Treasure Chest Workbook Answers Chapter 4 The Homecoming
The Homecoming Comprehension Questions Answers
Read the extracts and answer the following questions:
Passage – 1.
Phatik Chakraborti 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.
1. Who was Phatik Chakraborty?
2. What new mischief got into Phatik’s head?
3. Why was the log lying in the mud?
4. What did Phatik decide?
5. What was the proposal of Phatik?
Answer:
1. Phatik Chakraborty was the ringleader among the boys of the village.
2. Phatik decided that they should all work together to shift the log by force to roll it to the river.
3. The log was lying because the owner of the log decided to make a mast for the boat.
4. Phatik decided to enjoy the fun when the owner would become angry and surprised.
5. The proposal was to roll the log in the river and to enjoy the fun. His companions agreed to the proposal.
Passage – 2.
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!”
1. Who was Makhan?
2. Where did Makhan sit?
3. Why was Phatik furious?
4. How was Makhan then?
5. What did Phatik say to Makhan?
Answer:
1. Makhan was the younger brother of Phatik Chakraborty.
2. Makhan sat on the log which was decided to roll in the river by Phatik and his mates.
3. Phatik was furious because his brother Makhan was against his proposal to roll the log into the river.
4. Sitting on the log Makhan was like a philosopher meditating on the futility of games.
5. Phatik warned Makhan to thrash him if he objected to roll the log.
Passage – 3.
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 Chakrabartis 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.
1. Why Phatik had to wipe his face?
2. Who was the middle aged man?
3. What did the man ask Phatik? What was the reply?
4. How was Phatik’s behaviour with the strange man?
5. Who came to take Phatik home?
Answer:
1. Phatik had to wipe his face because he toiled hard to roll the log to the river.
2. The middle aged man was his maternal uncle Bishwambharbabu who came from Calcutta.
3. The man asked Phatik where the Chakrabarty family lived. Phatik replied vaguely that was over there.
4. Phatik’s behaviour with the stranger was rude in a sense as he did not point the location correctly.
5. Phatik’s maternal uncle came to take Phatik to Calcutta for his proper education if his mother agreed.
Passage – 4.
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. Bishwambhar 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.
1. Who is grey haired stranger?
2. Why was Phatik’s mother angry?
3. How did she welcome the stranger?
4. What was the tragic incident?
5. How do you know that Bishwambhar was a caring brother?
Answer:
1. The grey haired stranger was Bishwambharbabu, Phatik’s maternal uncle.
2. Phatik’s mother was angry because Phatik behaved improperly with his brother.
3. She welcomed the stranger and touched his feet to ask where from he was coming to her house.
4. The tragic incident was the father of Phatik passed away suddenly.
5. Bishwambhar was a caring brother because he came to his sister’s house as soon as he returned from Mumbai to see her condition.
Passage – 5.
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 on any one else. And to bring a village lad of fourteen into their midst was terribly upsetting. Bishwambhar should really have thought twice before committing such an indiscretion.
1. Who are they?
2. Where from had they come?
3. What was the reaction of Phatik’s aunt?
4. Why was the aunt unhappy?
5. Describe your idea about Phatik’s aunt.
Answer:
1. ‘They’ referred to Phatik and his maternal uncle Bishwabharbabu.
2. They had come to Calcutta from Phatik’s village home.
3. Phatik’s aunt was displeased with the addition of Phatik in her family because she had three sons.
4. The aunt had one helping hand and it was quite impossible for him to manage the four children.
5. Phatik’s aunt was a selfish woman. She was unwilling to take an extra burden of Phatik, a boy of fourteen years. Phatik’s uncle should think otherwise.
Passage – 6.
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.
1. What is the biggest nuisance?
2. What is impossible?
3. Describe the physical growth of a boy of fourteen.
4. Why the shortcomings of a fourteen years boy can not be excused?
5. Why a young lad’s heart crave at this age?
Answer:
1. In this world of human affairs there is no biggest nuisance than a boy at the age of fourteen. He is neither ornamental nor useful.
2. It is impossible to show affection on him as on a little boy. He is always getting in the way.
3. A boy of fourteen grows unattractively. He grows out of his clothes with indecent haste. His voice grows hoarse and breaks and quavers. His face grows suddenly angular and unsightly.
