What is the mood of the poem where the sidewalk ends?

Answer 1

Before reading this answer, you must remember that when you are trying to find meaning in a poem, or any piece of literature for that matter, answers are subjective. There is no right answer, and practically no wrong answer, either. The following is simply my interpretation.

The unnamed symbol in the poem is the unknown imagination. The reader's first clue to this is that there is no literal place where the sidewalk ends; rather, it exists only in imagination. The concept itself is also symbolic of imagination because, if it did exist, it would be a place where few would want to travel. The end of the sidewalk is dangerous, for no one knows what lies below or beyond. It is safer to live one's life away from the end of the sidewalk. Children, however, know that the end of the sidewalk is a place of mystery, imagination, and enchantment. They feel the appeal of the unknown because society has yet to instruct them to follow the safe, well-traveled path, and to them, all possibilities are open to be discovered and explored.

The imagery in the first verse, such as the "moon-bird" and the "peppermint wind" are all products of the imaginative creations that can occur where the sidewalk ends. To the rational world, these concepts are nonsense; to the children and others who know the place where the sidewalk ends, though, they are a delight. Reality has no place where the sidewalk ends.

Silverstein encourages his readers to "walk at a pace that is measured and slow" to where the sidewalk ends because such a walk encompasses one's entire life. To dash or to sprint could be the spontaneous product of a moment's ephemeral judgment; to creep slowly indicates hesitation; to walk slowly and deliberately to the end of the sidewalk, though, symbolizes an embrace and an acceptance of the imagination unknown that by necessity must consume one's entire life.

Indeed, we have been directed there our entire life. The chalk-white arrows, symbolic of the signs that have encouraged us to use our imagination and to embrace the unknown, have always been present; we just choose to ignore them. To do so is easy, especially as, the poem says, they have been drawn by children. Silverstein urges us, though, to listen to these children, no matter how nonsensical we may think them, for they are the ones who know the secret of where the sidewalk ends.

Answer 2

This poem gives an optimistic interpretation of life that offers people that are going through difficult personal challenges hope for the future by following the pathway to serenity. It could be suggested that the serenity of life is the eventual death of every living thing, which will restore it to a peaceful state.

Answer 3

I believe that it is about adults being led by children to a world in which they invisioned themselves in when they were children. By saying that there is a place where the sidewalk ends, you must understand that it is the world that children imagine, not the curb like that in the real world. ( LOL). Also, you know this because in the second stanza it talks about a place where the smoke blows black. therefore, this means the literal world adults see, the one the little kiddies dont pay attention to.

Answer 4

Metaphors

"peppermint wind"

" Chalk-White Arrows"

"Asphalt flowers"

Alliteration:

"blows Black"

Thats all that I know of so YA!!

Answer 5

The type of poem for Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstien is a metaphor/narrative poem.

Answer 6

Shel Silverstein i think...

Answer 7

The mood is upset, Acceptance

Answer 8

yes