Get notes, workbook (Evergreen and Morning Star) solutions, summary, questions and answers, extras, MCQs, and pdf of the story The Homecoming by Rabindranath Tagore which is part of ICSE Class 9 English (Treasure Chest) syllabus. However, the notes should only be treated for references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
Summary
Phatik Chakravorthi was a fourteen-year-old Bengali boy who had lost his father at a young age. Growing up, he was often lazy, wild, and disobedient, in stark contrast to his younger brother, Makhan, who was quiet, kind-hearted, and loved to read. Phatik’s mischievous nature often led him into trouble. One day, he and his friends devised a plan to push a wooden log, intended for a boat’s mast, into the river. When Makhan objected and sat on the log in protest, the boys, under Phatik’s leadership, rolled the log into the river, causing Makhan to fall into the water. This act not only led to a confrontation at home but also resulted in Phatik hitting his brother and accidentally pushing their mother.
Not long after this incident, Phatik’s uncle, Bishamber, visited from Calcutta. With his mother’s permission, he took Phatik with him to the city with the intention of providing him with a better education. However, life in Calcutta was far from smooth for Phatik. Bishamber’s wife wasn’t pleased with this new addition to the family, and the transitioning Phatik, who was neither a child nor a man, struggled to find his place.
School in Calcutta added to Phatik’s misery. He felt out of place, unable to connect with the teachers or students. The vibrant landscapes of his native village, filled with meadows, mountains, and rivers, occupied his thoughts, and he couldn’t find the same joy in the bustling city. His poor performance at school attracted ridicule from his peers and even his cousins. One particular day, after losing a book and facing insults from both his schoolmates and aunt, Phatik decided he had had enough and tried to run away.
However, his escape was short-lived. He got caught in a heavy rainstorm, leading to a severe case of malarial cold. The concerned uncle reported his disappearance, and the police eventually found and returned him. Phatik, overwhelmed by the continuous criticism, broke down and expressed his desire to go home, repeatedly asking when the holidays would arrive so he could leave.
As his condition worsened due to the fever, Phatik’s movements became erratic and worried. Seeing his critical state, a message was sent to his village to inform his mother. By the time she reached Calcutta, Phatik was delirious and nearing his end. Mistaking his mother’s presence as a potential punishment, he begged her not to hurt him. His final words were, “Mother, the holidays have come.”
Video tutorial
Evergreen workbook answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions
(i) The log lying near the river was to be used for_________
Answer: (c) making a mast for a boat
(ii) Who came and sat on the log when the boys were about to push it?
Answer: (b) Makhan
(iii) Who stepped on shore when a boat came up on the landing?
Answer: (c) Bishamber
(iv) Phatik’s mother had lost her husband while her brother was still in__________
Answer: (b) Bombay doing his business
(v) Phatik’s mother was happy to get rid of him because__________
Answer: (d) all of the above
(vi) Phatik’s aunt was displeased with his arrival because_________
Answer: (d) she had three sons quite enough to manage.
(vii) A lad of fourteen becomes_________
Answer: (b) painfully self conscious
(viii) With chiding and scolding a boy of fourteen becomes_________
Answer: (c) like a stray dog that has lost its master
(ix) Suffocated in Calcutta houses and walls Phatik kept remembering_______
Answer: (d) all of the above
(x) One day at school Phatik lost his_______
Answer: (c) lesson book
Comprehension Passages
Passage 1
Phatik Chakravorthi was ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.
(i) What new mischief got into Phatik’s head?
Answer: The new mischief that got into Phatik’s head was to shift a heavy log from the riverbank by force as a prank, which would anger and surprise the log’s owner.
(ii) For what was the log lying on the mud-flat of the river?
Answer: The log lying on the mud-flat of the river was waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat.
(iii) What did Phatik decide?
Answer: Phatik decided that all the boys should work together to shift the heavy log from its place and roll it away as a prank.
(iv) What would the boys enjoy?
