Chivvy by Michael Rosen
The poem ‘Chivvy’ has been written by the poet ‘Michael Rosen.’ The poem provides a list of different dos and don’ts that adults impose on children. The grownups regularly offer the children a litany of instructions like “speak up,” “do not stare,” “do not point,” “do not pick your nose,” “sit up,” “say please,” “less noise,” and so on. The poet questions the elders why they can not keep their suggestions to themselves.
The poem then depicts a point in time when the little child has matured and is unable to make his own decisions. The same adults then blame the grown-up child for his or her inability to think for themselves.
Stanza Wise Summary of Chivvy
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
In the preceding stanza, the poet states that elders/older people always teach small children to speak out when they are bashful or speaking improperly. At times, children eat and talk at the same time. As a result, the elders prohibit them from conversing while eating. Additionally, they encourage not to stare at anything intensely or to divert someone’s attention by showing his or her finger. Grown ups also dislike children sticking their fingers in their noses. As a result, they frequently advise them not to do so.
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
The poet states in this stanza that adults used to tell children to sit properly. Small children should always say ‘please’ when they require assistance or something from someone. If the children make a lot of noise, they are told to quiet down. If they wish to close the door when a youngster is nearby, they will ask him or her to do it but will not close the door themselves. They will request that you refrain from dragging your feet, whether consciously or unknowingly. If necessary, they will inquire as to whether you are carrying your hankie or not. They dislike having their hands in their pockets, and whenever they witness a youngster doing so, they will request that the child remove his/her hands from his/her pockets.
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
In this stanza, the poet continues with more ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’. Adults instruct children to pull up their socks and stand straight if they are unsteady on their feet. They also request that they refrain from interfering in the discussion. When a child attempts to make others laugh, they ignore or condemn him or her. They do not like it when the child puts his or her hands on the table, so they ask the child not to do so in front of others.
