Imperial Study

Father To Son

Elizabeth Jennings

Content

• The Father To Son Chapter in Hindi Class 11th Chapter 8
• Summary of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• Hindi Summary Of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• NCERT Solutions of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• Extra Questions Of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8

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Father to Son Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Why doesn’t the father know anything about his son though they have lived in the same house?
Answer:
The father-son relationship is actually non-functional. The father doesn’t understand the aspirations, longings arid cravings of the son. They do not communicate with each other and behave like strangers. Therefore, the father doesn’t know anything about his son.

Question 2.
Is the father responsible for the present situation? What are your views?
Answer:
Yes, I think the father is responsible for the present situation. We do not get to hear the son’s version about his relationship with the father here. But the father is guilty of allowing continued silence or non-communication between them and also not understanding the son’s aspirations and feelings.

Question 3.
Father and the son behave like strangers to each other. What can be the possible reason with for this?
Answer:
They both act and behave like strangers due to lack of understanding with each other. A growing son has his own ambitions and aspirations. Elders must try to act like friends rather than command their children to behave according to their orders.

Question 4.
What does the poet mean by ‘Silence surrounds us?’
Answer:
The father feels helpless as he has no dialogue with his son. They don’t understand each other and they are living like strangers to each other in spite of their living under the same roof for years. Their outlook and temperament are so different that they remain separated from each other. They have a communication gap along with the generation gap, which causes the silence.

Question 5.
How does the father feel when his relationship with his son comes under strain?
Answer:
Father feels very helpless at this situation when both father and son do not understand each other. It saddens him to understand that he has never tried to understand his son’s perspective and his son has distanced himself from him from long.

Question 6.
What is the father’s attitude towards his son in the third stanza?
Answer:
The father wants to rectify the situation in the third stanza. The father wants his son return to the home that he has left. The father is willing to forgive his son and restart their relationship.

Question 7.
What does the father wish for?
Answer:
The father is unhappy and helpless. He wants to maintain a healthy relationship with his son. The father wants that his prodigal son may return to his home and start living under the same roof with him.
He doesn’t want that he should create and live in a world of his own.

Question 8.
The father is ready to have his prodigal son return. What inference can you draw from this?
Answer:
Prodigal means wastefully extravagant. Here the reference is to the story in the Bible in which a father gives his inheritance to his sons. The younger brother leaves, wastes his fortune and returns to his father’s home. Still the father is ready to take him back and forgive him. In the poem, the father also wants to forgive him so that they live peacefully together again.

Question 9.
The root cause of the generation gap presented in the poem lies in the fact that it is only the father talking to his son rather than hearing or understanding him. Explain.
Answer:
One of the reasons of the generation gap is absence of understanding and communication. Here in this poem we hear only the father’s point of view. We do not hear anything from the son’s side. The root cause of the generation gap has been lack of sharing of interests or not paying attention to the childs, emotional needs, when he is growing up. The child should be allowed to express his opinions freely and adults should not behave like dictators.

Question 10.
What do the words ‘an empty hand’ signify?
Answer:
The words ‘empty hand’ signify that both the father arid the son want to forgive each other and extend a hand of friendship to each other, but neither of them is willing to be the first one to do so. This means that although they are longing to forgive each other, their egos are coming in the way so that none of them wants to be the first one to do so.

Father To Son Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
The poem talks about the universal problem of generation gap. Why does such a situation exist? How can someone avoid such confrontations? Express your views in 120-150 words.
Answer:
Generation gap is a psychological and emotional gap between parents or elder people and the younger ones. This creates misunderstanding and lack of attachment between parents and children. The success of parenting lies in how effectively they avoid the generation gap or ignore differences with their children.

Generation gap is the result of the fast paced development of society. In earlier times, two or three generations lived in the same lifestyle and environment, as development was slow. Today, parents do not even know many of the modem technologies and equipment children use.

Being up-to-date is the only way to cope .with the generation gap. Moreover, generation gap occurs when there are differences of opinion. One should be flexible in approach and must try to understand the reason of a particular behaviour.

Question 2.
In the fast moving materialistic world, parents are busy in earning while their children grow without them giving enough time to them. This is a major factor in creating a generation gap. There should be a balancing act on the part of parents. Discuss.
Answer:
In today’s materialistic world parents, specially fathers, are busy with their careers, finding very little time for their children.

Childhood is a tender age and the child needs his/ her parents at every stage of his growing up. In the pursuit of money or career, children are left at the mercy of caretakers or maids who may provide or fulfil child’s basic need but their emotional and intellectual needs are left unfulfilled. Bonding between parents and children keeps on diminishing until it reaches an alarming level.

