English Confluence By CL Gautam

4. Childhood by Markus Natten I. Introduction to the Poem Childhood is the golden period of life. A child is close to God or an angel. The reasons are obvious. He is simple and carefree. He has not been corrupted by the wicked ways of the world. He is innocent and lovable. It is a fashion to regret the loss of childhood. In this very simple poem, the poet longs for the revival of childhood. He is fed up with the evil symptoms of growing up. As the child grows in years, in body and mind, he loses his simplicity. He starts questioning old ideas and old values. He refuses to be led by the nose, to accept the existence of hell and heaven. Grown-ups become more and more hypocritical. They talk of the virtues of love and brotherhood, but they don't practice it. They think independently chiefly to disagree with others. The poet's search for his childhood remains futile. It is the privilege of a small child only. II. Complete Summary The poem deals with the problems of growing up, from...