The Home- Coming By Rabindranath Tagore

EXTRACT 1
But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik' 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.

1.Who was Phatik ? What new mischief did Phatik and his friends decide to do?
Phatik Chakravati was a typical naughty village boy about fourteen years old. He lived in a
village with his mother and his younger brother Makhan. He was the ring leader among the
boys of the village. He was inventive and full of naughty ideas.
One day 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. Phatik decided that he and his friends should
shift the log by force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry
and surprised and they would enjoy all the fun. Everyone seconded his proposal and Phatik
and his friends unanimously carried out this new mischief

2.Who was Makhan? What was the fun that was about to begin? What did Makhan do to
spoil the fun?
Makhan was the younger brother of Phatik Chakravarty.
A heavy log was lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat.
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.

3. What did one of the boys do and why? How did Makhan react to it?
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.

4. Why was Phatik furious? What did he ask his band of companions to do after this extract?
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. Phatik
asked him to get up and threatened to thrash him up. But Makhan only moved to a more
comfortable position and appeared like a young philosopher meditating. Now it was the
question of Phatik’s dignity before his gang and so he ordered the boys to roll the log along
with Makhan into the water.

5. How did Makhan react when Phatik and his friends pushed him into the water? What did
Phatik do after this?
When Phatik and his friends pushed the log, Makhan fell onto the ground. All the other boys
shouted with delight but Phatik was a little frightened as he knew what was coming.
Makhan rose from Mother Earth blind as Fate and screaming like the Furies.
He rushed at Phatik , scratched his face , beat him and kicked him .He 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. He knew that only the first act of the drama was over and
there was more to come.

6. Who was the middle aged man who stopped on the shore? What did the man ask the boy?
the boy respond?
The middle aged man with grey hair and dark moustache stepped out of a boat that stopped
at the shore. He 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. When the stranger asked him
again , he just swung his legs to and fro on the side of the barge and said; "Go and find out,".
He then continued to chew the grass as before. Phatik's rude behavior shows his immaturity
and lack of respect for adults. He is unhelpful on purpose and continues chewing grass
indifferently.

7. Who came to take Phatik' home? How did he take Phatik home?
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.

8. Did Phatik hit Makhan? Why? Which two characteristic traits of Phatik are revealed in the
extract?
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 that
Phatik is 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 cannot tolerate any injustice towards himself.

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.

1.What was the critical juncture? What had happened at this critical juncture?
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 haven beaten 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.

2. Who was the grey haired stranger? Why did he come there?
The grey haired stranger who arrived at Phatik’s house was Bishamber, the brother of
Phatik’s mother. Her brother had go 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.

3. Why did Phatik feel ashamed on seeing the stranger?

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.

4. How did Phatik react to the stranger’s offer when he reached home?
Phatik's Uncle offered to take Phatik to Calcutta with him, his joy knew no bounds.
Phatik Reacted to his offer with great joy end enthusiasm.
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. He
bequeathed to Makhan, in perpetuity, his fishing-rod, his big kite and his marbles. At this
time of departure his generosity towards Makhan was unbounded.

5. Why was Phatik excited to go to Calcutta? Explain ‘that he meant it.’

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.

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.

1 Who was ‘He’ referred to in the first line of the extract? What was Phatik’s mother’s
complaint about him?
‘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.

2 How according to Phatik’s mother was Makhan different in his behaviour from his brother?
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.

3 What did Bishamber offer to do? Why?

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.

4 Why did Phatik’s mother agree to send Phatik to Calcutta?

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.

5. Do you think Phatik’s mother’s decision to send Phatik to Calcutta was correct? Why?
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.

6. 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?
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.

7. Why is there is no worse nuisance than a boy at the age of fourteen?

At the age of fourteen a boy 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. Besides,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.

