11. Summary

The poem "Chivy" by Michael Rosen talks about how parents and elders try to impose rules on children and order them about. He talks about how they ask children to sit or stand according to their wish. They ask them to speak up rather than helping them with it. Children are even taught to eat food, not to talk when they have food, not to rest their elbows on table etc. They are also taught good manners, but the purpose behind it is not explained. They are taught not to point at anyone or stare at anything as it might grab attention. They are taught to use polite words like thank you and please, but are not told when and why one must use them. They are always expected to be active, not to slouch or drag their feet. Normal things like making noise is looked down upon. The poet finally questions how one can expect a child to make its own decision when every order is already given to them.