Setting No specific time frame is mentioned, but the child probably just

returned from school

Place At home

Persona

Moral values  Be ready to face consequences.

 Be true to yourself.

 Recognise teenage behaviour.

 Practice two-way communication.

 Do things sincerely.

 Be good to parents.

 Be diligent to manage personal hygiene.

 Admit your weaknesses boldly.

 Having an ulterior motive

Themes  Disobedience

 Parents’ responsibility

 Parents play the role of boundaries setters.

 Creativity has no boundaries

 Parents should always provide support and

guidance to their child.

 Honesty

 Speak from your heart and tell the truth.

Elements of The Poem
PERSONA
1. The speaker is a parent who is puzzled to see the child’s sudden change of
behavior.

TONE & MOOD

1. The tone of the poem is light-hearted and humorous.

2. The reader is filled with curiosity at the beginning of the poem but will most
certainly laugh when they read the last sentence.

POINT OF VIEW
The first person point of view is used.

Place;
At home

SETTING

1. Time : No specific time frame is mentioned although it can be inferred that

the child has just returned home from school.
2. Place : At home

THEMES

1. Parents responsibility
 The child pretends to be good before showing the school report to his mother.
Parents play the role of boundaries setters. Children have to be aware of
certain boundaries thus knowing consequences to their actions. It is good to
change your attitude for the better; however, mere pretending is meaningless.
Being good and pretending to be good are of two different matters. Parents
have to make their children aware of this.
2. Creativity has no boundaries
 The child is indeed creative. In order not to get a scolding from his mother, he
does all sorts of things to please her. Let your child’s creativity flow. However,
the world is too overwhelming for a young child to bloom in his own ways.
Therefore, always be at his or her sides to provide support and guidance.

3. Having an ulterior motive

 The child in the poem is rather sly. He is behaving well for a reason. He has
brought home his report card which may contain bad grades. Since he does
not want to make his parents angry, he tries to win the parent’s heart by being
obedient.

MORAL VALUES

1. We must be aware of the changes in the way people think and act.
2. We must try to behave well at all times and not only on certain circumstances
3. We must be brave to face the consequences of our actions instead of giving
excuses.
4. Parents should try to understand their children if they hide their reasons for
behaving differently.

LITERARY DEVICES
1. Metaphor
 The persona uses metaphor to describe the behaviour of the
child.
 E.g: ‘ Today you are a lamb ‘ signifies innocence and
obedience
‘ Where yesterday a rebel ’ signifies disobedience and
defiance.

2. Symbol
 ‘Your face is clean’ symbolises the child looking sweet and
lovable.

 ‘Your clothes without a crease’ symbolizes the child standing

upright and obediently waiting for his mother.

3. Imagery
 ‘Now why so loving, darling, and why the sudden kiss’ gives the
image of a loving son hugging a very surprised mother.

 ‘no rage or hullabaloo’ gives the image of a noisy crying child

throwing tantrums.

4. Assonance
 Assonance is the repetition of vowel sound in words that are
close to each other.

 E.g: ‘Now why so loving , darling’

5. Alliteration
 Alliteration occurs when a series of words repeat the same
consonants or sounds.
 E.g: ‘ .....clothes without a crease’ , ‘ surely you’re some
stranger’.

6. Hyperbole
 An outrageous exaggeration used for effect.
 E.g: ‘ Now were you struck by lightning ‘ is an
exaggeration of the mother’s feeling with regards to
the reason for the change in his behavior.
 HOTS QUESTION

1. Describe the persona/ parent’s feelings when he/she says “ For goodness sake,

what’s this?” in Stanza 1.

_______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

2. What would the child normally do with his/her luncheon money at school ( Stanza

2)

_______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

3. Give an example of what the child did when the persona / parent says ‘ where

yesterday a rebel’’ ( stanza 3)

_______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

4. Why does the persona /parent feel that the child is a stranger ( stanza 4) ?

_______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

5. What do you think the child would say to his/her parent when he/ she gives the

report?

_______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________
6. Describe your own feelings every time you give your school academic report to

your parents.

7. Do you think examinations are important to students? Give two reasons.

_______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

8. Why parents are concerned about their children’s studies?

_______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

9. Suggest TWO ways students can follow in order to get success in their studies?
_______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

10. What is your future career? Why?

_______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________