UP Board Solutions Class 12 English Chapter 4 The Homecoming

Lesson at a Glance

In The Homecoming by Rabindranath Tagore we have the theme of conflict, control, responsibility, love and isolation. Taken from his Collected Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Tagore may be exploring the theme of conflict. Makhan will not listen to Phatik when he tells him to get off the log. If anything Makhan is being defiant though he does pay a price for his defiance. Phatik and his friends roll the log over and Makhan falls off. This causes Makhan to hit Phatik and it is interesting that Phatik doesn’t retaliate. However this is not how Phatik’s mother sees things when Makhan returns home and tells his version of events. Phatik is the one who is blamed for hitting his brother and

Character Analysis of Phatik in The Homecoming

bringing conflict into the home. What is also interesting about Phatik’s mother is the fact that she has no control over him. He is not necessarily doing things that are dangerous or overly wrong. He is acting as many fourteen year old boys would do. Something which is too much for Phatik’s anything Phatik is not allowed to be a young adolescence boy by his mother. Which might be the reason why she is only too pleased to have Bishambar take him to Calcutta. The reader aware that Phatik’s mother is unable to manage him. Something that is her fault and not Phatik’s.

 

If anything Phatik’s mother lacks the responsibility that is required to raise Phatik. She considers him to be wild though as mentioned he is just an average fourteen year old boy who likes mischief as many fourteen year old boys do. Bishambar’s wife isn’t much better when it comes to rearing Phatik and it is noticeable that she never really embraces Phatik as being a member of the family. She may be his aunt by marriage but that is the closet that Bishambar’s wife wants to get to Phatik. Even though Phatik is on his best behaviour he is still not loved by Bishambar’s wife. For her he is no more than a man child. Yet to be a man and no longer a child. He is at an awkward stage in life. A stage that Bishambar’s wife wants no involvement with. Bishambar on the other hand is supportive of Phatik. Something that is noticeable by the fact that he not only promises him that he can go home for the holidays but there is a sense that Bishambar will make a decent man out of Phatik in Calcutta. He is giving him every opportunity.

 

Phatik’s school days are also a miserable occasion for him. If he is not being beaten by the teachers he is being beaten by some of the other students. If anything Phatik may feel isolated. When he lived in the village Phatik was the leader of his gang. Now that he is in Calcutta things are very much different. Rather than being a leader he has become a victim. A difficult role for any fourteen year old to play particularly when they are not getting the support that they need from the adults around them, Bishambar’s wife being an example. Even Phatik’s cousins do not help Phatik when he is in school although they may be afraid of being isolated themselves by the bullies in the school. The unity that Phatik had in the village. He does not have in Calcutta. As mentioned Phatik is isolated from others. How deeply affected Phatik feels and how much he misses the village is noticeable by the fact that he attempts to walk home to the village but instead manages to make himself sick.

 

The end of the story is also interesting as it becomes clear to the reader that Phatik due to his illness is delusional. When he sees his mother he believes that the holidays (October) have come. Yet those in the room know that Phatik is gravely ill and is about to die. What was once a healthy boy in every sense of the world has become a frail wreck in such a short period of time. Tagore possibly suggesting that Phatik should never have been taken out of the village environment he was used to. Some children will succeed in the city or with schooling. Phatik was not that sort of character. He was a lover of nature but he ended his life surrounded by the walls of Calcutta. Though no blame can be placed on Bishambar for what has happened. He was simply trying to help Phatik. The same cannot be said for

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing about Phatik's character, always contrast his free, natural life in the village with his restricted, painful existence in the city of Calcutta to secure maximum marks.

Question. Discuss the role of the two mother characters in the story and how they affected Phatik.
Answer: the two characters in the story who are mothers. Phatik’s mother due to her impatience and readiness to get rid of Phatik and Bishambar’s wife for judging Phatik as being no more than an awkward young boy. Who she really didn’t want to deal with. It is there where the blame for Phatik’s premature death lays. Neither woman has shown Phatik the love he deserved and needed. This lack of maternal affection and understanding ultimately left him feeling completely isolated and abandoned.
In simple words: Both Phatik's mother and his aunt failed to show him the love and understanding he needed, which ultimately contributed to his tragic and untimely death.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing characters, compare and contrast their behaviors to show how their shared negative attitudes led to the tragic outcome.

 

Path Ka Hindi Anuvad

 

Question 1. Phatik Chakravorti ……………….. comfortable position.
Answer: फटिक चक्रवर्ती गाँव के लड़कों का सरदार था। एक नयी शैतानी उसके दिमाग में आई। नदी के समतल कीचड़ में लकड़ी का एक लट्टा पड़ा हुआ था जो कि एक नाव के मस्तूल के आकार में आने की प्रतीक्षा कर रहा था। उसने निश्चय किया कि वे सब मिलकर उस लट्टे को पूरी ताकत से उसकी जगह से लुढ़काते हुए दूर ले जाएँ। इस लट्टे का मालिक क्रोधित होगा और आश्चर्यचकित होगा तथा वे सब उससे मजे लेंगे। प्रत्येक ने इस प्रस्ताव को मान लिया और सर्वसम्मति से इसे ले जाया गया। यह शरारत उनके लिए मनोरंजन का एक साधन थी। लेकिन जैसे ही मजा आने वाला था, माखन, फटिक का छोटा भाई घूमते हुए आया और उन सबके सामने बिना कुछ कहे उस लट्टे पर बैठ गया। एक सेकण्ड के लिए वे उस समय हैरान हो गये। उनमें से एक लड़के ने डरते-डरते उसे उठाने के लिए धक्का दे दिया लेकिन वह बेपरवाह ही रहा। वह एक छोटे दार्शनिक की तरह खेलों की निरर्थकता पर ध्यान लगाता रहा। फटिक को गुस्सा आ गया। वह चिल्लाया, “माखन अगर तुम इसी क्षण नहीं उतरे तो मैं तुम्हें पीयूँगा।” माखन और आराम से सँभल कर बैठ गया।
In simple words: Phatik, the leader of the village boys, planned a prank to roll away a heavy log. However, his younger brother Makhan sat on it quietly, refusing to move despite Phatik's angry threats.

🎯 Exam Tip: When translating, ensure that the tone of the characters' dialogue is preserved accurately to reflect their emotions and relationships.

 

Question 2. Now, f Phatik ……………….. was over
Answer: अब यदि फटिक को अपना शाही गौरव सबके सामने रखना था, तो यह साफ था कि उसे अपनी धमकी को पूरा करना था। लेकिन संकट के समय उसका साहस जवाब दे गया। ऐसा लगा कि उसका शातिर दिमाग उसके भाई से युक्ति चालन में नाकाम हो गया था और इससे उसके अनुयायियों को उसका मजाक बनाने का अवसर मिल गया। उसने आदेश दे दिया कि लट्टे के साथ माखन को भी लपेटकर लुढ़का दिया जाये। माखन ने यह आदेश सुना और अपने सम्मान पर अडिग रहा। लेकिन उसने तथ्य की अनदेखी इस तरह कर दी, जैसे कोई व्यक्ति सांसारिक प्रसिद्धि के लिए उससे जुड़े जोखिम को उठा लेता है। लड़कों ने अपनी पूरी ताकत से उस लट्टे को एक, दो, तीन, गो (जाओ) बोलते हुए उठाना शुरू किया और शब्द (गो) जाओ बोलते ही लट्टा चला गया; और माखन का ध्यान, उसकी प्रतिष्ठा सब-कुछ चला गया। सभी अन्य लड़के अपनी कर्कश आवाज में खुशी मनाने लगे लेकिन फटिक थोड़ा डर गया था। वह समझ गया था कि क्या होने वाला था? और जैसा कि उसे यकीन था, माखन आवेश में जमीन पर से उठा। वह फटिक की तरफ दौड़ा और उसका मुंह नोंच लिया तथा उसे पीटा व लात मारी, और फिर रोते हुए घर चला गया। इस घटना ने दोनों भाइयों के बीच के तनाव को और बढ़ा दिया। नाटक का पहला अंक समाप्त हो चुका था।
In simple words: To save his reputation, Phatik ordered his friends to roll the log with Makhan still on it. The log rolled, throwing Makhan off, who then furiously attacked Phatik before running home crying.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the transition of emotions in the characters, from pride and anger to fear and regret, as it helps in writing better character sketches.