4. The shortcomings of early childhood can be excused but it is hard to put up with even unavoidable lapses. The lad himself becomes painfully self conscious.
5. While talking with elderly people he is either unduly forward or so unduly shy that he appears ashamed of his very existence.
Passage – 7.
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.
1. What is the result of continuous scolding on a 14 years old boy?
2. What is the height of bless?
3. How did Phatik feel in his uncle’s house?
4. What was the reaction of Phatik when he is asked to do something?
5. What was anguish to Pathik?
Answer:
1. A boy of fourteen considers his home the only paradise. To live in a strange house with a little short of torture and slighting by woman it was anguishing.
2. The height of bliss is to receive the kind looks of women and never to be slighted by them.
3. Phatik was an unwelcomed guest in his uncle’s house. He was despised by his aunt and slighted on every occasion.
4. When Phatik is asked to do something for his aunt he would be so overjoyed that he would overdo it.
5. It was anguish to Phatik to remain as a unwelcome guest in his uncle’s house.
Passage – 8.
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 ilown 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?
1. How did Phatik fare in the school?
2. How dld,Phatlk endure the punishment?
3. What was Phatik’s state of mind?
4. What was the longing of his heart?
5. What did Phatik ask his uncle? What reply did he get?
Answer:
1. Phatik fared very badly in the school. He was the worst backward boy in his class.
2. Phatik endured the punishment like an overburdened and patiently. He suffered all the blows that came down on his back.
3. When other boys were playing, Phatik stood by the window wistfully and gazed at the roof of the distant houses.
4. His heart longed to go back to his village home to play in the open place.
5. Phatik asked his uncle when he would go home. He got the reply that he would go to his home when holidays would come.
Passage-9.
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?
1. What did Phatik lose one day?
2. What was impossible to Phatik?
3. Why his cousins were ashaned of him?
4. What did his cousins do to him?
5. How did his aunt rebuke him?
Answer:
1. One day Phatik lost his lesson-book.
2. It was impossible to Phatik to prepare his lessons although he failed to do so if he had the lesson-book.
3. His cousins were ashamed of him because his condition was abjectly miserable as the teachers caned him regularly.
4. His cousins also began to insult him more than the other boys do.
5. His aunt rebuked him by saying that it was impossible for her to buy new books five times a month.
Passage-10.
The next morning Phatik was nowhere to be seen. All searches in the neighbourhood proved futile. The rain had been pouring in torrents all night, and those who went out in search of the boy got drenched through to the skin. At last Bishwambhar asked help from the police. At the end of the day a police van stopped at the door before the house.
It was still raining and the streets were all flooded. Two constables brought out Phatik in their arms and placed him before Bishwambhar. He was wet through from head to foot, muddy all over, his face and eyes flushed red with fever, and his limbs all trembling. Bishwambhar carried him in his arms, and took him into the inner apartments. When his wife saw him, she exclaimed; What a heap of trouble this boy has given us. Hadn’t you better send him home?
1. What happened in the next morning?
2. Why Bishwambhar asked for police help?
3. What was the weather condition of that day?
4. Who brought Phatik home?
5. How was Phatik’s condition?
Answer:
1. In the next morning Phatik was nowhere to be seen. He fled from the house.
2. Bishwambhar asked for police help because all the efforts of search party went in vain to find out Phatik.
3. The weather was foul on that day. The rain had been pouring in torrents all night. The men
who went out to search got drenched through to the skin.
4. Two constables, brought back Phatik in their arms and placed him before Bishwambhar.
5. Phatik was wet from head to foot, his body was muddy all over. His face and eyes flushed red with fever and his limbs were trembling.
Passage – 11.
The fever rose very high, and all that night the boy was delirious. Bishwambhar 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? Bishwambhar 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!’
1. How was Phatik all night?
2. What did Phatik ask the uncle.
3. What was the reaction of Bishwambhar?
4. What was his last voice?
5. Where was Phatik going the previous day?
Answer:
1. All night Phatik was delirious, his fever rose very high. So, Bishwambhar called in a doctor.
2. Phatik asked the uncle if the holidays had come and then he might go home.
3. Seeing the condition of Phatik Bishwambhar began to cry. He took Phatik’s lean and burning hands in his own and sat by him through the night.