Answer: The boys would enjoy the fun of angering and surprising the log’s owner with their mischievous prank.
(v) Who posed an obstacle in carrying out of the plan? How?
Answer: Makhan, Phatik’s younger brother, posed an obstacle by sitting on the log, refusing to move.
Passage 2
Phatik wiped his face, and sat down on the edge of a sunken barge on the river bank, and began to chew a piece of grass. A boat came up to the landing, and a middle-aged man, with grey hair and dark moustache, stepped on shore. He saw the boy sitting there doing nothing, and asked him where the Chakravortis lived. Phatik went on chewing the grass, and said: “Over there,” but it was quite impossible to tell where he pointed. The stranger asked him again. He swung his legs to and fro on the side of the barge, and said; “Go and find out,” and continued to chew the grass as before.
(i) What had happened a little earlier for which Phatik had to wipe his face?
Answer: Just before this, Phatik had gotten into a fight with his brother Makhan and had presumably gotten hit or scratched in the face, which is why he had to wipe his face.
(ii) Who was this middle aged man who stepped on shore?
Answer: This middle aged man was Bishamber, Phatik’s uncle.
(iii) What did the ‘man’ ask the boy? What reply did the boy give? What was wrong with the answer?
Answer: The man asked Phatik where the Chakravortis lived. Phatik vaguely replied “Over there” while chewing grass, but his answer was unhelpful.
(iv) What can you say about Phatik’s rude behaviour with the stranger?
Answer: Phatik’s rude behavior shows his immaturity and lack of respect for adults. He is unhelpful on purpose and continues chewing grass indifferently.
(v) Who came soon after this incident? How did he take Phatik home?
Answer: Soon after this incident, a servant from Phatik’s house came. He took Phatik up roughly, and carried him, kicking and struggling in impotent rage.
Passage 3
It was just at this critical juncture that the grey-haired stranger arrived. He asked what the matter was. Phatik looked sheepish and ashamed.
But when his mother stepped back and looked at the stranger, her anger was changed to surprise. For she recognised her brother, and cried: “Why, Dada! Where have you come from? “As she said these words, she bowed to the ground and touched his feet. Her brother had gone away soon after she had married, and he had started business in Bombay. His sister had lost her husband while he was in Bombay. Bishamber had now come back to Calcutta, and had at once made enquiries about his sister. He had then hastened to see her as soon as he found out where she was.
(i) Who is the grey-haired stranger referred to here?
Answer: The grey-haired stranger referred to here is Bishamber, Phatik’s uncle.
(ii) Why was Phatik’s mother angry?
Answer: Phatik’s mother was angry because she thought Phatik had been hitting his brother Makhan again.
(iii) How did she welcome ‘the stranger’?
Answer: She welcomed the stranger (Bishamber) by recognizing him as her brother, crying out in surprise, bowing to the ground and touching his feet.
(iv) Which tragic incident had taken place in the absence of the stranger?
Answer: The tragic incident that had taken place in Bishamber’s absence was that Phatik’s mother had lost her husband.
(v) What shows that Bishamber was a caring brother?
Answer: It shows Bishamber was a caring brother because as soon as he came back to Calcutta, he made inquiries about his sister and hastened to see her as soon as he found out where she was.
Passage 4
When they reached Calcutta, Phatik made the acquaintance of his aunt for the first time. She was by no means pleased with this unnecessary addition to her family. She found her own three boys quite enough to manage without taking any one else. And to bring a village lad of fourteen into their midst was terribly upsetting. Bishamber should really have thought twice before committing such an indiscretion.
(i) Who are ‘they’ referred to in the first line? From where had they come?
Answer: ‘They’ referred to in the first line are Phatik and his uncle Bishamber. They had come from Phatik’s village.
(ii) How did Phatik’s aunt react to his arrival?
Answer: Phatik’s aunt reacted with displeasure to his arrival, considering him an unnecessary addition to the family.
(iii) Why was his aunt unhappy with his addition in the family?
Answer: She was unhappy because she already had three boys of her own to manage and did not want to take on anyone else.
