12th class Poem " The Toys"
(also known as “My Little Son”)
Written BY
Coventry Patmore
Original Readings
My little Son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes
And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise,
Having my law the seventh time disobey'd,
I struck him, and dismiss'd
With hard words and unkiss'd,
His Mother, who was patient, being dead.
Then, fearing lest his grief should hinder sleep,
I visited his bed,
But found him slumbering deep,
With darken'd eyelids, and their lashes yet
From his late sobbing wet.
And I, with moan,
Kissing away his tears, left others of my own;
For, on a table drawn beside his head.
He had put, within his reach,
A box of counters and a red-vein'd stone,
A piece of glass abraded by the beach
And six or seven shells,
A bottle with bluebells
And two French copper coins, ranged there with careful art,
To comfort his sad heart.
So when that night I pray'd
To God, I wept, and said:
Ah, when at last we lie with tranced breath,
Not vexing Thee in death,
And Thou rememberest of what toys
We made our joys,
How weakly understood
Thy great commanded good,
Then, fatherly not less
Than I whom Thou hast moulded from the clay,
Thou'lt leave Thy wrath, and say,
"I will be sorry for their childishness."
**********************************************
Stanza-1
My little Son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes
And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise,
Having my law the seventh time disobey'd,
I struck him, and dismiss'd
With hard words and unkiss'd,
His Mother, who was patient, being dead.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-1 Line by Line:
1. My little Son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes
➡️ The poet describes his little son who had a serious, thoughtful look in his eyes.
2. And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise,
➡️ He behaved and spoke like a mature person, calm and sensible beyond his years.
3. Having my law the seventh time disobey'd,
➡️ He disobeyed his father’s instruction for the seventh time.
4. I struck him, and dismiss'd
➡️ The father punished him in anger and sent him away.
5. With hard words and unkiss'd,
➡️ He scolded the child harshly and did not give him the usual loving kiss.
6. His Mother, who was patient, being dead.
➡️ His mother had died, and she had always been patient and kind to him.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-1 in a paragraph:
The poet describes his little son, who looked thoughtful and behaved like a mature person. He disobeyed his father’s rule for the seventh time, which made the father angry. The father punished him, spoke to him harshly, and sent him away without affection. The poet sadly mentions that the boy’s mother, who was gentle and patient, had already passed away.
Stanza-2
Then, fearing lest his grief should hinder sleep,
I visited his bed,
But found him slumbering deep,
With darken'd eyelids, and their lashes yet
From his late sobbing wet.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-2 Line by Line:
7. Then, fearing lest his grief should hinder sleep,
➡️ The poet (the father) later felt worried that his son’s sadness might keep him from sleeping.
8. I visited his bed,
➡️ He quietly went to his son’s room to check on him.
9. But found him slumbering deep,
➡️ He found his son already fast asleep.
10. With darken'd eyelids, and their lashes yet
➡️ His closed eyes still looked dark and heavy with tears.
11. From his late sobbing wet.
➡️ His eyelashes were still wet with tears he had shed before sleeping.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-2 in a paragraph:
Later that night, the father began to worry that his son’s sadness might keep him from sleeping. When the poet quietly went to check on the child, he found him sleeping deeply. His eyelashes were still wet from tears, showing that he had cried himself to sleep.
Stanza-3
And I, with moan,
Kissing away his tears, left others of my own;
For, on a table drawn beside his head.
He had put, within his reach,
A box of counters and a red-vein'd stone,
A piece of glass abraded by the beach
And six or seven shells,
A bottle with bluebells
And two French copper coins, ranged there with careful art,
To comfort his sad heart.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-3 Line by Line:
12. And I, with moan,
➡️ The father (the poet) felt deep sorrow in regret and sighed softly.
13. Kissing away his tears, left others of my own;
➡️ He kissed his son’s tears away, but his own tears fell in their place.
14. For, on a table drawn beside his head,
➡️ The poet noticed a small table beside his son’s bed.
15. He had put, within his reach,
➡️ The child had placed a few little things close to his hand.
