Chapter 4.4 – Home Sweet Home
Maharashtra Board Textbook Solutions for Standard Seven
📖 Paraphrase of the Poem
The poem expresses the poet’s deep love and attachment to his simple home. Though he may travel to grand palaces and magnificent places, he feels that no place in the world can compare to his humble home. It holds a magical charm that makes it sacred and special.
Even though his house is just a small thatched cottage, it gives him peace, comfort, and happiness. When he is away from home, he misses the sweet memories of his parents, the singing birds, the fragrance of flowers, and the loving warmth of his family.
The poet longs to return home and hopes that once he returns, he will never have to leave it again.
✨ Meanings
- Mid – amidst
- Charm – something magical
- To hallow – to make holy
- Exile – forced to stay away from home
- Splendour – magnificence
- Thatched cottage – a cottage with a roof covered with straw
- Tread – walk lightly
- Drear – dull and uninteresting
- Woodbine – a climbing plant with pleasant-smelling yellow flowers
- Fragrance – sweet smell
- Caress – a light, loving touch
- Soothe – comfort
- Beguile – tempt
- Solace – comfort
📌 POINTERS
1. Write in Your Own Words
(a) How does the poet glorify his home in the first stanza?
Ans: The poet says that even if he travels to beautiful palaces and pleasure-filled places, there is no place like his home. It may be simple, but it has a magical charm that makes it sacred. He believes that no matter how much one searches, such peace and happiness cannot be found anywhere else.
(b) How does the poet describe his home in the second stanza?
Ans: The poet describes his home as a simple thatched cottage where birds sing sweetly and respond to his call. At home, he finds the peace of mind that he longs for.
(c) What makes the poet remember his mother?
Ans: The sight of the moon in the sky reminds the poet of his mother.
(d) What does the poet miss?
Ans: The poet misses the sweet singing birds, the fragrant woodbine, his father’s loving smile, and his mother’s gentle caress. Above all, he misses his humble thatched cottage.
(e) What does the poet hope for?
Ans: The poet hopes that he will return to his home soon and never have to leave it again.
(f) In which professions is a person forced to stay away from home for a long time? Why is the poet forced to stay away?
Ans: People in professions such as the army, navy, air force, or those who travel frequently for work or studies may have to stay away from home for long periods. The poet is probably forced to stay away from home in search of better job opportunities.
2. Write Out a Few Things You Would Miss About Your Home
Ans: If I were to stay away from home for a long time, I would miss my family the most. I would also miss my comfortable bed, the view from my bedroom window, and the familiar surroundings of my house. The warmth, love, and care that I receive at home would be the hardest to live without.