Class 11th English ( Poem ) Childhood- Important question- Term- 2
1- What according to the poem, is involved in the process growing up ?
- Answer. 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 rational thinking and discrimination as well as a sense of individuality and self-confidence.
2- What are the poet's feelings towards childhood ?
- Answer. The poet regards childhood as an important stage in the process of growing up. Childhood is a period of make-belief. Children readily accept whatever the elders say. The poet does not feel any regret or sense of loss on losing his childhood.
3- Bring out the hypocrisy that the adults exhibit with regard to love.
- Ans. As the poet grew up, he could make out the double standards of the adults. He realised that though adults preached of love and talked of love, their behaviour was totally different and full of manipulation. They were all hypocrites who behaved differently from the way they talked.
4- What did the poet notice about independent thinking? How important was this discovery ?
- Ans. 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.
5- According to Markus Natten, when does the child become an adult ?
- Ans. Becoming an adult is a complex process which is associated with physical, mental and social development. A child becomes an adult when he is able to live his own life and takes care of his responsibilities individually. He also develops his own thought process, using which he can form his own beliefs and opinions.
6- The poet has discussed two stages of life — childhood and adulthood. How do we differentiate one from another ?
- Ans. 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.