Literature & Life

Little Boy and the Old Man

Q1) what is the underlying message that is being conveyed in this poem

Answer: The underlying message for this poem is that life goes in a cycle, as a young kid, adults would ignore you as you are just a child, but when you grow into an adult, they would start to treat you with respect. However as you grow old, you become neglected as adults would be too busy to keep them company. Therefore, we should all treat each other with respect in any stage of our life. " what goes around, comes around", if you treat people this way, they would treat you the same way as well.

Q2)Has Shel Silverstein used any particular poetic devices that brings the message more clearly.

Answer: Shel Silverstein used ryhmes in this poem and phrases like " so do I ", I get what you mean" and "I do that too" which brings a point that the old and the young are in the same boat and feels the same way as well.


Messy Room

Q1) Can you say that the poem is humorous? If so how?

Answer: Yes, few phrases like, " i knew it looked familiar" and " you say it is mine?" both are sentences that bring humour to the poem. The dact that he is criticising himself also add to the humour of the poem.

Q2) What aspect of the human character has been highlighted in this poem.

Answer: Huamns tends to be judgemental, the persona has critised the owner of the room but in the end, turns out to be himself.


Cloony The Clown

Q1) Explain the irony in the poem

Answer: When Cloony The Clown tries to be funny, no one laughs but when he trys not to be funny and serious, he is laughed at by many.

Q2) Does Shel Silverson manage to convey some harsh realities in this poem?

Answer: Yes, the fact that the people laughed at Cloony the clown's sad story instead of conforting and emphatising with him is a very harsh reality in life.

Q3) What poetic devices has the poet used to effectively convey his message?

Answer: The poet used ryhmes to make the poem seem lively as it is a poem about a clown, which is supposed to be funny. The poet also uses some repitions of the words like," not funny", " everyone felt sick" and " funny JUST by accident" shows the fact that Cloony has failed as a clown.