The Homecoming by Rabindranath Tagore
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Questions and Answers

Who is the author of The Homecoming?

  • Mahatma Gandhi
  • Leo Tolstoy
  • Rudyard Kipling
  • Rabindranath Tagore (correct)

    • What themes are explored in Tagore's novels like Ghore Baire and Gora?

  • Scientific discoveries in the 20th century
  • Children's adventures in nature
  • Romantic relationships in urban settings
  • Indian nationalism and the bondage of tradition (correct)

    • What motivates Phatik to leave his village for Calcutta?

  • To reunite with his father
  • To escape from school responsibilities
  • A desire to become a musician
  • The allure of urban life and adventure (correct)

    • How does Phatik's experience in Calcutta contrast with his life in the village?

    <p>He learns the value of his village and family through hardship.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary emotional tone of The Homecoming as the story progresses?

    <p>From playful to heart-wrenching</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who proposed the idea that was accepted by his younger brother?

    <p>Makhan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Phatik's younger brother believe he should do?

    <p>Join Phatik on the adventure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the two brothers do when they started running?

    <p>Laughed loudly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the man with a mustache ask Makhan?

    <p>Where he was going</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action did Phatik take at the beginning of the adventure?

    <p>Made a proposal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the boys' initial plan regarding the log?

    <p>To shift the log and roll it away.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Makhan react when the boys tried to move the log?

    <p>He sat down without saying anything.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What threat did Phatik make to his brother Makhan?

    <p>He would thrash him.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What strategy did Phatik use to deal with Makhan's defiance?

    <p>He commanded to roll the log and Makhan over together.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Makhan's reaction after being rolled off the log?

    <p>He screamed and attacked Phatik.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Phatik do after the altercation with Makhan?

    <p>He sat down on the edge of a barge.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Phatik respond to the stranger asking for directions?

    <p>He pointed without clarity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ultimately caused Phatik to move from his spot by the river?

    <p>His mother's command relayed by the servant.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Phatik's emotional state leading up to his departure?

    <p>Eager</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Phatik's aunt feel about having him in her home?

    <p>Unpleased</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What age is described as particularly difficult for boys according to the content?

    <p>Fourteen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Phatik long for despite his difficulties around adults?

    <p>Recognition and love</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is Phatik's aunt's perception towards boys of his age characterized?

    <p>Resentful</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What analogy is used to describe Phatik's feelings as an unwelcome guest?

    <p>Like a stray dog</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What physical changes occur when a boy reaches fourteen, as mentioned in the content?

    <p>Voice breaking and facial angularity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What reaction does Phatik experience when his aunt asks him for help?

    <p>Overjoyed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Phatik's mother express when she cries out for him?

    <p>Joy about the holidays</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Phatik respond initially to his mother's calls?

    <p>He stops and acknowledges her</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What emotion is Phatik's mother predominantly feeling in the excerpt?

    <p>Agitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Phatik's first response to the mention of holidays?

    <p>He feels detached</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action does Phatik take that indicates his state of mind?

    <p>He beats his hands up and down</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Phatik's main concern while he was feeling ill?

    <p>Being a nuisance to his aunt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Phatik's condition change when he was found by the police?

    <p>He was unconscious and drenched</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Bishamber do when he first saw Phatik after he was brought home?

    <p>He carried him into the inner apartments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During his delirium, what did Phatik repeatedly say?

    <p>By the mark! - three fathoms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Bishamber's reaction to Phatik's mother's arrival?

    <p>He attempted to calm her</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What indicated that Phatik was feeling a sense of loss or disappointment?

    <p>He sank back into the pillow with a sigh</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What detail suggests that Phatik's health was deteriorating in the story?

    <p>He was delirious and muttering</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Phatik remember while he is delirious?

    <p>A sailor calling out marks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a clear sign of Phatik's connection to his mother during his fever?

    <p>He cried out for her</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Phatik's mother's reaction upon entering his room?

    <p>She began to cry and moan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Phatik long for while staying at his aunt's house?

    <p>Open country and his village home</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Phatik's aunt react to his plea for a new lesson book?