(iv) According to Phatik’s aunt what should Bishamber have done?
Answer: According to the aunt, Bishamber should have thought twice before committing the indiscretion of bringing Phatik into their midst.
(v) What impression do you form of Phatik’s aunt from the above passage?
Answer: The passage gives the impression that Phatik’s aunt was selfish, unwelcoming, and insensitive to take in her nephew. She saw Phatik only as a burden.
Passage 5
In this world of human affairs, there is no worse nuisance than a boy at the age of fourteen. He is neither ornamental nor useful. It is impossible to shower affection on him as on a little boy; and he is always getting in the way. If he talks with a childish lisp he is called a baby, and if he answers in a grown-up way he is called impertinent. In fact any talk at all from him is resented. Then he is at the unattractive, growing age. He grows out of his clothes with indecent haste; his voice grows hoarse and breaks and quavers; his face grows suddenly angular and unsightly. It is easy to excuse the shortcomings of early childhood, but it is hard to tolerate even unavoidable lapses in a boy of fourteen. The lad himself becomes painfully self-conscious. When he talks with elderly people he is either unduly forward, or else so unduly shy that he appears ashamed of his very existence.
(i) According to Tagore what is the biggest nuisance in the world of human affairs? Why is it so?
Answer: According to Tagore, the biggest nuisance in the world of human affairs is a boy at the age of fourteen. This is because he is neither ornamental nor useful, gets in the way, and it is hard to shower affection or tolerate him.
(ii) Why is the boy of fourteen criticized when he talks like a grown up person?
Answer: When a boy of fourteen talks like a grown up person, he is criticized for being impertinent.
(iii) What are we told about physical growth of a boy at the age of fourteen?
Answer: We are told that physically a boy grows very rapidly at fourteen – he grows out of his clothes quickly, his voice changes and becomes hoarse/unsteady, and his face grows angular and unsightly.
(iv) The shortcomings of a child can be excused but not of a boy of fourteen. Why?
Answer: The shortcomings of a young child can be excused but not of a fourteen-year-old boy because he is expected to behave more maturely and responsibly at that age.
(v) What does a young lad’s heart crave for most at this age?
Answer: At this age a young lad’s heart craves most for recognition and love/affection from others.
Passage 6
For a boy of fourteen his own home is the only Paradise. To live in a strange house with strange people is little short of torture, while the height of bliss is to receive the kind looks of women, and never to be slighted by them.
It was anguish to Phatik to be the unwelcome guest in his aunt’s house, despised by this elderly woman, and slighted, on every occasion. If she ever asked him to do anything for her, he would be so overjoyed that he would overdo it; and then she would tell him not to be so stupid, but to get on with his lessons
(i) What happens if a boy of fourteen is continuously scolded
Answer: If a boy of fourteen is continuously scolded, he becomes like a stray dog that has lost his master.
(ii) What is the height of bliss for a boy of fourteen?
Answer: For a boy of fourteen, the height of bliss is to receive the kind looks and affection of women, and never to be slighted by them.
(iii) How did Phatik feel in his uncle’s house?
Answer: Phatik felt anguished to be an unwelcome guest in his aunt’s house, despised and slighted by her on every occasion.
(iv) How did Phatik react whenever his aunt asked him to do something?
Answer: Whenever his aunt asked Phatik to do something, he would be so overjoyed that he would overdo it.
(v) How is a boy of fourteen a big nuisance?
Answer: A boy of fourteen is a big nuisance because he is seen as neither ornamental nor useful, gets in the way, and it is hard to shower affection or tolerate his behavior. He is at an awkward growing age and can seem immature.
Passage 7
There was no more backward boy in the whole school than Phatik. He gaped and remained silent when the teacher asked him a question, and like an overladen ass patiently suffered all the blows that came down on his back. When other boys were out at play, he stood wistfully by the window and gazed at the roofs of the distant houses. And if by chance he espied children playing on the open terrace of any roof, his heart would ache with longing.
