Chivvy Class 7 English Honeycomb Poem 4 Summary is available here. This summary is created by the subject experts of CBSE Wale. The poem is included in the Honeycomb reader book, which is the main English textbook for Class 7 students. By reading this summary, students can better understand the poem and improve their English language skills.
Chivvy Class 7 English Honeycomb Poem 4 Summary
Chivvy Short Summary
The poet’s parents and elders have been telling him to do a lot of things that he doesn’t like. He makes a list of all the things they have been nagging him about. They tells him to speak clearly, not to talk with food in his mouth, not to stare at people, not to point his finger, not to pick his nose, to sit up straight, to say “please” and “thank you,” not to make too much noise, to close the door behind him, not to drag his feet, to use a tissue, to keep his hands out of his pockets, to pull up his socks, to stand up straight, not to interrupt others when they’re talking, and not to put his elbows on the table.
Chivvy Short Summary In Hindi
कवि के माता-पिता और बड़े-बुजुर्ग उसे बहुत से ऐसे काम करने के लिए कहते रहे हैं जो उसे पसंद नहीं हैं। वह उन सभी चीजों की एक सूची बनाता है जिनके बारे में वे उसे परेशान कर रहे हैं। वे उसे स्पष्ट रूप से बोलने के लिए कहते हैं, अपने मुंह में भोजन के साथ बात नहीं करने के लिए, लोगों को घूरने के लिए नहीं, अपनी उंगली को इंगित करने के लिए नहीं, अपनी नाक को चुनने के लिए नहीं, सीधे बैठने के लिए, “कृपया” और “धन्यवाद” कहने के लिए बहुत अधिक शोर न करना, उसके पीछे का दरवाजा बंद करना, अपने पैरों को घसीटना नहीं, एक टिश्यू का उपयोग करना, अपने हाथों को अपनी जेब से बाहर रखना, अपने मोज़े को ऊपर खींचना, सीधे खड़े होना, दूसरों को बीच में न रोकना वे बात कर रहे हैं, और अपनी कुहनियों को मेज पर रखने के लिए नहीं।
Chivvy Summary
In Michael Rosen’s poem “Chivvy” he explores the way in which parents and elders try to control and direct children through a series of rules and orders. The poem highlights how children are often told to sit or stand in a certain way, and are expected to speak up without any guidance or support. They are taught basic etiquette, such as not talking with food in their mouths or resting their elbows on the table, but without any explanation as to why these rules exist. Children are also instructed not to point or stare, and are encouraged to use polite language, but without any context or understanding of the importance behind these actions. The poem questions the impact of this kind of strict rule-following on a child’s ability to make their own decisions and suggests that children should be given more agency to explore and learn for themselves. Ultimately, the poem offers a critique of the way in which adults impose their will on children, and suggests that a more collaborative and supportive approach is needed.
Chivvy Summary In Hindi
माइकल रोसेन की कविता “Chivvy” में, वह उस तरीके की पड़ताल करता है जिसमें माता-पिता और बुजुर्ग नियमों और आदेशों की एक श्रृंखला के माध्यम से बच्चों को नियंत्रित करने और निर्देशित करने का प्रयास करते हैं। कविता इस बात पर प्रकाश डालती है कि कैसे बच्चों को अक्सर एक निश्चित तरीके से बैठने या खड़े होने के लिए कहा जाता है, और उनसे बिना किसी मार्गदर्शन या समर्थन के बोलने की अपेक्षा की जाती है। उन्हें बुनियादी शिष्टाचार सिखाया जाता है, जैसे कि मुंह में भोजन के साथ बात नहीं करना या मेज पर अपनी कोहनी टिका देना, लेकिन बिना किसी स्पष्टीकरण के कि ये नियम क्यों मौजूद हैं। बच्चों को यह भी निर्देश दिया जाता है कि वे इशारा न करें या घूरें नहीं, और उन्हें विनम्र भाषा का उपयोग करने के लिए प्रोत्साहित किया जाता है, लेकिन बिना किसी संदर्भ या इन कार्यों के पीछे के महत्व को समझे। कविता इस तरह के सख्त नियम-पालन के बच्चे की अपने निर्णय लेने की क्षमता पर पड़ने वाले प्रभाव पर सवाल उठाती है और सुझाव देती है कि बच्चों को खुद खोज करने और सीखने के लिए अधिक एजेंसी दी जानी चाहिए। अंत में, कविता उस तरीके की आलोचना करती है जिसमें वयस्क बच्चों पर अपनी इच्छा थोपते हैं, और सुझाव देते हैं कि अधिक सहयोगी और सहायक दृष्टिकोण की आवश्यकता है।
The Explanation of the Poem “Chivvy”
Stanza 1
Grown-ups say things like:
Speak up
Don’t talk with your mouth full
Don’t stare
Don’t point
Don’t pick your nose
Important Word Meaning
Grown-ups: The term “grown-ups” typically refers to adults or people who are older and more experienced. In the context of the poem,
Mouth full: The phrase “mouth full” refers to the state of having food or some other substance in one’s mouth.
