Shel Silverstein Poem Analysis 13

Whatif

By Shel Silverstein

The “Whatif” poem is the very image of the human nature which cannot stop from wondering about the infinite things that might happen. Man has always asked himself millions of questions and that is why it has somehow evolved. But what makes this poem truly amazing is the way questions are seen as small creatures that come inside one’s ear and party all night long.

The poet’s mind is flooded by all kinds of questions but this does certainly not stop him from amusement which makes the attitude to be a positive one. The questions are sometimes hilarious and sometimes serious and all this alternation points out once again how moody and complex and difficult to understand we, people, are.

And after such an endless stream of questions one might expect that things will come to end yet, in an unexpected way we are told that just when things seem to be well, “the nighttime Whatifs strike again!”

I find the poem entertaining and full of wisdom at the same time. That is why I believe it should be read by everyone who wants to be reminded that human nature is complex and in a constant search for answers.

Shel Silverstein Poem Analysis 12

Where the Sidewalk Ends

By Shel Silverstein

The entire poem can be seen as the presentation of the passage from life towards death. The sidewalk represents the happiness, the joy and plenitude of life whereas the street may mark the very end. Life is a miracle itself and has to be cherished with all its fabulous things.

The chalk-white arrows are the guidelines that we follow in life, although “we shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow” to that exact place where, unfortunately the sidewalk ends.

Despite the fact that the poem is talking about our journey through life which will sooner or later end up in death, the poet’s tone is a rather peaceful one as this is how things go and we can only learn how to best benefit from them and lead a happy, full life.

I recommend this well-known poem to everyone as it reminds us all what a great thing life is and how much beauty there is in the world.

Shel Silverstein Poem Analysis 11

The Unicorn

By Shel Silverstein

When reading the poem for the first time I felt like reading pages from the Bible but in rhyming verses. It tells us why unicorns are no longer to be found among the animals we all know today: crocodiles, geese, chimpanzees, camels, “catsandratsandelephants”. It is a very sad story but with a moral.

The poet’s tone is sad but using the words “oh them silly Unicorn” it is obvious that he blames them for their own disappearance. Not listening to warnings and behaving irresponsibly and childish can have dramatic consequences.

I do recommend this poem to children and not only as it is really important to listen carefully when you are warned about something and always take things seriously.

Shel Silverstein Poem Analysis 10

The Meehoo with an Exactlywatt

By Shel Silverstein

At a first sight, the poem might seem confusing but as we try to discover its deeper meaning, we notice the intricate yet common choice of words and phrases. It looks like an ordinary conversation between two close friends wanting to have fun, but it goes on in the most unexpected and interesting way.

The poet is clearly stating his intention to entertain his readers; he’s witted and amusing and keeps on building up his “joke”.

In the end we suddenly realize that the dialogue goes on in the very same way it started, just like a circle: “Knock knock! (…)

                                         Knock knock...”

The playful and witted tone of the poem makes it recommends itself to those who do “taste” and appreciate a remarkable sample of smart humor.  

Shel Silverstein Poem Analysis 9

The Loser

By Shel Silverstein

Although the title is not a very nice one, the poem is a very deep one, despite the simplicity of its lines and its words. It can be read as a warning to what might happen if you do not listen to your mama. Losing your head, for example, will trigger the loss of your ears and mouth and brains and you might find yourself in a terrible situation.

But the solution that the poet offers for such incidents is both hilarious and wise at the same time. Whenever you find yourself in such a situation, there is nothing better to be done but “sit down …and rest for just a minute...”

The attitude is positive and optimistic as it encourages you stop for a minute and figure out a solution instead of worrying and becoming desperate.

I strongly recommend the poem to all those people who panic easily and think that sometimes there is no way out to a problem. But probably once they read this meaningful poem they’ll understand how good it is to take your time and think things through.

