Childhood | Poem 4 | English | Class 11th | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

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English | Class 11th | Hornbill | NCERT

Childhood | Poem 4 | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

Childhood

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!

 

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!

 

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!

 

Where did my childhood go?

It went to some forgotten place,

That’s hidden in an infant’s face,

That’s all I know.

                                  (Markus Natten)

 

Short Summary

            The poem "Childhood" by Markus Natten reflects on the transition from childhood to adulthood and the loss of innocence. The poet wonders when exactly he lost his childhood and what marks the end of this phase of life. He explores various possibilities—whether it was when he gained the ability to think independently, when he realized adults don’t always practice what they preach, or when he understood the complexities of human behaviour and the concept of hypocrisy. The poem ends with the realization that childhood is not lost but simply left behind, becoming a memory, and is now found only in the faces of innocent children.

Through this introspective journey, Natten explores the theme of growing up and the emotional distance created as we move away from the simplicity and purity of childhood.

 

 

Think it out

Question 1. Identify the stanza that talks of each of the following.

individuality     rationalism     hypocrisy

 

Answer:

Individuality: 

The stanza that refers to individuality is the third stanza:

"When did my childhood go? 

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, 

And therefore could not be? 

Was that the day!"

In this stanza, the poet reflects on when he began thinking for himself and questioning the established beliefs of childhood, marking the emergence of individuality.

 

Rationalism: 

The second stanza addresses rationalism:

"When did my childhood go? 

Was it the time I realized 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!"

Here, the poet speaks of realizing that the world and people are not always as they appear, and this understanding marks a rational, critical way of thinking.

 

Hypocrisy: 

The second stanza also talks about hypocrisy:

"They talked of love and preached of love, 

But did not act so lovingly."

This refers to the realization that adults often fail to practice what they preach, highlighting the hypocrisy that becomes apparent during the process of growing up.

Question 2. What according to the poem is involved in the process of growing up?

Answer: According to the poem, the process of growing up involves gaining self-awareness, developing rational thinking, questioning the beliefs and notions that were once accepted without doubt, and recognizing the hypocrisy in the adult world. It also includes a loss of innocence and a shift from a simple, trusting view of life to a more complex, nuanced understanding of the world.

Question 3. What is the poet’s feeling towards childhood?

Answer: The poet expresses a sense of nostalgia and loss towards childhood. He reflects on it as a time of innocence, simplicity, and unquestioned belief, which he now realizes is lost. There is a wistful longing for the purity of childhood, but also an acceptance that it is a natural part of life to leave it behind as one grows up.

Question 4. Which do you think are the most poetic lines? Why?

Answer:

“It went to some forgotten place, 

That’s hidden in an infant’s face, 

That’s all I know."

These lines are particularly poetic because they capture the fleeting and elusive nature of childhood. The image of childhood being hidden in an infant’s face symbolizes innocence and purity, while also conveying the idea that childhood is something we cannot fully return to, only glimpse in the faces of others. The simplicity and mystery in these lines evoke a deep sense of reflection and emotion, making them especially poignant.