an infant’s
face,
That’s all I know.
Q1: What motivates the poet to
inquire about the lost place of his childhood?
Ans: (i) The
poet holds childhood in high regard.
(ii) The
poet desires to experience a life of childlike innocence once again.
(iii) The
poet is inquisitive about discovering the whereabouts of his early years.
Q2: Where does the poet locate
his lost childhood?
Ans: On the
innocent face of a baby.
Q3: Pick a term from the
passage that is synonymous with 'concealed.'
Ans: Hidden.
Q4: What is the rhyming scheme
of the given lines?
Ans: a b b a.
Question
Answers
Question 1:
Identify the stanza that addresses each of
the following themes: individuality, rationalism, hypocrisy.
Ans: Stanza 1 — rationalism
• Stanza 2 — hypocrisy
• Stanza 3 —
individuality
Question 2:
According to the poem, what is involved in
the process of growing up?
Ans: The process of growing up involves comprehending oneself, understanding
other adults, and applying one’s mind rationally. One transitions from a
carefree child to someone who assesses people and situations.
Question 3:
What is the poet's sentiment towards
childhood?
Ans: The poet expresses admiration for childhood, praising its freedom from
tension and worries, as well as its innocence. As individuals age, they begin
to think independently, question others, and enter a stage of innocence.
Question 4:
Which lines do you consider the most
poetic? Why?
Ans: The lines that stand out poetically are:
"Was it the time I
realized that Hell and Heaven
could not be found in
Geography."
"Childhood is
‘hidden in an infant’s face’."
These lines evoke a
sense of realization and capture the essence of childhood's innocence.
Question 5:
What is the theme/central idea of Markus
Natten’s poem?
Ans: The theme of the poem revolves around the process of growing up. The
poet reflects on the transition from childhood to adulthood, pondering when
this change occurred. The poet believes childhood's pure innocence is
discernible only on a child's face.
Question 6:
Does the poet find an answer to his query,
"When did my childhood go?"
Ans: No, the poet remains uncertain. He speculates about losing childhood
innocence when questioning concepts of right and wrong, judging grown-ups as
hypocritical, or realizing independent thinking. However, there's no definitive
answer.
Question 7:
What does the poet finally conclude in the
last stanza?
Ans: The poet fails to pinpoint when he became an adult but suggests that
childhood innocence is best seen on a child's face, emphasizing its purity.
Question 8:
Sum up the main ideas of the poem 'Childhood'
in about 80 words.
Ans: In 'Childhood,' the poet grapples with the elusive moment of
transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Three possibilities emerge:
realizing the indefinable nature of Hell and Heaven, recognizing adult
hypocrisy, and discovering independent thought. The poet contends that
childhood innocence is uniquely embodied in a child's face. Despite the
ambiguity surrounding the poet's personal shift to maturity, the emphasis lies
on the enduring purity of childhood innocence.
Question 9:
Highlight
the adults' hypocrisy concerning love, as observed by the poet.
Ans: The poet became increasingly
cognizant of the hypocrisy exhibited by adults regarding love as he matured.
Despite the verbal emphasis and preaching about love, he discerned a stark
disparity between their words and actions. The poet realized that the elders
were not genuine in their expressions, behaving as hypocrites whose deeds
contradicted their professed sentiments.
Question 10:
What did the poet observe about independent
thinking, and how significant was this realization?
Ans: The poet acknowledged his
distinctiveness and realized that he possessed a unique thought process.
Embracing the freedom to formulate independent opinions without succumbing to
external influences became a crucial discovery. This revelation held importance
as it showcased the poet's ability to exercise independent thought and
judgment, fostering autonomy in his worldview.
Question 11:
According to
Markus Natten, when does a child transition into adulthood?
Ans: Markus Natten views the transition
from childhood to adulthood as a multifaceted process encompassing physical,
mental, and social development. The moment a young individual can live
independently and attend to personal responsibilities, he is deemed an adult.
This transitional phase involves the cultivation of personal beliefs and
perspectives through the development of an independent thought process.
Question 12:
The poet has
explored two life stages—childhood and adulthood. How does he distinguish
between them?
Ans: According to the poet, childhood
represents a joyous phase characterized by trust in everyone. Adulthood, on the
other hand, is marked by the ability to observe, differentiate, and assimilate
new knowledge. Rational and creative thinking, along with the capacity for
deception, are attributes of adulthood. The poet suggests that childhood is a
time of innocence and trust, while adulthood brings the development of critical
thinking, rationalism, and an awareness of deceit in human interactions.
Question 13:
'Childhood is an essential stage in the
process of growing up, but it can’t go on forever.' Discuss.
Ans: Childhood is a pivotal phase in the
journey of maturation for every individual. Initially reliant on others,
infants gradually develop physical, emotional, and mental resilience as they
grow older. However, childhood, as a stage, is impermanent and must inevitably
give way to subsequent phases like adolescence and early youth. During this
transition, individuals attain their full potential, acquiring the capacity for
reason, rationalism, and independent thinking. Childhood's conclusion marks a
crucial milestone, paving the way for heightened cognitive abilities and a
deeper understanding of the complexities of life.
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