Parents need to understand that between career and children, a balancing act has to be practised. Children need their parents to guide them, to share their likes and dislikes, to spend quality time with them.

No parent should allow such a situation where they may not understand their children or there may be no communication at all between them. Emotional bonding is a must for a family to stay together.

Father To Son Extract based Questions and Answers.

I. Read the extract given below and answer any two of the questions that follow.

I do not understand this child
Though we have lived together now
In the same house for years. I know
Nothing of him, so try to build
Up a relationship from how
He was when small.

Question 1.
Who are T and ‘this child’ in the above lines?
(a) ‘I’ is the mother and ‘this child’ is the mother’s son
(b) T is the brother and ‘this child’ is his younger brother
(c) ‘I’ is the father and ‘this child’ is his son
(d) ‘I’ is the uncle and ‘this child’ is his nephew
Answer:
(c) ‘I’ is the father and ‘this child’ is his son

Question 2.
What does the speaker complain about?
(a) The speaker complains that he knows nothing about his son
(b) The speaker complains that he knows a few bad things about his son
(c) The speaker complains that his son does not take care of him
(d) The speaker complains that his son is a drunkard
Answer:
(a) The speaker complains that he knows nothing about his son

Question 3.
What does the speaker want?
(a) The speaker wants to end his relationship with his son
(b) The speaker wants to make his son realise his mistakes ‘
(c) The speaker wants to live with his son
(d) The speaker wants to start a new relationship with his son
Answer:
(d) The speaker wants to start a new relationship with his son

II. Read the extract given below and answer any two of the questions that follow.

Yet have I killed
The seed I spent or sown it where
The land is his and none of mine?
We speak like strangers, there’s no sign
Of understanding in the air.
This child is built to my design
Yet what he loves I cannot share.

Question 1.
Why does the father feel that the seed was sown in the land that was not his?
(a) Because the son does not share any of the physical features of his father
(b) Because the son shares the physical features of his father
(c) Because the son does not share any of the behavioural characteristics of his father
(d) Because the son shares some of the behavioural characteristics of his father
Answer:
(c) Because the son does not share any of the behavioural characteristics of his father

Question 2.
What is wrong between father and son?
(a) Father and son do no| resemble each other
(b) Father and son have a dispute related to their property
(c) Father likes his son but the son likes his mother
(d) Father and son behave like strangers and do not share any common likes or dislikes
Answer:
(d) Father and son behave like strangers and do not share any common likes or dislikes

Question 3.
“Built to my design” means
(a) that his son does not look like him
(b) that his son looks like him as far as physical features are concerned
(c) that his son wears the same brand of clothes that he does
(d) that his son wears clothes designed by him
Answer:
(b) that his son looks like him as far as physical features are concerned

III. Read the extract given below and answer any two of the questions that follow.

Silence surrounds us. I would have
Him prodigal, returning to
His father’s house, the home he knew,
Rather than see him make and move.
His world. I would forgive him too,
Shaping from sorrow a new love.

Question 1.
What does ‘silence surrounds us’ mean here?
(a) It means the silence of the night .
(b) It means the silence in the house due to the switching off electrical appliances
(c) It means the silence in the house due to the demise of a loved one
(d) It means the silence due to no conversation happening between the father and the son
Answer:
(d) It means the silence due to no conversation happening between the father and the son

Question 2.
What does T want?
(a) ‘I’ wants his son to study hard
(b) T wants his son to not follow his wishes
(c) T wants his son to be realistic
(d) T wants his son to reciprocate forgiveness and mend the relationship
Answer:
(d) T wants his son to reciprocate forgiveness and mend the relationship

Question 3.
Find a word from the extract which means a person who spends money or uses resources freely and recklessly.
(a) Returning
(b) Prodigal
(c) Prodigy
(d) Shaping
Answer:
(b) Prodigal

IV. Read the extract given below and answer any two of the questions that follow.

Father and son, we both must live
On the same globe and the same land,
He speaks: I cannot understand
Myself, why anger grows from grief.
We each put out on empty hand,
Longing for something to forgive.

