Hide and Seek by Vernon Scannell

Voice in 'Hide and Seek'

• The poem uses a child's voice, capturing the innocence and excitement of a game of hide and seek.

• The poem reflects on the complexities of adult relationships.

• The poem describes a child's fear of the dark during the game.

• The poem focuses on the competitive nature of children in games.

Themes in 'Hide and Seek'

• Childhood, innocence, and the transition to adulthood

• Friendship, loyalty, and betrayal

• Adventure, exploration, and discovery

• Fear, anxiety, and isolation

Imagery in 'Hide and Seek'

• The poem uses strong visual imagery to create a vivid picture of the game, such as 'They’ll never find you in this salty dark,'

• The poem describes the sounds of children playing in the park.

• The poem focuses on the emotions of loneliness and despair.

• The poem illustrates the rules of the game in a detailed manner.

Use of Form in 'Hide and Seek'

• The poem uses a traditional rhyme scheme to create a sense of order.

• The poem uses free verse to reflect the unpredictability and excitement of the game.

• The poem is structured in multiple stanzas to show different perspectives.

• The poem employs a fixed meter to emphasize the game's rules.

Sensory Imagery in 'Hide and Seek'

• The poem uses strong sensory imagery to create a vivid picture of the game, such as 'smells like the seaside'

• The poem describes the sounds of children laughing and playing

• The poem focuses on the colors of the sunset during the game

• The poem emphasizes the silence of the night while playing

Linguistic Techniques in 'Hide and Seek'

• Use of vivid imagery and personification, e.g., 'The bushes hold their breath.'

• Incorporation of rhyme and meter to create rhythm.

• Use of alliteration and assonance for sound effects.

• Application of metaphor and simile to enhance meaning.

Big Ideas in 'Hide and Seek'

• The poem explores the idea of adventure and excitement.

• The poem explores the idea of growing up and the loss of innocence.

• The poem explores the idea of friendship and loyalty.

• The poem explores the idea of nature and its beauty.

Contrast in 'Hide and Seek'

• The poem celebrates the joys of adulthood.

• The poem contrasts the innocence of childhood with the harsh realities of growing up, highlighting the theme of lost innocence.

• The poem focuses solely on the game of hide and seek.

• The poem depicts a carefree childhood without any challenges.

Personification in 'Hide and Seek'

• Personification is used to give life to inanimate objects, like 'the whispering wind,' adding depth to the setting.

• Personification is a literary device that involves exaggeration for emphasis.

• Personification is used to create a rhyme scheme in poetry.

• Personification refers to the use of metaphors to compare two unlike things.

Effect on Reader of 'Hide and Seek'

• The poem evokes nostalgia and a sense of loss as the reader reflects on their own childhood.

• The poem creates a sense of excitement and adventure as the reader imagines playing outside.

• The poem emphasizes the importance of friendship and teamwork during childhood games.

• The poem highlights the carefree nature of childhood without any sense of responsibility.