1. Poem Introduction
“Childhood” by Markus Natten is a deeply reflective poem about the loss of innocence and the transition from childhood to adulthood. The poet ponders over exactly when and where he lost his childhood. Through three distinct stages—developing rational thinking, recognizing the hypocrisy of adults, and discovering his own independent mind—the poet traces his journey of growing up. Ultimately, he realizes that his childhood is gone forever, finding refuge only in the innocent face of an infant.
2. The Poem
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.
– Markus Natten
3. Word Meanings (Vocabulary)
- Ceased: रुक जाना / समाप्त होना (Stopped or came to an end).
- Geography: भूगोल (The study of the physical features of the earth).
- Preached: उपदेश देना (Talked about or taught religious/moral subjects).
- Hypocrite (Implied): पाखंडी / ढोंगी (People who pretend to have moral standards but don’t actually follow them).
- Infant: शिशु (A very young child or baby).
- Forgotten: भूला हुआ (Something that is not remembered anymore).
4. Key Elements & Concepts
- Rationalism: The first step towards adulthood. At the age of eleven, the poet starts thinking logically and realizes that Hell and Heaven are not real places on a map.
- Adult Hypocrisy: The poet’s realization that adults are double-faced. They teach children to love and be kind, but their own actions are full of hatred and deceit.
- Individuality: The realization that his mind is his own, capable of producing original thoughts independent of others’ influence.
- The Infant’s Face: A symbol of pure, unadulterated innocence. The poet believes childhood can only be found in a baby’s innocent smile.
5. Full Summary
The Search Begins: Rationalism
The poem begins with a question: “When did my childhood go?” The poet reflects on the exact moment he lost his innocence. He wonders if it was the day he turned twelve (ceased to be eleven). This was the time he developed rational and logical thinking. He realized that places like ‘Hell’ and ‘Heaven’ were merely concepts and could not be located in any Geography book. Rejecting blind faith and adopting logic was his first step away from childhood.
Observing Adult Hypocrisy
In the second stanza, the poet again asks when he lost his childhood. He guesses it might have been the time he saw through the hypocrisy of grown-ups. Adults always advised children to be loving, kind, and peaceful. However, the poet observed that adults did not practice what they preached. Their actions were contrary to their words. Understanding the double standards of the adult world meant his innocent trust was broken.
Discovering Individuality
In the third stanza, the poet wonders if his childhood ended when he realized he had a mind of his own. He discovered his individuality and independence. He realized he didn’t have to blindly follow what others said; he could form his own opinions and use his mind in whichever way he chose. This power of independent thinking marked his full transition into a mature individual.
The Final Conclusion
In the final stanza, the poet shifts his question from “When” to “Where” did his childhood go. Having accepted that his childhood is gone forever, he realizes he cannot find it within himself anymore. He concludes that his childhood has vanished into some forgotten place. The only place he can now see that pure innocence is in the face of an infant. True childhood belongs only to the very young.
6. Multiple Choice Questions (10 MCQs)
Q1. Who is the poet of the poem “Childhood”?
(a) Shirley Toulson | (b) Walt Whitman | (c) Markus Natten | (d) Ted Hughes
Answer: (c) Markus Natten
Q2. What is the central theme of the poem?
(a) Love for parents | (b) The loss of childhood and innocence | (c) The beauty of nature | (d) Religious faith
Answer: (b) The loss of childhood and innocence
Q3. At what age did the poet realize that Hell and Heaven are not real geographies?
(a) Ten | (b) Eleven | (c) Twelve | (d) Thirteen
Answer: (b) Eleven (He “ceased to be eleven”)
Q4. What did the poet realize about adults in the second stanza?
(a) They are very wise | (b) They are hypocrites | (c) They are pure | (d) They are extremely loving
Answer: (b) They are hypocrites
Q5. Adults preach about love, but how do they actually act?