Shel Silverstein Poem Analysis 8

The Boa Constrictor Song

By Shel Silverstein

 “The Boa Constrictor” poem or better said song is extremely surprising. It may not sound like a song/poem for children as it depicts a rather scary scene: a man being eaten alive by a snake. To some kids, especially those who are really afraid of snakes, it may not seem attractive or amusing at all, but things are said in such an unexpected and hilarious way that you can no longer feel scared.

The scene is growing step by step, the man being eaten first up to his toe, then up to his knee, then up to his middle, his chest, his neck until he gets completely “swallered”. The attitude is quite an optimistic one as, despite the unfortunate incident, the poet is presenting everything in an entertaining, funny light.

The ending of the poem is what truly makes it funny as it simply shows the boa constrictor snake burping after such a delicious and satisfying meal.

Everyone should try and read this poem as it is something different from any poem for children I have read. The nicest thing about it is that it leaves it to the reader to actually interpret its meaning, allowing endless ways of interpretation and encourages us to see the bright and funny side of even such unhappy stories.

Shel Silverstein Poem Analysis 7

Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too

By Shel Silverstein

The very first moment you read the poem it floods you with its funny and easy rhyming. But although it is at first perceived as a “story” for children, its lines hide a deeper message: everything is possible, as long as you are willing to give it a try.

The three lively characters somehow make you envy them for their great adventure and the feeling of joy and excitement floods the entire poem (“Hooray!", "What fun!"). The whole depiction is vivid and literally loud.

Despite this joy and happiness we are told in the end that Ickle Me, Pickle Me and Tickle Me went up so high in their flying shoe that nobody knows where they are now and what has happened to them.

The entire poem is to be seen as an encouragement to let your imagination free and allow yourself to always try out new experiences, no matter how they may end. I strongly recommend this poem to all the people who need to be reminded that life has to be filled with excitement, joy and constant adventures.

Shel Silverstein Poem Analysis 6

Hug O'War

By Shel Silverstein

This is an amazing poem which despite its simplicity and rather childish rhyming manages to send its deep and strong message across: be loving and caring, not warriors.

It instantly reminds us how important it is to avoid fighting and battles and be more affectionate as love is the key to a happy, peaceful life. Sometimes it takes so little to turn bad ugly things into gestures that prove our kindness and warmth.

The attitude of the poem is an optimistic one as the writer keeps encouraging us to be good to people around us and show our love with hugs and kisses and cuddles.

Once you read these lines, you bear them in your mind, as they are easy to remember. I believe it is one of those poems that can become a motto in life to be followed.

Shel Silverstein Poem Analysis 5

Recipe for a Hippopotamus Sandwich

By Shel Silverstein

The poem is so funny and amusing that it immediately catches your attention. It gives simple instructions on how to make a sandwich and everything looks normal up to the point a hippopotamus is to be added onto the bread, with mayonnaise and an onion ring. But the idea itself is so original that you start wondering about such a possibility.

The attitude of the writer is clearly an optimistic one, his main goal being that of “showing” us everything could be possible as long as we allow our imagination and creativity run freely.

If the first ten lines of the poem tell us what we need to make such a sandwich, without any problem at all, the last two ones, however, do admit that there might be something to cause us difficulties – the biting of the sandwich.

I find this poem very entertaining and I would recommend it to people of all ages. It is, without any doubt, the kind of poem that you will easily remember as it is funny, imaginative and has a simple rhyming. 

Shel Silverstein Poem Analysis 4

Peanut-Butter Sandwich

By Shel Silverstein

The poem is an account of a funny story whose major character is a “silly young king”. The central theme is the king’s uncontrollable appetite for peanut butter sandwiches. And, according to the poet, this love for peanut butter has made the king make ridiculous decisions: “For he had passed a royal rule
                                                      That all that they could learn in school
                                                            Was how to make a peanut-butter sandwich.”

The fact that even powerful men like kings have their “weak points” makes the whole poem sound hilarious. We cannot stop smiling when reading about the madness of a king for such an ordinary, simple thing like peanut butter.