 

Question 3. Phatik wiped ……………….. umpotent ruge.
Answer: फटिक ने अपना चेहरा साफ किया तथा नदी किनारे पड़े एक पेड़ के ठूँठ पर बैठ गया, और घास का तिनका चबाने लगा। एक नाव किनारे पर आकर रुकी और एक मध्यम उम्र का व्यक्ति, जिसके सफेद बाल और काली मूँछें थीं, किनारे पर उतरा। उसने वहाँ खाली बैठे हुए लड़के को देखा और उससे पूछा कि चक्रवर्ती कहाँ रहते थे। फटिक घास चबाता रहा और बोला, “वहाँ” लेकिन यह पता लगाना असंभव था कि उसका इशारा किस तरफ था। उस अजनबी ने दोबारा पूछा। वह अपने पैर को इधर-उधर घुमाता रहा और बोला, जाओ और ढूंढ़ लो और पहले की तरह घास चबाता रहा। यह घटना दर्शाती है कि फटिक का स्वभाव कितना विद्रोही हो चुका था। लेकिन अब एक नौकर घर से आया और फटिक को बताया कि उसकी माँ उसे बुला रही थी। फटिक ने जाने से इनकार कर दिया। लेकिन नौकर इस स्थिति के लिए तैयार था। उसने जबरदस्ती फटिक को उठाया और उसे धकेलते हुए तथा गुस्से से संघर्ष करते हुए ले गया।
In simple words: After the fight, a frustrated Phatik sat by the river and gave unhelpful directions to a middle-aged stranger. Soon, a servant arrived and dragged a reluctant Phatik back home to his mother.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight Phatik's defiant attitude and his interaction with the stranger, as this encounter is a crucial turning point in the story.

Question 4. When Phatik ……………….. telling lies”.
Answer: जब फटिक घर में आया, उसकी माँ ने उसे देखा। वह गुस्से से बोली, “तो तुमने फिर माखन को मारा?” फटिक ने उत्तर दिया, “नहीं मैंने नहीं मारा; आपसे यह किसने कहा?” उसकी माँ चीखी, “झूठ मत बोलो! तुमने मारा है।” फटिक ने अचानक कहा, “मैं आपसे कह रहा हूँ कि मैंने नहीं मारा। आप माखन से पूछ लो।” लेकिन माखन ने सोचा कि वह अपनी पहले वाली बात पर अडिग रहेगा। उसने कहा, “हाँ, हाँ माँ। फटिक ने मुझे मारा।” फटिक का धैर्य पहले ही जवाब दे चुका था। वह गलत बात (अन्याय) को नहीं सुन सकता था। वह माखन की तरफ दौड़ा और यह कहते हुए उस पर वार किये-“ये ले” वह चीखा “और ले, ले और ले, झूठ बोलने के लिए।” यह घटना दर्शाती है कि फटिक अन्याय बर्दाश्त नहीं कर सकता था।
In simple words: When Phatik returned home, his mother accused him of beating Makhan. Even though Phatik denied it, Makhan lied and said Phatik did beat him, which made Phatik lose his temper and hit Makhan for lying.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the emotional shift in Phatik's character here; his anger stems from injustice rather than mere violence.

 

Question 5. His Mother ……………….. where she was.
Answer: उसकी माँ ने उसी क्षण माखन की तरफदारी की और फटिक को खींचते हुए अपने हाथों से पीटने लगी। जब फटिक ने उन्हें अपने से अलग किया, तो वह चीखी, “क्या, अरे दुष्ट! क्या तू अब अपनी माँ को भी धक्का देगा?” उसी जटिल परिस्थिति में एक सफेद बालों वाला अजनबी वहाँ आ पहुँचा। उसने पूछा कि क्या बात है। फटिक डरा और शर्म से देखने लगा। लेकिन जब उसकी माँ ने पीछे मुड़कर उस अजनबी को देखा, तो उनका गुस्सा आश्चर्य में बदल गया, क्योंकि उसने अपने भाई को पहचान लिया था और बोली, “क्यों दादा! आप कहाँ से आये?’ ये शब्द कहते-कहते वे जमीन पर झुकीं और उनके पैर छुए। जैसे ही उनकी शादी हुई थी उनके भाई चले गये थे और उन्होंने बॉम्बे में अपना व्यवसाय शुरू कर दिया था। जब वे बॉम्बे में थे तो उनकी बहन के पति की मृत्यु हो गयी। बिशम्भर अब कलकत्ता वापस आ गये थे और तुरंत उन्होंने अपनी बहन के बारे में पूछा था। और जैसे ही उन्हें अपनी बहन के बारे में पता चला वे उससे मिलने चले आये थे। मामा बिशम्भर का आगमन इस परिवार के लिए एक नया मोड़ लेकर आया।
In simple words: Phatik's mother beat him for hitting Makhan, and when Phatik pushed her away, she accused him of being rebellious. Just then, her long-lost brother Bishamber arrived from Bombay, turning her anger into surprise and joy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that Bishamber's arrival is a turning point in the story, introducing a savior figure for Phatik.

 

Question 6. The next ……………….. meant it.
Answer: अगले कुछ दिन बड़ी प्रसन्नता से बीते। भाई ने दोनों लड़कों की शिक्षा के बारे में पूछा। उसे बताया गया कि फटिक तो बिल्कुल बेकार है। वह कामचोर, कहना न मानने वाला और उपद्रवी था। लेकिन माखन सोने के समान अच्छा था, वह भेड़ के बच्चे के समान सज्जन और पढ़ने में मन लगाने वाला था। बिशम्भर ने दयालुता से फटिक को अपनी बहन से अपने साथ ले जाने को कहा और अपने बच्चों के साथ कलकत्ता ले जाकर पढ़ाने की बात कही। विधवा माँ तुरन्त मान गयी। जब फटिक के मामा ने उसे अपने साथ कलकत्ता ले जाने की बात की तो उसकी खुशी का ठिकाना न रहा, और वह बोला, “ओह, हाँ, हाँ मामा जी।’ एक तरीके से ऐसा लगता था कि जैसे वह यही चाहता था। फटिक के लिए कलकत्ता जाना एक नए जीवन की शुरुआत जैसा था।
In simple words: Bishamber asked about the boys' education and learned that Phatik was troublesome while Makhan was well-behaved. Bishamber offered to take Phatik to Calcutta to study, which made both Phatik and his mother very happy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the contrast between how Phatik and Makhan are described by their mother to understand her bias.

