Shel Silverstein was a well known author, poet, songwriter, and cartoonist. He was born on September 25, 1930, in Chicago. (“bio.com” n.p). Silverstein rarely mentioned his early childhood to anyone, but he did want to be a professional baseball player. (“Bio.com” n.p). Sadly he was horrible at sports so he stuck with sketching in his notebook at the age of twelve. (“Bio.com n.p).
Later on down the road Silverstein attended Roosevelt High and graduated in 1948. (“Bio.com” n.p). Silverstein had his mind set on college, but dropped out to join the army instead in 1953. While in the army, he began his career as a cartoonist by publishing cartoons for the “Stars and Stripes” magazine. (“Life” n.p). People began to notice his raw talent and he …show more content…
The main idea of The Giving Tree is debated by many. Majority of people think The Giving Tree is a story that represents unconditional love between a “motherly” figure and little boy. (“Margalit” n.p). In the story that little boy relies on the tree to survive. He takes her trunk, branches, and fruitful apples and She is happy. (“Silverstein” 1-64) Critics say The Giving Tree is a story that has a deeper meaning kids will not connect to. One meaning perceived from the story is, women have no power to anyone, but being a “motherly” figure and taking care of a child. (“Faustino” n.p). This upsets women because they believe that they are powerful and can do just as much as men. This book is intended for small children and is already pushing the idea that women are “powerless”; mothers are disgusted at this fact. These adult-like morals in Silverstein’s works are also shown in his …show more content…
However, one poem called “ I’m Making A List” encourages children to not use manners and forget about being polite to others. For example Silverstein says “I’m making a list of the things I must say for politeness… May I? Thank you” “If you know some I’ve forgot, please stick them in your eye” (“Silverstein” 37). Parents are challenging Where the Sidewalk Ends because of the ignorant morals Shel is portraying in the book. Another poem called “For a Rainy Afternoon” encourages kids to do disrespectful things. For example, “Nothing to do?... Pinch the baby till he yells… Wet your pants in Daddy’s lap… Throw the car keys down the toilet” (“Silverstein” n.p). In this poem, Silverstein gives ideas of what children can do when they are bored and the things he mentions are not what parents want their kids to learn. Silverstein is teaching children to be ignorant and disrespectful by his use of
Later on down the road Silverstein attended Roosevelt High and graduated in 1948. (“Bio.com” n.p). Silverstein had his mind set on college, but dropped out to join the army instead in 1953. While in the army, he began his career as a cartoonist by publishing cartoons for the “Stars and Stripes” magazine. (“Life” n.p). People began to notice his raw talent and he …show more content…
The main idea of The Giving Tree is debated by many. Majority of people think The Giving Tree is a story that represents unconditional love between a “motherly” figure and little boy. (“Margalit” n.p). In the story that little boy relies on the tree to survive. He takes her trunk, branches, and fruitful apples and She is happy. (“Silverstein” 1-64) Critics say The Giving Tree is a story that has a deeper meaning kids will not connect to. One meaning perceived from the story is, women have no power to anyone, but being a “motherly” figure and taking care of a child. (“Faustino” n.p). This upsets women because they believe that they are powerful and can do just as much as men. This book is intended for small children and is already pushing the idea that women are “powerless”; mothers are disgusted at this fact. These adult-like morals in Silverstein’s works are also shown in his …show more content…
However, one poem called “ I’m Making A List” encourages children to not use manners and forget about being polite to others. For example Silverstein says “I’m making a list of the things I must say for politeness… May I? Thank you” “If you know some I’ve forgot, please stick them in your eye” (“Silverstein” 37). Parents are challenging Where the Sidewalk Ends because of the ignorant morals Shel is portraying in the book. Another poem called “For a Rainy Afternoon” encourages kids to do disrespectful things. For example, “Nothing to do?... Pinch the baby till he yells… Wet your pants in Daddy’s lap… Throw the car keys down the toilet” (“Silverstein” n.p). In this poem, Silverstein gives ideas of what children can do when they are bored and the things he mentions are not what parents want their kids to learn. Silverstein is teaching children to be ignorant and disrespectful by his use of