GSEB Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 4 Childhood Solutions

Think Out

Question 1. Identify the stanza that talks of each of the following: individuality rationalism hypocrisy
Answer: Individuality - Third stanza; Rationalism - First stanza; Hypocrisy - Second stanza.
In simple words: Match each idea like individuality, rational thinking, and pretending to specific parts of the poem where they are discussed.

Exam Tip: For identification questions, always refer back to the text to confirm which stanza or line directly addresses the concept mentioned.

Question 2. What according to the poem is involved in the process of growing up?
Answer: According to the poem, becoming older involves getting mental maturity. A person is considered mature when they become logical, use their reason, and can form their own thoughts. A grown-up possesses the ability to differentiate between actual life and fantasy. An adult individual comprehends the actions of others, much like the poet recognizes the gap between what adults preach and what they actually do. He understands the pretense and the dual standards maintained by older people. A mature person also states their thoughts and viewpoints.
In simple words: Growing up means your mind gets sharper. You start thinking logically, forming your own ideas, and seeing the difference between real life and make-believe. You also notice that adults don't always do what they say.

Exam Tip: When explaining a process, use transition words to connect ideas smoothly. Always link concepts back to the poem's context and specific examples if possible.

Question 3. What is the poet's feeling towards childhood?
Answer: The poet does not seem sad or upset about losing his childhood. He only appears puzzled by the disappearance of his early years and the arrival of being an adult. He shares his confusion when he asks the questions, 'When and Where did my childhood go?'
In simple words: The poet isn't sad about childhood being gone, just confused about when and how it left and adulthood arrived.

Exam Tip: Focus on distinguishing between feelings like sadness, confusion, or nostalgia. Use direct quotes from the poem to support your answer if available.

Question 4. Which do you think are the most poetic lines? Why?
Answer: The lines that seem most poetic are: '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 journey of growth and the vanishing of a specific life phase. These lines express metaphorically that a baby's innocent face conceals many things behind its smiles. Perhaps childhood also remains hidden somewhere deep in the child's awareness.
In simple words: The lines "It went to some forgotten place, That's hidden in an infant's face; That's all I know" are very poetic. They nicely explain how childhood goes away as you grow up, and how a baby's face can hide deep thoughts and feelings.

Exam Tip: When identifying poetic lines, consider imagery, metaphor, and how they contribute to the poem's overall theme. Always explain your reasoning clearly.

GSEB Class 11 English Childhood Additional Important Questions and Answers

Answer the following questions in three to four sentences each:

Question 1. How does the poem expose man and presents him in true colours ?
Answer: Childhood symbolizes purity, softness, and affection. As a child grows, these qualities begin to disappear. Man becomes impure, sly, clever, and deceitful. Grown-ups become open liars. They discuss love but practice hatred. They teach brotherhood of humanity but continue hatred and killing. Simplicity and honesty vanish instantly once a person leaves innocent childhood.
In simple words: The poem shows that as people grow up, they lose their innocence and become cunning and hypocritical. They preach love but act with hatred, and their honesty disappears once they leave childhood.

Exam Tip: When analyzing how a poem portrays human nature, look for contrasting elements (e.g., innocence vs. hypocrisy) and specific actions or thoughts mentioned in the text.

Question 2. What is the poet's feeling towards the childhood?
Answer: The poet sees childhood as a time of heavenly innocence. A child truly believes that God exists above. They are free from all worldly evils. They think that Hell and Heaven are real places. They are truly religious at heart. A child knows no pretense; they always mean what they say. There is no difference between their thoughts and actions. A child is free from any sense of self-importance. They do not consider themselves different from or superior to others. In short, childhood is a state of pure, heavenly innocence and a clean heart.
In simple words: The poet feels that childhood is a period of pure innocence. Children are honest, believe in God and Heaven, and don't pretend or think they are better than others.

Exam Tip: Identify key adjectives and phrases the poet uses to describe childhood to understand the central feeling. Connect specific beliefs of a child (like Hell and Heaven) to the theme of innocence.