16. A box of counters and a red-vein’d stone,
➡️ He had kept a box of play counters and a red-striped stone.
17. A piece of glass abraded by the beach
➡️ There was also a piece of glass, worn smooth by the sea waves.
18. And six or seven shells,
➡️ He had kept six or seven seashells.
19. A bottle with bluebells
➡️ A small bottle with bluebell flowers inside was also there.
20. And two French copper coins, ranged there with careful art,
➡️ He had also placed two small copper coins, neatly arranged, showing his care and innocence.
21. To comfort his sad heart.
➡️ These little things were his toys—he kept them close to bring himself comfort and peace.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-3 in a paragraph:
The poet felt deep sorrow in regret and softly kissed away his child’s tears, but in doing so, his own tears fell. The father noticed a table next to his bed, he had placed a few of his little treasures within reach: a box of counters, a stone with red veins, a piece of glass smoothed by the sea, six or seven shells, a bottle filled with bluebell flowers, and two French copper coins, all carefully arranged. These simple objects were kept close to bring comfort to his sad heart.
Stanza-4
So when that night I pray'd
To God, I wept, and said:
Ah, when at last we lie with tranced breath,
Not vexing Thee in death,
And Thou rememberest of what toys
We made our joys,
How weakly understood
Thy great commanded good,
Then, fatherly not less
Than I whom Thou hast moulded from the clay,
Thou'lt leave Thy wrath, and say,
"I will be sorry for their childishness."
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-4 Line by Line:
22. So when that night I pray'd
➡️ The father (the poet) later that night, the poet prayed to God.
23. To God, I wept, and said:
➡️ He cried during his prayer and spoke to God with deep emotion.
24. Ah, when at last we lie with tranced breath,
➡️ He thought about the time when humans die and lie still.
25. Not vexing Thee in death,
➡️ He said that after death, people can no longer trouble or disobey God.
26. And Thou rememberest of what toys
➡️ He asked God to remember how humans are like children who care for small, worldly things (their “toys”).
27. We made our joys,
➡️ Humans find happiness in simple and temporary things, just as children do with their toys.
28. How weakly understood
➡️ Humans never fully understand God’s great purpose.
29. Thy great commanded good,
➡️ People fail to truly follow God’s commands and goodness.
30. Then, fatherly not less
➡️ The poet asks God to be as loving and forgiving as a father.
31. Than I whom Thou hast moulded from the clay,
➡️ He reminds God that He created man from the earth (clay), so He should show mercy and compassion.
32. Thou'lt leave Thy wrath, and say,
➡️ He hopes that God will forgive humanity and not remain angry.
33. "I will be sorry for their childishness."
➡️ The poet imagines God saying, “I pity them for their childish behaviour,” just as a loving father forgives his child’s mistakes.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-4 in a paragraph:
The poet says that when he prayed to God that night, he cried and felt deeply moved. He prayed that when humans die and can no longer trouble God with their sins, God will remember how small and childish our joys were on earth. The father realizes that people are like children before God—weak and foolish. He prays that God, being a loving Father who created man from clay, You will put aside Your anger and say, "I will forgive them for their childish mistakes."
The Summary of the poem “The Toys” written by Coventry Patmore
1. The poem “The Toys” (also known as “My Little Son”) by Coventry Patmore expresses a father’s deep love, regret, and realization after punishing his little boy. The father scolds and strikes his son for disobeying him several times, but later feels guilty and goes to see him. He finds the child asleep, his eyelashes still wet with tears. Beside the bed, the boy has placed his small toys and treasures —shells, coins, and flowers—to comfort himself. This innocent act touches the father’s heart deeply, filling him with sorrow and tenderness. He kisses away his child’s tears and sheds his own in repentance. That night, he prays to God, realizing that human beings are like children before their Creator. The poet hopes that God, as a loving Father, will forgive people for their small and childish faults just as a kind parent forgives his child.