8. Who is compared to a stray dog that has lost his master?

It is at the tender age of fourteen when in his heart of hearts a young lad most craves for
recognition and love and he becomes the devoted slave of any one who shows him
consideration. But no one dares to openly show love him as it would be regarded as undue
indulgence and hence bad for the boy. Hence with scolding and chiding, a young fourteen
year old becomes very much like a stray dog that has lost his master.

Extract 4
She was by no means pleased with this unnecessary addition to her family She found her
own three boys quite enough to manage.

1Who is referred to as ‘she’ in the extract? What was the unnecessary addition to her family?
‘She’ in the extract refers to Phatik’s aunt. The unnecessary addition to her family refers
to Phatik

2 Why was Phatik’s aunt annoyed to see Phatik?

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.

3 How welcome was Phatik in Bishamber’s family? How was its effect on Phatik?
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. 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.
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.

4 State any two traits of Bishamber’s personality in the story.

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.

5 Why was sending a village lad of fourteen to unknown people in an unknown place terribly
upsetting?
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.

6 How correct was Bishambher in taking his nephew, Phatik to Calcutta?

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 right.

7 How was Phatik’s hopes dashed on reaching his uncle’s house in Calcutta?
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.

8. How did the cramped atmosphere of neglect in his aunt's house oppress Phatik ? What did
he miss the most ?
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 into the open country and fill his lungs and
breathe freely. But there was no open country to go to. Surrounded on all sides by Calcutta
houses and walls, be would dream of his village home, and long 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 about singing and shouting for joy; the narrow brook where he
could go and dive and swim at any time he liked. He thought of his band of boy companions
over whom he was despot. Above all, the memory of his mother whom he used to consider a
tyrant , prejudiced against him, occupied him day and night. He had a longing to be in the
presence of his mother and a silently cried in the inmost heart for his mother, like the lowing
of a calf in the twilight. No one could understand this love, which was almost an animal
instinct but it preyed upon his mind continually.

Extract 4
One day Phatik lost his lesson book. Even with the help of books he found it very difficult
indeed to prepare his lessons.

1.Why was it difficult for Phatik to prepare his lessons even with the help of books? 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?
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?
Phatik’s cousins were ashamed to own him because of his consistent poor performance in
school and his frequent punishments. feared that associating 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?
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 ?

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.

6 How is the theme of abandonment hinted upon in the story?

The theme of abandonment is hinted upon in this story through Phatik’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 5
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?

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?
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?

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.

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 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.

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 6

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?
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
house and hoped to find solace there.

2) What is meant by delirious? Why was he delirious?

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’?
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?

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.

5. Is the title “Home-coming” appropriate for the story ?

The title “Home-coming” is appropriate because Phatik, the protagonist of the story, had
three chances to have a home-coming. Phatik has been described in the story as a fourteen
year old boy, whose desire was not only to be at home in his village, but to get his mother’s
love and affection.

The first incident of homecoming that Phatik experienced was at the beginning of the story.
He got into a fight with his brother, Makhan who then ran home to tell their mother. Phatik
knew he would get unjust punishment as their mother was prejudiced against him. So he
delayed coming back.
He was forcibly taken back home by a servant where their mother believed Makhan’s version
of the story and beat him. Though Phatik came back home, he longed for his mother’s loving
embrace.

The second incident happened when his mother decided to send him with his maternal uncle
to Calcutta for education. He thought that his maternal uncle and aunt would provide love and
care. But they made him feel unwelcome. He longed to return to his village home. He
received similar harsh treatment from his teachers and classmates at school.
One day, fed up, he ran away to his village. It was raining and he got drenched on his way
and fell ill. Two police constables brought him back to his uncle, Bishamber. This was the
saddest homecoming.

The last and the most heartbreaking homecoming was Phatik’s nearing death. He was sick
and in a state of delirium, he asked his mother not to beat him. He saw his mother and said
that the holidays have come. Phatik, in his short life, longed for a home, where he would be
loved and cared for. He died in Calcutta, a home far away from his home and could never
have a happy homecoming.