The Home- Coming

By Rabindranath Tagore

Questions and Answers

EXTRACT 1

But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik' younger brother, saunter up, and sat down on
the log in front of them all without a word. The boys were puzzled for a moment.

i. Who was Makhan? Where was he?What is meant by ‘sauntered up’?

Ans. Makhan was the younger brother of Phatik Chakravarty.
He was sitting on a log lying on the mud flat of the river. Sauntered
up means walked slowly and silently.Makhan walked slowly and silently towards the log
and sat on
it.
ii. What was the fun that was about to begin? What did Makhan do to spoil the fun?
Ans A heavy log was lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast
for a boat. Mischievous Phatik with all his friends decided to shift the log from its place
and roll it away. It would be fun for them to see the owner of the log angry and
surprised.
When the fun of shifting the log was about to begin, Phatik’s younger brother
Makhan sauntered up and sat down on the log in front of them all, without a word. He
refused to move and appeared like a young philosopher , meditating on the futility of
games.
iii. What did one of the boys do and why? How did Makhan react to it?
Ans When Makhan sauntered up and sat on the log and refused to budge, one of the
boys pushed him rather timidly and asked him to get up.
He did this because Makhan was stopping them from the fun of shifting the log from
its place and annoying its owner.
Makhan remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a young philosopher
meditating on the futility of games.
iv. Why was Phatik furious? What did he ask his band of companions to do after this
extract?
Ans when Phatik and his friends were about to roll the log of wood into the river,
Makhan came and sat on the log. He wanted to spoil their fun. This annoyed Phatik and
his friends.
Makhan’s refusal to to leave the log was a challenge to Phatik. He thought of a new
mischief. He decided to roll away both Makhan and the log. He issued orders and the
boys rolled both Makhan and the log into the water.
v. Who was Phatik?
Ans Phatik was a young boy of fourteen. He lived in a village with his mother and his
younger brother Makhan. He was the ring-leader of the boys of his village. He played
games with them on the banks of the river.
vi. Did Phatik hit Makhan? Why? Which two characteristic traits of Phatik are revealed in
the extract?
 Ans Phatik threatened Makhan that he would thrash him if he did not get down from
the log but he could not muster courage to hit him directly. However Phatik could not
stop himself when Makhan lied to their mother that he had hit him on the bank of the
river. He then hammered Makhan with blows in front of mother.
Two characteristic traits that are revealed are: Impulsive and Short tempered .
Phatik’s impulsive Nature is evident in his quick and and instinctive reaction to Makhan’s
false accusation . Besides this he is protective towards his own reputation.He could not
tolerate any injustice towards him.
vii. How did Makhan react when Phatik and his friends pushed him into the water? What
did Phatik do after this?

YAns When Phatik and his friends pushed Makhan into the water, Makhan rushed at
Phatik and scratched his face and beat him and kicked him and then went home crying.

