Vespers
Little Boy kneels at the foot of the bed, Repetition
Droops on the little hands little gold head. Alliteration
Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares! Rhetorical Question
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers. Religious Reference
God bless Mummy. I know that's right.
Wasn't it fun in the bath to-night?
The cold's so cold, and the hot's so hot.
Oh! God bless Daddy - I quite forgot.
If I open my fingers a little bit more,
I can see Nanny's dressing-gown on the door.
It's a beautiful blue, but it hasn't a hood.
Oh! God bless Nanny and make her good.
Mine has a hood, and I lie in bed,
And pull the hood right over my head,
And I shut my eyes, and I curl up small,
And nobody knows that I'm there at all.
Oh! Thank you, God, for a lovely day.
And what was the other I had to say?
I said "Bless Daddy," so what can it be?
Oh! Now I remember it. God bless Me.
Little Boy kneels at the foot of the bed,
Droops on the little hands little gold head.
Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares!
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers
Droops on the little hands little gold head. Alliteration
Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares! Rhetorical Question
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers. Religious Reference
God bless Mummy. I know that's right.
Wasn't it fun in the bath to-night?
The cold's so cold, and the hot's so hot.
Oh! God bless Daddy - I quite forgot.
If I open my fingers a little bit more,
I can see Nanny's dressing-gown on the door.
It's a beautiful blue, but it hasn't a hood.
Oh! God bless Nanny and make her good.
Mine has a hood, and I lie in bed,
And pull the hood right over my head,
And I shut my eyes, and I curl up small,
And nobody knows that I'm there at all.
Oh! Thank you, God, for a lovely day.
And what was the other I had to say?
I said "Bless Daddy," so what can it be?
Oh! Now I remember it. God bless Me.
Little Boy kneels at the foot of the bed,
Droops on the little hands little gold head.
Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares!
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers
"Vespers"- Rachel Pulver & Joe Pulver
Analysis
1923 marked the year that Alan Alexander Milne published his first poem for children, 'Vespers'. Vespers refers to the sunset evening prayer service of the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican canonical hours. Milne was largely influenced by his only child, Christopher Robin Milne, who is the main inspiration for the poem and is featured throughout. 'Vespers' identifies the traditional religious views of Britain during the 20th century. Christianity and Catholicism are the most widely practiced and declared religion in Britain, especially during the early 20th century as the Anglo-Catholic movement reached its height. The poem portrays a child performing prayer rituals before going to sleep.
The vast majority of Britain considered themselves to be of the Christian or Catholic faith during the early 20th century; thus, religion was widely practiced and incorporated into the daily lives of most. Children, especially of a young age are primarily influenced by the behaviour of others, therefore, they are likely to adopt the views and morals of those most present in their lives. This is evident in the fifth stanza of the poem 'Vespers' as a child recites prayers. The fifth stanza states "Oh! Thank you, God, for a lovely day. And what was the other I had to say? I said "Bless Daddy," so what can it be? Oh! Now I remember it. God bless Me". The stanza is spoken in first person, which immediately shows the perspective of the child towards religion; furthermore revealing the way in which the child has been influenced. It is evident that the child is trying to remember a scripted prayer by the use of rhetorical questions. This demonstrates the adult influence over the behaviour and religious views of a child. The religious context of the poem can be related to by many; thus the poem has been successful.
'Vespers' particularly appeals to children of the 20th century. The simplicity of the language as well as the use of rhyme demonstrated in the line "God bless Mummy. I know that's right. Wasn't it fun in the bath to-night?" captures an innocence to the poem and ensures that children can understand the context, in addition enjoying it. Furthermore, the repetition of the first stanza enforces the religious themes of the poem. 'Vespers', although written by Milne for children, would similarly appeal to adults due to the connections to religion and childhood, which can be related to by most.
The vast majority of Britain considered themselves to be of the Christian or Catholic faith during the early 20th century; thus, religion was widely practiced and incorporated into the daily lives of most. Children, especially of a young age are primarily influenced by the behaviour of others, therefore, they are likely to adopt the views and morals of those most present in their lives. This is evident in the fifth stanza of the poem 'Vespers' as a child recites prayers. The fifth stanza states "Oh! Thank you, God, for a lovely day. And what was the other I had to say? I said "Bless Daddy," so what can it be? Oh! Now I remember it. God bless Me". The stanza is spoken in first person, which immediately shows the perspective of the child towards religion; furthermore revealing the way in which the child has been influenced. It is evident that the child is trying to remember a scripted prayer by the use of rhetorical questions. This demonstrates the adult influence over the behaviour and religious views of a child. The religious context of the poem can be related to by many; thus the poem has been successful.
'Vespers' particularly appeals to children of the 20th century. The simplicity of the language as well as the use of rhyme demonstrated in the line "God bless Mummy. I know that's right. Wasn't it fun in the bath to-night?" captures an innocence to the poem and ensures that children can understand the context, in addition enjoying it. Furthermore, the repetition of the first stanza enforces the religious themes of the poem. 'Vespers', although written by Milne for children, would similarly appeal to adults due to the connections to religion and childhood, which can be related to by most.