Question 3. What according to the poem, is involved in the process of growing up?
Answer: As a person matures, they become a rationalist, an egoist, and a hypocrite. They accept nothing that is not logical. They lose belief in God. They do not believe in Hell and Heaven. They become very aware of themselves. They want to pursue their own desires and ideas. They become self-centered. They speak of love and advocate love, but they are not so loving in their actions. In short, they lose all the innocence of their childhood.
In simple words: Growing up, as per the poem, means becoming more logical, self-centered, and sometimes hypocritical. People start losing faith in God and tradition, focusing more on their own thoughts and desires, and not always practicing what they preach.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the negative attributes described as part of adulthood (rationalist, egoist, hypocrite) in contrast to the innocence of childhood. This highlights the poem's critical view of growing up.

Question 4. How does the poet describe the process of being a grown-up?
Answer: The process of becoming grown-up develops critical thinking and an analytical viewpoint in the person. It makes the individual rational and capable of making decisions based on their faculty of reason.
In simple words: Becoming an adult means you learn to think critically and analyze things. You become logical and can make choices using your own reasoning.

Exam Tip: Focus on the shift from naive acceptance to logical reasoning. The key terms are "critical thinking," "analytical point of view," and "seat of reasoning."

Question 5. How does the poet repent on his loss of childhood?
Answer: He expresses concern over the disappearance of his early years. Childhood cannot be regained. It keeps our life distant from the world of pretense, harsh reality, and materialism.
In simple words: The poet is worried about losing his childhood because he knows it can't come back. Childhood kept him away from the world's fakeness, tough truths, and focus on money.

Exam Tip: Note that "repent" here means expressing regret or concern over a loss, not necessarily feeling guilty. The core idea is the irreversible nature of lost childhood and its protective qualities.

Question 6. The poet has asked two questions - one is about the time and other is about the place. Why has he used these questions?
Answer: He has used these two questions to interpret the time and place of his childhood's departure. 'When' points out the process of becoming rational at a specific time, and 'where' indicates the location where the innocent world of childhood resides.
In simple words: The poet asks "when" and "where" to understand exactly when his innocence ended and where that innocent part of him went. 'When' means the point he became logical, and 'where' means the memory of childhood.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to how the poet uses questions to convey deeper meaning or a sense of searching. Differentiate between temporal (when) and spatial (where) aspects of the loss.

Question 7. What does the Hell and Heaven stand for?
Answer: Hell and Heaven represent the world of imagination that only fascinates young children. These concepts are nothing but the result of our imaginative mind, which helps a person escape from reality.
In simple words: Hell and Heaven represent imaginary places that appeal to children. They are ideas from our imagination that help us avoid real-world problems.

Exam Tip: In poetry, symbols often represent abstract concepts. Recognize that "Hell and Heaven" here symbolize the child's fantasy world versus adult reality.

Question 8. Explain the theme of the poem.
Answer: The poem 'Childhood' focuses on the central idea of losing innocence. Markus Natten, the poet, wonders exactly when and where he lost his childhood. He thinks about this question and highlights the loss of innocence and faith during the journey of growing up. Adolescence or childhood is a confusing period when a child struggles to adjust to the physical, psychological, and other changes in their personality. They become a 'young adult'; they neither want to call themselves a child nor are they fully grown. They eventually find their answers: that their childhood went to some forgotten place, and that it has become a memory.
In simple words: The poem is about losing innocence and the mystery of when and where childhood goes. The poet explores the confusion of adolescence and realizes that childhood is a forgotten memory, a time of innocence lost during the journey to adulthood.

Exam Tip: When asked for the theme, identify the central message or underlying idea. Use keywords like 'loss of innocence', 'transition to adulthood', and 'self-discovery' to structure your answer.

Question 9. Explain the refrain of the poem 'Childhood'.
Answer: The repetition of lines, usually at the poem's end or beginning, is called the 'refrain'. Refrains carry the central message of the poem. Here, the lines "When did my childhood go?” and “was that day” are examples of a refrain. The first refrain is the main theme of the poem: when the poet lost his childhood, while the second refrain concludes with an exclamation that shows the poet's understanding.
In simple words: A refrain is a line that repeats, usually at the start or end of a poem, to show its main point. In 'Childhood,' phrases like "When did my childhood go?" are refrains that highlight the poet's search for understanding his lost youth.

Exam Tip: Define 'refrain' and then provide specific examples from the poem. Explain how each example contributes to the poem's overall meaning or emotional impact.

