NEWS BREAK

Max Fatchen
 SUMMARY
• Stanza 1 • The parent is surprised
Now why so loving, that the child has a
darling sudden change of
And why the sudden kiss? behaviour. The child has
become so loving and
You’d help me with some gives the parent a kiss.
little jobs? The child also helps the
For goodness sake, what’s parent with chores
this? around the house. The
parent is bewildered
 Stanza 2

Your face is clean for once, • The parent cannot

dear. believe that the child’s
Your clothes without face is clean and his
crease. clothes are neat
You saved your luncheon without any wrinkles.
money? The child has also saved
his lunch money. The
Will wonders never cease? parent is totally
dumbfounded
 Stanza 3
 No dropping of your
school books,
No shrieking, childish treble.
Today you are a lamb, love,
Where yesterday a rebel.
• The parent is surprised
when the child does not
drop his school books
around the house. The
child also does not
scream and shout. On
that day, the child is as
innocent and gentle as a
lamb which is a sharp
contrast from the day
before where he was
rebellious.
 Stanza 4

But surely you’re some • The parent begins to

stranger,
No rage or hullabaloo
( NOISE )
Come closer, let me look,
dear,
Can this be REALLY you?
wonder if the child is a
stranger. The child does
not show any anger nor
make any noise. The
parents want to have a
clearer look to confirm
the identity of the child
 Stanza 5
Now were you struck by • The parent wonders if
lightning
Or were you stunned at
sport?
Ah… now I see the reason.
You’ve brought your
school report!
lightning has struck the
child or if he was
shocked while playing
sports. However, the
parent finally finds out
the truth about the
child’s improved
behavior. The child has
brought home his
school report.
 ELEMENTS OF THE POEM
• Setting • Persona – a parent who
is puzzled to see the
Place – At home child’s sudden change
of behaviour.
• Tone & Mood • Themes
- Having an ulterior motive
light-hearted and - Disobedience
humorous.
 Moral Value
• .