The Lost Child: Literary Analysis Quiz

The Lost Child: An English Moment

"The Lost Child" is a story about a young boy who visits a spring fair with his parents. The fair is crowded with people, and there are various stalls set up, offering different items such as toys, sweets, flowers, and balloons. The child is overjoyed by the toys he sees in the shops and pleads with his parents to buy him one. However, he gets lost in the crowd and becomes separated from his parents.

The Child's Journey

The child's adventure at the fair takes a tragic turn when he loses sight of his parents. He frantically searches for them, but the more he looks, the further away they seem. The child feels fearful and insecure, as he is unable to find his way back to his parents. He starts to cry and runs in all directions, his heart filled with anxiety and fear.

The Stranger's Offer

In his panic and fear, the child is easily preyed upon by a stranger who tries to calm him down by offering him all the things he had asked for earlier, such as sweets, flowers, balloons, and toys. The child is too scared to resist and accepts the items, but his heart still longs for his parents.

The Child's Return

The story leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty about the child's future. The child may eventually find his parents, as they are likely to search for him when they realize he is missing. Alternatively, the child could be taken by the stranger and brought up in a new environment. The story highlights the bond of love and affection that the child shares with his parents and the importance of staying close to them.

Key Questions

1. What does the child see on his way to the fair? Why does he lag behind?
2. Why does the child lose interest in the things he had wanted earlier?
3. How does the boy's reaction to the attractions of the fair change after getting separated from his parents?
4. Do you think the title of the story is appropriate? Why?

The story of "The Lost Child" is a poignant reminder of the importance of parental guidance and the dangers that children face when they are left unattended in crowded places. It teaches children to always stay close to their parents and appreciate their presence.