PSEB Class 12 Poem 4 Once upon a Time Important Question Answers from A Rainbow of English book
PSEB Class 12 English Once upon a Time Question Answers – Looking for questions and answers for PSEB Class 12 A Rainbow of English Book Poem 4 Once upon a Time? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 12 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Poem 4 Once upon a Time now. The questions listed below are based on the latest PSEB exam pattern. All the Questions Answers given at the back of the lesson have also been covered.
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PSEB Class 12 English Poem 4 Once upon a Time Textbook Questions
1. Give the central idea of the poem.
Ans. The central idea of the poem is the poet’s lament over the loss of innocence and sincerity in adulthood. He contrasts the honest behavior of childhood with the hypocritical actions of grown-ups. As people age, they adopt false smiles, fake handshakes, and dishonest words to conform to social expectations. The poet expresses his desire to unlearn these artificial habits and return to the natural, genuine way of living that he experienced as a child. The poem highlights how society forces people to hide their true emotions and be insincere.
2. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow:
And I have learned too
to laugh with only my teeth
and shake hands without my heart.
I have also learned to say, ‘Goodbye”,
when I mean ‘Good-riddance’:
to say ‘Glad to meet you’,
without being glad; and to say ‘It’s been
nice talking to you’, after being bored.
(a) Who is the speaker in the poem?
Ans. The speaker in the poem is an adult, who is addressing his son.
(b) What has the poet learnt to do with his feelings?
Ans. The poet has learnt to hide his true feelings. He pretends to be polite and cheerful by laughing with only his teeth and shaking hands without his heart.
(c) What is the meaning of ‘laughing with only my teeth’?
Ans. ‘Laughing with only my teeth’ means smiling or laughing in a mechanical way without genuine happiness, just showing the teeth while lacking true joy.
(d) What kind of life is the poet living?
Ans. The poet is living a hypocritical, artificial life, conforming to social conventions while suppressing his true emotions.
3. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow:
But believe me, son.
I want to be what I used to be
when I was like you. I want
to unlearn all these muting things.
Most of all, I want to relearn
how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror
shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs!
(a) Whom is the poet talking to?
Ans. The poet is talking to his son.
(b) What are the things the poet wants to unlearn?
Ans. The poet wants to unlearn hypocrisy, false smiles, insincere handshakes, and dishonest words.
(c) What does the poet compare his own laugh to?
Ans. The poet compares his laugh to a snake’s bare fangs, showing that it is cold and threatening rather than warm and genuine.
(d) Write the significance of the title, ‘Once Upon a Time’.
Ans. The title ‘Once Upon a Time’ reflects nostalgia for a past era of innocence and honesty. It refers to the time when people were genuine, laughing and interacting with sincerity, before becoming conformist and hypocritical in adulthood.
PSEB Class 12 English Poem 4 Once Upon A Time Extra Question and Answers
Extract-Based Questions
A. “Once upon a time, son,
they used to laugh with their hearts
and laugh with their eyes:
but now they only laugh with their teeth,
while their ice-block-cold eyes
search behind my shadow.”
Q1. Who is the poet addressing in this extract?
Ans. The poet is addressing his son in this extract.
Q2. What does the poet mean by “laugh with their hearts and eyes”?
Ans. The poet means that people used to laugh sincerely and genuinely, expressing true happiness through both their words and their eyes.
Q3. What does the phrase “laugh with their teeth” imply?
Ans. It implies that people now laugh in a superficial, fake manner, showing their teeth without any real joy or emotion.
Q4. Why are the eyes described as “ice-block-cold”?
Ans. The poet describes eyes as “ice-block-cold” to show that people have become cold,
detached, and insincere in their expressions.
Q5. What is the poet trying to convey through “search behind my shadow”?
Ans. The poet suggests that people no longer trust him and look for hidden motives or weaknesses behind his actions.
B. “There was a time indeed
they used to shake hands with their hearts:
but that’s gone, son.
Now they shake hands without hearts
while their left hands search
my empty pockets.”
Q1. What does “shake hands with their hearts” mean?
Ans. “Shake hands with their hearts” means that people used to greet each other with genuine warmth and sincerity.
Q2. What has changed according to the poet?
Ans. According to the poet, now people shake hands in a hypocritical and insincere manner, without genuine feelings.
Q3. Why does the poet mention “their left hands search my empty pockets”?
Ans. The poet implies that people are now dishonest and selfish, shaking hands while trying to see if they can exploit him.