One day he summoned up all his courage, and asked his uncle: “Uncle, when can I go home?”
(i) How did Phatik fare at school?
Answer: Phatik fared very poorly at school. He was the most backward boy in the whole school.
(ii) How did he endure the punishment?
Answer: He endured punishment patiently and silently, like an overladen donkey suffers blows on its back.
(iii) “… he stood wistfully by the window and gazed at the roofs of the distant houses” What light does this line throw a Phatik’s state of mind?
Answer: This line shows that Phatik felt lonely, wistful and longing for home as he gazed at the distant houses while other boys played.
(iv) “Looking at the children playing on the open terrace filled his heart with a longing”. Which longing is being referred to here?
Answer: It refers to Phatik’s longing to be able to play freely and be carefree like those children, as he was unhappy at school.
(v) What did Phatik ask his uncle one day? What was his uncle’s reply?
Answer: One day Phatik summoned courage and asked his uncle when he could go home. His uncle replied that Phatik would have to wait until the holidays come, which was not for a few more months.
Passage 8
Phatik heard her words, and sobbed out loud: “Uncle, I was just going home; but they dragged me back again.”
The fever rose very high, and all that night the boy was delirious. Bishamber brought in a doctor. Phatik opened his eyes flushed with fever, and looked up to the ceiling, and said vacantly: “Uncle, have the holidays come yet? May I go home?”
Bishamber wiped the tears from his own eyes, and took Phatik’s lean and burning hands in his own, and sat by him through the night. The boy began again to mutter. At last his voice became excited: “Mother,” he cried, “don’t beat me like that! Mother! I am telling the truth!”
(i) What had the aunt said that Phatik heard and began to weep?
Answer: Phatik’s aunt had said “What a heap of trouble this boy has given us. Hadn’t you better send him home?” which Phatik heard and began sobbing loudly.
(ii) Who are ‘they’ referred to in the second line? Why did they bring Phatik home?
Answer: ‘They’ refers to the police/constables who had found Phatik after he went missing and brought him home, wet and sick with fever.
(iii) Tears came into Bishamber’s eyes. Why?
Answer: Tears came into Bishamber’s eyes because he felt sad and sympathetic seeing Phatik so sick with high fever.
(iv) Bishamber sat by Phatik through the night. What light does this throw on this character?
Answer: Bishamber’s sitting by Phatik through the night shows he truly cared for the boy and wanted to provide comfort/support despite Phatik being a burden.
(v) Why does Phatik begin to mutter… “don’t beat me like that mother…”?
Answer: Phatik begins muttering pleas to his mother not to beat him because in his delirious state with high fever, he imagines his mother is beating him like she used to at home.
Morning Star workbook answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Question II
1. Phatik was the ____ among the boys of the village.
(a) youngest
(b) ringleader
(c) oldest
(d) smartest
Answer: (b) ringleader
2. Why was Phatik frightened after Makhan beat him up?
(a) He will not be allowed to play near the river bank
(b) His mother would believe Makhan’s version of the incident
(c) He would be sent to Calcutta
(d) He would lose his position of a leader.
Answer: (b) His mother would believe Makhan’s version of the incident
3. Which characteristic trait of Bishamber’s personality is revealed by his act of taking Phatik with him to Calcutta?
(a) Compassionate
(b) Selfish
(c) Egoist
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Compassionate
4. ‘Screaming Like the Furies’ means
(a) being happy
(b) being sad
(c) being extremely angry
(d) being excited.
