Comparing the images of childhood created in the poems we ha

The poem ‘Hide and Seek’ by Vernon Scannell, covers many deep and dark issues. Perception and time are questioned by the author, in a very subtle nature, by making it seem as if it where only a poem on a simple child’s game.

The poem ‘Half Past Two’ is a more conventional poem in it’s structure, compared to the block of writing which makes up ’Hide and Seek’ ,as it is made up of equally spaced stanzas and even having some rhyming sections.

U.A. Fanthrope seems to be telling a story, but when we look closer, we in fact see that the poem, like a ‘Hide and Seek’, actually covers more serious issues in a child’s life.

Similarly to ‘Hide and Seek’, ‘Half- past Two’ is about a young child. He has done something naughty in school and is told by his teacher to stay in the room until ‘Half- past Two’. In her rush, she forgets that ‘She hadn’t taught him Time.’ The only time concepts he is aware of and understands are daily routines such as ‘Gettinguptime,’ ‘Timeyouwereofftime.’ Whilst waiting, he escapes into a ‘clockless land’ ‘out of reach o

Contrasting with ‘Hide and Seek’, ‘Half- past Two’ is written in third person. ‘He did Something Very Wrong.’ I think the narrator is the adult looking back on a childhood experience. The poet doesn’t make it very obvious by using first person, or second person like ‘Hide and Seek’.

A comparison to ‘Hide and Seek’ concerning language is that the senses create a clearer atmosphere for the reader. ‘The smell of old chrysanthemums on Her desk.’ Another reason for the use of senses differing from ‘Hide and Seek’ at this particular point is to show how people, especially children notice insignificant things when they are alone.

He escaped into the clockless land of ever,

“Hide and Seek” shows many characteristics which are similar to those in “Half-Past Two”. The themes of the poems relate to one another because they both focus on a important experience in a child’s life. The experiences are given links in the way that they are both caused by the child being forgotten by the outside forces which is either the teacher or the group of children.

Fanthorpe uses personification to portray the child’s view of the clock. ‘Th

Some topics in this essay:
Personification Fanthorpe, UA Fanthrope, Seek’ Fanthorpe, Vernon Scannell, Past Two’, , ‘hide seek’, past two’, ‘half- past two’, ‘half- past, “hide seek”, comparison ‘hide seek’, poem ‘hide seek’, seek’ ‘half- past, child’s life, seek’ ‘half-, ‘hide seek’ ‘half-, “half-past two”, views child, tried child, child views,