WHAT IF
~Summary~
-by Sheldon Allan Silverstein
The poem "Whatif" is written by Shel Silverstein. It is a light verse where the speaker of the poem asks a series of 'what if' questions to himself.
When the speaker was lying and thinking the previous night, a group of 'whatifs' entered his head through the ears.They pranced, partied,
and sang their old whatif song. In short, the speaker spent the entire night worrying over
various absurd and possible scenarios that may or may not even take place.
The speaker has concerns that are common to students of his age. He is worried that he might be treated as astupidperson in hisschool or fail
in his examination. But he also voices out the concerns faced by young kids,such as being ill-treated at school or elsewhere, hated or ignored
by people, parents getting divorced, and such. Moreover, the poem reveals the insecurities of kids, such as whether they would grow taller
or their teeth wouldgrow even. Also,the speaker wonders what would happen if he never learns to dance as it has a huge role to playin him
becoming popular and also stepping out to adulthood.
On the other hand, the poem also contains questions and concerns that are absurd. Green hair growing on hischest or head getting smaller
are some of his pointless worries. However, they also reveal the imaginative side of kids.
Hence, a big list of 'whatifs' runs through the speaker's mind. As the night breaks into dawn, the whatif songalso comes to an end.
The speaker seems happy and relieved, but unfortunately, the 'whatif'-thoughts reappear during the night to keep him restless.
The poem contains a series of questions beginning with whatifs
~Conclusion~
The poem "Whatif" is written by Shel Silverstein. It is a light verse where the speaker of the poem asks a series of 'what if' questions
to himself. When the speaker was lying and thinking the previous night, a group of 'whatifs'entered his head through the ears.
They pranced, partied, and sang their old whatif song.