Question 1.
Who are ‘we’ in the extract?
(a) The father and his two sons
(b) The father and his friend’s son
(c) The father and his son
(d) The uncle and his son
Answer:
(c) The father and his son

Question 2.
Why must father and son live on the same globe and the same land?
(a) To take care of each other
(b) To not let others to take disadvantage of them staying apart
(c) To make their life easy
(d) To rebuild their relationship
Answer:
(d) To rebuild their relationship

Question 3.
What does ‘empty hand’ signify?
(a) It signifies the poverty of the father
(b) It signifies the failure of the father and the son to understand each other
(c) It signifies the poverty of the son
(d) It signifies the bad behaviour of the son
Answer:
(b) It signifies the failure of the father and the son to understand each other

Content

• The Father To Son Chapter in Hindi Class 11th Chapter 8
• Summary of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• Hindi Summary Of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• NCERT Solutions of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• Extra Questions Of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8

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A. Think it Out

Question 1:
Does the poem talk of ail exclusively personal experience or is it fairly universal?
Answer:
The poem is autobiographical in nature and describes the relationship between a
father and his son. Beginning on an exclusively personal experience, the poem rises to a fairly universal phenomenon—the growing generation gap and lack of communication.

Question 2:
How is the father’s helplessness brought out in the poem?
Answer:
The father’s helplessness is brought about by the existing circumstances. Usually a father is the best friend and advisor of the son. However, there is no bond of affinity or relationship between the two. It seems that the two are not on speaking terms even while living under the same roof. The father feels helpless that he can’t share what his son loves.

Question 3:
Identify the phrases and lines that indicate distance between father and son.
Answer:
The phrases/lines indicating distance between father and son are:
“I don’t understand this child.”
“I know nothing of him.”
“We speak like strangers, there’s no sign
Of understanding in the air.”
“..What he loves I cannot share.”
“Silence surrounds us.”
“…see him make and move His world.”

Question 4:
Does the poem have a consistent rhyme scheme?
Answer:
No, the poem does not have a consistent rhyme scheme. The first two stanzas have the rhyme-scheme ab ba ba whereas the third and fourth have a slight alteration. The third stanza has abc aba whereas the fourth one has abbcb scheme.

MORE QUESTIONS SOLVED

A. Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1:
What does the speaker say about father-son relationship?
Answer:
Actually, the father-son relationship is non-functional. The father does not understand the aspirations, longings or cravings of the son. They speak like strangers. Their exchanges, if any, are just formal. Otherwise, silence surrounds them.

Question 2:
What do you think is responsible for the distance between father and son?
Answer:
The lack of understanding on the part of the older generation (here, father) is the root of the problem. The father wants the young man to stick to home turf. The son, now a young man, seeks fresh avenues and lives in a world of his own. The father finds it hard to adjust to the growing changes.

Question 3:
Why, do you think, does the father appear so helpless?
Answer:
The father has been unable to understand what his son loves to do. He is not in a position to advise him as there is hardly any intimacy between them. They speak like strangers, otherwise there is silence around them. The son has his own dreams and plans which her does not appreciate.

Question 4:
How can you infer that the father wishes his son to remain at home with him?
Answer:
The father finds the son’s interests quite different. He is home bound, whereas the son is on the look out for fresh avenues. He aspires for a world of his own. The father wants him to return home even if he undergoes losses by his extravagant ventures. He is willing to make up with him if he agrees to live with him.

B. Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1:
What sort of father-son relationship has been depicted in the poem ‘Father to Son?
Answer:
The poem depicts a father-son relationship which exists in name only. The two have been living together in the same house for years. Even then the father does not understand his son. He confesses that he knows nothing of his son. The bond of affection between them lie broken. They have become formal just like strangers. Although the son resembles his father physically, yet he had his own vision, dreams and aspiration. He is not home bound and is not afraid to venture forth. The protective father is willing to forgive him for incurring loss of material wealth provided he returns home. The painful experience of lack of communication fills the father with utter helplessness, anger and grief. His efforts to restore the relationship fail as there is no response from the other side.

Question 2:
How far has the poet succeeded in transforming a purely personal matter to a universal experience prevalent in modern times?
Answer:
The poem begins on an autobiographical note. The speaker i.e., the father recounts his own experience. He talks about the non-functional father-son relationship. He neither understands his son nor knows anything about him. In spite of living in the same house, the distance between father and son has increased. There is lack of communication between them. They either talk like strangers or silence surrounds them. The father is unable to share what the son prefers to do. The distance has reached to sorrowful limit. Even then the father is willing to shape a new love and build up a fresh relationship. His grief takes the form of anger and they fail to reach any compromise.
This maladjustment or growing break-up of relationships is typical of the modem materialistic age.

