About the Poem “The Homework Machine”
| Poem Title | The Homework Machine |
| Author | Shel Silverstein |
| Publication Year | 1981 |
| Setting | The speaker’s home |
| Genre | Children’s Poetry |
| Point of view | First person |
| Tone | Humorous, cautionary |
| Literary devices | Personification, hyperbole, irony |
| Symbolism | The homework machine can be seen as a symbol of the dangers of relying on machines to do our work for us |
Themes of The Homework Machine
The themes of the poem “The Homework Machine” by Shel Silverstein are:
- The dangers of relying on technology ➤ The poem suggests that if we rely too much on technology to do our work for us, we may lose the ability to think for ourselves and learn.
- The importance of hard work ➤ The poem also suggests that there is no substitute for hard work. Even if we had a machine to do our homework for us, we would not really be learning anything.
- The importance of creativity and imagination ➤ The poem ends with the speaker imagining a world where everyone is the same and no one is creative. This suggests that creativity and imagination are essential for a fulfilling life.
“The Homework Machine” Poem by Shel Silverstein
The Homework Machine,
Oh, the Homework Machine,
Most perfect
contraption that’s ever been seen.
Just put in your homework, then drop in a dime,
Snap on the switch, and in ten seconds’ time,
Your homework comes out, quick and clean as can be.
Here it is- ‘nine plus four?’ and the answer is ‘three.’
Three?
Oh me . . .
I guess it’s not as perfect
As I thought it would be.
The Homework Machine Summary & Analysis
The Homework Machine by Shel Silverstein is a humorous and cautionary poem about the dangers of relying on machines to do your work for you.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the “Homework Machine” as the “most perfect contraption that’s ever been seen.” The speaker is excited about the machine because it can do your homework for you. All you have to do is put in your homework, drop in a dime, and snap on the switch. In ten seconds, your homework will be done, “quick and clean as can be.”
The speaker is eager to try out the machine, so they put in their math homework and drop in a dime. They snap on the switch, and in ten seconds, their homework is done. The speaker is thrilled. They can now spend their time doing other things, like playing or watching TV.
However, the speaker’s excitement is short-lived. When they look at their homework, they realize that the machine has given them the wrong answer to a math problem. The answer to “nine plus four” is three, which is obviously incorrect.
The speaker is disappointed and frustrated. They realize that the Homework Machine is not as perfect as they thought it was. They also realize that they need to learn to do their own homework, even if it is difficult.
The poem ends with the speaker realizing that they “guess it’s not as perfect / As I thought it would be.” This line is a reminder that we should not rely on machines to do everything for us. We need to learn how to think for ourselves and do things on our own.
FAQs from The Homework Machine
What is the story of the homework machine?
A kid finds a homework machine, but it gives them the wrong answer to a math problem, so they learn that it’s important to do their own work.
What is the central idea of the poem homework?
The central idea of the poem “The Homework Machine” is that it is important to learn to do your own work, even if it is difficult.
