Poem What Has Happened To Lulu: Meaning, Themes, Moral Values and Moral Lesson
Stanza One
What has happened to Lulu, mother?
The persona (the child) is asking his/her mother about his/her older sister, Lulu.
What has happened to Lu?
The question is repeated but using the name “Lu” (showing that the child and Lulu are very close)
There’s nothing in her bed but an old rag-doll
Lulu is not in her bed. Only her rag-doll is there
And by its side a shoe
There is a shoe (Lulu’s) by the side of the bed.
Stanza Two
Why is her window wide, mother,
The persona is asking his/her mother about Lulu’s bedroom window that is wide open
The curtain flapping free,
The curtain is moving because of the wind from the open window
And only a circle on the dusty shelf
Where her money-box used to be?
Lulu’s money-box is also missing (sign of a circle where the money-box was)
Stanza Three
Why do you turn your head, mother,
The persona is asking his/her mother why she turns her head away from him/her
And why do tear-drops fall?
He/She asks why mother is crying
And why do you crumple that note on the fire
Why does his/her mother crumple the note she is reading and throw it into the fire (in the fire place)
And say it is nothing at all?
The mother simply says that there is nothing to worry about.
Stanza Four
I woke to voices late last night,
The persona tells his/her mother that he/she woke up from his/her sleep because he/she heard some people talking
I heard an engine roar.
He/She also heard the sound of a vehicle at that time
Why do you tell me the things I heard
Were a dream and nothing more?
The persona is asking his/her mother why she says what he/she heard were only in his/her dream
Stanza Five
I heard somebody cry, mother,
In anger or in pain,
The persona tells his/her mother that he/she also heard someone cry in anger or in pain
But now I ask you why, mother,
You say it was a gust of rain.
But when he/she asks his/her mother, she says it is just the sound of the rain.
Stanza Six
Why do you wander about as though
You don’t know what to do?
The persona is asking his/her mother why she is walking or moving aimlessly as if she is nervous, worried and in panic.
What has happened to Lulu, mother?
Again, the persona is asking his/her mother about Lulu.
What has happened to Lu?
The repeated question shows that the child is really missing his/her sister / is worried about her / in confusion.
THEMES:
Family love
Family values
Grief
Adult versus child
MORAL VALUES:
Love and care
Responsibility
Helpfulness
Honesty
Co-operation
MORAL LESSONS:
Honesty is the best policy
We should help others in need
Two heads are better than one
Many hands make light work
We have to show our concern towards our family members
Blood is thicker than water
Based on the persona’s observations:
Stanza 1: Lulu is missing
Old rag-doll & Lulu’s shoe
Stanza 2: Lulu’s open window & flapping curtain
A circle on the dusty shelf
Stanza 3: Mother is crying
Mother crumples the note
Stanza 4: Voices late at night
Engine roar
Stanza 5: Somebody cried in anger/pain
Stanza 6: Mother is wandering / looking worried
Poem What Has Happened To Lulu: Muat Turun Nota
Nota Ringkas: Tingkatan 5