Content

• The Father To Son Chapter in Hindi Class 11th Chapter 8
• Summary of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• Hindi Summary Of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• NCERT Solutions of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• Extra Questions Of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8

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Father to Son Summary In Hindi

यह कविता एक विश्वव्यापी समस्या-पीढ़ियों में अन्तर तथा पिता-पुत्र के मध्य संचार की कमी को-आलोकित करती है। कविता पिता के इस दुखड़े से आरम्भ होती है कि वह अपने बच्चे को नहीं समझ पाती यद्यपि वे दोनों एक साथ इतने वर्षों से उसी मकान में रह रहे हैं। वह स्वीकार करता है कि वह उसके विषय में कुछ भी नहीं जानता। उसे समझ पाने के लिये वह उस आधार पर एक सम्बन्ध बनाने का प्रयास करता है जो कि उसे अपने पुत्र के विषय में उसकी छोटी उम्र में ज्ञात था।

किन्तु, दोनों को जोड़ने वाला सूत्र गायब है। ऐसा प्रतीत होता है कि इस सम्पर्क को वह कहीं गंवा बैठा है। या तो उसने इस बीज को ही नष्ट कर दिया है अथवा इसे किसी ऐसे क्षेत्र में गलती से रख दिया है जो (क्षेत्र) उसका अपना नहीं है। परिणाम है लगाव तथा निकटता की कमी। वे अजनबियों की भाँति बोलते हैं तथा उनके बीच आपसी समझ का कोई चिह्न दिखाई नहीं देता। पिता-पुत्र के बीच संचार की कमी दोनों पीढ़ियों के बीच बढ़ती हुई खाई को प्रमुखता से बताती है। पिता स्वीकार करता है कि बच्चे का शारीरिक रूप उसकी अपनी इच्छाओं के अनुसार है, किन्तु उनकी रुचियाँ भिन्न हैं। जो उसके पुत्र को प्रिय है, उनका वह आनन्द नहीं ले सकता।

आपसी (सांझी) रुचियों की कमी संचार (बातचीत) की कमी का कारण बनती है। पुत्र अपने लिये नये क्षेत्र खोजने में व्यस्त है। तथा अपने निजी संसार में आगे बढ़ा जा रहा है। पिता चाहता है कि उसका पुत्र उसके पास लौट आए चाहे उस कहावतों वाले अतिव्ययी (फिजूल खर्च) पुत्र की भाँति ही है। वह उसके उस स्थान पर लौट आने को अधिक अच्छा समझेगा जिससे वह परिचित है इसकी अपेक्षा कि वह अज्ञात एवं अपरिचित देशों में खतरे उठाये। कहानी वाले फिजूल खर्च बेटे के पिता की भाँति, वह अपने पुत्र को क्षमा कर देगा। अपने पुत्र के जोखिम भरे कार्यों (पूँजी निवेश) के कारण हुये भौतिक धन की हानि के दुःख से वह एक नये प्रेम का निर्माण करने की आशा करता है।

अन्त में पिता को समझ आती है। उसे तथा उसके पुत्र को उसी संसार तथा भू-भाग में रहना है। अब, जब पुत्र बोलता है, तो पिता उसे समझने में असफल रहता है। ऐसा प्रतीत होता है कि स्वयं (अपने आप) को नहीं समझ पाता क्योंकि पुत्र भी पिता की आकृति (छाया) ही है। पृथकता का दुःख क्रोध का कारण बनता है। वे इस हानि की क्षतिपूर्ति करने के लिये कोई विशेष प्रयास नहीं करते। जो हाथ वे आगे बढ़ाते हैं वह खाली है। किन्तु, किसी ऐसी वस्तु के लिये तीव्र इच्छा अवश्य है जो उन्हें कड़वाहट भूलने तथा क्षमा करने में सहायता करें।

Content

• The Father To Son Chapter in Hindi Class 11th Chapter 8
• Summary of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• Hindi Summary Of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• NCERT Solutions of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• Extra Questions Of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8

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The summary of the Father to Son poem by Elizabeth Jennings is given here. The poem Father to Son is about the loneliness a father shares and wishes he was closer to his son. This poem shows the need for an ideal relationship between children and their parents, which is diminishing in this modern world due to the generation gap.

Father to Son Line by Line Explanation

Here is the stanza-wise explanation of the poem father to son.

Stanza 1

In this stanza, the narrator tries to express that he doesn’t understand the thoughts and feelings of his son. He wishes to achieve a friendly and close relationship with his own blood – his own son. He says that we have lived under the same roof for many years, but he fails to understand his own child- his own thoughts, feelings, and actions. He doesn’t understand a thing about his son and has tried to build a healthy relationship with him when he was small and innocent.