There is an easy to spot shift as the poet narrates in detail the lengths the king went to in order to satisfy his insatiability for peanut butter and although he suffers an accident, not being able to open his mouth for twenty years, in the end he stills asks for more peanut butter. So, despite everything, he doesn’t give up his pleasure.

Any child would feel great when reading this amazing poem. I personally couldn’t stop laughing when seeing how much a king would be willing to do just to enjoy his favorite food. Another remarkable aspect is the skillful way in which the poet minutely describes the events. It simply makes you feel you are right there, witnessing the process, step by step. From the very first lines I felt like any other king’s subject taking part in the action.

Shel Silverstein Poem Analysis3

Tryin' On Clothes

By Shel Silverstein

In this poem we are told about how we should always try things on before we find the one that fits us best. It is not just about clothes but more about the way we decide to live our lives. We may experiment a long time before we finally reach what we truly want.

The attitude is optimistic throughout the poem. You just need to be patient and persevere; if things don’t suit you, try again, and if they still don’t work a second time, keep trying until you eventually get to the point where you feel satisfied and happy.

The shift of the poem is obvious: at the beginning there are some unsuccessful attempts, but in the end the poet eventually finds “that thing” that he loves most, he feels most happy and fulfilled about.

Everyone should read this poem and understand how important it is to find YOUR way in life. It might take some time and effort but once you discover it, everything else makes sense and we feel confident and content and are more likely to succeed in achieving our goals and dreams.

Shel Silverstein's Poem Analysis 2

Ticklish Tom

By Shel Silverstein

From the very beginning, the reader notices the many details describing the places and the different noises which make this poem become a detailed story of a ticklish boy called Tom. No matter where Tom goes, he always laughs and has fun and all the people and things around him contribute to this fabulous state.

It is quite clear to me that the main purpose of the poet is to make us, the readers, feel the same excitement and start laughing, just like the character in the poem, Tom. And I believe he successfully achieves his task by using alive, wisely chosen words and phrases. These name concrete and familiar things and we can easily relate to them: floor, door, school, stool, cop, town, toad, plain, etc.

But just as we were having as much fun as Tom, the ending comes as a surprise and states that the young boy, once “rolled on the railroad track”, ceased to feel ticklish. The unexpected turn abruptly puts an end to all the great fun and the railroad track can be seen as a barrier between the happy, joyful childhood and maturity.

I greatly enjoyed reading this “ticklish” poem as it reminded me how good it is to laugh from time to time, wherever you are and whatever you do. It is a message telling us that having fun keeps us alive and that is why I recommend it to everyone.

Shel Silverstein's Poem Analyse 1

Bear In There

By Shel Silverstein

The poem describes an unusual situation: a polar bear eating voraciously from a fridge. He is just like a child that enjoys noodles, soda and ice and he doesn’t seem to care about how nicely he eats. What makes it funnier is the fact that such a large animal, expected to be fierce and strong, behaves like an excited kid who is suddenly free to eat all of his favorite foods.

The instant feeling that you get when reading these amusing lines is that of joy, happiness and freedom to do whatever you wish. You somehow envy the carelessness of the bear that worries about nothing but his delicious treats. The poet shows great skills in creating such a vivid description of the scene that, despite the fact we know it is not likely to happen, we allow ourselves to believe it is real and truly savor it. The layout of the poem is also very similar to a drawing and gives the reader the chance to interpret it visually, as well.

The whole image resembles one from a fairy tale, where animals can talk and eat and behave like humans and we feel charmed by its magic. However, towards the end there is a sudden twist as the poet expresses a certain feeling of worry and fear towards the big, hungry bear.

I really enjoyed reading this poem and felt like witnessing a scene from a fantasy. The words are so simple, yet intense and the rhyming artistically adds a final touch which makes anyone reading the poem smile and feel happy. That is why I strongly recommend it to people of all ages as it is important to always keep our humor and childhood innocence.

Beginning

"TENNIS PLAYERS WITH GOALS SUCCEED BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING" - Felicity Luckey