NCERT Solutions For Class 11 English Hornbill: Childhood

Summary of the Poem

"Childhood" is a reflective poem where the poet, Markus Natten, ponders the exact moment he lost his childhood innocence and transitioned towards adulthood. He asks the central question, "When did my childhood go?" and explores different possibilities.

First, he wonders if it was the day he turned eleven, the day he realized that "Hell and Heaven, / Could not be found in Geography," marking a shift from literal belief to rational thinking.

Next, he considers if it was the time he discovered the hypocrisy of adults. He realized that adults "talked of love and preached of love, / But did not act so lovingly," revealing the gap between words and actions.

Then, he contemplates if childhood ended when he realized he had a mind of his own, capable of producing thoughts that were uniquely his and not borrowed from others. He felt he could "use whichever way I choose," indicating a growing sense of individuality and independence.

Finally, unable to pinpoint *when* childhood went, he shifts his question to *where* it went. He concludes that it must have gone to some "forgotten place," perhaps hidden in an "infant's face," suggesting that innocence is only found in infancy and is lost as one grows up.

NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers

Think it Out (Page 33)

Question 1: Identify the stanza that talks of each of the following.
individuality
rationalism
hypocrisy

Answer-

1. Individuality: The third stanza talks of individuality. The lines, "When I found my mind was really mine, / To use whichever way I choose," indicate the poet's realization that he could think independently and form his own opinions.

2. Rationalism: The first stanza talks of rationalism. The lines, "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," show the shift from childhood faith to logical reasoning based on evidence.

3. Hypocrisy: The second stanza talks of hypocrisy. The lines, "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," highlight the poet's discovery of the gap between adult words and actions.

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 several key developments:

1. Loss of Innocence: Childhood ends when one stops accepting things unquestioningly and starts to reason logically (e.g., realising Hell and Heaven aren't geographical places).
2. Discovery of Hypocrisy: Growing up involves recognizing that adults are flawed and often don't practice what they preach.
3. Development of Individuality: It involves realizing that one has a unique mind and the ability to form independent thoughts and make personal choices.
4. Shift from Literal to Abstract Thinking: The poem suggests growing up means understanding that concepts like Heaven and Hell are abstract, not physical locations.

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

Answer-
The poet's feeling towards childhood is one of nostalgia and loss. He seems to miss the innocence, simplicity, and unquestioning faith associated with childhood. He repeatedly asks "When did my childhood go?", indicating a sense of bewilderment about its disappearance. The final conclusion that it has gone to a "forgotten place" perhaps hidden in an "infant's face" suggests that childhood innocence is a precious state that, once lost, cannot be fully regained in adulthood.

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

Answer-
(This is a subjective question. A sample answer is provided.)
The most poetic lines for me are the concluding ones:
"It went to some forgotten place,
That’s hidden in an infant’s face,
That’s all I know."

These lines are deeply evocative and poignant. They capture the elusive nature of lost innocence. The image of childhood being "hidden in an infant's face" is beautiful and suggests that while the poet has lost his own childhood, its essence still exists in the world, perpetually renewed in every newborn. The final phrase, "That's all I know," adds a touch of wistful resignation, acknowledging the mystery of this transition.

Important Keywords from the Poem

• Ceased: Stopped or came to an end.
• Geography: The study of the physical features of the earth.
• Hypocrisy: Pretending to have beliefs or virtues that one does not really possess.
• Preached: Delivered a sermon or religious address; advocated publicly.
• Individuality: The quality or character of a particular person that distinguishes them from others.
• Forgotten: Not remembered.
• Infant: A very young child or baby.
• Rationalism: The practice of basing opinions and actions on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response.