Shel Silverstein

I THESIS The modern poet, Shel Silverstein, is said to teach erroneous morals; however, through the eyes of some critics he is regarded as one of the greatest children's authors, especially two of his most famous works: The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends. II INTRODUCTION Shel Silverstein’s was born into a household that was very cramped and hostile where his dream of becoming a writer was shot down by his father. At a very young age he was old he would be continuing the failing family business against his own will. These circumstances no doubt had an effect on why his view toward sappy and pleasant stories was so contrastive than to his own. Critics have a very muddled sense in regards to Silverstein’s poetry and books. There is those who praise him for his his genius and others who denounce him for teaching children unruly morals, namely laziness and disrespect for parents and those in authority. Although, as adults we read his works and see the incivility; as…

an interesting premise along with a very intriguing author. Shel Silverstein was a man of many hats and tricks up his sleeves.According to Biography.com, before he even started on writing, during the 1950’s he was enlisted in World War II. During this time in the war, Mr.Silverstein started working on comics strips for a military newspaper. This is what help Mr.Silverstein has his foot in the door for this creative career. Though his job as a comic artist, he starts to explore in writing and…

“Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein is a short poem that has several uses of metaphor and symbolic imagery throughout the poem. This poem takes the reader on a journey far away from the real world to one that is full of imagination and wonder. Silverstein has created a bridge between the constant struggle of the real world and a dream world filled with magical wonders and unlimited possibilities. While some themes and metaphors throughout the poem may be difficult to detect there is…

“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein may seem like a children’s book to others, but there is a more meaning to this book. Scholars have long debated what “The Giving Tree” seeks to impart to its readers beyond unselfishness. Some say it’s actually the story of God and humankind,or Mother Nature and society, or the classic parent-child relationship,or unrequited romantic love. I believe that there are three main lessons that are in the story:don’t keep score,you can’t outrun (or out-canoe) your…

Love isn’t taking advantage of the other person. Love isn’t using the other person because you can’t work for yourself. Love isn’t making the other person weak just to fulfill the others needs to make them stronger. In ,”The Giving Tree,” by Shel Silverstein, a little boy loved a tree and she loved him back, they had a strong connection, This lasted for years until the little boy started to change. He started to realize the things he wants instead of thinking modest of himself. Over the years,…

Literary Analysis: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein Have you ever gone back to read the books that you once read as a kid? Did you grasp the message the book has the same way? Many people interpret books differently no matter what age they might be. While others think a book is controversial and should be censored, individuals may have an opposite view. For instance, the book The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is viewed in different ways. This story is about a female tree and a boy that can…

“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein is a classic tale that has been read to children as a bedtime story since its first publishing in 1964. However many have argued on what the meaning behind the story is. Could it be focus on what you need rather than what you want, maybe even you can’t outrun your problems, or quite possibly let love rule. These arguments are right in their own way, however they all have one thing in common, they each are a strong moral message that children should learn.…

someone or something. One expects a certain action from another, almost as if trust is synonymous to predictable. If one were to take a deeper look into the definition provided by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, does it not, in some way, imply that there is an innate good in everyone? Trust is based upon the principle the humans are naturally good, not evil. It is only when one betrays another and breaks this trust that the underlying evil shines through. Is that why trust is so easily…

Shel Silverstein Sheldon Allan Silverstein was born on September 25, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to Nathan and Helen Silverstein. Shel’s sister Peggy was born 4 years later. Shel grew up in Logan’s Square a working-class neighborhood in the northwest side of Chicago. No one knows very much about Shel’s early years. We know that he started drawing strange pictures at an early age, he also wrote stories to go with them. As a teenager Shel was not much of an athlete himself but he became a…

"Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein is a collection of poems that burst out the seams with imagination and happiness. Each poem is like a little window into a world where animals talk, trees have personalities, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary. What makes Silverstein's poems so special is their ability to speak to both children and adults alike. Through his playful language and clever rhymes, he creates a magical atmosphere that captures the wonder of childhood. From silliness…