Figures of Speech

Select the correct figures of speech from the options given below:

Question 1. 'Was it the time I realised that Hell and Heaven'
(a) Alliteration
(b) Antithesis
(c) Litotes
(d) Both 'A' and 'B'
Answer: (d) Both 'A' and 'B'
In simple words: This line uses both alliteration (repeating 'H' sound in Hell and Heaven) and antithesis (contrasting ideas of Hell and Heaven).

Exam Tip: When evaluating figures of speech, look for sound devices like alliteration and rhetorical devices like antithesis. "Hell" and "Heaven" are contrasting ideas (antithesis), and the repetition of the 'H' sound (alliteration) makes (d) the best answer.

Question 2. 'Could not be found in Geography, And therefore could not be'
(a) Alliteration
(b) Personification
(c) Litotes
(d) Both 'A' and 'B'
Answer: (c) Litotes
In simple words: This line uses litotes, which is an understatement where a positive is expressed by negating its opposite (not found = absent).

Exam Tip: Litotes often involves double negatives or negative phrasing to emphasize a positive. "Could not be found" emphasizes their non-existence through negation.

Question 3. 'Was that the day!'
(a) Repetition
(b) Exclamation
(c) Alliteration
(d) Antithesis
Answer: (b) Exclamation
In simple words: The line ends with an exclamation mark, showing strong feeling or surprise, which is an exclamation.

Exam Tip: An exclamation is easily identified by an exclamation mark (!) and conveys strong emotion. While this line might be repeated, its immediate function with the punctuation is exclamatory.

Question 4. 'Was it the time I realised that adults were not, all they seemed to be'
(a) Interrogation
(b) Litotes
(c) Metaphor
(d) Both 'A' and 'B'
Answer: (d) Both 'A' and 'B'
In simple words: This sentence asks a question (interrogation) and also uses understatement (litotes) by saying adults "were not all they seemed to be" instead of saying they were deceptive.

Exam Tip: Questions explicitly asked in poetry are interrogations. "Not all they seemed to be" is a classic example of litotes, implying more than it directly states.

Question 5. 'They talked of love and preached of love'
(a) Alliteration
(b) Antithesis
(c) Litotes
(d) Repetition
Answer: (d) Repetition
In simple words: The phrase "of love" is repeated, making this an example of repetition.

Exam Tip: Repetition involves repeating words or phrases for emphasis. Identify the repeated element to confirm this figure of speech.

Question 6. 'Was it when I found my mind was really mine'
(a) Repetition
(b) Metaphor
(c) Alliteration
(d) Antithesis
Answer: (c) Alliteration
In simple words: The repeating 'M' sound in 'my mind was really mine' is an example of alliteration.

Exam Tip: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words close to each other. Focus on the sound, not just the letter.

Question 7. 'Producing thoughts that were not those of other people'
(a) Alliteration
(b) Antithesis
(c) Litotes
(d) Repetition
Answer: (c) Litotes
In simple words: Saying thoughts were "not those of other people" is an understatement to mean they were unique or original, which is litotes.

Exam Tip: Litotes negates an opposite to affirm something. "Not those of other people" implies personal, independent thought through a softer, negative statement.

Question 8. 'It went to some forgotten place, That's hidden in an infant's face'
(a) Paradox
(b) Antithesis
(c) Litotes
(d) Repetition
Answer: (a) Paradox
In simple words: A paradox presents a seemingly contradictory statement that contains a deeper truth. Something forgotten yet hidden in a visible infant's face is contradictory.

Exam Tip: Look for statements that appear self-contradictory but reveal a deeper meaning. The idea of something forgotten being hidden in a face creates a paradoxical image.

Reading Comprehension (Textual)

Read the verses (stanzas) and answer the questions given below them:

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. Why is the age of twelve so important for the poet?
Answer: The age of twelve is very important for the poet because, at this point, he can differentiate between facts and fiction.
In simple words: The age of twelve is key because it's when the poet learned to tell the difference between what's real and what's make-believe.

Exam Tip: Focus on the specific turning point or realization mentioned in the text for the given age.

Question 2. When does the poet come to know that 'Hell' and 'Heaven' are imaginary concepts?
Answer: The poet learns that 'Hell' and 'Heaven' are imaginary concepts when he cannot find these places in his geography books.
In simple words: The poet understands Hell and Heaven aren't real when he can't locate them in his geography textbooks.