Answer: (c) being extremely angry
5. Which figure of speech is used in the line “The servant was the master on this occasion”?
(a) Irony
(b) Alliteration
(c) Simile
(d) Metaphor
Answer: (a) Irony
6. What did Phatik bequeath to his brother before going to Calcutta?
(a) His fishing rod
(b) His big kite
(c) His marbles
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
7. What is meant by ‘on pins and needles’?
(a) Being scared
(b) Getting hurt
(c) In a state of suspense
(d) Being happy
Answer: (c) In a state of suspense
8. Phatik asked his uncle ___ when he opened his eyes.
(a) what was the time
(b) had the holidays come
(c) why his aunt didn’t like him
(d) what day it was
Answer: (b) had the holidays come
9. The theme of the story is.
(a) State of confusion
(b) Isolation
(c) Responsibility
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer: (d) Both (b) and (c)
Context Questions
Excerpt 1
But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik’s younger brother, sauntered up, and sat down on the log in front of them all without a word. The boys were puzzled for a moment. He was pushed, rather timidly, by one of the boys and told to get up but he remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a young philosopher meditating on the futility of games. Phatik was furious. “Makhan,” he cried, “if you don’t get down this minute I’ll thrash you!”
(i) Who was Makhan? Where was he? What is meant by “sauntered up”?
Answer: Makhan was Phatik’s younger brother. He was present on the log where Phatik and his friends were about to begin their fun. “Sauntered up” means that Makhan walked up casually and without hurry.
(ii) What was the ‘fun’ that was about to begin? What did Makhan do to spoil ‘the fun‘?
Answer: The ‘fun’ referred to Phatik and his friends’ plan to move a heavy log lying on the riverbank. Makhan spoiled it by sitting on the log, disrupting their plan.
(iii) What did one of the boys do and why? How did Makhan react to it?
Answer: One of the boys timidly pushed Makhan and asked him to get up, likely because he was disrupting their fun. However, Makhan remained unconcerned and refused to move.
(iv) Why was Phatik furious? What did he ask his band of companions to do after this extract?
Answer: Phatik was furious because Makhan was disrupting the game and refused to leave despite being asked. After this, Phatik commanded his companions to roll the log, along with Makhan.
(v) Did Phatik hit Makhan? Why? Which two characteristic traits of Phatik are revealed in this extract?
Answer: Phatik did not hit Makhan, though he threatened to. Instead, he chose a different strategy by ordering the log to be rolled with Makhan on it. Phatik’s traits of leadership and mischievousness are revealed in this extract.
Excerpt 2
It was just at this critical juncture that the grey-haired stranger arrived. He asked what the matter was. Phatik looked sheepish and ashamed.
(i) What was the ‘critical juncture’? What had happened before ‘this critical juncture’?
Answer: The ‘critical juncture’ was when Phatik’s mother was angry and about to scold him, possibly for hitting Makhan. Before this, Phatik had hit Makhan, and his mother believed Makhan’s false statement that Phatik hit him earlier as well.
(ii) Who was the grey-haired stranger? Why did he come there?
Answer: The grey-haired stranger was Phatik’s uncle, Bishamber. He had come to visit his sister after returning from Bombay, where he had been living.
(iii) Why did Phatik feel ashamed on seeing the stranger?
Answer: Phatik felt ashamed because the stranger arrived while his mother was scolding him, and he was being portrayed as the wrongdoer in front of a guest.
(iv) How did Phatik react to the stranger’s offer when he reached home? Which characteristic trait of Phatik is revealed by his reaction?
Answer: Phatik was overjoyed when his uncle offered to take him to Calcutta. His extreme eagerness shows his longing for a change of environment and an opportunity for adventure.
(v) State any two traits of the stranger’s personality in the story.
Answer: (i) Concerned and helpful: Bishamber offered to take responsibility for Phatik’s education, showing care for his nephew.
(ii) Observant and perceptive: He quickly understood the family dynamics and Phatik’s troubled relationship with his mother.
Excerpt 3
He was told by his sister that Phatik was a perpetual nuisance. He was lazy, disobedient, and wild. But Makhan was as good as gold, as quiet as a lamb, and very fond of reading, Bishamber kindly offered to take Phatik off his sister’s hands, and educate him with his own children in Calcutta.
(i) Who was ‘He’ referred to in the first line of the extract? What was Phatik’s mother’s complaint about him?