Stare: The word “stare” refers to the act of looking intently or fixedly at someone or something.
Pick your nose: The phrase “pick your nose” refers to the act of inserting one’s finger into one’s nostril and removing nasal mucus, or “boogers.”
Explanation
The stanza highlights some of the common phrases or rules that grown-ups often say to children. They ask children to speak up, so that they can be heard clearly. They discourage talking with food in one’s mouth, which can be considered impolite. They tell children not to stare at others, which can make them uncomfortable or feel uneasy. They also ask children not to point, as this can be seen as rude or aggressive. Finally, they discourage picking one’s nose, which can be considered unsanitary or impolite. The stanza suggests that children are often given a lot of rules to follow without any explanation of why they exist, which can make it difficult for them to understand the reasoning behind these rules.
Poetic Devices
Anaphora: Repetition of the word ‘Don’t’ at the start of lines 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Repetition: The repetition of the phrase “Don’t” at the beginning of each line emphasises the rules and restrictions that grown-ups often impose on children.
List: The use of a list highlights the various specific actions that children are told not to do, and creates a sense of monotony and restriction.
Enjambment: The use of enjambment between each line creates a sense of flow and continuity, as the stanza reads like one continuous sentence without any pauses.
Irony: The use of grown-up language and rules to illustrate how adults sometimes treat children in a condescending or patronising way creates an ironic tone, which challenges the authority of adults over children.
Stanza 2
Sit up
Say please
Less noise
Shut the door behind you
Don’t drag your feet
Haven’t you got a hankie ?
Take your hands out of
your pockets
Important Word Meaning
Drag: The term “grown-ups” typically refers to adults or people who are older and more experienced. In the context of the poem,
Hankie: The phrase “mouth full” refers to the state of having food or some other substance in one’s mouth.
Pocket: The word “stare” refers to the act of looking intently or fixedly at someone or something.
Explanation
The phrase “Sit up” is a directive that encourages children to sit properly and attentively, while “Say please” reminds them to use polite language when making requests or asking for things. “Less noise” instructs children to be quieter and more considerate of others around them, while “Shut the door behind you” is a request for children to be mindful of their surroundings and take responsibility for their actions.
“Don’t drag your feet” is a command that encourages children to walk more gracefully and quietly, while “Haven’t you got a hankie?” is a question that encourages children to be more hygienic and considerate of others by using a handkerchief when necessary. Finally, “Take your hands out of your pockets” is a command that reminds children to be more present and attentive to their surroundings.
Together, these commands and instructions aim to teach children good manners, hygiene, and social behaviour while also encouraging them to be more mindful of their actions and their impact on others.
Poetic Devices
Anaphora: Repetition of the word ‘Don’t’ at the start of lines 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Alliteration: Repetition of ‘d’ sound in ‘don’t’ and ‘drag’.
Repetition: The repetition of the phrase “Don’t” at the beginning of each line. Also, repetition of the ‘h’ sound in ‘haven’t’ and ‘hankie’.
List: The use of a list highlights the various specific actions that children are told not to do, and creates a sense of monotony and restriction.
Enjambment: The use of enjambment between each line creates a sense of flow and continuity, as the stanza reads like one continuous sentence without any pauses.
Irony: The use of grown-up language and rules to illustrate how adults sometimes treat children in a condescending or patronising way creates an ironic tone, which challenges the authority of adults over children.
Stanza 3
Pull your socks up
Stand up straight
Say thank you
Don’t interrupt
No one thinks you’re funny
Take your elbows off the table
Important Word Meaning
Interrupt: The word “interrupt” means to stop someone from speaking or to prevent something from continuing by speaking or doing something.
Elbows off the table: The phrase “Elbows off the table” is a common instruction given to children during mealtimes to teach them good manners and dining etiquette. The act of resting one’s elbows on the table can be seen as impolite or disrespectful as it takes up space and can interfere with others at the table.
