Class 9 English - ICSE
Prose: The Home-coming
The Home-coming by Rabindranath Tagore is a poignant short story about Phatik Chakravarty, a mischievous village teenager who is sent away to Kolkata by his uncle. Struggling to fit into an urban, unloving household under his aunt's cold gaze, Phatik becomes desperately homesick. The narrative explores themes of alienation, the need for affection, and the tragedy of a child's displacement. For ICSE board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing character analysis, understanding psychological nuances, and answering extract-based comprehension questions that require deep textual interpretation.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Motif of Freedom and Nature
Phatik is introduced as the ringleader of village boys, thriving in the open countryside, which symbolizes his wild, untamed spirit.
Alienation in the City
Moving to Kolkata shifts Phatik from a position of authority among peers to a marginalized, unwanted outsider in his uncle's home.
The Mother-Son Dynamic
Phatik's mother favors her younger son Makhan, creating deep emotional insecurity that fuels Phatik's rebellious behavior before he leaves.
The Cruelty of Neglect
His aunt's open resentment and treating him as an unnecessary nuisance highlight the emotional deprivation faced by displaced children.
Tragic Irony of the Climax
Phatik's final illness and his delirious desire to 'go home' symbolize both a physical return to his village and a metaphysical transition to eternal peace.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the ICSE Class 9 English Literature exam, this prose chapter typically carries around 10 to 15 marks. Questions commonly appear as extract-based comprehension (referring to specific lines of dialogue or narrative), long-answer questions testing character sketches of Phatik or his uncle, and thematic questions about alienation and childhood psychology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Phatik want to leave his village initially?
Phatik did not want to leave initially; he was forced to go to Kolkata by his uncle Bishamber because his mother wanted him to get a proper education away from his mischievous ways.
How does Tagore portray Kolkata compared to the village?
Tagore portrays the village as a space of freedom, nature, and open skies, whereas Kolkata is depicted as a congested, oppressive, and unsympathetic urban prison.
What is the significance of Phatik's last words in the story?
Phatik's delirious last words, 'Mother, the holidays have come,' signify his final escape from worldly suffering and his ultimate journey home in death.
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