2. Explanation of stanza 1 and 2

 

 

This poem has been written keeping older people in mind. Here, the poem is written by an anonymous writer. Generally older people have trouble with the advent of technology and sometimes it might prove to be difficult for them to use most of the gadgets. Computers were invented around the \(1930s\). It only had the features to perform basic mathematical functions. Slowly technology started booming and several other essential features were brought in. Social media was introduced for people from all over the world to connect. But it soon turned into an addiction to the younger generation.

 

The poet was talking to his grandmother may be via skype or hangout etc. wherein he could see her and talk to her. She did not know how to operate a computer. Generally grandparents have the urge to connect with their grandchildren. In the earlier days, people used to visit them for vacations and it would make them happy. But after the advent of applications like skype and zoom, people connect only virtually. The grandmother in the poem wants to desperately connect with the outer world. But what started off as a means to connect, slowly turns into an addiction.

 

 

 She learned to use the application off late after the whole world became digitalized slowly. She pressed ‘control’ and ‘enter’, and the poet could not see her on the computer anymore. It destroyed her or did not show her up ultimately.  The poet makes the pun intended as it means that maybe she was caught by some virus (it can be both computer virus or virus which every human can get caught with like flu), or perhaps she is eaten by some worm. The mere thought of the grandmother getting fully drawn into technology makes the poet squirm.