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.
viii. Who was the middle aged man who stopped on the shore? What did the man ask the
boy? What reply did the boy give? What was wrong with the answer?
Ans The middle aged man with grey hair and dark moustache was Bishamber, Phatik’s
maternal uncle.
He asked Phatik where the Chatravortis lived. Phatik vaguely replied ‘over there’
while chewing grass. The answer was not helpful because it was impossible to tell where
he pointed.
ix. Who came to take Phatik home? How did he take Phatik home?
Ans A servant from Phatik’s house came to take him home.
When Phatik refused to go, the servant took him up roughly and carried him, kicking
and struggling in rage.
x. How did Phatik’s mother welcome the stranger?
Ans Phatik’s mother looked at the stranger with surprise and recognised him as her
brother. She bowed to the ground and touched his feet.
EXTRACT 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 at this critical juncture?
Ans The ‘critical juncture ‘ in the story refers to the moment when Phatik pushed his
mother aside when she was beating him with her hands for beating his younger brother
who had falsely accused Phatik of beating him.
Just at this critical juncture a grey haired stranger arrived. When he saw Phatik
pushing his mother aside , he asked them what the matter was . Phatik looked sheepish
and ashamed.
ii Who was the grey haired stranger? Why did he come there?
Ans The grey haired stranger who arrived at Phatik’s house was Bishamber, the brother
of Phatik’s mother.
 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. When he arrived in
Calcutta and came to know about his sister’s condition, he came to meet her.
Iii Why did Phatik feel ashamed on seeing the stranger?
Ans The stranger arrived at the moment when Phatik pushed his mother aside in anger
while she was trying to stop the scuffle between him and his brother Makhan. He felt
ashamed because he realized that his behaviour was inappropriate. Phatik’s aggressive
action showcased a lack of self control.
Iv How did Phatik react to the stranger’s offer when he reached home? Which
characteristic trait of Phatik is revealed by his reaction?
8Ans When Phatik’s uncle asked him if he would like to go to Calcutta, his joy knew no
bounds. He kept asking his uncle every minute when they would start. He was on pins
and needles all day long with excitement and lay awake most of the night.
His reaction revealed his eagerness and genuine desire to accept the opportunity to
go to Calcutta with his uncle. His openness to change and get a new experience is
revealed by his reaction.
V State any two traits of the stranger’s personality in the story.
Ans Bishamber is a loving brother and a kind and compassionate man, who is
concerned about the welfare of his nephews. As soon as he comes to know about his
sister’s condition, he rushes to meet her. He offers to take Phatik off her hands and
educate him with his own children. He goes against his family to help his sister.
He understands Phatik’s frustration and is teary eyed to see him in a delirious state.
Like a father he sits by him throughout the night taking Phatik’s lean and burning hands
in his own hand. He understands Phatik’s thoughts and longing for his mother and calls
her to visit Calcutta.
EXTRACT 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.