(a) Very lovingly | (b) They don’t act lovingly | (c) They act childishly | (d) They act like infants
Answer: (b) They don’t act lovingly
Q6. What did the poet discover about his mind in the third stanza?
(a) It was full of memories | (b) It was controlled by adults | (c) It was his own to use as he chose | (d) It was empty
Answer: (c) It was his own to use as he chose
Q7. Discovering his own mind signifies the poet’s sense of ____________.
(a) Fear | (b) Hypocrisy | (c) Individuality | (d) Sadness
Answer: (c) Individuality
Q8. How does the question change in the last stanza?
(a) From “When” to “How” | (b) From “When” to “Where” | (c) From “Where” to “Why” | (d) From “Why” to “When”
Answer: (b) From “When” to “Where”
Q9. Where did the childhood finally go?
(a) To Hell | (b) To Heaven | (c) Into a geography book | (d) To some forgotten place
Answer: (d) To some forgotten place
Q10. Where is this “forgotten place” hidden?
(a) In the poet’s mind | (b) In an infant’s face | (c) In the sky | (d) In adult hypocrisy
Answer: (b) In an infant’s face
7. Short Answer Questions (30-40 Words)
Q1. What is the poet’s realization about Hell and Heaven?
Ans. The poet realizes that Hell and Heaven are not real geographical places that can be found on a map. This realization marks the development of his rational and logical thinking, which is a step away from childhood innocence.
Q2. What does the poet observe about the behavior of adults?
Ans. The poet observes that adults are hypocritical. They constantly talk about love and preach kindness, but their actual behavior is not loving. Their actions contradict their words, shattering the poet’s innocent trust in them.
Q3. What does the poet mean when he says, “mind was really mine”?
Ans. By this phrase, the poet means that he has gained individuality and independent thinking. He no longer needs to blindly accept others’ opinions; he can generate his own thoughts and make his own choices.
Q4. How does the poet’s question change in the last stanza, and why?
Ans. In the first three stanzas, the poet asks, “When did my childhood go?” trying to pinpoint the time. In the last stanza, he asks, “Where did my childhood go?” because he has accepted that it is lost and now wonders about its final resting place.
Q5. Where, according to the poet, is his childhood hidden?
Ans. The poet concludes that his childhood has retreated to some forgotten place that is hidden in the face of an infant. He believes that true innocence and purity exist only in babies.
8. Long Answer Questions (60-70 Words)
Q1. Describe the three distinct stages of growing up as depicted in the poem.
Ans. The poet depicts growing up in three stages. The first is ‘Rationalism’ at age eleven, where he realizes Hell and Heaven are imaginary, not geographical. The second is understanding ‘Adult Hypocrisy’, realizing that adults preach love but act hatefully. The third is discovering ‘Individuality’, realizing his mind is his own, capable of independent thoughts. Each realization pushes him further from childhood innocence.
Q2. Why is the realization of adult hypocrisy a painful yet necessary part of growing up?
Ans. As a child, one looks up to adults as perfect role models. Realizing that adults preach love but practice deceit is painful because it shatters trust and innocence. However, it is a necessary part of growing up. It forces the child to stop blindly following others, observe the world realistically, and eventually develop their own moral compass and independent judgment.
Q3. How does the discovery of an independent mind help the poet step into adulthood?
Ans. The realization that his mind is “really mine” is the most significant step into adulthood. It marks the birth of individuality and self-confidence. The poet realizes he is no longer a puppet controlled by adult opinions. By producing thoughts that are “mine alone,” he gains the freedom to navigate the world on his own terms, which is the essence of being a mature adult.
Q4. Comment on the ending of the poem. Does the poet find a satisfactory answer?
Ans. Yes, the poet finds a bittersweet but satisfactory answer. After questioning “when” he lost his childhood, he realizes the exact time doesn’t matter because it is gone forever. He then asks “where” it went, concluding it is hidden in an “infant’s face.” This beautifully conveys that while he has lost his own innocence, childhood itself survives in the pure, untainted form of a newborn baby.
