Where The Sidewalk Ends Analysis

1151 words 5 pages
Show More
Bersche 1
Ethan Bersche
Mr. Wright
ENG4U
March 20, 2015

Where does the Sidewalk End?
An Analysis of Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

People are drawn to poetry because it uses words to express emotions that most people can only feel. The greatest poems tell stories that readers wish to be true. They open doors to worlds of which readers desire to be a part. Most North-American homes are blessed with one of Shel Silverstein's award winning poetry books. His poem Where the Sidewalk Ends is arguably the best poem of all time. In just three short but powerful stanzas, Silverstein is able to create that longing in readers that makes poems great. He accomplishes this through his masterful use of sound and sense, form, and symbolism …show more content…

The second, turns the reader against the ugly mechanical place which they currently inhabit. The third stanza

Bersche 3 invites them to come to this magical place. It is a very classic beginning, middle, end style story portrayed in an interesting way. By introducing the new world at the very beginning of the poem, it allows the reader to ponder it as they read. They become more and more intrigued as they go on, adding to their longing to find this incredible place.

The greatest purpose in poetry is to use words to paint to a picture in the mind of the reader. Where the Sidewalk Ends uses metaphor to make the reader long for a beautiful, natural world. Silverstein paints a picture of a world where the “grass grows soft and white” rather than green and itchy. The sun is frozen in a perfect “crimson” glow like a beautiful, permanent sunset.
The animals are magical and mystical “Moon-Birds” that fly through cool “peppermint wind”. It is also a place that is known best by children. This incredible place represents everything of which the reader could possibly dream. It taps into the human biological desire to be closer with nature and to stay young forever with their inner-child. This heavenly metaphorical world is a symbol for the freedom of childish imagination. Its beauty is emphasized through contrast as the poem continues. Silverstein describes a desolate city that forces the reader into adulthood where they are overcome by industrialization. This is where

Related

  • The Movie "Radio" Analysis
    959 words | 4 pages

    Radio, Film analysis The dramatic and uplifting movie “Radio” starring Cuba Gooding JR. and Ed Harris, is based on the true life story of James Robert Kennedy, a k a Radio; a mentally retarded young African-American who spends his days pushing a shopping cart around the streets of Anderson, a small South Carolina town, collecting junk and old radios. The movie starts with the heartbreaking scene of Radio pushing his cart around the town, in his own little world; people are ignoring him, and a….

    Show More
  • What Are the Causes of Poverty in Philippine Economy?
    4877 words | 20 pages

    that it is because of our own fault, considering that we have bountiful resources yet we don’t know how to use it properly, it is also obvious to each one of us that we lack discipline, we don’t follow the laws in our homeland and we are contented where we are, we don’t even tried to strive for a change. 5% of it said it is because of unemployment, so the families suffer from hunger and lack of basic needs simple because they don’t have enough income. The other 3% stated that it is because of lack….

    Show More
  • Business Plan
    2606 words | 11 pages

    Lawn Care Services Business Plan 10TH - June - 2015 Muhammad Nouman Javaid BBA Group “E” Batch 2014-2018 Condition: This business plan will not be copied, printed, faxed or implemented without the permission. It is issued with the purpose to attract investors. If not accepted should be returned on the above address. Phase 3 chowk,Near Marco polo wedding hall Peshawar, Pakistan. Contact: 03139002035 Table Of Contents 1. Vision statement ……………………………………………………….........….

    Show More
  • Analysis of Southern Gothic Literature
    2868 words | 12 pages

    Analysis of Southern Gothic Literature Southern Gothic literature, which is a sub-genre of the Gothic writing style, is unique to the American South. Southern Gothic literature has many of the same aspects as Gothic literature; it focuses on topics such as death, madness, and the super natural as well has having many mystical, bizarre, violent, and grotesque aspects. These tools are used "to explore social issues and reveal the cultural character of the American South (Wikipedia)." The authors….

    Show More
  • Poverty and Homelessness in the United States
    2442 words | 10 pages

    Poverty and Homelessness in the United States Poverty in America is a subject that though everybody recognizes is existent, most do not pay attention to very often. In 2010 the poverty line for a family of four was $22,314.00 and 15.1% of Americans were living off of less than that (Tavernise, 2011). While 15.1% is a high number to begin with, the truth is that many more people are living on the verge of homelessness. Countless families are split up every night with children going to a friend’s….

    Show More
  • Honky Book Report
    3130 words | 13 pages

    Minority Autobiography Analysis (Book Report) Title: Honky Author: Dalton Conley Summary "Honky" is the true story of Dalton Conley, a white kid, growing up in a minority community. The story takes place beginning at the end of the 1960's and concluding in the early 1980's and takes us from the authors early childhood to college. Dalton Conley was white, with a Jewish mother and an Irish/English father. Both of Dalton's patents were artists. His mother, Ellen, grew up in northern Pennsylvania….

    Show More
  • Maybelline New York Brand Analysis
    3500 words | 14 pages

    I. Product(s) name Short stumpy lashes are the bane of almost every Asian girl's life. They tend to point downwards and smudge your mascara, and they lack the drama of foreign women's winged wonders. Now Maybelline Long Extreme Mascara focused heavily on their lashes. The product features an elastic formula that stretches lashes, and is infused with vitamin B-5 formula that conditions and shines. The product's name can be easily recognized and understood. The name stands for the functions that….

    Show More
  • Romanticism and Modernism as Strange Bedfellows: A Fresh Look at Jack Kerouac's On the Road
    12216 words | 49 pages

    Romanticism and Modernism as Strange Bedfellows: A Fresh Look of Jack Kerouac’s On the Road Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be young was very Heaven! O time In which the meagre, stale, forbidding ways Of custom, law and statute, took at once The attraction of a Country in Romance! The Prelude—William Wordsworth (Come in under the shadow of this rock), And I will show you something different from either Your shadow at morning striding behind you Or your shadow at evening….

    Show More
  • Human Resource Management
    6451 words | 26 pages

    4.Where do you think we went wrong? Answer: The HR department of White house hired wrong person for the job, because conflicts occurred when the bush administration realized that they suppose to create manufacturing jobs in US not in China or in other countries….

    Show More
  • Homelessness Thesis
    9055 words | 37 pages

    HES Republic of the Philippines Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE NBP Reservation Poblacion, Muntinlupa City INTRODUCTION Homelessness is a critical issue that requires everyone’s attention. Hundreds of thousands of homeless people live on the streets as their shelter. Historically, homelessness has always been a problem in society. Homeless people were known as “the wondering poor”, “sturdy beggars”, and as “vagrants,” but it was not until the late….

    Show More

Popular Essays