4. Phatik’s last voice was for his mother. He requested mother not to beat him as he was telling the truth.
5. The previous day Phatik was going to his village home alone.
Passage – 12.
The next day Phatik became conscious for a short time. He turned his eyes about the room, as if expecting someone to come. At last, with an air of disappointment, his head sank back on the pillow. He turned his face to the wall with a deep sigh.
Bishwambhar knew his thoughts, and, bending down his head, whispered: ‘Phatik, I have sent for your mother.’ The day went by. The doctor said in a troubled voice that the boy’s condition was very critical. Phatik began to cry out; ‘By the mark! -three fathoms. By the mark – four fathoms. By the mark-.’ He had heard the sailor on the river- steamer calling out the mark on the plumb-line. Now he was himself plumbing an unfathomable sea.
1. How was Phatik the next day?
2. What did Bishwambhar say to Phatik?
3. What did the doctor say?
4. What did Phatik call out?
5. How did Phatik turn his face?
Answer:
1. The next day Phatik became conscious for a short period of time.
2. Bishwambhar said to Phatik that he had sent for his mother.
3. The doctor said that the boy’s condition was very critical.
4. Phatik called out the mark of on the plumb-line as he heard the sailor to do on the river.
5. Phatik turned his face to the wall with a deep sigh.
The Homecoming About the Story
The Homecoming’ is a story of Phatik Chakraborty, a 14 years old boy who proves to be a problem to his mother. He was sent to his maternal uncle’s house in the city. There he was admitted to a school, but he was inattentive in his education. Naturally he got punishment from the teacher. So, he was ridiculed by his cousins, classmates, and slighted by his aunt.
His maternal uncle also remained silent. He desired to return to his mother in village home. But he was told to wait till the holidays came. He was unable ot put up with the happenings so, he left the city, caught in showers and fell ill. Two policemen brought him home. His mother was informed. She came but it was too late. He was unable to talk. In illness he asked his mother, Mother, have the holidays come. These were his last words. The boy longing to return to the wide open spaces of his village home was granted metaphorically in the poignant closing lines of the story.
The Homecoming About the Author
Rabindranath Tagore was mainly a Bengali Poet. Apart from that he was, writer, dramatist, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter. In a sense he had a versatile genious. He also took part in our freedom movement in his own way. He was a devoted friend of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Nation. The British awarded him the knighthood. But he returned the honour in protest against the Jalianwalabag massacre. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in the year 1913, for his poetry collection Song offerings. He was popular throughout the world.
Tagore’s Gitanjali (Song offerings) Chitra, Chaitali, Balaka, Purobi, Punascha brought him the fame of a great poet. His novels, Gora, Ghare Baire, Rajarshi, etc. were also won fame. His short stories are also very popular. The ‘Homecoming’ is one of his famous short stories (‘chhuti’-in Bengali). The rural Bengal is alive in his short stories.
The Homecoming Brief Summary
Phatik Chakrabarti who lost his father early in his life was a fourteen years old Bengali boy. He was idle, desperate and disobedient. In comparison to Phatik his brother Makhan was quiet, good and fond of reading. Daily Phatik thought of some new mischief. One day he and his companions thought of a new mischief. A log was lying near the river was kept to make the mast of a boat.
They planned to push it into the river. Makhan protested and sat firmly on it. Initially they were puzzled. Makhan was pushed by one of the boys. He was told to get up but he was unconcerned. Phatik, the leader of the group ordered the boys to roll the log with Makhan. Thus, Makhan was thrown into the river with the log. He was questioned at home but he beat his brother Makhan and his mother also.
Phatik’s maternal uncle Bishwamvarbabu took Phatik to calcutta for his education with the permission of Phatik’s mother. Bishwambharbabu had three sons of his own and his wife did not like Phatik. Phatik has also his own problems. He was growing gradually. So, he was neither a child nor a man.
In calcutta Phatik was admitted in a school. The school was a miserable experience to Phatik. He failed to impress the teachers. His mind missed the village atmosphere. He became failure in school. Daily he was beaten badly in school. His cousins also ridiculed him. He grew impatient and wanted to return home. one day he lost his book. So. he was insulted by his school-mates and aunt.
