Unit 8 Poem Vocation: A Child's Daydreams and Longings (Class 6 English NCERT)

Understanding Rabindranath Tagore's 'Vocation'

Rabindranath Tagore's 'Vocation' is a charming poem that delves into the imaginative world of a child. The poem is written from the first-person perspective of this child, who spends their day observing various people performing their daily jobs. From the hawker selling bangles in the morning to the gardener digging away in the afternoon, and finally to the watchman patrolling the streets at night, the child sees each adult's occupation as an embodiment of ultimate freedom and independence, which they themselves lack.

The core idea revolves around the child's desire to escape the constraints of their own structured life, particularly school and parental supervision. They interpret the actions of these adults as complete liberation, wishing they could be as free as the hawker who can go anywhere, the gardener who can get dirty without scolding, or the watchman who walks alone in the dark. This innocent perception highlights the contrast between the child's longing for freedom and the reality of adult responsibilities, which they are too young to understand fully. The poem uses simple language and vivid imagery to convey these deep, relatable feelings.

Decoding the Poem: A Stanza-by-Stanza Journey

1. Morning: The Hawler — The poem begins in the morning as the child walks to school. They see a hawker crying out "'Bangles, crystal bangles!'" The child imagines the hawker has no fixed path, no set time, and no one to tell them to hurry or come home. This represents the child's desire for freedom of movement and absence of strict rules. The hawker's cries symbolize boundless liberty.
2. Midday: The Gardener — Later, at midday, while sitting at their window, the child sees the gardener digging the ground. The gardener is dirty with soil, works with his spade, and gets no scolding for his muddy clothes. To the child, this seems like pure joy – the freedom to get dirty, to work outdoors, and to do as one pleases, unlike the child who must stay clean and study. The muddy clothes become a symbol of uninhibited play and work.
3. Evening: The Watchman — As night falls, the child observes the watchman walking up and down the street with his lantern. The watchman walks alone in the dark, with no one to disturb his quiet vigil. This appeals to the child's longing for solitary adventures and independence, free from the constant supervision at home. The watchman's solitude and the dark street represent mysterious freedom.
4. The Child's Unfulfilled Desire — In each observation, the child wishes they were the hawker, the gardener, or the watchman. They desire the apparent freedom these vocations offer. The poem cleverly highlights the contrast between the child's innocent perspective of these jobs as sources of boundless freedom and the adult reality of responsibility and hard work that comes with them. This constant yearning underscores the central theme of childhood longing for independence.

Exploring Themes and Poetic Devices

• Theme of Freedom vs. Constraint: The central theme is the child's yearning for freedom from the rules and routines of their life, contrasted with the perceived freedom of adults in various vocations.
• Innocence of Childhood: The child's perspective is innocent and lacks understanding of adult responsibilities. They only see the appealing aspects of each job.
• Power of Imagination: The poem showcases how a child's imagination can transform ordinary observations into grand desires for independence and adventure.
• Repetition: Tagore uses repetition effectively. Phrases like "I wish I were a hawker..." or descriptions of each person's simple actions help emphasize the child's constant longing and the cyclical nature of their daydreams.
• Imagery: Vivid imagery is used to paint pictures: "crystal bangles," "dust on his clothes," "digging with his spade," "lantern swinging." These images make the child's observations come alive.
• Simple Language: The poem uses simple, conversational language, making it accessible and relatable to young readers, mirroring the simplicity of a child's thoughts.

Mastering 'Vocation' Questions: Tips for Success

To excel in answering questions on 'Vocation', remember to always connect your answers back to the child's perspective. The key is understanding why the child desires each vocation – it's always about freedom from rules, restrictions, or supervision. When asked about themes, focus on childhood innocence, the longing for freedom, and the power of imagination. Pay attention to how Tagore uses simple language and vivid descriptions to make the poem engaging. For character questions, remember the central 'character' is the child's imagination and their observations of the hawker, gardener, and watchman, not complex adult personalities. Always support your points with examples or lines directly from the poem.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Why does the child wish to be a hawker? A: Step 1: Recall the stanza where the child observes the hawker. The hawker has no fixed time or place to go. Step 2: Connect this observation to the child's desire. The child is constrained by a school routine and wants the freedom to move about and go anywhere. Final answer: The child wishes to be a hawker because the hawker has no fixed route, no specific time, and no one to order them around. This represents a freedom of movement and absence of rules that the child longs for, as they are restricted by their school schedule.
• Q: What does the child find appealing about the gardener's job? A: Step 1: Think about what the gardener does and how the child perceives it. The gardener digs the ground, gets dirty, and works with a spade. Step 2: Understand why these actions are appealing to the child. The child sees this as an opportunity to get dirty and play without being scolded, which is likely forbidden in their own life. Final answer: The child finds the gardener's job appealing because the gardener can dig the ground, get his clothes dusty and muddy, and seems to work without any restrictions or scolding. This contrasts with the child's own need to stay clean and follow rules, making the gardener's freedom to get dirty very attractive.
• Q: Describe the watchman's activities at night and what attracts the child to them. A: Step 1: Recall the watchman's actions mentioned in the poem. The watchman walks the street alone with his lantern, unhurriedly. Step 2: Explain the child's interpretation of these actions. The child sees this as solitary freedom, being out at night without supervision. Final answer: At night, the watchman walks the street, swinging his lantern, and seems to be alone with no one to question him. The child is attracted to this because it symbolizes a quiet, independent freedom to wander in the dark without being told to go to bed or stay indoors. It's the appeal of solitude and unseen adventure.
• Q: What is the main message or theme of the poem 'Vocation'? A: Step 1: Consider all the child's observations and desires throughout the poem. They constantly wish for the freedom of different adults. Step 2: Generalize these specific desires into a broader theme. It's about a child's yearning for independence and freedom from routine. Final answer: The main message of 'Vocation' is the innocent longing of a child for freedom and independence from the strictures of their daily life. The poem highlights how a child's imagination perceives adult occupations as gateways to boundless liberty, contrasting with their own structured and supervised existence. It beautifully captures the simple yet profound desire for self-determination inherent in childhood.

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