 

Question 7. It was ……………….. get away.
Answer: माँ के लिए फटिक से छुटकारा पाना अत्यधिक आरामदायक था। दोनों भाइयों में कोई प्यार न होना, उसके मन को क्षति पहुँचाता था। उसके मन में हमेशा यह डर बना रहता था कि किसी दिन वह माखन को नदी में डुबो देगा या लड़ाई में उसका सिर फोड़ देगा या उसे किसी-न-किसी खतरे में फँसा देगा। साथ ही वह फटिक की जाने की उत्सुकता को देखकर निराश भी रहती थी। एक माँ के रूप में उनका यह डर उनके पक्षपातपूर्ण व्यवहार को भी दर्शाता है।
In simple words: Phatik's mother felt relieved to send him away because she feared he might hurt Makhan. However, seeing Phatik's extreme eagerness to leave also made her feel a bit sad and disappointed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the complex maternal emotions here—she is relieved to protect Makhan but hurt by Phatik's eagerness to leave her.

 

Question 8. Phatik ……………….. existence.
Answer: फटिक, जब सब-कुछ निश्चित हो गया, तो बार-बार अपने मामा से पूछने लगा कि कब चलेंगे। वह पूरे दिन प्रफुल्लित और तैयार रहता तथा अक्सर रात को भी जगा रहता। उसने अपनी मछली पकड़ने की छड़ी, अपनी बड़ी पतंग और अपने कंचे सब माखन को विरासत में दे दिए थे। वास्तव में, इस जाने के समय उसकी माखन के प्रति उदारता असीमित थी। जब वे कलकत्ता पहुँचे तो फटिक पहली बार अपनी मामी से मिला। वह अपने परिवार में अनावश्यक बढ़ोतरी देखकर बिल्कुल भी खुश नहीं थी। वह बड़ी मुश्किल से अपने तीन लड़कों का प्रबंध कर पाती थी। और एक चौदह वर्ष के गाँव के लड़के का उनके बीच आ जाना बहुत अप्रिय था। बिशम्भर को इस तरह की बात करने से पहले कम-से-कम दो बार सोचना चाहिए था। मामी का यह ठंडा स्वागत फटिक के आने वाले कठिन दिनों का संकेत था।
In simple words: Excited to leave, Phatik generously gifted all his toys to Makhan. However, when they reached Calcutta, his aunt was very unhappy to have an extra child to take care of, viewing him as an unnecessary burden.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on Phatik's generosity before leaving, which shows his good heart despite his mischievous reputation.

The Homecoming - Passage 1
इस मानवीय संसार के झमेलों में, एक लड़का जिसकी उम्र चौदह साल हो, इससे बड़ी कोई बाधा नहीं हो सकती । न तो वह आकर्षक (सजावटी) होता है न ही उपयोगी । उसके ऊपर एक बच्चे की तरह प्यार बरसाना असंभव होता है, और वह हमेशा रास्ते में आता रहता है। यदि वह एक बच्चे की तरह तुतलाता है तो उसे बच्चा कहा जाता है और अगर वे एक बड़े व्यक्ति की तरह व्यवहार करता है तो उसे अनुपयुक्त बताया जाता है। जो भी वह कहता है उसका विरोध किया जाता है। तब वह एक बदसूरत, बढ़ती हुई उम्र में होता है। वह अपने कपड़ों की अपेक्षा बहुत तेजी से बढ़ता है; उसकी आवाज भारी हो जाती है और वह अटक-अटककर काँपते हुए स्वर में गाने लगता है। बचपन की गलतियों को माफ करना आसान होता है। लेकिन एक चौदह साल के लड़के की गलतियों को सहन करना अनिवार्य होता है। लड़का स्वयं दर्द से संकोची हो जाता है। जब वह बड़े लोगों से बात करता है तो या तो घबराहट में ढीठ हो जाता है या बेचैन होकर शर्माने लगता है या फिर उसे अपने अस्तित्व पर बहुत शर्मिंदगी होने लगती है।

 

Question 9. Yet it is ……………….. his lessons.
Answer: जबकि इस उम्र में उसके दिल में होता है कि उसे प्यार और पहचान मिले और वह उस व्यक्ति का समर्पित दास बन जाता है जो उस पर ध्यान देता है। लेकिन कोई भी खुले रूप से उस पर प्यार दर्शाता नहीं है। क्योंकि उसे अनुचित आसक्ति माना जाता है जो कि उस लड़के के लिए सही नहीं होगा। इसलिए, क्या डाँटना और तिरस्कार करना, वह बिल्कुल एक आवारा कुत्ते के समान हो जाता है जिसका मालिक उसे छोड़कर चली गया हो। एक चौदह साल के लड़के के लिए उसका खुद का घर एक स्वर्ग के समान होता है। यह कहानी किशोर अवस्था के मानसिक द्वंद्व और संवेदनशीलता को दर्शाती है।
In simple words: At fourteen, a boy desperately wants love and recognition, but when he is neglected or scolded, he feels like a homeless stray dog.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on translating key emotional terms accurately to capture the character's feelings of isolation and longing.

 

The Homecoming - Passage 2
एक अजनबी घर में अजनबियों के साथ रहना एक छोटे से अत्याचार के समान था, किसी स्त्री के द्वारा प्यार से बात या व्यवहार किया जाना परमानन्द की चरमसीमा था और उसके द्वारा कभी भी तिरस्कार नहीं किया जाना चाहिए। यह फटिक के लिए (पीड़ा की) दुःखद था कि वह अपनी मामी के घर अवांछनीय था, हर मौके पर वह इस बुजुर्ग औरत द्वारा तिरस्कृत किया जाता था। जब भी वह उससे कुछ करने को कहती तो वह इतना खुश हो जाता कि कुछ ज्यादा ही कर देता और फिर भी उसे बताती कि इतने बेवकूफ मत बनो बल्कि अपनी पढ़ाई पर (पाठ) ध्यान दो।।

 

Question 10. The cramped ……………….. with longing.
Answer: अपनी मामी के घर में उपेक्षा के तंग वातावरण ने फटिक पर इतना जुल्म किया कि उसे ऐसा लगता था कि साँस लेना भी मुश्किल है। वह खुले गाँव में जाकर अपने फेफड़ों से स्वतन्त्र साँस लेना चाहता था। लेकिन वहाँ कोई खुला गाँव नहीं था। कलकत्ता में चारों तरफ दीवारें और घर बने हुए थे। वह हर रात अपने गाँव वापस जाने के सपने देखा करता। उसे वह शानदार चरागाह याद आते जहाँ वह पूरे दिन पतंग उड़ाया करता था; चौड़ा नदी का किनारा जहाँ वह गाते और चिल्लाते हुए खुशी से पूरा दिन बिताता था; छोटा सँकरा झरना जहाँ वह कभी भी जब वह चाहे डुबकी मार सकता था और तैर सकता था। उसे अपने समूह के साथी लड़के याद आते जिनमें वह तानाशाह था; और सबसे ज्यादा, उसे अपनी आततायी माँ की याद आती, जिसने उसके विरुद्ध पक्षपात किया था, यही विचार उसे दिन-रात (काम में लगाये रखते) परेशान करते रहते। एक तरह का शारीरिक प्रेम जैसा कि जानवरों में होता है, किसी ऐसे के सामने होना जिससे आप प्यार करते हों; किसी के न होने पर न प्रकट करने योग्य उत्कंठा; एक शान्त चीख जो दिल से उसकी माँ को याद करती थी, शाम के समय एक बछड़े के सँभाने के समान थी; यह प्यार जो कि एक जानवर के रूप में स्वाभाविक था, वे उस शर्मीले, बेचैन, पतले, भद्दे और कुरूप लड़के को उत्तेजित कर देते थे। कोई भी इसे समझ नहीं सकता था, लेकिन उसका दिमाग लगातार इसी का शिकार था या इसी में रमा हुआ था। पूरे स्कूल में फटिक से ज्यादा पिछड़ा हुआ कोई लड़का नहीं था। जब भी अध्यापक उससे प्रश्न पूछते उसका मुँह खुला और शान्त रह जाता और एक अतिरिक्त भार से लदे हुए गधे के समान वह धैर्यपूर्वक उन सभी वारों को सहन कर जाता जो उस पर पड़ते थे। जब सब लड़के बाहर खेल रहे होते तो वह जिज्ञासा से खिड़की के पास खड़ा हो जाता तथा दूर घरों की छतों को देखा करता और अगर संयोगवश वह बच्चों को खुली छत पर खेलते हुए देख लेता तो उसका दिल भी इच्छाओं से भर जाता। फटिक का यह मानसिक संघर्ष उसकी आंतरिक पीड़ा को दर्शाता है।
In simple words: Phatik felt suffocated in the cramped city house and deeply missed his free village life, his friends, and even his mother, making him feel completely lost and lonely at school.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the contrast between the open village life and the cramped city life to emphasize the theme of loss of freedom.