Explanation
This stanza is a list of instructions that grown-ups often give to children to teach them good manners and behaviour in the poem “Chivvy” by Michael Rosen.
“Pull your socks up” is a directive that asks children to be more presentable and tidy, while “Stand up straight” reminds them to maintain good posture and appear more confident. “Say thank you” is a phrase that teaches children to express gratitude and appreciation, while “Don’t interrupt” instructs them to be more patient and considerate when speaking with others.
“No one thinks you’re funny” is a statement that may be used to discourage children from making inappropriate or disruptive jokes or comments, while “Take your elbows off the table” is a request for children to be more mindful of their manners and etiquette during meal times.
Together, these instructions aim to teach children social skills and good behaviour, while also encouraging them to be more thoughtful and considerate of others.
Poetic Devices
Imperative verbs: All the lines in the stanza are imperative verbs, which means they are commands or instructions given to someone. This creates a sense of authority and emphasizes the importance of following these instructions.
Alliteration: The repetition of the “s” sound in “Pull your socks up” and “Say thank you” creates an alliteration, which adds a musical quality to the stanza. And repetition of ‘s’ sound in ‘stand’ and ‘straight’.
Repetition: The use of the phrase “up” in “Pull your socks up” and “Stand up straight” creates a sense of consistency and reinforces the idea of standing tall and being confident.
Metaphor: The phrase “Pull your socks up” can be seen as a metaphor for taking control of one’s life and being more responsible. The use of this metaphor adds depth to the instruction and encourages the listener to take action.
Antithesis: The line “No one thinks you’re funny” is an antithesis, as it contrasts with the positive tone of the previous line “Don’t interrupt”. This creates a sense of balance and emphasises the consequences of improper behaviour.
Hyperbole: The instruction “Take your elbows off the table” can be seen as a hyperbole, as it exaggerates the importance of proper table manners. This adds humor to the stanza and makes it more memorable.
Stanza 4
Can’t you make your own
mind up about anything ?
Important Word Meaning
Mind up: means to make a decision for oneself, based on one’s own judgement or opinion.
Explanation
The stanza “Can’t you make your own mind up about anything?” is a rhetorical question that the poet asks at the end of the poem. It implies that children are constantly being told what to do and how to behave, without being given the chance to think for themselves. The rhetorical question suggests that children are not being allowed to develop their own decision-making skills, and are instead being conditioned to follow orders without question.
This stanza uses the rhetorical device of questioning to challenge the notion of authority and the importance of following instructions blindly. It encourages readers to think about the way they were raised and how it may have impacted their ability to think critically and make their own choices. The tone of the stanza is critical and sarcastic, as the poet is pointing out the flaws in the way children are raised and the impact it has on their development.
Poetic Devices
Alliteration: Repetition of ‘y’ sound in ‘you’ and ‘your’
Poet of the Poem “Chivvy”
The poet of the poem “Chivvy” is Michael Rosen.
About the Poet of the Poem “Chivvy”
Michael Rosen, the poet of the poem “Chivvy,” was born on May 7, 1946, in Harrow, London, UK. He is a British author, poet, and broadcaster, known for his work in children’s literature. Rosen has written over 140 books, including picture books, poetry collections, and novels, many of which have won awards and honours. Rosen began writing poetry in his teenage years, and in the early 1970s, he began performing his poems and stories on the London circuit. He has also worked as a teacher and a college lecturer, and in 1993, he became a presenter of BBC Radio 4’s “Word of Mouth” program, which explores language and its usage.
Theme of the Poem “Chivvy”
The theme of the poem “Chivvy” is about how adults or parents constantly order children around and impose rules on them without explaining the reasons behind them. The poet criticises the way children are taught to follow instructions without questioning them or making their own decisions. The poem highlights the need for children to be treated with respect and given the freedom to make their own choices, while also being taught the importance of good manners and social behavior.
Main Idea of the Poem “Chivvy”
The main idea of the poem “Chivvy” is that children are constantly given orders and rules by adults without being given explanations or reasons behind them. The poet questions the effectiveness of such an approach in guiding and nurturing children, and suggests that children should be treated with more respect and given the freedom to make their own decisions.
Moral of the Poem “Chivvy”
The moral of the poem “Chivvy” is that while it is important for parents and elders to teach children good manners and discipline, they should also explain the reasons behind these rules and allow children to make their own decisions. Children should not be constantly ordered around without being given the chance to think for themselves, as this can stifle their creativity and individuality. Parents and elders should encourage children to learn and explore the world around them, and give them the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them.
