Poem Childhood Class 11 Explanation and Literary Devices

Poem Childhood Class 11 Explanation and Literary Devices, Reading poem explanation is very important for NCERT and CBSE students as it helps them to understand challenging poems and ensure better results in the examination. These explanations reveal hidden meanings, cultural references, and historical contexts, making it easier for students to understand the essence of the poems.


Childhood Class 11 Explanation Stanza 1

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! 

Reference:- These lines have been taken from the poem “Childhood” composed by Markus Natten.

Context: In these lines, the poet raises a question to himself. He enquires about his lost childhood. 

Explanation:- The poet wondered when he lost his childhood innocence. He constantly asked questions but could not decide if he had hit upon the right day. If it was when he completed eleven years or stopped believing there were no places like heaven or hell. He started believing in facts and not something which cannot be proved, then he became a person who believed in reason.

Childhood Class 11 Explanation Stanza 1 in Hindi

व्याख्या:- कवि को आश्चर्य हुआ जब उसने एक बच्चे के रूप में अपनी मासूमियत खो दी। वह लगातार सवाल पूछता रहा लेकिन यह तय नहीं कर सका कि क्या वह सही दिन पर आया था। क्या  यह तब था जब उसने ग्यारह वर्ष पूरे कर लिए थे या जब उसने यह विश्वास करना बंद कर दिया था कि स्वर्ग या नर्क जैसी जगहें नहीं  होती हैं। उन्होंने तथ्यों पर विश्वास करना शुरू कर दिया, न कि किसी ऐसी चीज़ पर जिसे साबित नहीं किया जा सकता, फिर वह तर्क में विश्वास करने वाले व्यक्ति बन गए।

Literary Device:-

  • Repetition, Refrain:- When did my childhood go, Was that the day!
  • Antithesis:– Hell and Heaven
  • Alliteration:- Hell and Heaven

Word meaning:- 

  • Go- Leave
  • Ceased- stopped happening or existing
  • Realised- understood

Childhood Class 11 Explanation Stanza 2

(2)

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! 

Reference:- These lines have been taken from the poem “Childhood” composed by Markus Natten.

Context: In these lines the poet raises a question to himself. He enquires about his lost childhood. 

Explanation:-   He asks himself about his lost childhood and if he lost his innocence/childhood when he realized that grown-ups did not practice what they preached. They were not truthful. They talked about love but never behaved lovingly. It might be that he lost his childhood when he discovered the hypocrisy practiced by adults.

Childhood Class 11 Explanation Stanza 2 in Hindi

व्याख्या:- वह खुद से अपने खोए हुए बचपन के बारे में पूछता है कि क्या उसने अपनी मासूमियत/बचपन खो दिया है जब उसे एहसास हुआ कि बड़े लोग जो उपदेश देते हैं उसका खुद पालन नहीं करते हैं। वे सच्चे नहीं थे. वे प्यार की बातें तो करते थे लेकिन कभी प्यार भरा व्यवहार नहीं करते थे। हो सकता है कि तब उन्होंने अपना बचपन खो दिया हो जब उन्हें वयस्कों द्वारा किए जाने वाले पाखंड का पता चला हो।

Childhood Class 11 Explanation Stanza 3

(3)

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! 

Reference:- These lines have been taken from the poem “Childhood” composed by Markus Natten.

Context: In these lines the poet raises a question to himself. He enquires about his lost childhood. 

Explanation:-  As he grew up, the poet realized that his mind was unique. It could form its own opinion and could make its own decisions. He gained a sense of individuality which set him free from the prejudiced opinion of others around him. His own experiences shaped his thoughts now, and he realized that this might have been the time he lost his innocence completely.

Childhood Class 11 Explanation Stanza 3 in Hindi

व्याख्या:- जैसे-जैसे वह बड़ा हुआ, कवि को एहसास हुआ कि उसका दिमाग यानि उसकी सोच , विचार अलग थे । वह अपनी राय बना सकती है और अपने निर्णय स्वयं ले सकती है। उन्हें वैयक्तिकता की भावना प्राप्त हुई जिसने उन्हें अपने आस-पास के अन्य लोगों की पूर्वाग्रहपूर्ण राय से मुक्त कर दिया। उसके अपने अनुभवों ने अब उसके विचारों को आकार दिया, और उसे एहसास हुआ कि शायद यही वह समय था जब उसने अपनी मासूमियत पूरी तरह से खो दी थी।

Literary Device:-

  • Alliteration:- my mind was really mine

Childhood Class 11 Explanation Stanza 4

(4)

Where did my childhood go? 
It went to some forgotten place, 
That’s hidden in an infant’s face, 
That’s all I know

Reference:- These lines have been taken from the poem “Childhood” composed by Markus Natten.

Context: In these lines, the poet raises a question to himself. He enquires about his lost childhood. 
Explanation:- He enquired about his lost childhood. After failing to pinpoint the exact time when he grew up and was no longer a child, he now asked himself – Where did his childhood go, after he had lost it. The only thing now he knew for sure, is that it could now be found only in the innocent face of an infant. 


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