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NCERT Textbook - Childhood
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Page 1 Childhood Markus Natten 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! 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! 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! Where did my childhood go? It went to some forgotten place, That’s hidden in an infant’s face, That’s all I know. Chap 4.indd 41 12/6/2024 11:38:43 AM Reprint 2025-26 Page 2 Childhood Markus Natten 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! 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! 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! Where did my childhood go? It went to some forgotten place, That’s hidden in an infant’s face, That’s all I know. Chap 4.indd 41 12/6/2024 11:38:43 AM Reprint 2025-26 42 HOrnbill Think it out 1. Identify the stanza that talks of each of the following. individuality rationalism hypocrisy 2. What according to the poem is involved in the process of growing up? 3. What is the poet’s feeling towards childhood? 4. Which do you think are the most poetic lines? Why? Notes Understanding the poem Questions are based on ?? Thematic comprehension ?? Reflection on theme ?? Poetic sensibility Chap 4.indd 42 12/6/2024 11:38:44 AM Reprint 2025-26Read More
FAQs on NCERT Textbook - Childhood
| 1. What is the main theme of the Childhood poem by Markus Natten in Class 11 English? |  |
Ans. The poem explores how childhood is often idealized as a carefree, innocent period, but the speaker questions this romanticized view by reflecting on actual experiences of loss, confusion, and the burden of growing up. Natten contrasts popular perceptions of childhood with the genuine complexity of youthful experience.
| 2. Why does the speaker say "I remember, I remember" repeatedly in the Childhood poem? | |
Ans. The repetition emphasizes the speaker's attempt to recall and reconstruct childhood memories, suggesting nostalgia mixed with uncertainty. This structural device creates a meditative tone while highlighting how memory itself becomes fragmented and unreliable when revisiting the past.
| 3. What does Markus Natten mean by "the loss of childhood innocence" in this poem? | |
Ans. The loss of childhood innocence refers to the speaker's growing awareness of pain, disappointment, and life's harsh realities during youth. Rather than depicting childhood as purely joyful, the poem presents it as a period of confusion where the speaker confronts uncomfortable truths about existence and human limitation.
| 4. How does the Childhood poem challenge typical childhood nostalgia and memory? | |
Ans. The poem questions whether childhood memories are genuinely accurate or merely romanticized reconstructions shaped by adult longing. By presenting conflicting emotions-wonder alongside distress-the speaker reveals that nostalgia often distorts reality, making childhood seem simpler and happier than it actually was.
| 5. What literary devices does Markus Natten use to convey childhood experiences in the CBSE Class 11 English curriculum? | |
Ans. Natten employs vivid imagery, repetition, and introspective tone to capture childhood's emotional complexity. Metaphorical language depicting loss and confusion creates distance between idealized childhood notions and lived experience. These techniques help students understand how poetry communicates psychological depth beyond straightforward narrative, enhancing critical reading skills for examinations.
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NCERT Textbook of English Class 11 is the updated edition as per the latest syllabus of the 2026-27, PDF available for download. Access all the chapters on EduRev!
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