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NCERT Notes Class 11 English Hornbill Poem 4 Childhood: Childhood is not just a stage of life; it is a time of innocence, happiness, and learning new things. In the poem Childhood, the poet talks about how growing up means losing some of the joy and simplicity of childhood. The poet thinks about how, as we grow older, we start to lose the clear and pure way we saw the world when we were children.
This blog gives you easy-to-understand NCERT Class 11 English Childhood Notes with explanations, meanings, and analysis to help you better understand the poem’s message about growing up.
Table of Contents
Explore Notes of Class 11 English Hornbill
Important Word Meanings in ‘Childhood’ by Markus Natten
In the poem Childhood by Markus Natten, the poet uses certain words to talk about growing up and losing childhood innocence. Understanding the meanings of important words in the poem will help us better understand its message.
| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
| Ceased to be eleven | Stopped being eleven years old (turned twelve) |
| Hell and Heaven | Religious places people believe in after death (not found in real life) |
| Preached | The ability to think and act for yourself, being different from others |
| Lovingly | In a caring, kind, and gentle way |
| Rationalism | Thinking based on logic and reason, not on blind beliefs |
| Individuality | The ability to think and act for yourself—being different from others |
| Hidden in an infant’s face | The innocence and purity seen in a baby’s face |
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Line-by-Line Explanation of the Poem ‘Childhood’
Stanza 1:
“When did my childhood go?
Was it the day I ceased to be eleven,”
The poet starts by questioning when his childhood ended—was it simply when he turned twelve?
“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!”
He wonders if it ended when he understood that Heaven and Hell do not exist as real places on a map. This shows the shift from belief to rational thought.
Stanza 2:
“When did my childhood go?
Was it the time I realised that adults were not all they seemed to be,”
The poet reflects on how adults, who seemed ideal earlier, are actually flawed.
“They talked of love and preached of love,
But did not act so lovingly,
Was that the day!”
He observes hypocrisy in adults—they speak about love and morals but do not live by them. This disillusionment is a clear sign of growing up.
Stanza 3:
“When did my childhood go?
Was it when I found my mind was really mine,”
The poet now suggests that perhaps it ended when he realised he had the ability to think for himself.
“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!”
This moment of independent thinking marks a deeper level of maturity, indicating the end of childhood dependence and the rise of individuality.
Stanza 4:
“Where did my childhood go?
It went to some forgotten place,”
Now, the poet changes his question—from when to where. He admits he doesn’t know exactly where childhood went; it has faded with time.
“That’s hidden in an infant’s face,
That’s all I know.”
He concludes by saying that he can still see the innocence of childhood in the face of a baby. That’s the only trace of it left.
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Analysis of the Poem ‘Childhood’ by Markus Natten
The poem Childhood by Markus Natten explores the poet’s thoughts on growing up and the moment he realized that his childhood was gone. It reflects on the loss of innocence and the beginning of self-awareness.
Theme – Loss of Innocence and Growing Up
The main idea of the poem is about losing the innocence of childhood. The poet talks about how, as we grow up, we stop believing in simple things and start seeing the world more clearly. He wonders when exactly he stopped being a child and became more aware of reality.
Symbolism and Meaning
In the poem, childhood stands for purity, honesty, and a simple way of thinking. As we grow older, we start thinking for ourselves and begin to understand that not everything people say is true. This change is a big part of becoming an adult.
Human Experience
The poem talks about something that happens to everyone—growing up. The poet shares how he felt when he realised that his childhood was gone. It makes readers think about their own life and when they started to grow up.
Tone and Mood
- Curious and Thoughtful – The poet asks deep questions about life.
- Nostalgic – He misses the simple, happy time of childhood.
- Calm and Honest – The poem uses simple words to share true feelings.
Summary of ‘Childhood’ by Markus Natten
In the poem Childhood by Markus Natten, the poet reflects on when he lost his childhood. He wonders if it happened when he turned twelve, when he realized that things like Heaven and Hell are not real, or when he noticed that adults say “love one another” but don’t always show it. He also thinks it might have been when he started thinking for himself and having his own ideas. In the end, the poet gives up trying to figure out the exact moment and asks, “Where did it go?” He believes that his childhood is now lost in a distant, forgotten place, but maybe it still exists in the innocent smile of a baby.
Poetic Devices in Childhood
In the poem Childhood, Markus Natten uses several poetic devices to express his thoughts and emotions about growing up and losing innocence. These devices help make the poem more meaningful and impactful.
| Device | Example | Effect |
| Repetition | “When did my childhood go?” | Emphasizes the poet’s search and emotional confusion |
| Rhetorical Question | “Was that the day!” | Creates a thoughtful, reflective mood |
| Alliteration | “Producing thoughts that were not those” | Adds musical rhythm and draws focus to the poet’s own thoughts |
| Imagery | “Hidden in an infant’s face” | Creates a clear picture of innocence and lost childhood |
| Contrast | Adults preaching vs. their actions | Highlights their hypocrisy |
Explore Notes of Class 11 English Hornbill
Read more NCERT Class 11 English ‘Hornbill’ Solutions here!
| Chapter 1: The Portrait of a Lady |
| Chapter 2: “We’re Not Afraid to Die… if We Can All Be Together” |
| Chapter 3: Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues |
| Chapter 4: The Ailing Plant: The Green Movement’s Role |
| Chapter 5: The Adventure |
| Chapter 6: Silk Road |
| Poem 1: A Photograph |
| Poem 2: The Laburnum Top |
| Poem 3: The Voice of The Rain |
| Poem 5: Father to Son |
Explore Notes of Other Subjects of NCERT Class 11
| History | Geography | Political Science | Sociology | Psychology |
FAQs
The poem tells us that childhood ends when we stop believing blindly, when we notice the world’s imperfections, and when we start thinking for ourselves.
Because there is no exact moment when childhood ends—it happens slowly, through different realisations and experiences.
It means that true childhood innocence is now only visible in a baby’s face—pure, simple, and untouched by the world.
For NCERT study material, follow the NCERT Notes and Solutions Class 11 English by Leverage Edu now.
