Class 11 English Poem - Childhood

Childhood

Summary –

In the poem, the poet wonders when he lost his childhood and the innocence he had. He became conscious that he no longer sees the world as he did earlier and he can sense the hypocrisy in people. He recalled many instances in his life when he could have lost his childhood. He wondered if it was the day he ceased to be eleven or he realized that Hell and Heaven didn’t exist in this world and no one could find them in the geography. Next, he talks about the possibility when he realized that adults are not what they seemed to be and they are hypocrites. They talk and preach of love but their actions don’t say so. Was it the day when he realized that his mind was his own and capable of producing his own thoughts? No one could own that and he is an individual with his particular personality. In the last stanza, he talks about the whereabouts of his childhood. He concludes that it had gone to some forgotten place and it can only be found in the innocent face of an infant.

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The poem "Childhood" by Markus Natten reflects upon the innocence and joy of childhood, contrasting it with the complexities and challenges of adulthood. The speaker nostalgically reminisces about the carefree days of youth, where every moment was filled with wonder and curiosity. The poem explores the loss of innocence as people grow older, facing responsibilities and hardships. It emphasizes the importance of cherishing childhood memories and preserving the purity and simplicity of youth in the face of life's complexities. The poet captures the essence of childhood through vivid imagery and evocative language, making readers reflect on the fleeting nature of innocence and the inevitability of growing up.

Childhood Literary Devices

Rationalism – the poet rationalizes the lost childhood when he was eleven and when he found out that hell and heaven don’t exist and are not found in 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 rhyme scheme used in the poem ‘Childhood’ is ABBCCD.
Refrain – a group of phrase which is repeated in the poem
When did my childhood go?
Was that the day!

Individuality – In stanza 3, the poet realized that he can use his own mind and can produce his own thoughts. He discovered a sense of individuality in himself.
Antithesis – where two opposite words are used together in a sentence in a poem
Hell and Heaven
Alliteration – The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of closely connected words
The time
My mind
Whichever way
Thoughts that
Inversion – when the subject-verb order is reversed
To use whichever way I choose

Extract-based questions

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. When does a poet realise that his childhood has gone?
Ans. Poet becomes aware at the age of eleven.

Q2. Why is the age of eleven so important for the poet?
Ans. He can distinguish between fact and fiction around the age of eleven.

Q3. What is the quality acquired by the poet at this stage of his life?
Ans. At this point, the poet is starting to make sense.

Q4. When did the poet know that ‘hell’ and ‘heaven’ are imaginary concepts?
Ans. When he was unable to find these locations in his geography books.

Q5. Why is the poet worried?
Ans. The poet is concerned because he has lost his innocence.

Q6. Where has the poet’s childhood gone?
Ans. His formative years have vanished into obscurity.

Q7. What is a child’s perception of an adult?
Ans. The child can tell the difference between fact and fiction as they grow older.

B. 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. Why does the poet not talk great of grown up people?
Ans. The poet believes that adults do not practise what they preach.

Q2.Why is the poet confused?
Ans. Poet is unable to distinguish between being a child and an adult.

Q3.What is the poet’s opinion about the people in the world?
Ans. Poet finds the people to be hypocrites.

Q4. Choose word from the passage which means ‘sermonized’.
Ans. Preached

C. 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. Explain ‘My mind was really mine’?
Ans. That indicates that the poet had total self-control.

Q2. ‘Producing thoughts that were not these of other people’s means:
Ans. The poet now feels comfortable expressing his ideas on his own.

Q3. Which stage of life has been under consideration above?
Ans. The poet is transitioning into adulthood.

Q4. What thoughts of the poet are revealed in these lines?
Ans. His uniqueness is demonstrated here.

D. 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. Why is the poet eager to know the lost place of his childhood?
Ans. (i) The poet values childhood beyond everything else.
(ii) The poet wants to live a childlike, innocent life once more.
(iii) The poet is curious to discover the location of his early years.

Q2.Where is the poet able to find his lost childhood?
Ans. On the baby’s innocent face.

Q3. Choose a word from the passage which is synonymous to ‘concealed.
Ans. Hidden

Q4. What is the rhyming scheme of the above lines?
Ans. a b b a.