Answer: ‘He’ referred to Bishamber, Phatik’s uncle. Phatik’s mother complained that Phatik was a perpetual nuisance, lazy, disobedient, and wild.
(ii) How according to Phatik’s mother, was Makhan different in his behaviour from his brother?
Answer: According to Phatik’s mother, Makhan was obedient, quiet, and fond of reading, unlike his troublesome brother, Phatik.
(iii) What did Bishamber offer to do? Why?
Answer: Bishamber offered to take Phatik to Calcutta and educate him with his own children. He did this to help his sister, who was overwhelmed by Phatik’s behaviour.
(iv) How welcome was Phatik in Bishamber’s family? What was its effect on Phatik?
Answer: Phatik was not welcome in Bishamber’s family, especially by his aunt. This made Phatik feel neglected and unwanted, leading to his growing misery.
(v) How is the theme of abandonment hinted upon in the story?
Answer: The theme of abandonment is suggested through Phatik’s mother’s eagerness to send him away and his sense of being unwanted in his uncle’s house.
Excerpt 4
The widowed mother readily agreed. When his uncle asked Phatik if he would like to go to Calcutta with him, his joy knew no bounds, and he said; “Oh, yes, uncle!” In a way that made it quite clear that he meant it. It was an immense relief to the mother to get rid of Phatik.
(i) Why did Phatik’s mother agree to send Phatik to Calcutta?
Answer: Phatik’s mother agreed to send him to Calcutta because she saw it as a relief to get rid of him, as she found him to be a nuisance.
(ii) Why was Phatik excited to go to Calcutta? Explain ‘that he meant it.
Answer: Phatik was excited to go to Calcutta because it represented an adventure and a change from his current life. “That he meant it” signifies that Phatik was genuinely eager to leave.
(iii) Do you think Phatik’s mother’s decision to send Phatik to Calcutta was correct? Why?
Answer: Phatik’s mother’s decision could be seen as unwise because she sent him away more out of frustration than love or consideration for his well-being.
(iv) After seeing Phatik’s eagerness to go to Calcutta, how does his mother feel? Which characteristic trait of his mother is revealed through her feelings about Phatik at that moment?
Answer: Phatik’s mother felt relieved to send him away but also somewhat troubled by his eagerness to leave. This reveals her conflicted feelings—she was emotionally distant but aware of Phatik’s unhappiness.
(v) How were Phatik’s hopes dashed on reaching his uncle’s house in Calcutta?
Answer: Phatik’s hopes were dashed when he realized he was unwelcome in his uncle’s house, especially by his aunt, leading to his sense of isolation and abandonment.
Excerpt 5
She was by no means pleased with this unnecessary addition to her family. She found her own three boys quite enough to manage without taking any one else. And to bring a village lad of fourteen into their midst was terribly upsetting. Bishamber should really have thought twice before committing such an indiscretion.
(i) Who is referred to as ‘She’ in the extract? What was the “unnecessary addition” to her family?
Answer: ‘She’ refers to Phatik’s aunt. The “unnecessary addition” was Phatik, who had come to stay with her family.
(ii) Why was Phatik’s aunt annoyed to see Phatik?
Answer: Phatik’s aunt was annoyed because she already had three children to manage and found the idea of taking care of another child, especially a village boy like Phatik, a burden.
(iii) Why was sending a village lad of fourteen to unknown people in an unknown place was terribly upsetting? Which theme is involved in Phatik’s mother’s decision?
Answer: Sending a village lad of fourteen to an unknown place was upsetting because Phatik was unfamiliar with the city environment, and his aunt did not want the responsibility of raising him. The theme of neglect and emotional abandonment is involved in Phatik’s mother’s decision to send him away.
(iv) How correct was Bishamber in taking his nephew, Phatik to Calcutta?
Answer: Bishamber’s decision to take Phatik to Calcutta might have been well-intentioned but was misguided. He did not anticipate how unwelcome Phatik would feel in his new environment, which caused the boy distress.
(v) What were the consequences of taking him to Calcutta?