i Who was ‘He’ referred to in the first line of the extract? What was Phatik’s mother’s
complaint about him?
Ans ‘He’ in the first line refers to Bishamber, Phatik’s maternal uncle.
Phatik was considered to be a perpetual nuisance by his mother. He was lazy,
disobedient and wild.
Ii How according to Phatik’s mother was Makhan different in his behaviour from his
brother?
Ans Phatik was considered to be a perpetual nuisance by his mother. He was lazy,
disobedient and wild. According to her Makhan was good as gold, quiet as a lamb and
very fond of reading.
Iii What did Bishamber offer to do? Why?
Ans Bishamber kindly offered to take Phatik off his sister’s hand and educate him with
his own children.
 He offered this help because his sister was making complaints about Phatik’s
behaviour. He wanted to help his widowed sister and was also concerned about the
welfare of his nephews.
Iv How welcome was Phatik in Bishamber’s family? How was its effect on Phatik?
Ans Phatik was not at all welcomed in Bishamber’s family. His aunt was by no means
pleased with the unnecessary additional her family. She found her own three boys
enough to manage.
When Phatik reached his maternal uncle’s house , he felt he was an unwelcome
guest.His aunt never understood his feelings. Phatik felt isolated and homesick. The lack
of motherly love, continuous scolding and chiding turned him to behave like a stray dog
that had lost its master. He no longer wanted to live at a place where he was an
unwelcome guest.
V How is the theme of abandonment hinted upon in the story?
Ans The theme of abandonment is hinted upon in this story through dPhatik’s
departure from his village and his longing for home. By going to Calcutta poor Phatik
lost his share of love from his mother forever.
Phatik longed to go back home and waited for the holidays when he would be able to
return to his village. A time came when he found himself totally alienated and ran away
from his uncle’s house. He wanted his mother to come to Calcutta and take him back
home. His mother did come but it was too late. Phatik died longing for a home that
would provide him love, care and protection.
EXTRACT 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.
I Why did Phatik’s mother agree to send Phatik to Calcutta?
Ans Phatik’s mother had two sons to bring up single handedly as she was a widow. The
mother was prejudiced against Phatik because she thought he was lazy, disobedient and
wild. She preferred Makhan.
When Phatik’s maternal uncle offered to take him with him to Calcutta, it was an
immense relief to the mother. She wanted to get rid of him. She was in daily fear that he
would either drown Makhan some day in the tiger or break his head in a fight or run him
into some danger or the other.She believed that it would be a good opportunity for him
to get educated and disciplined under the guidance of his uncle.
Ii Why was Phatik excited to go to Calcutta? Explain ‘that he meant it.’
Ans Phatik was happy to go to Calcutta as he expected an exciting life there. He
believed that it would be an escape from his mother’s constant scolding and chiding. He
hoped to experience the wonders of the city and perhaps find love and care which he
missed at home.
Iii Do you think Phatik’s mother’s decision to send Phatik to Calcutta was correct?
Why?
Ans Phatik’s mother lacked the responsibility that was required to raise Phatik. She
considered him to be wild though he was just an average fourteen year old boy who
liked mischief.
 From Phatik’s mother’s perspective sending him to Calcutta seemed like a good
decision as it would provide him with better education and discipline.
She failed to realise that 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. She could not hear
the voice of her child’s heart that ached for her love and affection.
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?
Ans Phatik’s mother feels distressed at Phatik’s extreme eagerness to go to Calcutta.
This shows that perhaps being a widow, who has to single handedly manage two
teenage boys was weighing on her mind and she could not differentiate between right
and wrong.
Though she often scolded and punished him , she could not suppress the call of her
motherly affection for Phatik and was concerned about his well being.
V 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?
Ans Phatik’s mother feels distressed at Phatik’s extreme eagerness to go to Calcutta.
This shows that perhaps being a widow, who has to single handedly manage two
teenage boys was weighing on her mind and she could not differentiate between right or
wrong.
Though she often scolded him, she cannot suppress her motherly affection for Phatik
and was concerned about his well being.
Extract 5
She was by no means pleased with this unnecessary addition to her family She found
her own three boys quite enough to manage.
i) Who is referred to as ‘she’ in the extract? What was the unnecessary addition to her
family?
Ans) ‘She’ in the extract refers to Phatik’s aunt. The unnecessary addition to her family
refers to Phatik
ii) Why was Phatik’s aunt annoyed to see Phatik?
Ans) Phatik’s aunt was by no means pleased with this unnecessary addition to her family.
She found her own three boys enough to manage and to bring a village lad of fourteen into
their midst was terribly upsetting.
iii) Why was sending a village lad of fourteen to unknown people in an unknown place
terribly upsetting?
Ans) Sending a village lad of fourteen to unknown people in an unknown place was terribly
upsetting because at this very age in his hearts of hearts a young lad most craves for
recognition and love and he becomes a devoted slave of anyone who shows him
consideration.
For a boy of fourteen, his home is the only paradise. To live in a strange house with
strange people is little short of torture.
The theme of love and isolation is involved in Phatik’s mother’s decision. By going to
Calcutta Phatik lost his share of love from his mother forever.
 iv) How correct was Bishambher in taking his nephew, Phatik to Calcutta?
Ans) Bishamber was a loving brother and a kind and compassionate man. His intentions in
taking Phatik to Calcutta were noble as he wanted to provide him with better education and
opportunities. However seeing the emotional neglect and challenges Phatik faced in
Calcutta we realise that his going to Calcutta was not 6right.
V) How was Phatik’s hopes dashed on reaching his uncle’s house in Calcutta?
Ans) When Phatik went to his uncle’s house he felt he would get a home where his uncle
and aunt would bring him up with parental love and care.but he was nothing more than an
unwelcome guest there. Being a teenager, he longed for acceptance from his peers in school
and his cousins at home. His classmates never accepted him.Similarly his cousins never
accepted him as their family member nor supported him at school. So his ‘home’ away
from home could neither provide him love and care nor protection and security.
Extract 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.

1) Who summoned up all his courage? Why did he want to go home?