 

Question 11. One day ……………….. home?”
Answer: एक दिन उसने अपनी पूरी हिम्मत जुटाकर अपने मामा से कहा, “मामा जी, मैं घर कब जा सकता हूँ?” उसके मामा ने उत्तर दिया, “जब तक छुट्टियाँ हों तब तक प्रतीक्षा करो।” लेकिन वह घर जाने के लिए बहुत उत्सुक था।
In simple words: Phatik gathered his courage to ask his uncle when he could go home, but his uncle told him to wait until the holidays.

🎯 Exam Tip: When translating dialogue, maintain the direct speech format and punctuation to keep the emotional tone intact.

Question 12. Photik ……………….. critical.
Answer: सन्दर्भ तथा प्रसंग: प्रस्तुत गद्यांश रवीन्द्रनाथ टैगोर द्वारा लिखित कहानी 'द होमकमिंग' (The Homecoming) से लिया गया है। इसमें बीमार फटिक की दयनीय स्थिति और उसके घर लौटने की तीव्र इच्छा का वर्णन किया गया है।

व्याख्या: फटिक ने अपने मामा बिशम्बर के शब्द सुनकर रोते-रोते जोर से कहा कि वह अपने घर ही जा रहा था, लेकिन लोग उसे जबरदस्ती वापस यहाँ घसीट लाए। फटिक का बुखार बहुत तेज हो गया और वह पूरी रात तपता रहा। बिशम्बर ने डॉक्टर को बुलाया। फटिक ने अपनी बुखार से लाल आँखें खोलीं और छत की तरफ देखते हुए शान्ति से पूछा, "मामा जी, क्या अभी तक छुट्टियाँ नहीं हुई हैं? क्या मैं अब अपने घर जा सकता हूँ?" बिशम्बर ने अपने आँसू पोंछे और फटिक के पतले, गर्म हाथों को पकड़कर पूरी रात उसके पास बैठे रहे। फटिक फिर से बेहोशी में बड़बड़ाने लगा और चिल्लाया, "माँ, मुझे ऐसे मत मारो। मैं सच बोल रहा हूँ।" अगले दिन जब उसे थोड़ी देर के लिए होश आया, तो उसने कमरे में चारों ओर देखा जैसे वह किसी के आने का इन्तजार कर रहा हो। अंत में, निराश होकर उसने अपना सिर तकिये पर रख लिया और दीवार की तरफ मुँह करके गहरी साँस ली। बिशम्बर उसकी मानसिक स्थिति समझ गए और बोले कि उन्होंने उसकी माँ को बुलवा लिया है। डॉक्टर ने चिन्ता व्यक्त करते हुए कहा कि फटिक की हालत बहुत नाजुक है।
In simple words: Phatik is extremely ill with a high fever and deliriously asks his uncle if his holidays have started so he can go home. Despite his uncle's care and calling his mother, the doctor warns that Phatik's condition is very critical.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight Phatik's intense longing for his home and mother during his illness, as these emotional elements are key to scoring full marks in character-based explanations.

 

Question 13. Photik ……………….. come.
Answer: सन्दर्भ तथा प्रसंग: यह गद्यांश रवीन्द्रनाथ टैगोर की मर्मस्पर्शी कहानी 'द होमकमिंग' का अंतिम अंश है, जहाँ फटिक अपने जीवन के अंतिम क्षणों में अपनी माँ से मिलता है।

व्याख्या: फटिक अपनी बेहोशी की हालत में जोर-जोर से चिल्लाने लगा, "वह निशान! तीन फैदम। वह निशान... चार फैदम।" उसने नदी में स्टीमर के नाविक को पानी की गहराई नापने के लिए साहुल रेखा का उपयोग करते हुए यह बोलते सुना था। अब वह स्वयं जीवन और मृत्यु के बीच के अथाह सागर की गहराई को नाप रहा था। अगले दिन फटिक की माँ तूफान की तरह कमरे में आईं और रोते-बिलखते हुए फटिक के पलंग से चिपककर चिल्लाने लगीं, "फटिक मेरा प्यारा, मेरा बेटा!" फटिक ने अपनी बेचैनी में एक पल के लिए अपने हाथ हिलाना बंद किया और धीमे से कहा, "आह?" उसकी माँ फिर से रोईं। फटिक ने बहुत धीरे से अपना सिर घुमाया और बिना किसी की तरफ देखे अत्यंत शांति से बोला, "माँ, छुट्टियाँ आ गयी हैं।" यह उसके जीवन की अंतिम विदाई थी।
In simple words: In his final moments, Phatik deliriously measures the depths of an imaginary ocean, echoing his days by the river. When his grieving mother arrives, he peacefully tells her that his "holidays" (representing his ultimate release and return home) have finally arrived.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the symbolic meaning of "holidays" in this context, as it represents Phatik's final journey and escape from his painful life.

 

Understanding The Text

Explanations

Explain One Of The Following Passages With Reference To The Context:

 

Question (1). Phatik Chakravorti ……………….. unanimously.
Answer: Reference: These lines have been taken from the famous short story 'The Homecoming' written by Rabindranath Tagore.

Context: This passage introduces the protagonist, Phatik Chakravorti, a mischievous fourteen-year-old boy who is the leader of the village boys, and describes their plan to play a prank with a heavy log.

