Memories of childhood in "Looking For Dad", "My Grandmother" and "The Sick Equation"
Memories from our childhoods are often remembered for the rest of our lives. They can range from small things like playing in the park or a birthday party to important milestones such as a first kiss or the first day of school. Now matter how small or insignificant these events seemed at the time, they will be treasured for ever and looked back on as some of the best times of your life. The memories are normally reminders of good times and the joys of childhood. But for some people, their childhoods are looked back on in sadness and remorse.
In the poems "Looking For Dad", "My Grandmother" and "The Sick Equation", the narrators explore the darker sides of childhood. Each poem tells a different story, but are all about tragic memories from shattered childhoods that will scar forever.
"Looking For Dad" is about a boy who's father leaves home. I think the author chose the title because not only does it explain the main theme of the poem, but the phrase "looking for" maybe refers to the soul searching the boy has to do while "looking for" what is missing in his life. When reading the poem, you notice that it is written in quite an upbeat tone even though it is obviously a sad poem. I think the narrator has done this because the poem is from a child's perspective. The main themes of this poem are dis-functionality and grief. Lines such as "I had not tidied up my room, because I was too full of gloom" and "hope he will come back soon" clearly show the despair that is put across by the narrator. Another theme of the poem is self-denial. The narrator doesn't want to face up to the fact that his dad has gone. "Dad was hidden beneath the things I'd been given" and "flying about my underwear but could not find him anywhere" are two quotes that show that the character still believes his dad is still apart of his life even thought it is obvious he is not. The fact that he dreamt about his dad not being with him anymore shows that sub-consciously he knows his dad has gone
In the poems "Looking For Dad", "My Grandmother" and "The Sick Equation", the narrators explore the darker sides of childhood. Each poem tells a different story, but are all about tragic memories from shattered childhoods that will scar forever.
"Looking For Dad" is about a boy who's father leaves home. I think the author chose the title because not only does it explain the main theme of the poem, but the phrase "looking for" maybe refers to the soul searching the boy has to do while "looking for" what is missing in his life. When reading the poem, you notice that it is written in quite an upbeat tone even though it is obviously a sad poem. I think the narrator has done this because the poem is from a child's perspective. The main themes of this poem are dis-functionality and grief. Lines such as "I had not tidied up my room, because I was too full of gloom" and "hope he will come back soon" clearly show the despair that is put across by the narrator. Another theme of the poem is self-denial. The narrator doesn't want to face up to the fact that his dad has gone. "Dad was hidden beneath the things I'd been given" and "flying about my underwear but could not find him anywhere" are two quotes that show that the character still believes his dad is still apart of his life even thought it is obvious he is not. The fact that he dreamt about his dad not being with him anymore shows that sub-consciously he knows his dad has gone