HORNBILL || CHILDHOOD || NCERT CLASS 11 SOLUTION ||
INTRODUCTION TO THE POET :
Markus Natten is writer of Norway. He was born on 23 June, 1975. He is the author of two famous
books - The Book Thief and The Messenger. He composed many sonnets and poems also. His '
Childhood ' is a famous poem of course.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE POEM 'CHILDHOOD'.:
Through this poem the poet makes us go back to our childhood. He contemplates over his own lost
childhood. Once he lost his childhood means he lost his innocence as well. He contemplate over the
fact that the more one grows up, the more one loses this early stage of life. Then with the passage
of time, as we grow, we see hypocrites around us.
THE POEM (TEXT)
CHILDHOOD
Markus Natten
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 preaslched 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.
TEXTUAL QUESTION ANSWERS:
Think it out::
1. Identify the stanza that talks of each of the following.
Individuality - Third stanza
Rationalism - First stanza.
Hypocrisy - Second stanza.
2.What according to the poem is involved in the process of growing up?
Answer: According to the poem, the lose of childhood is involved in the process of growing up. This lose is compensated by some gains which come with adolescence. These are - increase I understanding, power of rationality and discrimination and self confidence.
3. What is the poet's feeling towards childhood?
Answer: The poet regards childhood as an important stage in the process of growing up. Childhood is period of make-up belief on every one's part since children easily believes and accepts what the seniors say. Though the poet talks of lost childhood, he has not repented of his lose.
4. Which do you think are the most poetic lines? Why?
Answer: The most poetic lines in the poem are:
.. It went to some forgotten place,
.. That's hidden in an infant's face,
.. That's all I know.
First of all these lines have beautifully sums up the poem. Further, it seems that the poet has revealed that childhood lies hidden burried deep inside consciousness of children at large.
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