Stanza 2

The poet uses ‘I’ in the poem to express his deep sorrow. He says that this person is his child and blood, but he is yet to recognize him. The narrator says that his child is built like him and is similar to him in all physical attributes, but still, he fails to recognize him. The father adds that he gives efforts to build a relationship, but all his efforts go in vain.

Stanza 3

The father explains that there is an air of painful silence between his son and him. He only wishes for things to go back to how they were. He wants his son as his own. He adds that even if his son were prodigal, he would welcome him to his home with open arms. He sees his son making his own world and completely alienating his father. His father only wishes for his son to make a move and solidify a grateful relationship based on mutual fondness.

Stanza 4

At last, the narrator makes his piece and says that both father and son have to live under the same roof. The son, for the first time in the poem, says that even if they communicate, they fail to understand each other’s values and happiness. The son states that his anger and resentment toward his own have now transformed into grief. He too yearns for a healthy and close relationship with his father; his suffering emerges from this very disappointing. He adds that both of them try to forgive one another and move on but fail to do so.

Summary of Chapter Father to Son

The poem father to son by Elizabeth Jennings sheds light on the troubled relationship of a father with his son. The poem Father to son is like a letter by the father to his son containing all his misgivings and doubts regarding a damaged relationship. The father wants a close and communicative bond with his son and wants to be a part of his happiness.

The narrator is ready to forgive all his misgivings of the past and wants to welcome him with open arms. He wants a part in his new versatile world and wants an equal share of all his happiness. In the last stanza, we see the son’s perspective on all his father’s dilemmas. Thes on in his alibi states that his anger is drawn from his sadness and grief. He is at a point in life where he is trying to find a name for himself like the father must have done at his son’s age.

Both of them long to hear and communicate with each other; they wish to make another happy and eradicate communication. As readers, we feel that communication would help them, but we fail to take into account the ingrown differences and prejudice of years.

Conclusion of the Father to Son

In English, generally, a poem’s summary is written in your own words. A summary contains only the ideas of the original poem. Do not just plan to insert any of your own opinions, interpretations, deductions, or comments into a summary. Identify in a specific order the significant sub-claims the author uses to defend the main central point. This poem by Elizabeth Jennings sheds light on the damaged relationship between a father and his son and shows the yearning to be close to his son. The father is concerned about his son and doesn’t want his son to make his own world. Both son and father want to improve their relationship and forgive each other but are unable to do so because of the generation gap and misunderstandings between them.

Key Features of writing a Summary

• A good summary condenses (shortens) the original message conveyed through the poem and explains the main point around where the poem is written about.
• A good summary includes only the most important information rather than just loitering around with unnecessary points.
• A good summary includes only what is in the poem and doesn’t allow any other opinions and ideas.
• A good summary is often written in the writer’s own unique words. Like every summary differs according to the understanding of every individual but will definitely stick to the point.
• A good summary is well-written in a readable and interesting manner in a way the reader understands the view of the poem or any article for that matter.

A Good Summary

A good summary should always be comprehensive, concise, coherent, and have independent ideas. You should first isolate and list down all the important points in the original passage and note them down in a separate note. Then you should try to frame a paragraph writing a brief explanation of what the poem is all about. The summary should be unique yet should not move away from the original meaning and point of view of the poem in which the poet has actually written them.

The poem Father to Son is all about the agony of a father who didn’t have a good relationship with his son during his young age and now his son is all grown up into a man and is busy with his own life. The father is unhappy and sad about the generation gap between them and the feeling of separation is killing him from inside.

Content

• The Father To Son Chapter in Hindi Class 11th Chapter 8
• Summary of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• Hindi Summary Of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• NCERT Solutions of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8
• Extra Questions Of Father To Son Class 11th Chapter 8

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Childhood

Marcus Natten

Content

• The Childwood Chapter in Hindi Class 11th Chapter 8
• Summary of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• Hindi Summary Of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• NCERT Solutions of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• Extra Questions Of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8

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Childhood Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
What question does the poet ask again and again in this poem?
Answer:
In this poem the poet is really confused. He asks the question again and again ‘when did my childhood go?’

Question 2.
The poet has discussed two stages of life – childhood and adulthood. How do we differentiate one from another?
Answer:
Childhood has been considered by the poet as a blissful period in one’s life, where a child trusts everyone.
Adulthood is marked by rational and creative thoughts, ability to perceive and differentiate and learn new things. In this stage of life one also learns to be double faced and crafty.

Question 3.
What did the poet realise when he crossed the age of eleven years?
Answer:
When the poet crossed the age of eleven years, he realised that he had lost his childhood and had developed a mind of his own. He also found out the non-existence of Hell and Heaven.

