ALLITERATION Poem ANalysis
featuring: where the sidewalk ends, by Shel Silverstein
and The BEach
Where The Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silversteinfound on Thinglink.com
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the streets begin And there the grass grows soft and white And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the the moon bird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind Let us leave the place where the smoke blows black And the dark street winds and bends. Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And watch where the chalk white arrows go To the place where the sidewalk ends Yes we will walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And we will go where the chalk white arrows go, For the children they mark, and the children, they know The place where the sidewalk ends. ~Shel Silverstein Poem AnalysisThis poem has two instances of alliteration, that help create emotion, and change the mood in this poem. The phrases are, "Grass Grow", and "Blows Black." "Grass Grows" helps slow the reader down, allowing the reader to understand the words that follow more properly, giving a feeling of peace. "Blows Black" also makes the reader slow down, and gives emphasis on the word "black," giving a much more negative mood.
Silverstein argues that adults live in a world that is dreary, and that children live in a world full of life and joy. Silverstein is saying that adults need to go to the place that children know, basically telling adults to take a step back and to take on the point of views of children to find the joy that they have. This is clear from the second last line, for the “children they mark, the children they know” which makes sense that the poem’s message is not intended for children, but more for other people, because as it says in the poem, “the children, they know” implying that the children already know the way. Silverstein starts the poem of by describing the place where the sidewalk ends. This place that is only encountered by the imagination. As he mentions the grass growing "soft and white" and also the "cooling of the peppermint wind," we know that this is a mental state, how someone views the world, because there is no such thing as “soft white grass”, and “peppermint winds.”also he uses the alliteration” grass grows”, giving a feeling of peace, and also acts like a phrase that slows the young down, amplifying that feeling of peace. In conclusion, finding the place where the sidewalk ends may not as much be about finding an actual place rather than reaching a certain mental state, and the first stanza gives a feeling of happiness and peace, because of word choice, and alliteration. As Silverstein writes in the second stanza, saying " Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black And the dark street winds and bends" He is referencing the world that adults live in, the one that is far from what he described as the place where the sidewalk ends.This could be taken literally, as adults live and work in a city with conditions resembling the ones in the poem, but just as he has done before, this description is referring to a state of mind, rather than a literal place. The poem shows that where the adults are, is not a good place, because of word choice, and more alliteration, which is, “blows black.” This amplifies the word black, which is usually referred to evil, and darkness. There is a transition in the middle of the second stanza, from darkness to hope, hope of adults achieving the child like imagination that is found where “the sidewalk ends.” He says "and watch where the chalk-white arrows go -To the place where the sidewalk ends" Meaning that if you are alert and aware, the adult can find a way to get to the place where the sidewalk ends. In conclusion, Silverstein is saying that adults should do what the children do, because they know the place where the sidewalk ends. And in doing so, you will find the joy and passion for life that they have. He says follow the markings of the children and you will find the place where the sidewalk ends. Obviously it is not a literal command to physically follow children, but it is more of a way of saying that, if you see the world like a child, you will reach the end of the sidewalk. My Own PoemThe Beach
The waves lapped on to the hot sand, like a lazy lion lies in the hot sun The happiness of the people lingered in the air No trace of despair The warm fresh air Was like the smell of a beautiful fresh flower The smell of a bonfire With the tall trees, Holding tasty coconuts The children screaming in joy The mouth watering scent of the perfect barbecue The Beach is the happiest place in the world |