    <p>She chastises him and expresses contempt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What physical symptoms does Phatik experience after losing his lesson book?

    <p>Shivering and high malarial fever</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Phatik feel when he sees other children playing?

    <p>Lonely and longing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What relationship does Phatik have with his mother?

    <p>He has a complex mixed emotion of love and fear</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Phatik's status in his school?

    <p>He is the least favored and backward</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Phatik remember from his village home?

    <p>Flying kites and wandering by the river</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the phrase 'physical love like that of animals' imply about Phatik's feelings towards his mother?

    <p>His love is intense and instinctual, filled with longing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Phatik find particularly difficult at school?

    <p>Understanding the lessons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to Phatik one day after he loses his lesson book?

    <p>He gets blamed for bringing small-pox</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    About the Author

    • Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was a Bengali poet, musician, and playwright, notable for modernizing Bengali literature.
    • First Asian Nobel laureate, primarily recognized for Gitanjali.
    • Focused on themes such as Indian nationalism, women's rights, and cultural traditions in works like Ghare Baire, Jogajog, and Gora.
    • Wrote largely in Bengali but also translated many works into English to reach a wider audience.
    • Established an experimental school in Santiniketan, emphasizing Upanishadic educational ideals.

    About the Text

    • The Homecoming centers on Phatik, a mischievous boy who transitions from village life to urban existence in Calcutta.
    • The narrative progresses from playful beginnings to a poignant climax highlighting themes of longing and loss.
    • Phatik's escapades illustrate the carefree nature of childhood contrasted against the harsh realities of life in the city.
    • Initially excited about leaving home, Phatik soon realizes the value of his village life, particularly his connection to family.

    Pathmaker

    • Phatik, the ringleader among village boys, proposes a mischievous project to move a heavy log to enjoy the owner's surprise.
    • His younger brother Makhan disrupts the plan by sitting on the log, showcasing the dynamics of sibling rivalry and childhood mischief.
    • Despite threats, Phatik hesitates to hurt his brother, illustrating a blend of leadership and moral conflict.
    • The ensuing chaos leads to a humorous yet chaotic unfolding of events that ultimately highlights Phatik's leadership qualities.

    Transition to Calcutta

    • Phatik’s arrival in Calcutta marks a stark contrast to his village, with his aunt poorly received him due to his rural background.
    • Descriptions of the challenges faced by fourteen-year-old boys underscore feelings of awkwardness and social isolation.
    • Phatik grapples with the oppressive atmosphere of his aunt's house, feeling neglected and longing for the freedom of his village.
    • His nostalgia for the open fields and clear waters memories starkly contrasts his cramped urban existence.

    Struggles in the City

    • Phatik’s physical and emotional decline escalates as he faces mockery from cousins and schoolmates in the city.
    • Losing his lesson book amplifies his anxiety and further exposes him to ridicule and punishment at school.
    • Overwhelmed with longing for home and suffering from a fever, Phatik's true yearning for his mother signals his deep emotional struggles.

    Climax and Resolution

    • A turning point occurs when Phatik goes missing after being caught in the rain; his physical state deteriorates alarmingly.
    • His aunt's dismissive attitude highlights the emotional distance within his new living situation.
    • Bishamber, his uncle, attempts to show compassion; however, the emotional bond Phatik craves from his mother becomes his obsession.
    • Phatik's deteriorating health ends with a dramatic reunion with his mother, symbolizing the deep bonds of affection and the need for belonging.

    Themes

    • The pain of growing up, with innocence lost amid the responsibilities and societal expectations of adolescence.
    • The struggle between urban life and the simplicity of rural existence, examining the importance of home and family.
    • Emotional neglect in a familial setting, juxtaposed against the universal need for love and acceptance, especially during formative years.

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    Description

    Explore the literary world of Rabindranath Tagore through the quiz on his notable work, 'The Homecoming'. This quiz delves into his life, contributions, and the themes he explored in his writing. Discover how Tagore modernized Bengali literature and his significance as the first Asian Nobel laureate.

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