Ans Phatik summoned Up his courage and asked his uncle when he could go home.
The cramped atmosphere of neglect in his aunt’s house oppressed Phatik so much that he
felt that he could hardly breathe. He wanted to go out in the open country and fill his lungs and
breathe freely. He would dream night after night of his village home and longed to be back
there. He remembered the glorious meadow where he used to fly his kite all day long, the broad
river banks where he would wander singing and shouting for joy , the narrow brook where he
could go and dive at any time he liked.
2) How did he feel when his uncle told him to wait till the holidays come? Why did his uncle not
take him home immediately?
Ans Phatik gathered courage and asked his uncle when he would be able to go home. When his
uncle told him to wait for the holidays, Phatik knew that it would be a long wait for . Phatik felt
isolated and homesick. The holidays would not be till November. He longed for going back home
and waited for the holidays when he would be able to return to his village.
His uncle probably wanted Phatik to adjust to the city life and believe that with time, Phatik
would settle down He might have also thought that disrupting Phatik’s studies by sending him
home.would not be wise.
3) What characteristic traits of his uncle are revealed in the extract?
Ans His uncles characteristic traits revealed in the extract are his patience, belief in discipline
and hope that if given time, Phatik would adjust to his new environment.
4) Did he wait for the holidays to go home? Give reasons.
Ans) No, Phatik did not wait for the holidays to go home. When he went to his maternal uncle’s
house, he felt he would get a home where his uncle and aunt would bring him up with parental
love and care.but. But he remained there nothing more than an unwelcome guest. Being a
teenager he longed for acceptance from his peers in school and his cousins at home but his
classmates never accepted him. Though he tried to fit in their world. Similarly his cousins never
 accepted him as their family member nor supported him at school, in the fear of being bullied
by their classmates. His ‘home’ away from home could neither provide him love nor protection
and security. A time came when he found himself totally alienated and ran away from his uncle’s
house.
5) Which Theme is highlighted in the extract.
Ans The theme of love and isolation is highlighted in the extract. Phatik never got any love and
appreciation from his mother. She regarded him as lazy, dishonest and wild. By going to Calcutta
Phatik lost his share of love from his mother forever. In his uncle’s house he felt he was an
unwelcome guest. His classmates never accepted him though he tried to fit in their world. His
home away from home could neither provide him love and care nor protection and security.
Even his cousins did not support him for the fear of being bullied by their classmates. A time
came when he ran away from his uncle’s house.
Extract 7
One day Phatik lost his lesson book. Even with the help of books he found it very difficult
indeed to prepare gis lessons.
1) Why was it difficult for Phatik to prepare his lessons even with the help of books?
Ans It was difficult for Phatik to prepare his lessons even with the help of books because he was
not used to the city school curriculum and found it challenging to the the new Learning
environment.
2) What was Phatik’s image in the school.? Did his teacher treat him according to the perception
formed because of that image?
Ans) There was no 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 Phatik lost a book and was unable to prepare his
lessons, his teacher caned him mercilessly.
3) Why were Phatik’s cousins ashamed to own him ? What was their fear in owning him?
Ans) Phatik’s cousins were ashamed to own him because of his consistent poor performance in
school and his frequent punishments. feared that associati g with him would spoil their
reputation among their peers..
4) Why did Phatik go to They his aunt for helping him to get a new lesson book? How did his aunt
react to it?
Ans) One day Phatik lost his lesson book. It was difficult for him to prepare his lessons. Day
after day his teacher would beat him mercilessly
Not being able to tolerate any more he went to his aunt and told her to get a new book.
His aunt reacted with contempt and scolded him saying that she would not be able to buy a
book for him She told him angrily that she would not be able to afford a new book five times a
month.
5) How was Phatik’s aunt similar to his mother
Ans Both Phatik’s aunt and mother were quick to reprim and him and showed little
understanding or sympathy towards his challenges.
They often blamed him without trying to understand his perspective, making Phatik feel
unwelcome and unloved.
Extract 8
The fever rose very high and all that night the boy was delirious. Bishamber brought in a
doctor.
1) How did Phatik become ill? Why did he want to go him so desperately?
Ans Phatik became ill after getting drenched in the rain while attempting to run away to his
village. He wanted to go home desperately because he missed the love and comfort of his
bouse and hoped to find Solace there.
2) What is meant by delirious? Why was he delirious?
Ans) Delirious refers to a disturbed state of mind characterised by restlessness, illusions
and incoherence often caused by illness or fever. Phatik was delirious due to his high fever
and the physical and emotional trauma he had been experiencing.
3) Why did he ask his uncle whether the ‘holidays have come’? Did he get the ‘holidays’?
Ans) Phatik asked his uncle whether the holidays had come because he wanted to know if he
could go home. The Holidays represent a break from school and Phatik desperately desired
to return home and be with his family. However he didn’t get the ‘holidays he was asking for
and also due to his illness he was unable to go home.
4) How are the ‘holidays ‘related to the title of the story?
Ans) In the story ‘The Home Coming’ the term ‘holidays ‘ refer to the break from school
when students are allowed to return home to be with their families. The title suggests a
longing for home and the anticipation of reuniting with loved one’s during the holidays.
Phatik desperately desired to return home and be a part of the festive atmosphere that
accompanied holidays.

.,