Little Boy Crying Flashcards
Mervyn Morris
What is the central narrative of the poem?
The poem depicts an interaction between a father and his son. The son, punished for playing in the rain, feels hurt and betrayed
What themes are explored in the poem?
The themes include parenting, vulnerability, and childhood experiences. It captures the tension between a parent’s love and discipline and a child’s emotional reaction to punishment.
What mood is established in the poem?
A: The mood is tense, as the father’s internal conflict contrasts with the child’s raw emotions of anger and hurt.
What perspective is used in the poem?
The poem is written from a third-person omniscient perspective, allowing insight into both the father’s and the son’s thoughts and emotions.
What does the line “Your mouth contorting in brief spite and hurt” reveal?
It captures the boy’s emotional response to punishment, showing his pain and an attempt to spite his father through his expressions. The word “contorting” conveys the physical intensity of his reaction.
How does “your laughter metamorphosed into howls” emphasize contrast?
The line shows a sudden emotional shift from happiness to despair. The word “metamorphosed” highlights a complete transformation, symbolizing how quickly joy can turn to pain in a child’s experience.
Why is “your frame so recently relaxed now tight with three year old frustration” significant?
This highlights the stark contrast between the child’s earlier carefree state and his current tension. The phrase “three year old frustration” adds irony, as it juxtaposes the serious emotion of frustration with the small, innocent nature of a child.
What does “your bright eyes swimming tears, splashing your bare feet” suggest?
This hyperbolic imagery emphasizes the intensity of the child’s crying, making his pain seem overwhelming and exaggerated. It reflects the dramatic way children often express their emotions.
What does “you stand there angling for a moment’s hint of guilt or sorrow” show about the boy?
A: It reveals the boy’s longing for empathy or regret from his father. The alliteration in “slap struck” and the monosyllabic phrasing reflect the swift, impactful nature of the punishment
Q: How does the metaphor “The ogre towers above you, that grim giant” reflect the boy’s perception?
: The boy likens his father to a fairytale villain, exaggerating his cruelty. The metaphor “grim giant” and the allusion to Jack and the Beanstalk show the child’s imaginative and exaggerated view of his father’s actions as monstrous.
Q: What is the significance of “You hate him, you imagine chopping clean the tree he’s scrambling down”?
: This illustrates the boy’s anger, as he imagines defeating his father in the same way the giant is defeated in Jack and the Beanstalk. It shows how the child processes pain through vivid, exaggerated fantasies.
How does “You cannot understand, not yet, the hurt your easy tears can scald him with” shift the perspective?
The line introduces the father’s emotions, showing his hidden guilt and pain. The metaphor “scald him” conveys how deeply the father is affected by his son’s tears, even though he hides it.
What does “nor guess the wavering hidden behind that mask” reveal about the father?
A: It highlights the father’s inner conflict. He struggles to balance his love for his son with the need to discipline him, hiding his hesitation behind a facade of firmness.
How does “This fierce man longs to lift you, curb your sadness with piggy-back or bull fight” show contrast?
It juxtaposes the father’s outward fierceness with his inward tenderness and desire to comfort his son. However, he refrains to ensure the lesson is learned, revealing his internal struggle.
What is the purpose of the line “You must not make a plaything of the rain”?
: This final line conveys the father’s rationale for the punishment: teaching his son that playing in the rain could have consequences, such as getting sick. It underscores the father’s protective intentions despite the child’s misinterpretation.
