I Wonder - Jeannie Kirby
Synopsis
The poem is about the persona’s observations of the natural phenomena that take place in our surroundings.
She wonders about the colour of grass and the wind that we can feel but cannot see. The activities that
go on around us, like the birds building a nest or trees not moving, seem to be directed by someone
and the persona wonders who the person is. When the moon is not fully round, she wonders about the
missing part. She wonders about the things in the sky. She marvels at how the stars and lightning light
up, how the rainbow gets its colours and the presence of clouds in the sky. She wonders why her father
does not explain these things to her
Elements of the Poem
Structure
The poem is written in couplets of two lines and there are six couplets. It has a rhyme scheme of ‘a, a’.
Style and language
The poem is written in simple language and it reflects the way a child would question the things around him
or her. It is easy for the reader to understand.
Setting
Time: A day during daytime and night
Place: The persona is probably standing in the garden or an open area where she can observe the elements
of nature during the day and night.
Point of view
The point of view is the first person.
Mood and atmosphere
The mood and atmosphere is one of happiness and pleasure although the persona is seeking answers to her
observations about nature.
Tone
The tone is positive as the persona asks directly about what she observes of her surroundings during the day
and night. She sounds anxious and inquisitive.
Themes
• Wonders of nature
• Beauty in nature
• Appreciation of nature
• Nature through the eyes of a child
• Innocent observations
• Inquisitiveness of children
• Indifference of adults
• Living with nature
Moral values
• We should be observant about our surroundings.
• Take time off to enjoy the wonders of nature.
• It is normal for us not to be able to understand everything about life.
• Children can teach us a lesson or two about nature too.
• We should ask when we do not understand things.
• Get information about things we are not sure of.
Poetic devices
• Alliteration
e.g. the birds to build a nest,
And told the trees to take a rest?
• Imagery of the senses
sight
e.g.’ the moon’, ‘fluffy clouds’
touch
e.g. wind is never seen
colour
e.g. ‘grass – green
• Diction
e.g. ‘take a rest’, ‘blow out’, ‘paints the rainbow’
Heir Conditioning - M. SHANmughalingam
Synopsis
The poem is a dialogue through which the grandson and his grandparents talk about the differences in
their generations and ways of life. The poet offers two different views from two different generations
through the dialogue. The grandson asked about living without modern inventions like air conditioners
and fax machines. One would have found it difficult to keep cool with a paper fan or not have longdistance
communication. He feels that life must have been difficult. The grandfather replies that they
were ignorant of such inventions and life was simpler. They did not have the modern inventions with the
accompanying problems of physical and emotional problems and destruction of nature. They were Godfearing
and loved nature while the present generation is feared by nature and money is their God. People
living in the grandchild’s time are more materialistic and they have to pay the price for progress.
Elements of the Poem
Structure
The poem is written in free verse. It does not have a fixed rhyme scheme and there are two stanzas.
Style and language
The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between the grandparents and their grandchild. They talk about
the differences in their ways of life in simple language. It is easy for the reader to understand.
Setting
Present day
The personas’ house
Point of view
The point of view is the first person and there are two personas – the grandfather and the grandchild.
Mood and atmosphere
The personas sound serious as they refer to the differences in their ways of life. Both personas feel that their
individual way of life is better than the other. The grandfather appears to be taken aback by the attitude of
the young people towards materialism.
Tone
The tone is matter-of-fact as the personas ask directly and give truthful expressions of the other’s way of life.
The grandchild is concerned that life must be difficult without modern inventions. The grandfather is unhappy
with the present generation as they have become more materialistic in life and their values have changed.
Theme
• Price of progress
• Development and quality of life
• The younger generation and challenges in life
• Needs of the younger generation
• Challenges in the present world
• Greed and materialistic ways
Moral values
• We must be grateful with what we have.
• Do not take things for granted but be prepared to face changes.
• Progress brings about advantages and disadvantages.
• Present-day values are different from yesteryears and the young must be prepared to accept the
challenges.
• Greed can lead to destruction.
• The younger generation and the older generation have different values.
• We should preserve the environment.
• The younger generation should not be too materialistic.
• We must pay a high price for development.
Poetic devices
• Alliteration
e.g. ‘Grandma weren’t you flustered as you fluttered with paper fans?’
• Imagery of the senses
Sight:
e.g. ‘traffic jams’, ‘destruction of forest, streams, and hills’, ‘ grandmother fluttering her fan’
Sound:
e.g. ‘long distance call’
Smell:
e.g. ‘pollution’
• Pun
e.g. The title ‘Heir Conditioning’ is a pun on the word ‘air conditioning’.