Explanation: Phatik was the undisputed leader of the village boys, always coming up with new ideas for mischief. One day, he noticed a large, heavy wooden log lying on the muddy bank of the river, waiting to be shaped into a mast. He suggested to his friends that they should roll the log away together to annoy its owner. The boys agreed to this plan unanimously, showing Phatik's strong influence over them.
In simple words: Phatik was the leader of the village boys and loved playing pranks. He convinced all his friends to roll away a heavy log just to annoy the owner, and everyone agreed with him.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining this passage, clearly mention the author's name (Rabindranath Tagore) and the story's title ('The Homecoming') to secure full marks for reference.

p>Question 1. Reference: This extract has been taken from the chapter The Homecoming by Rabindranath Tagore. [ N.B. : The above reference will be used for all explanations of this lesson.]
Answer: Context: In this chapter the feeling of a fourteen year old naughty boy’s have been discussed.
Explanation: Phatik chakravorti was a head of village boys. A new naughtiness come into his mind. There was a heavy log which was lying at the bank of river to be shaped for being a mast for a boat. He decided that all of his friends should try to shift the log from its place and roll it towards other side. He wanted to trouble the owner and to have fun for himself. All of them had same thinking regarding that offer. This setting establishes the mischievous nature of the protagonist.
In simple words: Phatik, a mischievous village boy, came up with a plan to roll a heavy log away to annoy its owner. His friends agreed to join in on the fun.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining the context, clearly mention the author and the chapter name to secure full marks.

 

Question 2. Now, if Phatik ……………….. perit in it.
Answer: Context: In this extract Phatik and Makhan both brother’s have shown their mischieviousness.
Explanation: Now it had become compulsory for Phatik to keep his words to maintain his position. But his courage was lagging him behind. His active mind in that situation, at once caught upon a new trick which would defeat his brother and allow his attendants an increasing entertainment. He ordered then to roll the log and Makhan over together. Makhan heard his brothers and decided to stick on to the log to maintain his position. But the could not see those things which were related to the bubble reputation and the risk which could have fall upon him. This conflict highlights the sibling rivalry between the two brothers.
In simple words: Phatik wanted to save his reputation, so he ordered his friends to roll both the log and his brother Makhan, who was sitting on it. Makhan stayed on the log, not realizing the danger.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the contrast between Phatik's desire to maintain leadership and his actual hesitation.

 

Question 3. Phatik wiped his face ……………….. grass as before.
Answer: Context: In the given extract Phatik’s reaction against his brother Makhan has been described.
Explanation: After cleaning his face Phatik sat down on river bank and started chewing a piece of grass. Just then a boat came on the river bank and a middle aged man, with grey hair and dark moustache came to him and asked where the chakravortis lived. Phatik did not take care of him and pointed in such direction that it was impossible to understand where he pointed. On asking again by the stranger he replied ‘go and find out roughly and continued to move his legs and chewing the grass as before. His indifferent behavior shows his lack of respect for strangers.
In simple words: Phatik sat on the riverbank chewing grass and ignored a stranger who asked for directions. He gave a vague answer and told the man to find the way himself.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight Phatik's rude attitude towards the stranger, as this is a key character trait analyzed in exams.

 

Question 4. The next few ……………….. he meant it.
Answer: Context: In this passage Phatik’s attitude’s changes have been described. When his uncle asked him to take away with himself his joy was boundless.
Explanation: When Phatik’s uncle came to his home he felt happy. His uncle asked his mother about the education of her sons and his sister told him about the difference of attitude of her two children. Phatik was lazy, disobedient, and wild. But Makhan was as good as gold, as quiet as a lamb and very fond of reading. Bishambhar asked his sister to take Phatik with him at calcutta and to look after him as his own son. Phatik’s mother This opportunity marked a major turning point in Phatik's life.
In simple words: Phatik was very happy when his uncle offered to take him to Calcutta. His mother agreed because Phatik was wild and disobedient, unlike his well-behaved brother Makhan.

🎯 Exam Tip: Contrast the characters of Phatik and Makhan clearly using the adjectives provided in the text.

 

Question (5) In this ……………….. very existence. Context: In this extract the feelings of a teenager child has been shown. What situations he/she has to face.
Answer: The narrator explains that the age of fourteen is a particularly difficult phase in a boy's life. He is neither cute like a young child nor respected like an adult. If he talks like a child, he is called a baby, and if he acts mature, he is called forward. His physical growth makes him look awkward, his clothes become tight, and his voice cracks. This transition period often leaves him feeling deeply self-conscious and out of place. During this vulnerable stage, teenagers desperately crave understanding and patience from the adults around them.
In simple words: Being fourteen is tough because you are too old to be treated like a cute baby, but too young to be respected as an adult. Your body and voice change quickly, making you feel awkward and shy around others.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing the struggles of a teenager, highlight the physical changes and the social awkwardness they experience as key points.

 

Question (6) The cramped ……………….. day and night. Context: In this extract Phatik’s feeling against his aunt’s behaviour is shown.
Answer: Phatik felt extremely suffocated and depressed by the hostile environment in his aunt's house. He desperately missed the freedom of his village, where he could run wild, fly kites, and wander along the riverbank. In the crowded city of Calcutta, he felt trapped by walls and houses, longing for his old friends and even the familiar presence of his mother. This intense homesickness made him realize how much he truly valued his rural life.
In simple words: Phatik felt trapped and unhappy in the crowded city of Calcutta. He missed his village, where he could play freely by the river and fly kites with his friends.

🎯 Exam Tip: Contrast the open, free environment of the village with the cramped, suffocating atmosphere of the city to show Phatik's state of mind.

 

Question (7) At the end ……………….. sent him home?” Context: When Phatik did not come for whole day his uncle took help from police.
Answer: After Phatik went missing for the entire day, a police van finally brought him back in the evening during a heavy rainstorm. He was completely drenched, covered in mud, and shivering with a high fever. His uncle, Bishambhar, lovingly carried him inside, but his aunt reacted coldly, viewing the sick boy as an unwanted burden and asking if he could be sent back home immediately. Her harsh reaction highlighted the lack of love and empathy she had for the young boy.
In simple words: The police found Phatik and brought him back home wet and very sick with a fever. Instead of being worried, his aunt complained that he was just a source of trouble and wanted him gone.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the contrast between the uncle's caring attitude and the aunt's cold, unwelcoming response to emphasize Phatik's tragic situation.

 

Question (8) The fever rose ……………….. telling the truth!” Context: Phatik wanted to go his home back. So, he tried to do so but was caught back to his uncle’s home by two constables.
Answer: As Phatik's fever grew worse, he became delirious, desperately crying out that he was telling the truth about wanting to go home. He had tried to escape his unhappy life in Calcutta but was caught and brought back by the police. His worsening physical condition mirrored his deep emotional distress and longing for his mother.
In simple words: Phatik's fever got much worse because of his sadness and the cold rain. In his sickness, he kept crying out that he wanted to go back to his mother and his village.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain how Phatik's physical fever is closely linked to his emotional longing to return to his home and mother.

Short Answer Type Questions

Answer one of the following questions in not more than 30 words:

 

Question 1. What did Phatik and his friends decide to do? (फटिक और उसके मित्रों ने क्या करने का निश्चय किया? )
Answer: Phatik Chakravorti was a typical naughty village boy about fourteen years old. He was the ring leader of his gang. He never went to school but spent the whole day flying kites, swimming in the river and playing mischief. He was inventive and full of ideas. One day a new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud flat of the river waiting to be shaped into to mast for a boat. Phatik and his friends decided that they should shift the log by force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised and they would enjoy all the fun. This plan promised them a great deal of amusement at someone else's expense.
(फटिक चक्रवर्ती चौदह वर्ष का एक बहुत शैतान ग्रामीण लड़का था। वह अपने समूह का सरदार था। वह कभी स्कूल नहीं जाता था लेकिन पूरा दिन पतंग उड़ाने, नदी में तैरने और शैतानी करने में बिताता था। वह अच्छा आविष्कारक तथा पूर्ण विवेकशील था। एक दिन एक नयी शैतानी उसके दिमाग में आई। नदी के किनारे समतल कीचड़ में लकड़ी का एक लट्ठा नाव के मस्तूल के आकार में आने के लिए पड़ा हुआ था। फटिक और उसके दोस्तों ने निश्चय किया कि वे उसे लट्टे पर ताकत लगाकर उसे घुमाकर उसकी जगह से लुढ़काते हुए दूसरी जगह ले जायेंगे। लट्टे का मालिक आश्चर्यचकित और क्रोधित होगा और वे सब उससे मजे करेंगे।)
In simple words: Phatik and his friends wanted to play a prank by rolling away a heavy wooden log that belonged to someone else. They thought it would be funny to see the owner get angry.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on describing Phatik's mischievous nature and the specific plan regarding the log to secure full marks.