Returning home that day Phatik tried to escape from home. However he was under the rainfall. He caught a severe cold. The police found him and brought him back to home as his uncle complained to the police. Due to severe criticism he wanted to return to home. His uncle informed that he could gò home during holidays. He started to ask when the holidays would come.
Phatik had a severe fever and he became restless. His condition was critical and his mother arrived when he was about to die. He requested his mother not to beat him. His last words to his-‘mother were Mother, have the holidays come’?
Glossary:
1. mast — upright support for the sails.
2. ring leader — Captain of improper activities.
3. thrash — beat with stick for punishment.
4. glory — pride, honour and respect.
5. hoarse — rough voice.
6. fury — anger
7. nibble — take little bites.
8. indignantly — hatefully.
9. Sullenly — sadly.
10. Supish — foolish
11. Prejudice — opinion without reason.
12. generosity — kindness
13, gazed — Steadily looked
14. Laughing stock — person to be laughed at
15. clumsy — awkward, complex
16. lout — ill, mannered.
17. futile — useless
18. delirious — talking incoherently.
19. vacantly — blankly
20. flung — sudden throwing
Plot:
‘The Homecoming’ is a sad story of a 14 years old boy Phatik Chakraborty. He lost his father at an early age and no one understood his personal feelings. Being unable to bear with his wildness and new mischief his mother sent him to calcutta with her brother to study there. He was admitted in a school. He was not at ease in home or in school.
He failed to adjust in the new situations and was constantly ridiculed, insulted and beaten. Everyone neglected his emotions. His maternal uncle Bishwambharbabu who brought him to calcutta ignored him. Being homesick Phatik wanted to return in his village home. He ran away from the house and the police brought him back. He fell ill. His mother was called for. She came but it was too late. He told his mother his dying words, ‘Mother, the holidays have come’.
Theme:
‘The Homecoming’ is a touching story of a youth of 14 years. The main idea of the story is to treat our children properly. Children are the budding flowers but we often fail to see their personal griefs. A child wants love from his near and dear ones. But its a pity that we often do not treat them with love, a soft touch of solace, or a word of consolation. For the lack of care, nursing and assistance millions of children are worn out. Phatik is not loved by his mother or maternal uncle and aunt. His feelings are neglected. Tagore points out that we should open our eyes towards the children to treat them with proper care, attention, sympathy and love.
Title :
The title of a literary article is like the signboard of a shop. The singboard indicates the availability of the articles in that shop. The title of the story ‘The Homecoming’ clearly indicates the main theme of the story symbolically. Phatik once moves to calcutta. He misses his rural atomophere. He has a strong urge to return to his home vilage. He gets permission to go to village during holidays. In calcutta Phatik was like a masterless stray dogs. He realised that he is unwanted and unloved in his maternal uncle’s house.
Phatik does not fare well in calcutta school. He has no real friends. He only dreams of homecoming. Ironically Phatik decides to go home but he is seriously ill of fever. He becomes bedridden and only dreams of homecoming. When he sees his mother he only manages to tell her ‘Mother, the holidays have come. The last words of Phatik is very significant. The last words represent his desire to be reunited with his mother who actually loves him. These last words represent Phatik’s homecoming. Thus, the title is symbolic, apt and justified in the true sense.
Bonku Babu’s Friend Characters
Phatik Chakrabarti :
Phatik is a 14 years old village boy. He is the ring leader among the village boys. He lost his father in his early childhood. He got a vast area for playing. But he was compelled to go to calcutta and he misses his rural atmosphere the most. Phatik lacks the love and affection from his mother and he thinks that his mother is in favour of Makhan, his brother. So’ becomes rude to his mother.
He also presses for his dignity at home. Phatik understands the value of his home. When he comes to calcutta in his maternal uncle’s house, his uncle and aunt consider him as a burden. Biswambhor’s three sons and his wife always insult and ridicule him repeatedly. Being fed up he runs away from home but the policemen bring him back home. Phatik falls ill, of fever. But his mother comes when he is in a serious condition. His last words are, ‘Mother, the holidays have come’.
Makhan Chakraborty :
Makhan Chakraborty is the younger brother of Phatik. His appearance in the story is of a brief period but he leaves a great impression on us. Phatic is wild and lazy but on the other hand Makhan is serious and peaceful. He sits on the log to protest the plan of Phatik to push the in the river. Phatik and his companions are at a loss to take the decision.