Question 4.
How did the poet conclude that Hell and Heaven were imaginary places?
Answer:
The poet concluded that Hell and Heaven were imaginary places because Geography books contain names of places, but there is no mention of places like Hell or Heaven in these books.

Question 5.
How did adults seem to the poet when he was a child?
Answer:
As a child, the poet considered all the adults as an epitome of love and sincerity. He believed that their love was true and they were ready to do anything for , their loved ones.

Question 6.
Bring out the hypocrisy that the adults exhibit with regard to love.
Answer:
As the poet grew up, he could make out the double standards followed by adults. He realised that though adults preached of love and talked of love, their behaviour was totally different and full of manipulation. They were all hypocrites who behaved differently from the way they talked.

Question 7.
What did the poet notice about independent thinking? How important was this discovery?
Answer:
The poet discovered that he was different from others and could think independently. He could have his own opinions without getting influenced by anyone else. This discovery was very important to him as it revealed to him his abilities for independent thinking and decision taking.

Question 8.
What is the poet trying to convey when he says that childhood is hidden in an infant’s face?
Answer:
The poet says an infant is really innocent as he trusts everyone and does not try to fool others. The poet brings out this fact by contrasting it with the behaviour of adults, who become manipulative and are hypocrites. As a person develops rational thoughts, his childlike innocence fades away.

Question 9.
According to Markus Natten, when does the child become an adult?
Answer:
Becoming an adult is a complex process which is associated with physical, mental and social development. A child becomes an adult when he is able to live his own life and take care of his responsibilities individually. He also develops his own thought process, using which he can form his own beliefs and opinions.

Question 10.
What is the poet’s feeling towards his childhood?
Answer:
The poet regards childhood as a period of innocence. A child sincerely feels that he is free from all evils and that there is really a Hell and a Heaven. A child knows no hypocrisy. There is no difference between his thoughts and actions. In short, childhood is a state of innocence and purity of heart.

Question 11.
How does the poem expose man and present him in true colours?
Answer:
According to the poet, childhood symbolises innocence, purity, softness and love. As a child grows up, these qualities start receding. Man adheres to lying, shrewdness, cunningness and hypocrisy.

Adults preach about truth and honesty but themselves practise hatred and lying. The simplicity and honesty of childhood evaporates the moment man crosses the threshold of innocent childhood.

Childhood Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Write an article in about 150 words about childhood and the process of growing up.
Answer:

Childhood
by Manav Singh

When I was a child the world seemed to be a place of joy and happiness to me. There was nothing worth worrying about. Whenever I cried, somebody consoled me. When I did not like to sit alone, I was always in somebody’s arms. My mother always looked after me. These are my most cherished memories and I believe that looking at a child playing and enjoying childhood makes me somewhat nostalgic.

Childhood is free from cares. There are no duties or responsibilities on the shoulders of a child. A child only eats, drinks, sleeps and plays. Thus, a child lives in the bliss of ignorance and innocence. As we grow in age, worries about studies, choice of profession, shouldering responsibilities etc keep haunting us. Tensions, stress and worries become a part of adult life and the individual forgets to live a carefree life.

Question 2.
Is independent thinking a step towards adulthood? If yes, then how? Explain with reference to the poem ‘Childhood’.
or
Markus Natten, though showing disapproval regarding the behaviour of adults, also raises a very important point, that of independent thinking and individuality. Do you agree that independent thinking and individuality make us what we are? Elaborate in the context of the poem ‘Childhood’.
Answer:
Of course, independent thinking is a step towards adulthood. As a child, one is not able to make one’s own decisions and one’s thinking is always influenced and directed by adults. A child is so innocent that it is not able to distinguish between truth and imagination.

As a child’s thinking is influenced by others, it has no individuality. Moreover, it is prone to manipulations which lead to fickle-mindedness. Independent thinking makes us what we are. It shapes our personality and we are known among people through what our mind thinks and what decisions we take.

If we want to stay away from evil people who try to influence our thoughts for their selfish purposes, then only independent thinking can help us. We cannot claim to be an individual if we cannot take decisions ourselves.

I. Read the extract given below and answer any two of the questions that follow.

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!