Exam Tip: Connect the poet's realization to a concrete detail mentioned in the passage (e.g., geography books).

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. Why does the poet not talk great of grown-up people?
Answer: The poet believes that grown-up people do not act on what they teach.
In simple words: The poet doesn't praise adults much because they don't practice what they preach.

Exam Tip: The discrepancy between words and actions is a common theme when critiquing adults in literature.

Question 2. Why is the poet confused?
Answer: The poet cannot comprehend whether he is a child or an adult.
In simple words: The poet is confused because he doesn't know if he's a child anymore or fully an adult.

Exam Tip: Confusion often arises during transitional phases. Identify the opposing states (child vs. adult) that cause the poet's uncertainty.

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'.
Answer: It means that the poet was completely in control of himself.
In simple words: It means the poet could think for himself and make his own choices.

Exam Tip: This phrase emphasizes autonomy and independent thought. Relate it to the development of self-awareness.

Question 2. 'Producing thoughts that were not these of other people's means.
Answer: The poet has gained confidence to express his views independently.
In simple words: The poet became brave enough to share his own ideas, not just what others thought.

Exam Tip: This indicates a shift from conformity to individuality. Look for phrases that suggest original thinking or courage to be different.

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

Question 1. Why is the poet eager to know the lost place of his childhood?
Answer:

• The poet values childhood the most.
• The poet once again wishes to lead the innocent life of a child.
• The poet is eager to know where his childhood is hidden.

Exam Tip: When a question asks "why," provide reasons that reflect the speaker's desires, values, or motivations. Use bullet points for clear answers with multiple reasons.

Question 2. Where is poet able to find his lost childhood?
Answer: In the innocent face of the infant.
In simple words: The poet finds his lost childhood in the pure face of a baby.

Exam Tip: Note the symbolic representation here: the innocence of childhood is not entirely gone, but reflected in the unblemished state of a baby.

Childhood Summary in English

Childhood Introduction:

Markus Natten is a Norwegian poet. He wrote his first poem, 'Childhood,' at the age of 12. He tries to discover where he lost his childhood. Here, he expresses the idea that people do not live the lives they preach. It is unclear exactly when and where he was born. 'Childhood' was composed. According to the poem's contents, it seems that his family gave him certain ideas but did not practice them. We can say, in theory, everything appeared good, but in reality, he was confused about what to follow, translated from the language in which the poem was originally written.
In simple words: Markus Natten, a Norwegian poet, wrote 'Childhood' at age 12, exploring where he lost his early years. He points out that people often preach things they don't do. The poem suggests his family gave him ideas they didn't follow, leaving him confused about what was truly right.

Childhood Summary:

In the first stanza, the poet becomes thoughtful and wants to know when he lost his childhood. He believes it may have been the day he turned twelve. His parents must have given him the ideas of Heaven and Hell. He had formed this idea early in life. But as he gained understanding, he was unable to find these anywhere, so he doubted their existence. Nonetheless, he is unsure if he truly lost his childhood on that particular day. His parents often instructed him to follow certain types of behavior. The adults in his neighborhood also told him to follow a specific life path. But he noticed that they themselves did not pursue the same goals. They were far from what they taught. They preached love but did not practice it. The poet questions himself if it was the day when this realization dawned on him that he stopped being a child and became an adult. The poet wants to know if he lost his childhood when he began making his own decisions and practicing his own thinking, rather than depending on others' thoughts. It was perhaps on this day that he lost his childhood. The poet has now changed his way of questioning. Now he wants to know where he lost his childhood. The answer is simple. He says that it has gone into hiding in an infant's face. Towards the end of the poem, the poet expresses that childhood is a lost memory. The fantasies and the moments linked with childhood are recalled by us. Still, the innocence of childhood is permanently lost. We can conclude that childhood has gone into oblivion.
In simple words: The poet wonders when he lost his childhood, perhaps around age twelve, when he started doubting ideas like Heaven and Hell that his parents taught him. He realized adults, including those in his neighborhood, didn't practice what they preached, especially about love. He thinks he lost his childhood when he started thinking independently. Ultimately, he finds childhood's essence reflected in a baby's innocent face, concluding that while memories remain, the true innocence of childhood is completely gone.

11th Std English Questions And Answers