2. In the poem *"The Toys"* by Coventry Patmore, the speaker recounts a moment when he harshly scolded and struck his young son for disobeying him. Later, feeling regret and concern, the father visits his son's room and finds him asleep, with his eyes still wet from crying. By his bedside, the boy had carefully arranged simple toys and treasures to comfort himself. This deeply moves the father, who then prays to God, asking for forgiveness for human flaws and recognizing how, like a loving father, God may also forgive us for our childish mistakes and misunderstandings.
The central idea of the Poem “The Toys” written by Coventry Patmore
1. The central idea of the poem “My Little Son” or “The Toys” is the deep bond of love, forgiveness, and understanding between a father and his child. The poet shows how a father’s anger soon turns into regret when he realizes the innocence of his son. This experience makes the father understand that all human beings are like children before God — weak, emotional, and imperfect. Just as a loving father forgives his child’s mistakes, God too forgives the faults of mankind with kindness and mercy. The poem beautifully teaches the values of love, patience, and divine forgiveness.
2. The central idea of the poem “The Toys” is the deep bond of love, forgiveness, and understanding between a father and his child. The poet beautifully presents the emotions of a father who, after punishing his son for disobedience, feels deep regret when he realizes the child’s innocence and purity. His anger soon turns into sorrow and compassion as he sees his little boy asleep with tear-stained eyes and small toys beside his bed. This touching scene makes the father realize that all human beings are like children before God — weak, emotional, and imperfect. Just as a loving father forgives his child’s mistakes with tenderness, God too forgives the faults of mankind with kindness and mercy. The poem carries a universal message of love, patience, and divine forgiveness, reminding us that true affection always leads to understanding and compassion.
The central idea of Coventry Patmore's poem "The Toys" revolves around the themes of parental love, regret, and forgiveness. The speaker, a father, recounts an episode where he scolded and punished his young son for disobedience. Later, filled with guilt and sorrow, he checks on the child and finds him asleep, surrounded by small, innocent objects that bring him comfort. This sight moves the father to tears, realizing how harsh he had been over something so trivial. The poem then transitions to a spiritual reflection, as the father prays to God, hoping that in death, God will forgive humanity’s mistakes and weaknesses, much like a parent forgives a child’s innocent errors. The poem draws a parallel between human frailty (weakliness) and divine mercy.
Poetic Devices in of the poem “The Toys” or “My Little Son” by Coventry Patmore
1. Imagery:
Patmore uses vivid descriptions to appeal to the reader’s senses, helping us picture the child and his toys.
Example:
“six sweet hours we play’d together” creates a peaceful image of father and son bonding.
Patmore uses vivid descriptions to appeal to the reader’s senses, helping us picture the child and his toys.
Example:
“six sweet hours we play’d together” creates a peaceful image of father and son bonding.
2. Symbolism:
The child’s toys symbolize human weaknesses and distractions—small faults that God forgives.
The father’s forgiveness symbolizes divine mercy.
The child’s toys symbolize human weaknesses and distractions—small faults that God forgives.
The father’s forgiveness symbolizes divine mercy.
3. Simile:
Comparisons using like or as.
Example:
Comparisons using like or as.
Example:
The father compares his son’s tears and sadness to the condition of humanity before God (implied through comparison; some editions include “like ours”).
4. Metaphor
The entire poem can be read as an extended metaphor:
The poem heavily uses emotion to create sympathy:
The entire poem can be read as an extended metaphor:
- The father represents God,
- The child represents human beings,
- The toys represent our trivial faults and failings.
The poem heavily uses emotion to create sympathy:
- The child crying himself to sleep
- The father feeling regret
- The final reflection on God’s mercy
6. Alliteration
Repetition of consonant sounds.
Examples:
Repetition of consonant sounds.
Examples:
- “my little son”
- “softly on the bed he lay”
7. Repetition
Words and phrases describing the child’s small faults and toys are repeated to emphasize innocence and tenderness.
Words and phrases describing the child’s small faults and toys are repeated to emphasize innocence and tenderness.
8. Tone
The tone shifts from irritation, to regret, to deep spiritual reflection.
This creates emotional depth and shows the father’s inner transformation.
This creates emotional depth and shows the father’s inner transformation.