Q4. What emotion does the poet express in this stanza?
Ans. The poet expresses sadness, disappointment, and disillusionment at the hypocrisy and dishonesty of adults.
Q5. Who does the poet refer to as “they”?
Ans. The poet refers to grown-ups or adults as “they.”
C. “’Feel at home!’ ‘Come again’:
they say, and when I come
again and feel
at home, once, twice,
there will be no thrice-
for then I find doors shut on me.”
Q1. What is the significance of the phrases “Feel at home!” and “Come again”?
Ans. These phrases are empty formalities; people say them politely but do not mean them sincerely.
Q2. How does the poet feel when he comes again?
Ans. The poet feels deceived and unwelcome because on repeated visits, he finds that the people have shut their doors on him.
Q3. What does “once, twice, there will be no thrice” imply?
Ans. It implies that while initially the poet is welcomed, after repeated attempts, people no longer want his presence.
Q4. What is the poet’s criticism in this stanza?
Ans. The poet criticizes the hypocrisy and insincerity of people who pretend to be welcoming but are actually unwelcoming.
Q5. Which theme of the poem is highlighted in this extract?
Ans. The theme of hypocrisy and the loss of genuine relationships is highlighted in this extract.
D. “But believe me, son.
I want to be what I used to be
when I was like you. I want
to unlearn all these muting things.
Most of all, I want to relearn
how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror
shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs!”
Q1. What does the poet wish to do according to this extract?
Ans. The poet wishes to return to his innocent and genuine self, like he was in his youth.
Q2. What are the “muting things”?
Ans. “Muting things” refers to the insincerity, hypocrisy, and false social behaviors that have suppressed his true self.
Q3. Why does the poet compare his smile to “a snake’s bare fangs”?
Ans. The poet compares his smile to a snake’s fangs to emphasize that his smile is now cold, threatening, and fake, not a sign of genuine happiness.
Q4. What is the significance of addressing the son in this extract?
Ans. The poet addresses his son to highlight a generational contrast: the son represents innocence and honesty, and the poet seeks guidance from him.
Q5. What is the overall message of this extract?
Ans. The overall message is the poet’s deep desire to unlearn hypocrisy and relearn sincerity, particularly how to laugh and smile genuinely, like in his childhood.
Multiple-Choice Questions
Q1. Who is the speaker in the poem addressing?
A. His father
B. His son
C. A friend
D. The general public
Ans: B. His son
Q2. What does the poet say about laughter in the past?
A. People used to laugh with their teeth
B. People used to laugh with their hearts and eyes
C. People never used to laugh
D. People laughed insincerely
Ans: B. People used to laugh with their hearts and eyes
Q3. How does the poet describe the present laughter of people?
A. Full of joy
B. Laughing with their teeth only
C. Loud and hearty
D. Accompanied by tears
Ans: B. Laughing with their teeth only
Q4. What do the ‘ice-block-cold eyes’ symbolize?
A. Kindness
B. Indifference and suspicion
C. Joy
D. Compassion
Ans: B. Indifference and suspicion
Q5. What has changed in people’s handshakes, according to the poet?
A. They now shake hands with warmth
B. They shake hands without their hearts
C. They don’t shake hands anymore
D. They shake hands with great joy
Ans: B. They shake hands without their hearts
Q6. What does the poet suggest people search for in his empty pockets?
A. Money
B. Kindness
C. Truth
D. Sympathy
Ans: A. Money
Q7. What does the phrase “Feel at home! Come again” imply in the poem?
A. Genuine hospitality
B. Formal politeness hides dishonesty
C. A promise of friendship
D. An invitation to stay forever
Ans: B. Formal politeness hides dishonesty
Q8. How does the poet feel when he returns a second time?
A. Welcomed
B. Rejected
C. Indifferent
D. Loved
Ans: B. Rejected
Q9. What does the poet mean by “I have learned many things, son”?
A. He has gained useful knowledge
B. He has learned hypocrisy and pretence
C. He has learned to cook
D. He has learned to study hard
Ans: B. He has learned hypocrisy and pretence
Q10. What are ‘homeface’, ‘officeface’, and ‘cocktailface’ examples of?
A. Different types of smiles
B. Various types of masks or pretenses
C. Different types of homes
D. Types of hats
Ans: B. Various types of masks or pretenses
Q11. What does the poet compare his fake smile to?
A. A beautiful flower
B. A fixed portrait smile
C. Bright sunshine
D. A gentle wave
Ans: B. A fixed portrait smile
Q12. According to the poet, what is the meaning of saying “Goodbye”?