Answer: The consequences were that Phatik became increasingly isolated and unhappy. His difficulties at school, coupled with his aunt’s neglect, worsened his emotional state, ultimately leading to his illness.
Excerpt 6
One day he summoned up all his courage, and asked his uncle: “Uncle, when can I go home?” His uncle answered; “Wait till the holidays come.” But the holidays would not come till November, and there was a long time still to wait.
(i) Who ‘summoned* up all his courage? Why did he want to go home?
Answer: Phatik summoned up all his courage to ask his uncle when he could go home. He wanted to return because he felt lonely and out of place in Calcutta.
(ii) How did he feel when his uncle told him to wait till the holidays come? Why did his uncle not take him to his home immediately?
Answer: Phatik felt disheartened when his uncle told him to wait until the holidays. His uncle didn’t take him home immediately because the holidays were still a long way off, and he might have considered it impractical to send Phatik back so soon.
(iii) Which characteristic traits of his uncle are revealed in the extract?
Answer: His uncle shows patience and responsibility by giving Phatik a clear answer, though he perhaps lacks empathy in not understanding Phatik’s deep emotional need to return home immediately.
(iv) Did he’ wait for the holidays to go home? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer: No, Phatik did not wait for the holidays. He became ill and desperately tried to go home on his own, but his condition worsened before he could leave.
(v) Which theme is highlighted in the extract?
Answer: The theme of yearning for home and belonging is highlighted. Phatik’s desire to go back to his village reflects his emotional need for love and familiarity, which he could not find in Calcutta.
Excerpt 7
One day Phatik lost his lesson-book. Even with the help of books he had found it very difficult indeed to prepare his lesson. Now it was impossible. Day after day the teacher would cane him unmercifully. His condition became so abjectly miserable that even his cousins were ashamed to own him. They began to jeer and insult him more than the other boys. He went to his aunt at last, and told her that he had lost his book.
His aunt pursed her lips in contempt, and said: “You great clumsy, country lout. How can I afford, with all my family, to buy you new books five times a month?”
(i) Why was it difficult for Phatik to prepare his lesson even with the help of books?
Answer: It was difficult for Phatik to prepare his lessons because he was unfamiliar with the educational methods in Calcutta and struggled to keep up academically.
(ii) What was Phatik’s image in the school? Did his teacher treat him according to the perception formed because of that image? Give a reason.
Answer: Phatik’s image in school was that of a backward, incompetent student. His teacher treated him harshly, caning him frequently because Phatik couldn’t prepare his lessons well, reinforcing the negative perception.
(iii) Why were Phatik’s cousins ashamed to own him? What was their fear in owning him?
Answer: Phatik’s cousins were ashamed because his poor academic performance and social awkwardness reflected badly on them. They feared being associated with someone who was considered an outsider and underachiever.
(iv) Why did Phatik go to his aunt for helping him to get a new lesson-book? How did his aunt react to it?
Answer: Phatik went to his aunt because he lost his lesson-book and needed a replacement to avoid further punishment. His aunt reacted with contempt, calling him a “clumsy country lout” and refusing to help.
(v) How was Phatik’s aunt similar to his mother in her treatment of Phatik? Give reasons to justify your answer.
Answer: Phatik’s aunt was similar to his mother in that both women treated him with a lack of affection and viewed him as a burden. His mother was relieved to send him away, and his aunt showed no kindness or care for him in Calcutta.
Excerpt 8
The fever rose very high, and all that night the boy was delirious. Bishamber brought in a doctor. Phatik opened his eyes flushed with fever, and looked up to the ceiling, and said vacantly: “Uncle, have the holidays come yet? May I go home?”
(i) How did Phatik become ill? Why did he want to go home so desperately?
Answer: Phatik became ill after losing his lesson-book, being beaten by his teacher, and suffering from increasing emotional distress. He was also caught in the rain, which likely worsened his condition. He wanted to go home desperately because he felt completely out of place in Calcutta and longed for the familiarity and comfort of his village.
