About the Lesson
The poem "Feelings" by C.J. Heck explores themes of childhood emotions, particularly the confusion and hurt caused by bullying, as well as the guidance of a mother in handling these feelings. The poem conveys a dialogue between a child and their mother, with the child expressing their sadness and hurt, and the mother offering wisdom and advice on managing these emotions
Text /Summary/Critical Analysis
Feelings
Mom, why would kids say stuff to hurt me,
most especially, when they're not true?
Don't they even care about feelings?
Can't they think first, before they hurt you?
She said those who do that are unhappy,
they're very angry deep down inside,
but they just don't know how to fix that,
so they pick on kids smaller in size.
Mom said life is too short to stay angry.
If you let it, anger gets bigger each day!
But happiness grows faster than anger can,
so be happy, it's better that way!
Mom said just stand up for my feelings,
but do it nice, and don't get all mad.
I try, but it sure isn't easy,
being nice when they've made me so sad.
C.J.Heck
Critical Analysis:
Theme:
At its core, the poem is about the emotional impact of bullying and the struggle to cope with negative feelings. The child's confusion about why other kids say hurtful things reveals a common experience of childhood—being vulnerable to unkind words and actions. The mother, representing wisdom and understanding, explains that such behavior often stems from the unhappiness of the bully, a psychological insight that suggests empathy and understanding are key to dealing with such situations.
Tone:
The tone of the poem is reflective, as the child questions why they are being targeted and seeks answers from their mother. There's also a tone of vulnerability and confusion, which is contrasted by the mother's calm, reassuring guidance. This contrast highlights the gap between the child's emotional turmoil and the rational, composed perspective of an adult.
Imagery and Symbolism:
The poem uses simple but effective imagery to depict the contrast between anger and happiness. Anger is described as something that grows if left unchecked, symbolizing how negative emotions can fester. Happiness, on the other hand, is shown as something that can grow faster if cultivated, suggesting the power of positive emotions to overcome negativity. The imagery of smaller kids being picked on by larger ones evokes a sense of powerlessness, common in bullying scenarios, further deepening the child's sense of vulnerability.
Moral Lesson:
The poem teaches an important moral lesson about emotional resilience and kindness. The mother advises the child to stand up for themselves but in a way that does not perpetuate anger or hostility. This is a powerful message for children: even when confronted with cruelty, it's important to respond with kindness and not allow anger to take control. This philosophy mirrors many teachings in both secular and spiritual traditions that emphasize emotional intelligence and compassion in the face of adversity.
Structure and Rhyme Scheme:
The poem is structured in a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, which gives it a light, flowing rhythm, making it accessible to a younger audience. This form mirrors the simplicity and directness of a child's perspective, which is fitting for the subject matter. The conversational tone between the child and the mother adds to the intimate and personal feel of the poem.
Emotional Depth:
While the language is simple, the poem deals with complex emotional concepts. The child's struggle to balance their feelings of sadness and anger reflects a deep emotional experience, one that many children (and adults) can relate to. The poem touches on the difficulty of remaining kind and calm when faced with injustice, which is a universal human challenge.
Conclusion:
C.J. Heck’s "Feelings" is a gentle and insightful exploration of how children experience and deal with negative emotions, particularly in the context of bullying. The poem imparts a timeless lesson on managing anger and cultivating happiness, using a child's perspective to illustrate the emotional complexities of growing up. The mother's advice encourages resilience and kindness, offering a message of emotional strength and self-control that resonates with readers of all ages.
Delve into Details
A. Read to understand
Answer these questions.
a) Who is asking the questions in the poem?
b) What kind of things do the children in the poem say? Tick (ü) the correct answer.
i) pleasing ii) kind iii) unkind
c) Why do the things said by the children hurt the speaker?
d) Match the stanzas to the key points they present.
Stanza 1 i) advising to avoid anger
Stanza 2 ii) trying to deal with bullies
Stanza 3 iii) questioning the behaviour of bullies
Stanza 4 iv) explaining why there is bullying
e) 'They don't know how to fix that.' What does ‘that' refer to?
f) What does the mother tell the child about happiness in stanza 3?
g) What are some of the consequences of letting anger grow bigger each day?
h) What advice does the mother give in the last stanza?
Answers
A. Read to Understand
a) The child is asking the questions in the poem.
b) What kind of things do the children in the poem say?
iii) unkind
c) The things said by the children hurt the speaker because they are unkind and not true, affecting the child's feelings.
d) Match the stanzas to the key points they present:
Stanza 1: iii) questioning the behaviour of bullies
Stanza 2: iv) explaining why there is bullying
Stanza 3: i) advising to avoid anger
Stanza 4: ii) trying to deal with bullies
e) 'They don't know how to fix that.' In this context, "that" refers to the unhappiness and anger that the bullies feel inside.
f) In stanza 3, the mother tells the child that happiness grows faster than anger and that it's better to be happy rather than stay angry.
g) Some consequences of letting anger grow bigger each day include becoming more unhappy and potentially harming oneself or others emotionally or mentally.
h) In the last stanza, the mother advises the child to stand up for their feelings in a kind and calm manner, without getting angry.
B. Discuss
1. Do you think the child is talking about a real situation or an imaginary one?
Give reasons for your answer.
2. If you were in the child's place, would you follow the mother's advice? Give reasons for your response.
3. Do you think the mother understands the child's problem? Justify your response.
Answers
B. Discuss
The child in the poem could be talking about a real situation, as bullying and hurtful comments are common issues faced by many children. The specific details about the child's feelings and the mother's advice suggest a real, relatable scenario.
If I were in the child's place, I would try to follow the mother's advice because responding with kindness and calmness can often defuse situations and help maintain my own peace of mind. However, it may be challenging to do so in the moment, especially when hurt or upset.
The mother seems to understand the child's problem to some extent, as she offers thoughtful advice on handling bullies and managing emotions. However, the child's expression of the difficulty in being nice when hurt suggests that the child might feel that the mother doesn't fully grasp the emotional impact of the bullying.
C. Read to appreciate
In the poem, the mother tells the child not to get all mad. 'Mad' usually means 'insane or not in control of one's senses'. Here the poet uses this expression 'get all mad' to mean 'not to get angry and do something foolish'. The usage of the word •mad' is an example of hyperbole (say hayh-pur-buh-lee) or exaggerated meaning for greater dramatic effect. Hyperbole is used frequently in the spoken and written word.
Read these hyperboles and say what they exaggerate—feeling, time, or reaction.
a) I'll be back in a second.
b) Don't take her notes or she'll kill you.
c) I was so frightened; my heart was in my mouth.
Write a few examples of your own.
Answers
C. Read to Appreciate
Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. Here, the phrase "get all mad" exaggerates the reaction of becoming very angry.
Examples of hyperbole from the exercise:
a) "I'll be back in a second." (exaggerates time) b) "Don't take her notes or she'll kill you." (exaggerates reaction) c) "I was so frightened; my heart was in my mouth." (exaggerates feeling)
Write a few examples of your own:
"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." (exaggerates hunger)
"I've told you a million times." (exaggerates frequency)
"This bag weighs a ton." (exaggerates weight)