A. Farewell with affection
B. Sincere parting words
C. To mask real feelings of relief
D. To express sorrow
Ans: C. To mask real feelings of relief
Q13. What is the poet’s wish expressed in the latter part of the poem?
A. To earn more money
B. To become a successful person
C. To unlearn hypocrisy and relearn genuine laughter
D. To be famous
Ans: C. To unlearn hypocrisy and relearn genuine laughter
Q14. How does the poet describe his reflection when he laughs now?
A. As joyful
B. Like a child’s innocent smile
C. Like a snake’s bare fangs
D. As sad and tearful
Ans: C. Like a snake’s bare fangs
Q15. What does the poet long to recover?
A. His childhood innocence and spontaneous laughter
B. His wealth
C. His job
D. His home
Ans: A. His childhood innocence and spontaneous laughter
Q16. Why does the poet ask his son to show him how to laugh?
A. Because the son is a great comedian
B. Because the son has retained innocence and genuine happiness
C. Because the poet forgot how to laugh
D. Because the son taught him new jokes
Ans: B. Because the son has retained innocence and genuine happiness
Q17. What is the central theme of the poem?
A. The importance of wealth
B. The contrast between childhood innocence and adult hypocrisy
C. The beauty of nature
D. The power of education
Ans: B. The contrast between childhood innocence and adult hypocrisy
Q18. The poet’s tone in the poem is mostly:
A. Joyful and hopeful
B. Sad and reflective
C. Angry and aggressive
D. Indifferent and casual
Ans: B. Sad and reflective
Q19. The expression ‘muting things’ refers to:
A. Silence in the home
B. Suppression of genuine feelings and expressions
C. Loss of hearing
D. Learning to be quiet in public
Ans: B. Suppression of genuine feelings and expressions
Q20. The overall message of the poem is:
A. Adults should teach children to be more responsible
B. People must return to honesty and genuine emotions instead of adopting pretence
C. Life is unfair
D. Education is the key to success
Ans: B. People must return to honesty and genuine emotions instead of adopting pretence
True or False
State whether the following are true or false-
1. The poet addresses his father in the poem.
2. The poet talks about how people used to laugh with their hearts and eyes in the past.
3. Now people laugh genuinely with their hearts and eyes.
4. The poet mentions that people now shake hands without sincerity.
5. The poet has learned to wear many faces for different occasions.
6. The poet feels proud of the way he has adapted to society.
7. The poet wants to relearn how to laugh like he used to in his childhood.
8. The poet compares his fake smile to a snake’s fangs.
9. The poet asks his son to show him how to be dishonest.
10. The overall theme of the poem is about the hypocrisy of adults.
Answers-
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. True
8. True
9. False
10. True
Fill in the blanks
1. The poet addresses his __________ in the poem.
2. People used to laugh with their __________ and eyes.
3. Now they laugh with their __________.
4. Their eyes are described as __________.
5. In the past, people used to shake hands with their __________.
6. The poet has learned to wear many __________.
7. The conforming smiles are compared to a __________ smile.
8. The poet says his laugh in the mirror shows only his __________.
9. The poet wants to __________ all the muting things.
10. The poet’s desire is to go back to the time when he was like his __________.
Answers-
1. son
2. hearts
3. teeth
4. ice-block-cold
5. hearts
6. faces
7. fixed portrait
8. teeth like a snake’s bare fangs
9. unlearn
10. son
Extra Questions
Answer the following questions-
Q1. Why does the poet feel disillusioned with adult behavior?
Ans. The poet feels disappointed with adult behavior because people have become insincere in their interactions. As a child, he used to experience genuine emotions, people smiled from their hearts, laughed freely, and showed true warmth. However, as they grew older, adults began to conform to societal expectations, pretending to be polite while hiding selfish motives. The poet is saddened by how handshakes are no longer gestures of trust but ways to search for personal gain, and smiles no longer reflect joy. He feels that adulthood has robbed people of their innocence and authenticity, making life artificial and hollow.
Q2. How does the poet describe people’s laughter in the poem?
Ans. The poet describes a major change in how people laugh. In the past, people used to laugh with their hearts and eyes, which symbolized sincerity and genuine happiness. However, as they grew older, their laughter became fake. Now, they laugh only with their teeth, showing a mechanical smile that hides their true emotions. Their eyes have become cold, described as “ice-block-cold,” and search for something behind the poet’s shadow. This reflects how social conventions have forced people to suppress their genuine emotions, replacing them with superficial behavior that is dishonest and artificial.