Question 1.
At what age does the poet think he lost his childhood ?
(a) After he crossed the age of eleven
(b) After he crossed the age of twelve
(c) After he crossed the age of ten
(d) After he crossed the age of nine
Answer:
(a) After he crossed the age of eleven

Question 2.
What did the poet realise?
(a) That hell and heaven are geographical places
(b) That hell and heaven are one and the same thing
(c) That hell and heaven are not any geographical places
(d) That hell and heaven are located on the Earth itself
Answer:
(c) That hell and heaven are not any geographical places

Question 3.
………. in the extract means the same as discontinued
(a) Realised
(b) Therefore
(c) Ceased
(d) Stopped
Answer:
(c) Ceased

II. Read the extract given below and answer any two of the questions that follow.

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!

Question 1.
Who is ‘my’ in the above lines?
(a) ‘my’ refers to the poet, Markus Natten
(b) ‘my’ refers to the poet’s childhood
(c) ‘my’ refers to the poet’s friend
(d) ‘my’ refers to the poet’s father
Answer:
(a) ‘my’ refers to the poet, Markus Natten

Question 2.
Why is ‘I’ confused?
(a) Because ‘I’ do not seem to understand when he lost his childhood
(b) Because ‘I’ could not search heaven and hell in geography .
(c) Because T is getting a lot of negative thoughts
(d) Because T has lost his mind
Answer:
(a) Because ‘I’ do not seem to understand when he lost his childhood

Question 3.
Explain “But did not act so lovingly”.
(a) It means that children talk about love but their actions are not loving
(b) It means that adults talk about love but their actions are not loving
(c) It means that adults talk about love and their actions reflect the same
(d) It means that children talk about love and their actions reflect the same
Answer:
(b) It means that adults talk about love but their actions are not loving

III. Read the extract given below and answer any two of the questions that follow.

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!”

Question 1.
Explain “my mind was really mine”.
(a) It means that his mind was influenced by others
(b) It means that his mind was not influenced by others
(c) It means that his mind was influenced by his parents
(d) It means that he was not confused
Answer:
(b) It means that his mind was not influenced by others

Question 2.
What did the poet realise?
(a) He realised that his mind belonged to his parents
(b) He realised that his mind was controlled by his friends
(c) He realised that his mind was controlled by his teachers
(d) He realised that his mind was his, and he had his own individuality
Answer:
(d) He realised that his mind was his and he had his own individuality

Question 3.
The poet ……….. find an answer to his question.
(a) did
(b) did not
(c) can
(d) may
Answer:
(a) did

IV. Read the extract given below and answer any two of the questions that follow.

Where did my childhood go?
It went to some forgotten place,
That’s hidden in an infant’s face,
That’s all I know.

Question 1.
Where did the poet’s childhood go?
(a) It went to an unknown place
(b) It went to some forgotten or unknown place
(c) It went to a known place
(d) It went to the poet’s native place
Answer:
(b) It went to some forgotten or unknown place

Question 2.
Where does the poet think that his childhood is hidden?
(a) He thinks that it is hidden in a cat’s face
(b) He thinks that it is hidden in a boy’s face
(c) He thinks that it is hidden in an infant’s face
(d) He thinks that it is hidden beneath his face
Answer:
(c) He thinks that it is hidden in an infant’s face

Question 3.
The present tense of‘forgotton’is ………
(a) forgot
(b) forgets
(c) forget
(d) forgets
Answer:
(c) forget

Content

• The Childwood Chapter in Hindi Class 11th Chapter 8
• Summary of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• Hindi Summary Of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• NCERT Solutions of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• Extra Questions Of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8

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A. Think it Out

Question 1:
Identify the stanza that talks of each of the following:
Individuality,rationalism, hypocrisy
Answer:
The stanzas that talk of each of the quality in questions are given below:

• individuality: Third stanza
• rationalism: First stanza
• hypocrisy: Second stanza

Question 2:
What according to the poem, is involved in the process of growing up?
Answer:
According to the poem, the loss of childhood is involved in the process of growing up.
This loss is compensated by some gains which come with adolescence. These are: increase in understanding, power of rationalising and discrimination as well as a sense of individuality and self-confidence.

Question 3:
What are the poet’s feelings towards childhood?
Answer:
The poet regards childhood as an important stage in the process of growing up. Childhood is a period of make-believe. Children readily accept whatever the elders say. The poet does not feel any regret or sense of loss on losing his childhood.

Question 4:
Which, do you think are the most poetic lines? Why?
Answer:
The following lines in the poem are most poetic:
It went to some forgotten place That’s hidden in an infant’s face,
That’s all I know.
These lines beautifully sum up the process of growth and the disappearance of a particular stage of life. These lines have a figurative or metaphorical meaning also. The infant’s innocent face hides many things behind its smiles. Perhaps the childhood lies hidden in some forgotten place lying buried deep inside a child’s consciousness.

