Childhood by Markus Natten, Class 11 English, Hornbill CBSE (Summary, Detailed Explanation, Extract based Question-Answer, Poetic Devices, word-meaning)
Childhood
By Markus Natten
Introduction Of the poem“Childhood” by Markus Natten Class 11 English Hornbill CBSE
The poem gives us a message about the inevitable process of growing up. It shows that we start questioning the things once taught to believe without doubt when we become mature. At this point, we lose the innocence and simplicity of childhood. At the same time, the poem suggests that childhood will always be a part of us. It will be hidden in our memories and the innocence of young children.
Theme Of the poem“Childhood” by Markus Natten Class 11 English Hornbill CBSE
The theme of the poem "Childhood" by Markus Natten revolves around the loss of innocence and the transition from childhood to adulthood. The poem reflects on the moments when the poet began to question the world around him. He stops seeing it through the simple, trusting eyes of a child. Themes of self-awareness, individual identity, and the complexity of human nature also emerge as the poet realizes the hypocrisy of adults. It’s about understanding that childhood is a fleeting, precious time and that growing up often means losing that pure, innocent view of life.
Summary of the poem “The Childhood” by Markus Natten Class 11 English Hornbill CBSE
The poem "Childhood" by Markus Natten is a reflective poem in which the poet questions the exact moment he lost his childhood innocence.
In the first stanza, he realizes that Heaven and Hell are not actual places as one can not find them on a map. This marks the start of his critical thinking and loss of blind belief. In the second stanza, he recognizes the hypocrisy in adults—they say one thing but do another—which makes him lose the trust he once had in people. The third stanza sees the poet becoming aware of his individuality and independent thinking, which marks his growing self-awareness and another step away from childhood. Finally, in the last stanza, the poet concludes that his childhood now exists in his past, in memories, and in the faces of infants, representing the innocence he can no longer experience but can still observe.
Word- Meaning Of “Childhood” by Markus Natten, Class 11 English CBSE
Ceased: Stopped or came to an end.
Preached: Spoke about a belief or principle, often in a moral or religious context.
Infant: A very young child
Poetic Devices used in the poem “Childhood” by Markus Natten, Class 11 English CBSE
Antithesis:
Heaven and Hell
Repetition:
The phrase "When did my childhood go?" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the poet’s ongoing search for the moment he lost his innocence.
Rhetorical Questions:
The repeated question "Was that the day?" is a rhetorical question that shows the poet’s introspective search for the turning point in his life.
Symbolism:
Childhood in the poem represents innocence and simplicity, while its loss symbolizes the inevitable process of growing up and becoming more aware of the complexities of life.
Detailed Explanation and Extract-Based Question-Answer Of “Childhood”, Class 11 English, Hornbill, CBSE
Text
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!
Explanation of the above text and Question-Answer
In the first stanza, the poet asks himself when he lost his childhood. He thinks he lost his childhood after completing his eleven years and entering the twelfth year.
Further, he recalls the moment he realized that Heaven and Hell aren’t actual places as they can not be located on a map. Thus, he starts thinking logically and rationally. Now he does not accept anything blindly.
Q. What made the poet doubt about the existence of Heaven and Hell?
Ans. The poet began to question the existence of Heaven and Hell when he could not locate them in Geography books or on any map.
Q. How does the poet’s realization in this stanza represent his loss of innocence?
Ans. Indeed, the realization that Heaven and Hell don’t exist marks the poet’s loss of innocence. It indicates that he has started thinking critically and questions whatever he has been told. Now he is not accepting anything blindly.
Q. What does the poet mean when he asks, "When did my childhood go?"
Ans. The poet reflects on the point in time when he stopped being an innocent child. He started thinking logically. He began to search for the exact time when he transitioned from childhood to adolescence/adulthood.
Q. Why does the poet’s questioning of the existence of Heaven and Hell mark a significant change?
Ans. This change is significant because it represents the shift from believing in things blindly to developing the ability to think critically and question what is real and what is imaginary.
Q. How does this stanza reflect the beginning of the poet's journey towards maturity?
Ans. This stanza reflects the poet's growing maturity because he questions the beliefs that he once accepted blindly. It indicates that he is becoming more thoughtful and aware of the world around him.
Text
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!