 

Question 2. How did Makhan spoil the fun? (माखन ने कैसे मजा किरकिरा (खराब) कर दिया?)
Answer: Phatik and his friends decided to perform a new mischief. They decided that they should shift the log by force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised and they would enjoy all the fun. But the fun was spoiled before it started, as Phatik’s brother Makhan went against this plan. He decides not to allow them to roll the log way. So he quietly sat down on the log without uttering. word. This made everybody puzzled for a moment. Phatik asked him to get up. But Makhan sat more confidently and appeared like a young philosopher meditating. Now it was the question of Phatik’s dignity before his gang and so he ordered the gangs to roll the log along with Makhan. As the log moved, Makhan fell into mud. So he quarreled with Phatik and went home crying. All in this way Makhan spoiled the fun. His stubborn refusal to move completely disrupted their mischievous game.
(फटिक और उसके मित्रों को एक नयी शैतानी सूझी। उन्होंने निश्चय किया वे उस लट्टे पर ताकत लगाकर उसे लुढ़काते हुए एक जगह से दूसरी जगह ले जायेंगे। लट्टे का मालिक आश्चर्यचित और गुस्सा होगा और वे सब उससे मजे करेंगे। लेकिन मजा आना शुरू होने से पहले ही खराब हो गया, क्योंकि फटिक का भाई माखन योजना के बीच में आ गया। उसने)
In simple words: Makhan spoiled the fun by sitting quietly on the log and refusing to get up. Even when they rolled the log and he fell into the mud, it ended in a fight rather than a fun prank.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly explain Makhan's silent protest on the log and how it challenged Phatik's authority to answer this effectively.

 

Question 3. Who arrived at Phatik’s house? (फटिक के घर कौन आया था ?)
Answer: Bishambar brother of Phatik’s mother or his maternal uncle came to Phatik house. Bishambar had gone away soon after the marriage of Phatik’s mother and his sister and he also started business at Bombay. Bishambar now come back to Calcutta and was visiting his sister after a long period. This unexpected visit brought great joy to the family after many years of separation.

(बिशम्भर फटिक की माँ का भाई यानी फटिक के मामा उसके घर आए। बिशम्भर फटिक की माँ के विवाह के तुरन्त बाद बम्बई चले गये थे और उन्होंने वहाँ पर अपना व्यवसाय शुरू कर दिया था । अब बिशम्भर कलकत्ता वापस आए थे और काफी लम्बे अरसे के बाद अपनी बहन से मिले।)
In simple words: Phatik's maternal uncle, Bishambar, came to visit them. He had been away in Bombay for business for a very long time since Phatik's mother got married.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention both relations (maternal uncle / mother's brother) and his name "Bishambar" clearly to secure full marks.

 

Question 4. Why did Phatik go to Calcutta? (फटिक कलकत्ता क्यों गया?)
Answer: Phatik Chakravorti was a typical naughty village boy about fourteen years old. He never went to school but spent the whole day flying kites and playing mischief. He was a perpetual nuisance and his widow mother did not know how to manage him. He was lazy, disobedient and wild, so not studying properly. Once his maternal uncle Bishambar visited his sister after a long. He volunteered to take Phatik to Calcutta where he would be educated. Phatik’s mother readily agreed and Phatik also was excited to go. So he readily went to Calcutta expecting a new exiting life there. He hoped that moving to a big city would solve all his problems and give him a fresh start.

(फटिक चक्रवर्ती एक बहुत शैतान चौदह वर्ष का ग्रामीण लड़का था । वह कभी स्कूल नहीं जाता था लेकिन पूरा दिन पतंग उड़ाने और शैतानी करने में बिताता था । वह लगातार शैतानियां करता था और उसकी विधवा माँ समझ नहीं पाती थी कि उसके साथ कैसा व्यवहार करे। वह आलसी, कहना न मानने वाला और उद्दण्ड था, इसलिए ठीक से पढ़ता भी नहीं था । एक बार उसके मामा बिशम्भर बहुत दिनों बाद उनसे मिलने आए। उन्होंने फटिक को कलकत्ता ले जाने के लिये कहा जहाँ वे उसे पढ़ाना चाहते थे। फटिक की माँ इसके लिए तैयार हो गयी और फटिक भी जाने के लिए उत्साहित था । इसलिये वह एक उत्साहित जीवन की आशा में, खुशी से कलकत्ता चला गया ।)
In simple words: Phatik was a very naughty boy who did not study, and his mother found him hard to manage. When his uncle offered to take him to Calcutta for education, both Phatik and his mother agreed happily.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight Phatik's mischievous nature and his mother's inability to manage him as the primary reasons for sending him away.

 

Question 5. Why was Phatik unwelcome to his aunt? (फटिक का आना उसकी मामी के लिए अनाभिलाषित क्यों था?)
Answer: When Phatik and his uncle reached Calcutta, Phatik made the acquaintance of his aunt for the first time. His aunt was not all happy to see him. For her, Phatik was an unnecessary addition of her family because she had already three children who were quite unmanageable. To bring a village boy of 14 was very much upsetting to her. So Phatik was unwelcome to his aunt... She felt that managing another growing boy would only add to her daily household stress.

(जब फटिक और उसके मामा कलकत्ता पहुँचे, फटिक पहली बार अपनी मामी से मिला । उसकी मामी उसे देखकर खुश नहीं हुई। उनके लिए, उनके परिवार के लिए फटिक अनावश्यक था क्योंकि उनके पहले से तीन बच्चे थे जो काफी अनियन्त्रणीय थे। गाँव के एक चौदह वर्षीय लड़के को पालना उनके लिए काफी मुश्किल था । इसलिए फटिक का आना उसकी मामी के लिए अनाभिलाषित था ।)
In simple words: Phatik's aunt already had three mischievous children of her own and found them hard to handle. Adding a fourteen-year-old village boy to the house felt like an extra, unwanted burden to her.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be sure to mention that the aunt already had three unmanageable children of her own, which made Phatik's arrival feel like an unnecessary burden.

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Question 6. Why was Phatik unhappy in Calcutta? (फटिक कलकत्ता में खुश क्यों नहीं था?)
Answer: Phatik was sent to Calcutta by his mother. She hoped that the boy would get good education and be happy there. Phatik too expected to have an exciting life but his aunt did not show him any love. She was rude with and found fault with him. He was despised and insulted every now and then his cousins also made fun of him. He was the most backward boy in the whole school. He was beaten unmercifully by the teacher day after day. He could not make any friends. He longed for his village where he was a ring leader and where he had enjoyed life. He deeply missed the freedom of the open fields and the carefree days spent with his friends. The house became a prison for him. He wanted to run away to his village. The whole his life was miserable and unhappy in Calcutta.

