Class 5 English - UP
Poetry: Vocation
The chapter 'Vocation' is a beautiful poem included in the Class 5 English syllabus for Uttar Pradesh (UPMSP) students. Written by Rabindranath Tagore, the poem is narrated from the perspective of a young child who watches everyday workers—a hawker, a gardener, and a watchman—and wishes he could trade places with them. He wants the freedom to go wherever he likes, dig in the dirt without getting scolded, and walk the dark streets at night. This chapter matters for board exams as it helps students understand the innocence of childhood, express desires creatively, and improve their reading comprehension.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Hawker
A person who travels from street to street selling goods like bangles or toys. In the poem, the child is fascinated by the hawker's carefree life.
Gardener
A person who looks after plants and digs the earth. The child wants to be a gardener so he can get his clothes soiled with mud without anyone stopping him.
Watchman
A person who guards the streets at night with a lantern. The child imagines the excitement of walking the lonely streets while the whole town sleeps.
Vocation
A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation, or simply the daily work that people do to earn a living.
Childhood Imagination
The natural tendency of children to admire adult freedom and dream of doing different jobs without realizing the hard work involved.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Uttar Pradesh (UPMSP) Class 5 English examinations, this chapter typically carries around 5 to 8 marks. Common question types include word meanings, reference-to-context questions based on stanza lines, short answer questions about the child's wishes, and matching activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the poet of the poem Vocation?
The poem 'Vocation' was written by the famous Indian poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Why does the child want to be a hawker?
The child wants to be a hawker because there is no fixed road he must take, no place he must go to, and no time when he must return home.
What does the child want to do at night like the watchman?
The child wants to walk the dark and lonely streets with his lantern, chasing shadows with his red light, while the whole world is asleep.
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