Class 5 English - GUJARAT

Poetry: Vocation

The chapter 'Vocation' is a beautiful poem included in the Class 5 English syllabus for Gujarat (GSEB) students. Written by the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore, the poem is narrated from the perspective of a young child who observes different workers in his neighborhood—a hawker selling bangles, a gardener digging the ground, and a watchman walking his beat at night. Through innocent eyes, the child wishes he could enjoy the freedom that these adults seem to have, completely unaware of the hard work and duties involved. For board exams, this chapter is important for testing comprehension, stanza interpretation, and understanding the child's perspective.

Start Learning Free

Key Concepts

The Hawker

A person who sells goods by crying out his wares on the street, whom the child watches every morning on his way to school.

The Gardener

A worker who digs the ground and tends to plants, whom the child sees playing with the soil without worrying about getting his clothes dirty.

The Watchman

A night guard carrying a lantern who walks up and down the dark street, whom the child watches from his window before falling asleep.

Childish Innocence

The central theme of the poem where a child romanticizes the freedom of adults, wishing to trade his structured school life for their daily jobs.

Poet's Perspective

Rabindranath Tagore uses simple yet deep imagery to show how children look at the adult world with wonder and curiosity.

Important Formulas

Vocation: A person's employment, profession, or regular occupation.
Hawker: A person who travels about selling goods.
Bangle: A rigid ornament or bracelet worn around the wrist.
Lantern: A lamp with a transparent case protecting it from wind and weather.

Board Exam Info

In the Gujarat (GSEB) Class 5 English examinations, this chapter typically carries around 5 to 8 marks. Common question types include short answer questions based on the child's wishes, extract-based comprehension from the poem's stanzas, matching words with their meanings (like hawker or gardener), and framing sentences using new vocabulary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote the poem 'Vocation'?

The poem 'Vocation' was written by the famous Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Why does the child want to be a hawker?

The child wants to be a hawker because he sees no hurry in the streets and wishes to walk wherever he likes without any fixed path or school timings.

What does the watchman do at night in the poem?

At night, the watchman walks up and down the dark and silent street with his lantern, swinging it and chasing away shadows.

Learn Poetry: Vocation with Your AI Tutor

10 different ways to study this chapter. Free for 3 chapters per day.

Lecture

Key Points

Interactive

Quiz

Flashcards

Start Learning Free

More English Chapters - GUJARAT Class 5