Q3. Why does the poet say people now shake hands without their hearts?
Ans. The poet explains that shaking hands now has become a social ritual without any meaning. In the past, a handshake was a gesture of warmth, trust, and genuine friendship. However, in present times, it has become merely a formal act without any real feeling. The poet highlights that while people shake hands outwardly, their left hands search the poet’s empty pockets, indicating hidden selfish motives and mistrust. This symbolizes the hypocrisy of modern society, where appearances matter more than true emotions.
Q4. What are the “many faces” that the poet refers to?
Ans. The “many faces” that the poet refers to symbolize the different roles or masks people wear to conform to social expectations. These include home-face, office-face, street-face, host-face, and cocktail-face. Each face represents a particular way of behaving in a specific situation, smiling politely, shaking hands formally, and hiding one’s true emotions. The poet’s use of this metaphor illustrates how people have become adept at pretending, adapting their expressions and behavior to fit different contexts, even though these expressions are inauthentic. The faces reflect the poet’s disappointment at losing genuine emotions and adopting these false social conventions.
Q5. How does the poet feel about his transformation into adulthood?
Ans. The poet feels deep regret and sadness about his transformation into adulthood. He describes how he has learned to smile without warmth, say goodbye without meaning it, and shake hands without sincerity. This change has made him feel like a stranger to his own emotions. He compares his fake smile in the mirror to “a snake’s bare fangs,” highlighting his sense of alienation. Rather than feeling proud of adapting to societal expectations, he longs to unlearn these false behaviors. His desire is to return to the innocent, spontaneous person he once was, a person who laughed freely and genuinely, without pretension.
Q6. What is the significance of the ‘ice-block-cold eyes’ in the poem?
Ans. The phrase “ice-block-cold eyes” is significant as it symbolizes the lack of warmth, trust, and genuine emotion in adult interactions. The poet uses this metaphor to show how people’s eyes, once expressive and full of life, have become cold and calculating. Now, they do not reflect joy or kindness but instead search behind the poet’s shadow, suggesting suspicion and greed. This coldness represents the way adults have become distant and unfeeling, hiding their true intentions behind polite words and fake smiles. It contrasts sharply with the openness and sincerity of childhood, emphasizing the poet’s disillusionment with adulthood.
Q7. Why does the poet wish to unlearn the ‘muting things’?
Ans. The poet wishes to unlearn the “muting things” because they have silenced his true self. These are the artificial behaviors and social masks people adopt to conform to expectations, suppressing their natural emotions. Smiling without happiness, shaking hands without trust, and expressing false pleasantries have all made life inauthentic. The poet feels that these “muting things” have robbed him of his innocence, spontaneity, and the ability to express genuine joy or grief. He wants to rediscover the simplicity of childhood when emotions were freely expressed. His desire is to live with sincerity, truthfulness, and the ability to laugh naturally.
Q8. How does the poet compare his false smile in the mirror?
Ans. The poet compares his false smile in the mirror to a snake’s bare fangs. This powerful image emphasizes the frightening and ugly nature of his mechanical, insincere smile. Unlike a warm, genuine smile that reflects happiness and kindness, his fake smile appears menacing and cold. The comparison suggests that his smile is deceptive and dangerous, much like a snake’s fangs that hide harmful intent behind a calm appearance. This metaphor reveals the poet’s disgust at his own loss of innocence and authenticity, and how adulthood has turned him into someone he no longer recognizes.
Q9. What message does the poet want to convey to his son?
Ans. The poet conveys a message of longing and hope to his son. He wants to learn from his son how to laugh, smile, and be genuine once again. The poet believes that his son still retains the innocence and sincerity of childhood, unaffected by social hypocrisy. By addressing his son directly, the poet emphasizes a desire to reconnect with his former self and escape the false pretenses of adult life.
Q10. How is childhood depicted in the poem?
Ans. Childhood in the poem is depicted as a time of happiness, innocence, and genuine emotions. The poet looks back nostalgically to a time when people laughed with their hearts and eyes, and greeted one another with true warmth. Childhood symbolizes freedom from hypocrisy and the burden of social norms. The poet contrasts this with adulthood, where interactions have become mechanical, polite but hollow, and motivated by selfishness. He views his own childhood as a time of spontaneous joy and trust, where relationships were honest and emotions were freely expressed. Childhood becomes a symbol of what has been lost and what he wishes to regain.