Analysis of Behind Grandma's House Poem by Gary Soto - Essay Example

The poem ‘Behind Grandmas House’ has been written by Gary Soto and is about a little boy of around ten years ago, who tried to portray himself as harsh and tough until his grandmother tackles him. The main character in this poem has severe cravings for consideration from friends, family, and strangers too. This lust for attention directs that character to commit rebellious and hostile acts and exhibit mischievous behavior that lacks respect for power.The boy in "Behind Grandmas House" wears such an attitude to show himself as intimidating and tough.

These rebellious deeds lead to the accidental achievement of hostility. He did everything to gather everybody’s attention. He has been portrayed as kicking fences to show a lot of turmoil created by him. As all he desired, was that he should be noticed by everyone and his misbehavior gets acknowledged. If we look back into our childhood experiences, we may find a similar child in our own selves. The child acts exhibit his carefree nature and the confidence that he won’t be penalized for such behavior as any other grandchild may think.

The first six lines of the poem show the little boy’s aspiration, aim, and the ultimate goal to earn fame. But his acts revealed that his direction was not towards earning respect among others but to achieve the title of a stubborn and difficult kid. The defame boy wanted to earn was through irritating all the creatures on earth.He disturbs neighbors, teachers, pets, and tiny creatures like ants to let everything notice his behavior and feel frustrated, irritated, and frightened by his attitude.

He wanted to exercise his authority over others as he considered himself to be invincible.  Although the boy has been portrayed as being a troublemaker to the whole neighborhood, it can be deduced that he has such thoughts as tough kids are considered famous, respectful, loveable, and authoritative by people. It seems like Gary tried to portray himself in this poem in the character of the little stubborn boy who showed his arrogance at the backyard of his grandmother’s house.