Childhood Flashcards
What according to the poem, is involved in the process of growing up?
According to the poem, the loss of childhood is involved in the process of growing up.
This loss is compensated by some gains which come with adolescence. These are: increase in understanding, power of rationalising and discrimination as well as a sense of individuality and self-confidence.
What are the poet’s feelings towards childhood?
The poet regards childhood as an important stage in the process of growing up. Childhood is a period of make-believe. Children readily accept whatever the elders say. The poet does not feel any regret or sense of loss on losing his childhood.
What did the speaker learn about the existence of Heaven and Hell ?
As the speaker grew to be mature, he acquired reasoning power. He realized that Hell and Heaven could not be found in Geography books or Atlas. Since they could not be located anywhere in the world map, he concluded that they did not exist. He would believe only what he could see and find.
How did the speaker realise the hypocrisy of the adults?
The speaker noticed a wide gulf between what adults appeared to be and what they actually were in real life. There was apparent contradiction between their words and deeds. They talked of love and advised others to love, but they never acted lovingly.
How did the realization of being the master of his own mind helped him ?
The realization that he was the master of his own mind, and could use it in any way he liked, filled him with self confidence. He could now think independently and need not repeat parrot like thoughts of others.
‘Childhood is an essential state in the process of growing up, but it can’t go on forever.” Discuss.
Childhood is an important stage in the process of growing up of every person. The human infant is totally dependent on others, but during childhood he gains physical, emotional and mental strength. As the tiny baby grows bigger in size, other faculties also develop. This stage is an important landmark in man’s growth, but it can’t go on forever.
Childhood being a stage, must give way to another stage. It is followed by adolescence or early youth. Now all the faculties are fully developed. The person acquires reasoning power. His rationalism helps him to decide truth or falsehood, fact and fiction. He acquires a fine capability of analysis and discrimination. Now he can see through persons and things. He begins to understand the hypocrisy of adults. He gains confidence and becomes an independent thinker.
What question does the poet ask again and again in this poem?
In this poem the poet is really confused. He asks the question again and again ‘when did my childhood go?’
The poet has discussed two stages of life - childhood and adulthood. How do we differentiate one from another?
Childhood has been considered by the poet as a blissful period in one’s life, where a child trusts everyone. Adulthood is marked by rational and creative thoughts, ability to perceive and differentiate and learn new things. In this stage of life one also learns to be double faced and crafty.
What did the poet realise when he crossed the age of eleven years?
When the poet crossed the age of eleven years, he realised that he had lost his childhood and had
developed a mind of his own. He also found out the non-existence of Hell and Heaven
How did the poet conclude that Hell and Heaven were imaginary places?
The poet concluded that Hell and Heaven were imaginary places because Geography books contain names
of places, but there is no mention of places like Hell or Heaven in these books.
How does the poem expose man and present him in true colours?
According to the poet, childhood symbolises innocence, purity, softness and love. As a child grows up, these qualities start receding. Man adheres to lying, shrewdness, cunningness and hypocrisy.
Adults preach about truth and honesty but themselves practise hatred and lying. The simplicity and honesty of childhood evaporates the moment man crosses the threshold of innocent childhood.
What did the poet notice about independent thinking? How important was this discovery?
The poet discovered that he was different from others and could think independently. He could have his own opinions without getting influenced by anyone else. This discovery was very important to him as it revealed to him his abilities for independent thinking and decision taking.
What is the poet trying to convey when he says that childhood is hidden in an infant’s face? Answer:
The poet says an infant is really innocent as he trusts everyone and does not try to fool others. The poet brings out this fact by contrasting it with the behaviour of adults, who become manipulative and are hypocrites. As a person develops rational thoughts, his childlike innocence fades away.
