Important Questions Class 8 Chapter 2.1 Balbharati English Maharashtra Board

Vocation

Short Questions

1. What is the name of the poem and its poet?

• The poem Vocation is written by Rabindranath Tagore.

2. At what time does the speaker walk to school?

• The speaker walks to school at ten in the morning.

3. What does the hawker sell?

• The hawker sells bangles and calls out, “Bangles, crystal bangles!”

4. Why does the speaker wish to be a hawker?

• The speaker wishes to be a hawker because he has no restrictions.

5. What does the gardener do in the afternoon?

• The gardener digs the ground and gets dirty with dust.

6. Why does the speaker admire the gardener?

• The speaker admires the gardener because no one scolds him.

7. What does the watchman do at night?

• The watchman walks up and down the street with a lantern.

8. How is the streetlamp described in the poem?

• The streetlamp is compared to a giant with one red eye.

9. What does the speaker envy about the watchman?

• The speaker envies that the watchman never has to sleep.

10. What is the main theme of the poem Vocation?

• The poem expresses a child’s longing for freedom and independence.

Long Questions

1. Why does the speaker feel that the hawker’s life is enjoyable?

• The speaker thinks the hawker’s life is enjoyable because he does not have any fixed place to go, no particular time to reach home, and no restrictions on his activities. The hawker freely roams the streets selling bangles, which seems exciting to the child.

2. What fascinates the child about the gardener’s work?

• The child admires the gardener because he is free to work as he likes, getting dirty in the dust and sun without anyone scolding him. Unlike the child, who has to stay clean and follow rules, the gardener enjoys his work without restrictions.

3. How does the speaker describe the watchman’s job?

• The speaker describes the watchman as someone who walks alone in the dark, swinging a lantern, with his shadow following him. The child finds his job adventurous and different from his own routine, as the watchman does not have to sleep at night.

4. What does the speaker crave for in life?

• The speaker craves a life without restrictions, where he can do whatever he likes without being constantly guided or controlled. He envies the freedom of the hawker, gardener, and watchman because they seem to live life on their own terms.

5. Why is the streetlamp compared to a ‘one-red-eyed giant’?

• The streetlamp is described as a ‘one-red-eyed giant’ because it stands tall and glowing in the dark, much like a giant watching over the street. This imagery helps to create a vivid picture of the nighttime scene that the child observes.

6. Does the speaker truly wish to become a hawker, gardener, or watchman?

• The speaker does not truly wish to take up these jobs but is fascinated by the freedom they represent. The poem reflects the child’s innocent longing for independence rather than a real desire to adopt these professions.

7. What message does the poet convey through the poem Vocation?

• The poem conveys the idea that children often desire the freedom they see in others’ lives without realizing the challenges that come with different vocations. It highlights the innocent longing of a child to escape restrictions.

8. How do the child’s desires reflect his lack of understanding of responsibilities?

• The child sees only the freedom in the lives of the hawker, gardener, and watchman but does not understand the difficulties of their jobs. His desires show that he is too young to realize that every profession has its hardships.

9. How does the child’s perspective on life differ from that of adults?

• The child views life in a simplistic manner, focusing only on the freedom of certain professions, while adults understand the responsibilities and struggles involved in every job. This contrast shows the innocence of childhood.

10. Why does the poet use free verse for this poem?

• The poet uses free verse to create a natural flow, similar to a child’s thoughts. The absence of a rigid rhyme scheme mirrors the child’s unrestricted imagination, making the poem feel more personal and expressive.