"Vocation" is a beautiful poem written by Rabindranath Tagore. It captures the innocent dreams of a child who longs for freedom after observing different workers. This topic provides important questions and answers related to the poem, helping Class 6 students understand its meaning, themes, and literary devices.
Question 1: Who is the speaker in the poem "Vocation"?
Answer:
The speaker in the poem is a young child who observes different people while going to and coming back from school. He imagines how free and happy they seem compared to his own structured life.
Question 2: What does the child see in the morning?
Answer:
In the morning, the child sees a hawker selling goods. The hawker moves around freely without any restrictions, which makes the child wish for the same independence.
Question 3: Why does the child admire the hawker?
Answer:
The child admires the hawker because he has no fixed schedule. Unlike the child, who must follow a strict routine, the hawker can roam wherever he likes and is not scolded for being late.
Question 4: Who does the child see in the afternoon?
Answer:
In the afternoon, the child sees a gardener working in a garden. The gardener digs the ground and gets covered in dirt, but no one scolds him for it.
Question 5: Why does the child envy the gardener?
Answer:
The child envies the gardener because he enjoys freedom while working outdoors. The gardener can touch the soil, get dirty, and nobody tells him to clean up, unlike the child who is always told to stay neat and tidy.
Question 6: Who does the child see at night?
Answer:
At night, the child sees a watchman walking through the dark streets, holding a lantern. The watchman moves freely while everyone else is asleep.
Question 7: Why does the child want to be a watchman?
Answer:
The child wants to be a watchman because he enjoys the idea of walking freely at night while others are sleeping. He finds the watchman’s independence exciting compared to his own bedtime routine.
Question 8: What is the main theme of the poem?
Answer:
The main theme of "Vocation" is the desire for freedom. The child sees different workers and believes their lives are free from restrictions. The poem also highlights how children misunderstand adulthood, thinking that adults have an easier life.
Question 9: What poetic devices are used in the poem?
Answer:
The poem uses several literary devices, including:
- Imagery – Descriptions of the hawker, gardener, and watchman help the reader visualize them.
- Repetition – The phrase "I wish I were" is repeated to emphasize the child’s longing.
- Contrast – The child’s structured life is compared to the apparent freedom of the workers.
Question 10: What lesson does the poem teach us?
Answer:
The poem teaches us that everyone’s life has its own struggles. The child imagines that the hawker, gardener, and watchman are free, but in reality, they also have responsibilities. It reminds us to appreciate our own life instead of thinking others have it easier.
"Vocation" is a wonderful poem that captures a child’s innocent dreams and desire for freedom. By understanding the questions and answers, students can better appreciate the deeper message behind the poem.