Childhood by Markus Natten
Central Idea
This is an introspective poem. This poem delves into the profound question of lost childhood, highlighting the inherent innocence and unwavering trust of children. The poet examines various stages of personal transformation that altered his worldview, ultimately leading to the loss of childhood. Moreover, the poem unveils the prevalent hypocrisy in society, where individuals feign cordiality while harboring concealed disdain for one another.
Summary of Childhood
The poet ponders the moment when his childhood slipped away, speculating that it may have been when he surpassed the age of eleven. This realization stemmed from discovering that the imaginary realms of Heaven and Hell, ingrained in his upbringing, had no tangible existence in the world. Education and the development of a rational mindset likely contributed to the loss of childhood. Additionally, the poet contemplates whether the loss occurred upon discerning the hypocrisy of adults, who advocated love and care but displayed argumentativeness, violence, and discourtesy. Recognizing this broken trust represented a significant step toward adulthood. Another possibility the poet explores is the day he realized his ability to think independently, form his own opinions, and make decisions. This newfound individuality liberated him from preconceived notions imposed by others, signifying the complete loss of childhood innocence. Finally, the poet wonders where his childhood has vanished, suggesting it might reside in a forgotten place. He remarks that the essence of childhood can be found in the innocent countenance of a child devoid of pretense, rationality, and unwavering trust in others—an embodiment of pure innocence.
Theme of Childhood Poem
The poem “Childhood” revolves around the theme of lost innocence. Markus Natten, the poet, reflects on the precise moment and location where he lost his childhood. Adolescence proves to be a perplexing phase for a child, as they struggle to reconcile the physical, hormonal, and psychological changes occurring within themselves. Caught between the realms of childhood and adulthood, they find themselves in a state of liminality.
Tone of Childhood Poem
The tone of the above poem can be described as introspective, nostalgic, and contemplative.
The tone of the poem evokes a mixture of wistfulness, curiosity, and introspection, inviting the reader to ponder their own experiences of childhood and the loss of innocence.
Sub-themes:
1. Rationality: The first stanza explores the significance of developing logical and rational thinking, marking the initial step towards maturity and the loss of childhood innocence.
2. Hypocrisy of adults: The second stanza delves into the hypocrisy exhibited by adults, who advocate love and care while practicing contradictory behaviors. Recognizing this hypocrisy serves as a pivotal moment in the transition from childhood to adulthood.
3. Individuality of thoughts: The third stanza contemplates the acquisition of independent thinking, the ability to form personal opinions, and make autonomous decisions. This development of individuality signifies the complete loss of childhood innocence.
Questions and Answers
Important Exracts
1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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!
Q1. When does the poet realize that his childhood has gone?
A1. The poet realizes at the age of eleven.
Q2. Why is the age of eleven so important for the poet?
A2. At the age of eleven, he can differentiate between fact and fiction.
Q3. What is the quality acquired by the poet at this stage of his life?
A3. The poet has become rational at this stage.
Q4. When did the poet know that ‘hell’ and ‘heaven’ are imaginary concepts?
A4. When he could not locate these places in geography books.
Q5. Why is the poet worried?
A5. The poet is worried because he has lost his purity of thoughts and innocence.
Q6. Where has the poet’s childhood gone?
A6. His childhood has gone to some forgotten place.
Q7. What is a child’s perception of an adult?
A7. As childhood goes, the child can differentiate between fact and fiction.
2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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!
Q1. Why does the poet not talk great of grown-up people?
A1. The poet feels that grown-up people do not act on what they preach.
Q2. Why is the poet confused?
A2. The poet cannot understand whether he is a child or an adult.
Q3. How does the poet find the people in this world?
A3. The poet finds the people as hypocrites.
Q4. Choose a word from the passage which means ‘sermonized’.
A4. Preached
3. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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!
Q1. Explain ‘My mind was really mine’?
A1. It means that the poet was completely in control of himself.
Q2. ‘Producing thoughts that were not those of other people’ means:
A2. The poet has gained confidence to express his views independently.
Q3. Which stage of life has been under consideration above?
A3. The poet is passing through adulthood.
Q4. What thoughts of the poet are revealed in these lines?
A4. His individuality is expressed here.
4. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Where did my childhood go?
It went to some forgotten place,
That is hidden in an infant’s face,
That’s all I know.
Q1. Why is the poet eager to know the lost place of his childhood?
A1. The poet cherishes childhood the most and wishes to experience the innocent life of a child once again.
Q2. Where is the poet able to find his lost childhood?
A2. In the innocent face of an infant.
Q3. Choose a word from the passage which is synonymous with ‘concealed’.
A3. Hidden
Q4. What is the rhyming scheme of the above lines?
A4. ABBA
Q.1 What is the poet’s feeling towards childhood?
A1. The poet grows nostalgic about his childhood and believes it to be a time of innocence. The loss of childhood represents the loss of innocence, and the poet feels a sense of loss in letting go of this phase.
Q.2 What does the child think about the adults in the poem ‘Childhood’?
A2. The child perceives adults as hypocrites who talk about love but do not act lovingly. The child sees through their pretenses and realizes that they are not as genuine as they appear.
Q.3 Why does the poet feel that hell and heaven are not real places?
A3. As the poet matures, he begins to think rationally and realizes that hell and heaven are merely imaginary concepts. He understands that they do not exist in reality and are only constructs of the mind.
Q.4 What answer did the poet get to the question, “Where did my childhood go”?
A4. The poet finds that his childhood is hidden in an infant’s innocent face. He suggests that the essence of childhood, which is innocence, can be seen in the face of an infant.
Q.5 How is a child different from an adult?
A5. A child is different from an adult in several ways. Firstly, a child lacks the ability to differentiate between fact and fiction, while adults think rationally and can distinguish between truth and imagination. Secondly, children are not influenced or manipulated by others, whereas adults have their own individuality and make decisions based on their own thoughts. Thirdly, children tend to be more innocent and free from hypocrisy, whereas adults may exhibit manipulative behavior and not always act in accordance with what they preach.
Q.6 Why does Markus Natten say that his childhood is hidden in an infant’s face?
A6. Markus Natten expresses that his lost childhood can be found in the innocent face of an infant because he believes that the purity and innocence of childhood are preserved in the untainted nature of a baby. He sees the reflection of his own childhood, untouched by the complexities of the adult world, in the innocence of an infant’s face. The child represents a symbol of purity and a reminder of the carefree and genuine nature of childhood that he longs to reconnect with.
