The Schoolboy

• The skylark sings with me Oh! What sweet company
• I drooping sit
• Under a cruel eye outworn (out of date)
• How can the bird that is born for joy sit in a cage and sing?
• Oh father and mother! if buds are nipped... blossoms blown away.. tender plants are stripped of their joy in the springing day
• How shall the summer arise in joy, or the summer fruits appear... when the blasts of winter appear?
• Big message

  The education system stunts growth/creativity/natural freedom of children. They are not prepared for life. School goes against nature's cycles/model for growth. Experience is forced on children by authority figures.
• Fun fact

  Originally in innocence but moved to experience - highlights the harsh reality of failings of education system and the collusion of parents with other adults in positions of power.
• Themes

  Education system, authority figures, parents, teachers, suffering of children, forced into experience, harmony with nature