Makhan does not afraid of Phatik’s friend. He is asked to get up from the log but he remains unconcerned. Even when Phatik orders his companions to push the log along with Makhan he remains unmoved. The incident clearly indicates that Makhan is a boy of firm determination. That is why he receives more love from his mother than Phatik.
Setting :
The setting of the story is partly in the village and partly in calcutta. At the beginning Phatik and his mates are playing in the open near a river. They are thinking of a mischief. Soon after Bishwambharbabu, Phatik’s maternal uncle appears in the scene to see his widowed sister after years. He comes to know about the mischief’s done by Phatik.
He offers to take Phatik to calcutta to educate him properly. Phatik’s mother agrees to the proposal and Phatik comes to Calcutta. The rest of the story is set in Calcutta. There he is admitted to a school. He is a poor performer in school and the boys ridicule him often. Even his cusins and aunt ridicule him. Eventually he passes in Calcutta. At his last moment his mother comes to Calcutta. Even before death he does not get motherly love and affection.
Style :
The story ‘The Homecoming’ of Rabindranath Tagore is written in a traditional narrative style. It starts from present to future. At the beginning of the story we see Phatik lives in a village with his parents and brother. He is happy to enjoy his life in the open space of nature. But soon he takes admission in Calcutta school. But he was unable to put up with the suffiocating atmosphere of Calcutta.
He falls ill and ultimately passes away. The language of the story is simple and straight forward. The author describes how a boy of fourteen commits nuisance. The remarks of the author depicts the great truth of our life and makes us aware to awaken the readers about the needs of tenagers.
The Homecoming Critical Appreciation
The story ‘The homecoming’ is a nice story that shows the change of life journey of Phatik from a carefree child with mischiefs and a ring leader of boys to a masterless stray dog. Before going to Calcutta he makes peace with his brother Makhan by giving him all his toys. But on the contrary he was unable to put up with the suffocating condition of Calcutta.
Phatik was annoyed with the cold attitude of the Calcuttans. His aunt looks down upon him. His cousins also tease him. Even his teachers do not treat him with affection and his maternal aunt remains a mute spectator of the entire incidents. Ultimate he passes away neglected. ‘Mother, have the holidays come’ are his last words in the presence of his mother. Thus, the reformation of Phatik is the main subject matter of the story.
The Homecoming Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Read the questions given below and tick the correct answer:
Question 1.
Who sat on the log ?
a. Bishwambhar
b. Makhan
c. owner of the log
d. all of the above
Answer:
b. Makhan.
Question 2.
The log was to be used for making-
a. furniture
b. a boat
c. boat mast
d. all of the above
Ans.
c. boat mast.
Question 3.
Phatik becomes-
a. unattractive
b. self conscious
c. shy
d. intentionally mischievous.
Answer:
d. intentionally mischievous.
Question 4.
Phatik’s aunt had-
a. 2 children
b. 3 hildren
c. 4 children
d. 1 children
Answer:
c. 3 children.
Question 5.
Bishwambharbabu started business in-
a. Calcutta
b. Delhi
c. Orissa
d. Bombay
Answer:
d. Bombay
Question 6.
Phatik’s aunt was displeased with his arrival because-
a. Phatik was wild and lazy
b. he was uncultured
c. he was a boy of 14
d. intentionally mischievous
Answer:
d. Intentionally mischievous.
Question 7.
Phatik’s mother lost her husband when his brother was in-
a. London
b. Australia
c. Bombay
d. Delhi
Answer:
c. Bombay.
Question 8.
According to aunt holidays would not come till-
a. October
b. November
c. December
d. September
Answer:
c. November
Question 9.
One day Phatik lost his-
a. lesson book
b. Pen
c. Pencil
d. bag
Answer:
a. lesson book
Question 10.
Phatik had an attack of-
a. cholera
b. typhoid
c. malarial fever
d. none of the above
Answer:
c. malarial fever.
Question 11.
To return Phatik Bishwambhar took the help of
a. detective
b. Police
c. Boys
d. teachers
Answer:
b. Police.
Question 12.
According to the doctor Phatik’s, condition was
a. critical
b. well
c. unwell
d. none of the above
Answer: