Literature QUESTION?

Question

Text:
There's a new kid on the block.
and boy, that kid is through,
that new kid punches hard,
that new kid plays real tough,
that new kid's big and strong,
with muscles everywhere,
that new kid tweaked my arm,
that new kid pulled my hair.
That new kid likes to fight,
and picks on all the guys,
that new kid scares me some,
(Tht new kid's twice my size),
that new kid stomped my toes,
that new kid swiped my ball,
that new kid's really bad,
I dont care for her at all.


Question:
a)Is ther a dominant tone?If so,what is it? If not, wht is happening?
Identify the various tones and where the changes are in the text.

b)Were you surprised to read the last line?Why?

c)How does the poet set the reader up for the last line?

d)why doyou think the poet does this?

Answer 1

a) The dominant tone is one of disdain for the "new kid". It carries throughout the poem. The only line that's kinda neutral is the first one. After that, the poem takes off and starts describing all the horrible things about the new kid. Though the tone pretty much stays the same, the wording becomes more intense and the experience more personal. At first the author speaks about the bully in general...plays tough, is big and strong. Then the bully becomes more real...tweaks his arm, pulls hair. And finally, the bully is right in the author's face - stomps on his toes and takes his ball.

b) (I personally wasn't surprised by the last line, but the author wants us to be).

c) We are set up by the author from the very beginning. He talks about a new kid at school..."and BOY, that kid...". He tries to make us think that the child is male. The bully does many things that are typically thought of as male behavior throughout the poem.

d) I'm not sure when the poem was written, but I think the author could be trying to highlight the fact that girls are just as physical and aggressive as males sometimes. Recent studies proved this fact.

I hope that helps! Good luck!