Message of the Poem “Chivvy”
The message of the poem “Chivvy” is that children are constantly being told what to do and how to behave by their elders without any explanation. This can lead to a lack of confidence and decision-making skills in children. The poem urges parents and elders to provide guidance and support to children while also allowing them to make their own choices and mistakes. The message also highlights the importance of explaining the reasons behind rules and instructions given to children to help them understand the purpose and value behind them.
Conclusion of the Poem “Chivvy”
The conclusion of the poem “Chivvy” by Michael Rosen is that children are constantly being ordered and corrected by adults in every aspect of their lives without being given a chance to think for themselves. This can be suffocating for children and hinder their ability to make decisions and express themselves. The poet questions the purpose behind such constant nagging and urges parents and elders to allow children to have the freedom to make their own choices and mistakes. The poem encourages a more nurturing and understanding approach towards children, allowing them to grow and develop into confident individuals.
Rhyme Scheme of the poem “Chivvy”
The poem “Chivvy” by Michael Rosen has an irregular rhyme scheme. While there are some instances of rhyme throughout the poem, there is no consistent pattern or scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To The Poem Chivvy
Question 1. Why do adults find dragging feet annoying in the poem “Chivvy”?
Answer. The adults in the poem “Chivvy” don’t like it when children drag their feet because it shows they’re being lazy and not energetic. The poem talks about how adults have many rules for children, and being active is one of them. The adults want the children to be alert and pay attention, but dragging feet makes it seem like the children don’t care. So, they tell the children to stop dragging their feet and be more lively.
Question 2. Why do grown ups say ‘speak up’ in the poem “Chivvy”?
Answer. In the poem “Chivvy,” grown-ups ask children to “speak up” because they want them to speak louder and more confidently. This is one of the many expectations that adults have for children. Grown-ups want children to communicate effectively, be understood when they speak, and have confidence in themselves.
Question 3. When the child stopped talking in the poem “Chivvy”?
Answer. In the poem “Chivvy” the child is stopped from talking with his mouthful of food.
Question 4. What other bad habits often irritate elders in the poem “Chivvy”?
Answer. In the poem “Chivvy,” other bad habits that often irritate elders include talking with your mouth full, picking your nose, pointing at things, and putting your hands in your pockets.
Question 5. How does the poem “Chivvy” reflect societal expectations for children?
Answer. The poem “Chivvy” reflects societal expectations for children by highlighting the many rules and expectations that adults have for them. The adults in the poem want the children to be well-behaved, disciplined, and active. The poem portrays adults as being strict and demanding, and they are constantly instructing the children on how to behave and what to do. This reflects the societal belief that children should be well-behaved and disciplined, and that adults have the responsibility to teach and guide them.
Question 6. “Say thank you” – who says this line and why in the poem “Chivvy”?
Answer. The line “Say thank you” is said by an adult in the poem “Chivvy”. The adults in the poem want to teach children good manners and politeness, and saying “thank you” is a part of that. They want the children to express gratitude when something is given to them or when a kind act is done for them. By saying “thank you,” they acknowledge the kindness and show appreciation.
Question 7. Why does it annoy the young ones to be dominated in the poem “Chivvy”?
Answer. The young ones are annoyed to be dominated in the poem “Chivvy” because they want to assert their independence and do things in their own way. The poem highlights the conflict between the desire for freedom and the expectations of adults for children to behave in a certain way. The children may feel frustrated and resentful when adults constantly correct their behavior or tell them what to do.
Question 8. When do the grownups say to speak up to the children in the poem “Chivvy”?
Answer. Grownups say “speak up” to the children in the poem “Chivvy” when they want them to speak louder and with more confidence. This happens when the children are not speaking clearly or audibly enough, and the adults want to ensure that they are understood and communicating effectively. So, the instruction to “speak up” is given at times when the children’s voice is not audible enough.
Question 9. Who is the poet of the poem ‘Chivvy?
Answer. The poet of the poem “Chivvy” is Michael Rosen.
Question 10. Why do you think grown-ups say the kind of things mentioned in the poem “Chivvy”?
Answer. Grown-ups say the kind of things mentioned in the poem “Chivvy” because they want to teach children certain values and expectations that are important for their personal and social development. These values may include being active, polite, confident, and responsible.