(ii) What is meant by delirious? Why was he delirious?
Answer: Delirious means being in a state of confusion and not fully conscious, often due to fever. Phatik was delirious because of his high fever and the emotional strain he had been under.
(iii) Why did he ask his uncle whether the holidays have come? Did he get the ‘holidays’?
Answer: Phatik asked his uncle about the holidays because he had been waiting for them as a chance to return home. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the holidays, as he passed away before he could go home.
(iv) How are the *holidays’ related to the title of the story?
Answer: The ‘holidays’ symbolise Phatik’s hope of returning home, both physically and emotionally. The title, The Home-Coming, reflects his ultimate “return” to his home, not through the holidays, but through death.
(v) What feelings do you have for Phatik at this juncture? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer: At this point, Phatik evokes deep sympathy. His isolation, neglect, and emotional pain throughout the story make his situation tragic, particularly as he yearns for a home where he was not fully loved but still felt it was better than his current situation.
Extras/Additional
Questions and Answers
Extract 1
Phatik Chakravorti was ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river, waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.
But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik’s younger brother, sauntered up, and sat down on the log in front of them all, without a word. The boys were puzzled for a moment. He was pushed, rather timidly, by one of the boys and told to get up, but he remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a young philosopher meditating on the futility of games. Phatik was furious. “Makhan,” he cried, “if you don’t get down this minute I’ll thrash you!”
Makhan only moved to a more comfortable position.
(i) What plan did Phatik devise for mischief?
Answer: Phatik proposed that the boys should move a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river. The log was intended for use as a mast, and they wanted to shift it to surprise and anger the owner.
(ii) How did Makhan interrupt the boys’ plan?
Answer: Makhan, Phatik’s younger brother, sat on the log without saying anything, preventing the boys from executing their plan. Despite being urged to move, he remained unmoved, almost as if he was philosophizing on the futility of their games.
(iii) What was Phatik’s reaction to Makhan’s defiance?
Answer: Phatik became furious at Makhan’s stubbornness and threatened to thrash him if he didn’t get off the log.
(iv) Did Makhan comply with Phatik’s threat?
Answer: No, Makhan did not comply. Instead, he made himself more comfortable on the log, further provoking Phatik.
(v) How did Phatik resolve the situation with his brother?
Answer: Rather than following through with his threat to thrash Makhan, Phatik ordered the boys to roll the log with Makhan on it, which Makhan chose to stubbornly endure.
Extract 10
The fever rose very high, and all that night the boy was delirious. Bishamber brought in a doctor. Phatik opened his eyes flushed with fever, and looked up to the ceiling, and said vacantly: “Uncle, have the holidays come yet? May I go home?”
(i) What happened to Phatik after he disappeared?
Answer: After his disappearance, Phatik fell ill with a high fever, and his condition worsened, leaving him delirious.
(ii) How did Bishamber respond to Phatik’s illness?
Answer: Bishamber brought in a doctor to care for Phatik, showing concern for his deteriorating health.
(iii) What did Phatik ask in his delirium?
Answer: In his delirium, Phatik repeatedly asked whether the holidays had come and whether he could go home, reflecting his longing for his village even in his feverish state.
(iv) How does Phatik’s question reflect his emotional state?
Answer: Phatik’s question shows that even in his delirium, his mind was focused on his deep desire to return home, a symbol of his need for comfort and belonging.
(v) What was the doctor’s prognosis for Phatik’s condition?
Answer: The doctor expressed concern about Phatik’s critical condition, implying that the boy’s illness was severe and possibly life-threatening.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What was Phatik’s role among the village boys?
A. The quietest B. The most aggressive C. The ringleader D. The most timid
Answer: C
16. What did Phatik say to his mother when she arrived?
A. That he was in pain B. Asking for water C. He wanted to go home D. “The holidays have come”
Answer: D
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger. He manages Online Free Notes and reads Victorian literature. His favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and he hopes to travel the world. Get in touch with him by sending him a friend request.
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