9. Contrast
Patmore contrasts:
Patmore contrasts:
- the father’s initial anger vs. later remorse
- the child’s innocence vs. the father’s harshness
- human judgment vs. divine mercy
10. Enjambment
Lines flow into the next without a pause, mimicking natural speech and emotional overflow.
Example (varies by edition):
“But when I looked he was asleep,
And I, with moan…”
Lines flow into the next without a pause, mimicking natural speech and emotional overflow.
Example (varies by edition):
“But when I looked he was asleep,
And I, with moan…”
11. Biblical Allusion
The father’s reflection on God forgiving “seventy times seven” refers to Christ’s teaching of limitless forgiveness.
This deepens the spiritual theme.
The father’s reflection on God forgiving “seventy times seven” refers to Christ’s teaching of limitless forgiveness.
This deepens the spiritual theme.
Summary
Patmore’s poem uses imagery, symbolism, metaphor, tone shifts, and emotional appeal to explore: parental love, human weakness, and God’s infinite mercy.
Patmore’s poem uses imagery, symbolism, metaphor, tone shifts, and emotional appeal to explore: parental love, human weakness, and God’s infinite mercy.
Short Questions and Answers of the poem “The Toys” or “My Little Son” by Coventry Patmore:
Q1. Who is the poet of the poem “My Little Son” or “The Toys”?
Ans. The poem “The Toys” is written by Coventry Patmore.
Q2. Why did the father punish his son?
Ans. The father punished his son because he had disobeyed him several times.
Q3. How did the father feel after punishing his son?
Ans. The father felt guilty, sad, and full of regret after punishing his little son.
Q4. What did the father see beside his son’s bed?
Ans. He saw the boy’s small treasures—shells, a red stone, flowers, and coins—placed neatly beside his bed to comfort himself.
Q5. What did the father realize after seeing his sleeping son?
Ans. The father realized the innocence and purity of his child and felt sorry for being harsh.
Q6. What lesson does the poem teach us?
Ans. The poem teaches us the values of love, forgiveness, patience, and divine mercy.
Long Questions and Answers of the poem “The Toys” or “My Little Son” by Coventry Patmore:
Q1. Describe the feelings of the father after he punished his little son.
Ans. After punishing his son for disobedience, the father felt deep regret and sorrow. When he went to check on his son, he found him sleeping with tears still on his face. He noticed the child’s small treasures beside the bed, which showed his innocence and tender heart. This made the father realize his mistake and filled him with love and guilt. The moment reminded him that all humans are like children before God—weak and imperfect—and that forgiveness and kindness are greater than anger.Q2. What message does the poem “My Little Son” or “The Toys” convey?
Ans. The poem conveys a strong message of love, forgiveness, and divine understanding. It shows how a father’s harshness turns into compassion when he realizes his son’s innocence. Through this experience, the poet learns that human beings, like children, make mistakes and need forgiveness. Just as a loving father forgives his child, God also forgives mankind for their childish faults. The poem inspires us to be kind, patient, and understanding in our relationships.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) of the poem “The Toys” or “My Little Son” by Coventry Patmore:
1. Who wrote the poem “My Little Son”?
A) William Wordsworth
B) Coventry Patmore
C) Robert Frost
D) Alfred Tennyson
✅ Answer: B) Coventry Patmore
2. What was the reason for the father’s anger?
A) The child was crying
B) The child disobeyed him
C) The child broke a toy
D) The child was sleeping late
✅ Answer: B) The child disobeyed him
3. What did the father find beside his son’s bed?
A) Books and clothes
B) Toys and small treasures
C) Food and water
D) Flowers and a note
✅ Answer: B) Toys and small treasures
4. What emotion replaced the father’s anger?
A) Joy
B) Pride
C) Regret and love
D) Fear
✅ Answer: C) Regret and love
5. What does the father compare human beings to?
A) Angels
B) Kings
C) Children before God
D) Teachers
✅ Answer: C) Children before God
6. What is the main theme of the poem?
A) Obedience and punishment
B) Love and forgiveness
C) Power and pride
D) Wealth and beauty
✅ Answer: B) Love and forgiveness
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