Television by Roald Dahl: Key Themes
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Key Themes
Negative impact of television
The central theme of the poem is the negative impact of television on children.
Television, commonly referred to as the idiot box, provides viewers with ready visuals, leaving nothing to the imagination. Because watching television is such a passive activity, Dahl knows that it would eventually spell the death of imagination in children's minds. They would end up thinking that what they cannot see is not real.
The theme comes out most strongly in these lines from the poem where Dahl has used all capital letters to spell out the dangers of watching television.
IT ROTS THE SENSE IN THE HEAD! IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND! IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE! HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE! HE CANNOT THINK-HE ONLY SEES!
Similarly, Dahl has used several negative expressions throughout the poem to refer
to television. For instance, he calls it 'ghastly junk' and describes it as 'ridiculous', 'nauseating", "foul', 'unclean' and 'repulsive".
The importance of reading
Another equally important theme in the poem is the importance of reading, Dahl speaks strongly in favour of reading. Reading, he believes, would help children's mental growth. It would enrich their imagination, hone their creativity and allow them to look at things with a different perspective.
He fondly recalls a time when there was no television and children would be surrounded by books.
Dahl believes parents should inculcate the habit of reading in their children. Hence, he pleads to them to get rid of the television set in their houses and use the space for bookshelves. He is certain that once children begin reading, they would be thankful to their parents forever.
Television by Roald Dahl :-1. Question and Answers RTCs: http://novakidhs.blogspot.com/2022/03/television-by-roald-dahl-question-and.html
2. Context and Summary: http://novakidhs.blogspot.com/2022/03/television-by-roald-dahl-context-and.html
3. Themes, Setting, Form and Structure: http://novakidhs.blogspot.com/2022/03/television-key-themes-roald-dahl.html
4. Literary Devices and Literary Style (Figures of Speech): http://novakidhs.blogspot.com/2022/03/television-by-roald-dahl-figures-of.html
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