• Diction
e.g. ‘ignorance’, ‘breathe’, ‘communicate’
• Symbol
e.g. Use of the word ‘heir’ – the younger generation are heirs of the older generation but they have not
adopted the latter’s ways
• Metaphor
e.g. ‘Money is your new God’
One Is One and All Alone by Nicholas Fisk
Synopsis
This is a science fiction that takes place in 2045 and revolves around Trish. She is on board a spaceship
with her father and the crew and they on their way to Planet Trion. Trish’s mother is there setting up a
space station and Trish will join her in 2947. Trish’s only companion is VoicePrinter which tells her about
clones and cloning. Trish clones herself to get a companion to talk to. Later, she finds the clone named
Clo irritating as it does and thinks exactly like she does. She no longer has any privacy and decides to
dispose of Clo in one of the hatches.
Elements of the story
Setting
Place: Inside a spaceship going from Earth to Planet Trion
Has all the comforts of home
Equipped with computer technology and space travel equipment
Time: Future in the year 2045
Characters
Main character: Trish
– a lively girl – a typical teenager
– computer-savvy
– daring and courageous – uses the BioLab to clone herself
– willing to take risks – makes sure her father does not meet Clo
– able to take care of herself – clones herself so that she can have a companion – conceives the plan to get
rid of Clo by throwing her down the disposal bin
Minor characters
Trish’s father
– caring father – knows that Trish is lonely so pops in to inquire after her
– busy with work on ship
– seems to enjoy chocolate milkshakes
The clone called Clo
– has same characteristics as Trish
Plot
Exposition: Trish is in a spaceship with her father and his crew. They are travelling from Earth to Planet
Trion. Trish’s mother is waiting for them in Trion. Trish records her thoughts and feelings in
her diary, VoicePrinter (VP). She learns and plays games with VP too. Her father, who is always
busy, pops in once in a while to ask after her.
Conflict: The thrill of going on the trip wears off and Trish begins to feel bored. VoicePrinter (VP) is her
only means of entertainment and which she regards as her best friend. But, VP only gives her
computer images and sounds. She yearns for someone, a human of her age whom she can
talk to and be with.
Climax: VP introduces and explains the process of cloning to Trish. She listens to the details and
decides to create a clone of herself with the help of the ship’s BioLab. Trish clones herself and
calls it Clo. Trish finds it amazing to have Clo as a friend. They do the same things as identical
twins and perfect friends do.
Falling action: After a while, Trish begins to feel annoyed with some of Clo’s habits and the way they use the
same words. She is not willing to share everything with Clo, especially her Mum. She feels Clo
has invaded her personality totally.
Resolution: Trish decides to dispose of Clo by throwing her into the hatch marked ‘DISPOSAL’. She feels
relieved there’s no one to irritate her anymore.
Themes
• The importance of having our own identity
• The need for companionship
• Satisfaction
• Moments in life
• Proper use of time
• Natural order of things
• Technology and progress
• Personal habits
• Betrayal
Values and messages
• We should learn to be patient.
• We should be thankful for what we have.
• We should think carefully before making a decision.
• We should adapt to any situation, however exciting or boring.
• Don’t try to change one’s circumstances unnecessarily.
• Don’t misuse public facilities.
• Don’t interfere with the natural order of things.
• Accept comments about personal habits and learn to improve.
• Make use of technology for progress not for one’s benefits.
• We must not expect to enjoy life all the time.
• We must not expect prefection.
• We must use time productively.
Point of view
The story is in the first person point of view with Trish telling the story of her journey from Earth to Planet
Trion.
Tone, mood and atmosphere
The story is written as a diary entry by a teenager and is presented in a light-hearted tone. The atmosphere
is lively as one follows Trish’s games with VP and then her exchanges with her clone, Clo. The mood changes
from her being boring to being happy and eventually the relief of being alone again.
Language and style
The story is a science fiction and is written in simple and direct language with the use of scientific terms. The
writer uses dialogue and diary entry to express the feelings of the main character, Trish, to show her boredom
and happiness.
Literary devices
• Irony
– Trish feels bored with her own company and so she clones herself. Then, she feels bored with her
clone that does everything she does and even thinks like she does.
– A journey in a spaceship is an exciting journey but Trish does not find it exciting after a few months
because she feels bored.
• Symbol
VoicePrinter is a symbol of the advancement of technology and the use of technology to replace parental
care and companionship.
• Imagery
‘I am so lonely’ – image of a girl looking and feeling lonely
• Diction
– ‘drum roll’,
– ‘clouds of coloured smoke’
– ‘vanish’
– ‘writhe and fiddle’
• Metaphor
‘the ship’s Executive Officer, a big man’ – the word big does not refer to being physically big. It refers to
being in charge and having an important job
• Idiomatic expressions
– ‘a thousand things on his mind’
– ‘brewed up’
– ‘in a split second’
– ‘a bit of a pain’