(फटिक को उसकी माँ ने कलकत्ता भेज दिया था। उन्हें आशा थी कि लड़के को वहाँ अच्छी शिक्षा मिल जायेगी और वह वहाँ खुश रहेगा। फटिक को भी एक उत्तेजित करने वाली जिंदगी की आशा थी लेकिन उसकी मामी ने उसे बिल्कुल प्यार नहीं किया। वह उससे अशिष्ट व्यवहार करती थी और उसमें कमियाँ निकालती रहती थी। उसे तुच्छ समझा जाता था और उसकी बेइज्जती की जाती थी और जब तब उसके ममेरे भाई-बहन उसका मजाक उड़ाते रहते थे। वह पूरे स्कूल में सबसे पिछड़ा हुआ लड़का था। दिन प्रतिदिन उसे उसके अध्यापक द्वारा बेरहमी से पीटा जाता था। उसका कोई मित्र नहीं था। वह अपने गाँव जाना चाहता था जहाँ वह अपने समूह का सरदार था और जहाँ उसने जीवन में मजे किये थे। घर उसके लिए एक जेल बन चुका था। वह अपने गाँव भाग जाना चाहता था। कलकत्ता में उसका पूरा जीवन दु:खी और अप्रसन्न था।)
In simple words: Phatik was unhappy in Calcutta because his aunt did not love him, his cousins made fun of him, and his teachers beat him. He felt like he was in a prison and deeply missed his free life in his village.

🎯 Exam Tip: To score full marks, clearly contrast Phatik's free life as a "ring leader" in his village with his miserable, restricted life in Calcutta.

 

Question 7. What happened to Phatik at school? (स्कूल में फटिक के साथ क्या हुआ?)
Answer: Phatik was the most backward and the dullest boys in his school. He remained silent when the teacher asked him a question, and like an ass patiently suffered all the blows that came down on his back. One day, he lost his lesson book. It was impossible to prepare lesson without it. Day by day he was beaten unmercifully by the teacher. His conditions became so miserable that even his cousins were ashamed of him. He was insulted by his classmates. The constant humiliation at school completely shattered his self-esteem and made him dread going there every day. These all the troubled faced by Phatik when he was at school.

(फटिक अपने स्कूल में सबसे पिछड़ा और मन्दबुद्धि लड़का था। जब अध्यापक उससे कोई प्रश्न पूछते तो वह चुप रहता था, और एक गधे की तरह उन वारों को सहन करता था जो उसकी कमर पर पड़ते थे। एक दिन, उसने अपनी अभ्यास पुस्तिका खो दी। इसके बिना पाठ याद करना असम्भव था। दिन प्रतिदिन अध्यापक बेरहमी से उसे पीटते थे। उसकी हालत इतनी दयनीय हो गयी कि उसके ममेरे भाई-बहनों को भी उस पर शर्म आने लगी। उसके सहपाठी उसकी बेइज्जती करते। जब फटिक स्कूल में था उसे इन सब परेशानियों का सामना करना पड़ा।)
In simple words: At school, Phatik was the weakest student and was constantly beaten by his teacher. After he lost his textbook, he could not study, and his classmates and cousins made fun of his miserable condition.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention key details like "losing his lesson book" and "being beaten unmercifully" to show why school was a nightmare for Phatik.

 

Question 8. Why did Phatik run away? (फटिक क्यों भाग गया?)
Answer: Phatik was sent to Calcutta by his mother. She hoped that the boy would get good education and be happy there. Phatik too expected to have an exciting life but his aunt did not show him any love. She was rude with and found fault with him. He was despised and insulted every now and then his cousins also made fun of him. His life at school was no better. He was the most backward boy in the whole school. The house became a prison for him. The whole his life was miserable and unhappy in Calcutta. Now he longed for his village where he was a ring leader and where he had enjoyed life. He also remembered his mother. One day he fell sick and he feared that in such condition, he would be nuisance to is aunt. The overwhelming feeling of being unwanted and the fear of being a burden drove him to make this desperate escape. So he ran away from home.
In simple words: Phatik ran away because he was extremely unhappy at home and school. When he fell sick, he feared he would be an unwanted burden to his aunt, which pushed him to escape back to his village.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight his illness and his fear of being a "nuisance" to his aunt as the immediate trigger that made him run away.

(फटिक को उसकी माँ ने कलकत्ता भेज दिया था। उन्हें आशा थी कि लड़का वहाँ जाकर खुश रहेगा और उसे अच्छी शिक्षा मिल जायेगी। फटिक को भी एक उमंग भरे जीवन की आशा थी लेकिन उसकी मामी ने उसे बिल्कुल प्यार नहीं किया। वह उससे अशिष्ट व्यवहार करती और उसमें कमियाँ निकालती रहती थी। उसे तुच्छ समझकर जब तब उसके ममेरे भाइयों द्वारा उसका मजाक उड़ाया जाता था और उसकी बेइज्जती की जाती थी। स्कूल में भी उसकी जिन्दगी ज्यादा अच्छी नहीं थी। वह पूरे स्कूल में सबसे पिछड़ा हुआ लड़का था। घर उसके लिए एक जेल के समान बन गया था। कलकत्ता में उसका पूरा जीवन दु:खी और अप्रसन्न था। अब वह अपने गाँव को याद कर रहा था जहाँ वह अपने समूह का सरदार था और जहाँ वह जिन्दगी में मजे कर रहा था। उसे अपनी माँ की भी याद आ रही थी। एक दिन वह बीमार पड़ गया और उसे डर था कि ऐसी स्थिति में, वह अपनी मामी की नजरों में और गिर जायेगा (वह उसे और बाधा समझेगी) इसलिए वह घर से भाग गया था।)

 

Question 9. Who come to see Phatik? (फटिक से मिलने कौन आया?)
Answer: Phatik was very unhappy at his uncle’s house in Calcutta. He received no love and affection. His aunt found fault with him and insulted him. Once in the state of malarial fever, He ran away from home. He was brought back in serious condition. The boy told his uncle that he wanted to go home to his mother. His uncle assured him that he would send him when holidays would come. In his delirium he kept on asking his uncle if holidays had come. Finally his mother was sent for she arrived just in times to see her son die. His mother came to see her son dying. This tragic end highlights the deep yearning of a child for maternal love.

(फटिक कलकत्ता में अपने मामा के घर बहुत दुःखी था। उसे कोई प्यार नहीं करता था। उसकी मामी उसकी कमियाँ ढूँढ़ती और उसे बेइज्जत करती रहती थी। एक बार मलेरिया बुखार में, वह घर से भाग गया। उसे गम्भीर अवस्था में घर लाया गया। लड़के ने अपने मामा को बताया कि वह अपनी माँ के पास घर जाना चाहता था। उसके मामा ने उसे आश्वासन दिया कि जब छुट्टियाँ होंगी तो वे उसे भेज देंगे। अपनी बेहोशी की हालत में वह अपने मामा से पूछता रहा कि क्या छुट्टियाँ हो गयीं। आखिरकार उसकी माँ को बुलवाया गया और वो बिल्कुल उस समय पहुँची जब उनका बेटा मरने ही वाला था। उसकी माँ अपने बेटे की मृत्यु पर आई थी।)
In simple words: Phatik was very sad at his uncle's house because nobody loved him. When he got very sick with a fever, he wanted to go back to his mother, and she arrived just before he passed away.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly mention the sequence of events leading to Phatik's illness and his mother's arrival to secure full marks.

