Explication of “Where the Sidewalk Ends”
Shel Silverstein’s poem “Where the Sidewalk Ends” is an eclectic concoction; it begins with a playful, childlike stock while stirring in a deeper, mature message. The poem starts its journey in a magically enchanting world, but it shifts suddenly as it travels into darkness. To escape, the speaker suggests following the arrows the children have drawn, pointing away from the grimness to “go where the chalk-white arrows go...To the place where the sidewalk ends” (14,16). Although the speaker uses fun literary elements to elude the reader through the adolescent realm initially, an unexpected purpose is exposed: children, in their pure and innocent nature, have valuable insight to offer their elders; …show more content…
The grass is white which captures the reader’s attention immediately because of the contrast of reality. It is an unusual, yet ideal landscape for kids: it is soft, inviting, and safe. “The sun burns crimson bright” (4) which depicts a remarkable image of the sky in its most beautiful form on a warm, sunny day: perfect for playing outdoors. The peppermint wind vividly illustrates what this magical place feels and even smells like; what child would not want to visit a land where the breeze smells like candy? Although there is no particular scheme, the rhyming creates a playfully fun bounce that captures the young audience’s attention. The use of alliteration adds to the lively nature of the poem by constructing a playground of interests for children. It appears, by the immediate style of literary elements used, that this poem is intended for a young …show more content…
“We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow” (13) is repeated in the last stanza; the repetition emphasizes the importance of the careful and meticulous method of walking. It is not used in its literal denotative meaning, but it is a metaphor: intentionality is crucial when making decisions. Furthermore, even when one’s journey takes an unpleasant turn, he or she should appreciate each moment and recognize its worth before rushing to escape it. Furthermore, the first and last stanza both reference the pleasant place by describing it or instructing the reader how to get there. Only the first two lines of the second stanza give details about the dark place “we”(10) wish to leave. The remarkably short amount of time the speaker spends in the dark place is not to say that the trials of life are brief by circumstance, but by choice. The brevity of the darkness is a reminder to to not linger there. The reader gets a glimpse of hope when the speaker introduces the “flowers” (9) that are growing in the asphalt. The flower’s metaphorical purpose is to convince the reader to recognize hope, because it is indeed there, during difficult circumstances.
“Where the Sidewalk Ends” clearly possesses a whimsical tone and uses magical imagery to create a juvenile paradise. Yet, there is a deeper, more powerful message for the mature audience: when life’s demands produce unavoidable
Shel Silverstein’s poem “Where the Sidewalk Ends” is an eclectic concoction; it begins with a playful, childlike stock while stirring in a deeper, mature message. The poem starts its journey in a magically enchanting world, but it shifts suddenly as it travels into darkness. To escape, the speaker suggests following the arrows the children have drawn, pointing away from the grimness to “go where the chalk-white arrows go...To the place where the sidewalk ends” (14,16). Although the speaker uses fun literary elements to elude the reader through the adolescent realm initially, an unexpected purpose is exposed: children, in their pure and innocent nature, have valuable insight to offer their elders; …show more content…
The grass is white which captures the reader’s attention immediately because of the contrast of reality. It is an unusual, yet ideal landscape for kids: it is soft, inviting, and safe. “The sun burns crimson bright” (4) which depicts a remarkable image of the sky in its most beautiful form on a warm, sunny day: perfect for playing outdoors. The peppermint wind vividly illustrates what this magical place feels and even smells like; what child would not want to visit a land where the breeze smells like candy? Although there is no particular scheme, the rhyming creates a playfully fun bounce that captures the young audience’s attention. The use of alliteration adds to the lively nature of the poem by constructing a playground of interests for children. It appears, by the immediate style of literary elements used, that this poem is intended for a young …show more content…
“We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow” (13) is repeated in the last stanza; the repetition emphasizes the importance of the careful and meticulous method of walking. It is not used in its literal denotative meaning, but it is a metaphor: intentionality is crucial when making decisions. Furthermore, even when one’s journey takes an unpleasant turn, he or she should appreciate each moment and recognize its worth before rushing to escape it. Furthermore, the first and last stanza both reference the pleasant place by describing it or instructing the reader how to get there. Only the first two lines of the second stanza give details about the dark place “we”(10) wish to leave. The remarkably short amount of time the speaker spends in the dark place is not to say that the trials of life are brief by circumstance, but by choice. The brevity of the darkness is a reminder to to not linger there. The reader gets a glimpse of hope when the speaker introduces the “flowers” (9) that are growing in the asphalt. The flower’s metaphorical purpose is to convince the reader to recognize hope, because it is indeed there, during difficult circumstances.
“Where the Sidewalk Ends” clearly possesses a whimsical tone and uses magical imagery to create a juvenile paradise. Yet, there is a deeper, more powerful message for the mature audience: when life’s demands produce unavoidable