Explanation of the above text and Question-Answer
In this stanza, the poet talks about another realization. He thinks he lost his childhood the moment he realized how hypocritical the adults were.
He noticed that whatever grown-ups say, they do differently. This made him doubtful of the honesty of the adults around him.
Q. What does the poet realize about adult behavior in this stanza?
Ans. The poet realizes whatever adults say they act just the opposite. This discovery of hypocrisy makes him think that adults are not always honest. It is different from the trusting view he had as a child.
Q. How does the poet’s views of adults change after this realization?
Ans. The poet’s view of adults changes because he no longer sees them as reliable or sincere. Instead, he understands that they are often hypocritical. This makes him disillusioned. Now he doubts the honesty of grown-ups.
Q. Why is the poet’s realization of adult hypocrisy important in his journey towards adulthood?
Ans. This realization is important because it marks a key moment in the poet’s journey from childhood to adulthood. The recognition that people can be deceptive is a significant part of growing up.
Q. What does this stanza suggest about the difference between childhood and adulthood?
Ans. This stanza suggests that childhood is a time of trust and innocence, while adulthood is more complicated and sometimes involves deceit. The poet's awareness of this difference signals his loss of innocence.
Q. How does this stanza contribute to the poet’s overall sense of losing his childhood?
Ans. Indeed, the stanza contributes to the poet’s sense of losing his childhood. It reveals that his trusting, simple view of the world is no longer valid. He now understands that people can be double-faced, which takes away the innocence of his earlier years.
Text
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!
Explanation of the above text and Question-Answer
Here, the poet recalls the moment when he discovered his individuality.
At this point, he began to realize that he had his own thoughts, opinions, and personality, and thus he must not depend on others.
This sense of independence and self-awareness was another sign that his childhood was slipping away. Now he was more focused on his own identity.
Q. What does the poet discover about himself in this stanza?
Ans. In this stanza, the poet discovers his own identity and individuality. He thinks that he is capable of thinking independently. He realizes that he has his own thoughts and opinions.
Q. Why is the poet’s realization of his own individuality a sign of growing up?
Ans. The discovery of individuality is a key sign of growing up because it shows that the poet is no longer dependent on others. Now he is more self-aware, which is an important part of the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Q. How does the poet’s new sense of self-awareness contribute to his loss of childhood?
Ans. As a child, we don’t think deeply about our identity. But when we become more aware of our own thoughts and personality, we leave behind the simplicity of childhood.
Q. What does the poet’s realization about his independence mean for his relationship with others?
Ans. The poet’s realization of his independence plays a significant role in his relationship with others. He begins to see himself as different from others. He no longer follows what others think or say. he forms his own opinions, which creates a sense of individual identity.
Q. Why is self-awareness an important milestone in the process of growing up?
Ans. Self-awareness marks a transition from relying on others for guidance to relying on oneself. It is a major step in growing up and becoming an independent, self-sufficient person.
Text
Where did my childhood go?
It went to some forgotten place,
That’s hidden in an infant’s face,
That’s all I know.
Explanation of the above text and Question-Answer
In the final stanza, the poet answers the question of where his childhood went.
He says that he does not have any recollection of the place where he lost his childhood. However, he concludes that it now lives in his memories—he can no longer experience it, but he can still look back on it.
He also suggests that the innocence of childhood can still be seen in the faces of infants, but for him, it’s something that has passed.
Q. What does the poet conclude about his childhood?
Ans. The poet concludes that his childhood is a thing of the past. It can only be found in his memories.
Q. Why does the poet say his childhood is "hidden" in an "infant’s face"?
Ans. The poet says his childhood is hidden in an infant’s face because he believes that the innocence, purity, and simplicity of childhood can still be seen in young children. While he has lost these qualities, they are still present in infants.
Q. How does the poet’s conclusion in this stanza reflect his acceptance of growing up?
Ans. The poet’s conclusion reflects his acceptance of growing up because he recognizes that childhood is something that belongs to the past. He understands that he can no longer be a child but can still cherish the memories of that time.
Q. What emotions does the poet express in this stanza about the loss of his childhood?
Ans. The poet expresses a sense of nostalgia and perhaps a bit of sadness about the loss of his childhood. While he accepts that he can’t return to that time, he seems to miss the innocence and simplicity of those years.
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