MORE QUESTIONS SOLVED

A. Short Answer Type Questions

(Word limit: 40 words)

Question 1:
What did the speaker learn about the existence of Heaven and Hell ?
Answer:
As the speaker grew to be mature, he acquired reasoning power. He realized that Hell and Heaven could not be found in Geography books or Atlas. Since they could not be located anywhere in the world map, he concluded that they did not exist. He would believe only what he could see and find.

Question 2:
How did the speaker realise the hypocrisy of the adults?
Answer:
The speaker noticed a wide gulf between what adults appeared to be and what they actually were in real life. There was apparent contradiction between their words and deeds. They talked of love and advised others to love, but they never acted lovingly.

Question 3:
How did the realization of being the master of his own mind helped him ?
Answer:
The realization that he was the master of his own mind, and could use it in any way he liked, filled him with self confidence. He could now think independently and need not repeat parrot like thoughts of others.

B. Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1:
‘Childhood is an essential state in the process of growing up, but it can’t go on forever.” Discuss.
Answer:
Childhood is an important stage in the process of growing up of every person. The human infant is totally dependent on others, but during childhood he gains physical, emotional and mental strength. As the tiny baby grows bigger in size, other faculties also develop. This stage is an important landmark in man’s growth, but it can’t go on forever.
Childhood being a stage, must give way to another stage. It is followed by adolescence or early youth. Now all the faculties are fully developed. The person acquires reasoning power. His rationalism helps him to decide truth or falsehood, fact and fiction. He acquires a fine capability of analysis and discrimination. Now he can see through persons and things. He begins to understand the hypocrisy of adults. He gains confidence and becomes an independent thinker.

Content

• The Childwood Chapter in Hindi Class 11th Chapter 8
• Summary of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• Hindi Summary Of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• NCERT Solutions of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• Extra Questions Of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8

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Summary of Childhood

Childhood is from the poet Marcus Natten. In the Childhood summary, the poet discusses the loss of his childhood. The poet talks about that very moment where this innocence was lost. He talks about the various instances when he could have lost his childhood. Furthermore, a realization comes to the poet that the world is not what it seems. He recalls when a change in his thoughts took place. The poet believes that the people around him are hypocrites. It seems that the poet will never be able to trust people around him ever again. This is because he is aware of their hypocrisy. The poet believes that adults preach love but their actions don’t reflect that. The author tells us that his childhood went to some forgotten place. Moreover, the poet explains that his childhood is hidden in the face of an infant who is innocent.

Childhood Summary in English

First of all, the poet thinks and wonders about the end of his childhood. He thinks where his childhood came to an end. He wonders that was it the day on which he was no longer eleven years of age. Another option could be the time when the author came to the realization that Hell and Heaven didn’t exist and one could not find them in geography.  So, this was the time when the author could make a distinction between reality and fantasy. The poet comes to the realization that they are imaginary places that have no existence in this world.

Once again the poet again repeats the same question about losing his childhood. Now, the poet wonders that was it the time when he began to view the world with a different perception. Naturally, when humans grow older, their perception of the world changes. However, the poet seems to be deeply affected by it. Furthermore, the poet came to the realization that adults are hypocrites. This is because the adults are not what they appear or seem to be. According to the author, adults preach about love but their behaviour is not so loving. So the author believes that a double-face nature is displayed by the adults. So, was this the time when his childhood go?

Moving on, the poet deliberates on the same question regarding the loss of his childhood. Furthermore, the author asks himself about various possibilities. Moreover, the poet thinks about the day when he came to the realization that his mind was his own. This was the time when the poet came to the realization that he can use his mind in any way he wants. Also, the poet realizes that his thoughts were his own and no one can affect them. One can say that the poet became aware that he can produce his own thoughts and that he had free will. This was the time when the poet became aware of his own individuality and personality. So, was that the day where his childhood became lost?

In the last stanza, the poet becomes remorseful about his lost childhood. It seems the poet has a desire to live his childhood once more. He concludes that his childhood had vanished into a forgotten place from which it can never return. The poet cherishes his now lost innocence. This is the type of innocence that one can only see in a baby’s face. He only has sweet childhood memories which would fade away rather quickly. According to the poet, the innocence of childhood remains only until one is an infant.

Conclusion of Childhood Summary

The childhood summary discusses how the innocence of childhood gets lost as when grows older and becomes aware of the realities of life.

Content

• The Childwood Chapter in Hindi Class 11th Chapter 8
• Summary of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• Hindi Summary Of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• NCERT Solutions of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8
• Extra Questions Of Childwood Class 11th Chapter 8

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