 

Question 10. What do you think happened to Phatik? (आपको क्या लगता है कि फटिक को क्या हुआ था?)
Answer: “The Home coming’ is a touching story of a boy of fourteen years. Back in village he was happy and free. He played his boyish pranks and has the fun common to his age but life last all its charms when he was sent to calcutta. Instead of love he received contraption, insult and beating. This made the boy unhappy and adversely affected his progress in school; the unloved boy fell sick and died. According to me Phatik was transplanted from village life which was full of mischief and pleasure to a life to city where he had no one to love and give affection to him. He realized the values of home and love because of neglect from his uncle’s family and separation from his mother. During his illness this wild boy turned mature and understands what is home. His tragic demise serves as a powerful critique of the lack of empathy in urban environments.

(‘द होम कमिंग’ (घर वापसी) एक चौदह वर्षीय लड़के की एक मार्मिक कहानी है। पहले जब वह गाँव में था खुश और स्वतन्त्र था। वह अपने लड़कपन की शरारत किया करता था और अपनी उम्र के साधारण मजे लिया करता था, लेकिन जीवन का सारा आकर्षण समाप्त हो गया जब उसे कलकत्ता भेज दिया गया। प्यार के बजाय उसे बेइज्जती और पिटाई सहन करनी पड़ी। इसी से लड़का दुःखी हो गया और स्कूल में भी उसकी प्रगति बुरी तरह प्रभावित हुई; जिस लड़के को प्यार न मिला था वह बीमार पड़ गया और मर गया। मेरे हिसाब से फटिक का ग्रामीण जीवन जो शैतानियों और जीवन की खुशियों से भरा था, से उठाकर शहरी जीवन में प्रत्यारोपित कर दिया गया था जहाँ कोई उसे प्यार नहीं करता था और उसे समझने वाला कोई नहीं था।)
In simple words: Phatik was a free and happy village boy who lost his joy when moved to the city. The neglect and harsh treatment he faced made him sick, leading to his untimely death.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the contrast between Phatik's free village life and his restricted, painful city life to explain his tragic fate effectively.

Vocabulary

Choose the most appropriate word or phrase that best completes the sentence:

 

Question 1. Phatik Chakravorti was ringleader ……………….. the boys of the village.
(a) between
(b) among
(c) and
(d) with
Answer: (b) among
In simple words: We use 'among' when referring to a position within a group of three or more people, like Phatik being the leader of all the village boys.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use 'between' for two people or things, and 'among' for more than two.

 

Question 2. The owner of the ……………….. would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun.
(a) log
(b) fog
(c) bog
(d) wog
Answer: (a) log
In simple words: The boys planned to roll away a heavy wooden log that belonged to someone else just to play a prank.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read the lesson carefully to remember key objects in the story, like the giant log by the river.

 

Question 3. Makhan heard the order and made it a ……………….. of honour to stick on.
(a) joint
(b) points
(c) point
(d) socket
Answer: (c) point
In simple words: A 'point of honour' means something that a person feels they must do to keep their self-respect or pride.

🎯 Exam Tip: 'Point of honour' is a common English idiom; learning standard idioms helps you solve vocabulary questions quickly.

 

Question 4. All the other boys ……………….. themselves hoarse with delight.
(a) crowd
(b) shout
(c) gather
(d) shouted
Answer: (d) shouted
In simple words: The boys shouted so loudly and for so long out of excitement that their throats became sore and dry.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the tense of the sentence; 'was' and other past tense clues in the context indicate that the past tense verb 'shouted' is correct.

 

Question 5. Makhan rushed at Phatik and scratched his ……………….. and beat him and kicked him.
(a) face
(b) case
(c) chase
(d) lace
Answer: (a) face
In simple words: During their fight, Makhan angrily attacked Phatik by scratching his face, hitting him, and kicking him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look at the context of physical fighting in the sentence to easily identify 'face' as the only logical body part among the options.

 

Question 6. But the servant was the master ……………….. this occasion.
(a) with
(b) from
(c) at
(d) on
Answer: (d) on
In simple words: On this particular event or time, the servant took control of the situation instead of the boys.

🎯 Exam Tip: The preposition 'on' is always used with the word 'occasion' when referring to a specific time or event.

 

Question 7. Phatik’s ……………….. was already exhausted.
(a) essence
(b) patience
(c) rush
(d) went
Answer: (b) patience
In simple words: Phatik had run out of the ability to stay calm and tolerate his brother's annoying behavior any longer.

🎯 Exam Tip: 'Patience' is a noun that fits perfectly with the possessive 'Phatik's' and the verb 'exhausted'.

 

Question 8. His sister had ……………….. her husband while he was in Bombay.
(a) host
(b) cost
(c) lost
(d) post
Answer: (c) lost
In simple words: Phatik's sister became a widow because her husband passed away while he was living in Bombay.

🎯 Exam Tip: In literature, 'losing' a spouse is a common, polite way of saying that they passed away.

 

Question 9. He was told by his sister that Phatik was a perpetual ………………..
(a) nuisance
(b) science
(c) demand
(d) hate
Answer: (a) nuisance
In simple words: Phatik's mother complained that he was a constant source of trouble and annoyance in the household.

🎯 Exam Tip: 'Perpetual nuisance' is a key phrase used in this story to describe Phatik's troublesome nature at home.

 

Question 10. She had a prejudice ……………….. the boy.
(a) in front of
(b) against
(c) under
(d) above
Answer: (b) against
In simple words: She had an unfair negative opinion or dislike toward the boy without any good reason.

🎯 Exam Tip: The noun 'prejudice' is almost always followed by the preposition 'against' when it refers to a dislike of someone.

 

Question 11. In this world of human affair there is no worse nuisance than a boy at the age of ………………..
(a) twelve
(b) thirteen
(c) fourteen
(d) fifteen
Answer: (c) fourteen
In simple words: The author points out that a fourteen-year-old boy is at a very awkward age where he is neither a child nor a grown man, making him hard to manage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize this famous opening line from the second part of the story, as the age 'fourteen' is central to the theme of the lesson.

 

Question 12. He wanted to go out into the open country and fill his ……………….. and breathe freely.
(a) lungs
(b) ears
(c) mouth
(d) hand
Answer: (a) lungs
In simple words: He longed to escape the cramped city life and fill his lungs with fresh, clean country air.

🎯 Exam Tip: The action of breathing freely is physically associated with filling one's 'lungs' with air.

 

Question 13. There was no more backward boy in the ……………….. school than Phatik.
(a) hole
(b) whole
(c) hall
(d) half
Answer: (b) whole
In simple words: Out of all the students in the entire school, Phatik was considered the most dull and slow in his studies.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be careful with homophones like 'hole' and 'whole'. 'Whole' means entire, which fits the context of the entire school.

 

Question 14. The ……………….. rose very high and all that night the boy was delirious.
(a) lever
(b) shiever
(c) fever
(d) liver
Answer: (c) fever
In simple words: The boy had a very high body temperature, which is called a fever, making him talk wildly and lose control of his senses.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to context clues like "delirious" to identify that the sentence refers to a medical condition like a fever.

 

Question 15. Phatik stopped his restless movements ……………….. a moment.
(a) for
(b) about
(c) into
(d) onto
Answer: (a) for
In simple words: We use the preposition "for" to show a duration of time, meaning Phatik stopped moving just for a brief period.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use "for" when referring to a specific duration of time, such as "for a moment" or "for an hour".