LITERAL MEANING
Stanza 1
The persona questions the
whereabouts of Lulu as her bed is
empty except for
an old rag-doll and a shoe. The
mother refuses to tell him what has
happened.
Stanza 2
The window in the room is open
and the curtain is flapping while on
the dusty
shelf, the money-box is missing.
There is only a circle-shaped mark
in its place.
Stanza 3
The persona wants to know why his
mother is shaking her head and
shedding
tears. She has crumpled up a note
and thrown it into the fire, saying it
is of no
importance.
Stanza 4
The persona heard people talking
and the roar of a car engine late in
the night
but is told it was all part of a dream.
FIGURATIVE MEANING
Stanza 1
As we go about our daily life, we
expect and hope that everything and
everyone
is where they are supposed to be.
We become complacent and take
things for
granted. On occasions when
something or someone goes
missing, we, are jolted
into action.
Stanza 2
We begin to make inquiries of the
person in charge as to where the
thing or person
has gone. We become aware of
certain details or aspects of the
situation. What we have heard or
noticed before has been overlooked
and regarded as unimportant.
Stanza 3
As we look around, we begin to
notice that other people are just as
concerned
about the missing thing or person.
They look very upset but at the
same time,
they assure others that everything is
fine.
Stanza 4
We mention certain details about
the situation and want to know
more but nobody is willing to
entertain the request. Everything

Stanza 5
The persona also heard somebody
cry either in pain or anger but is
told it was a
gust of rain.
Stanza 6
The persona wants to know why his
mother is wandering about in a
daze not
knowing what to do. He is confused
about the disappearance of Lulu.
ELEMENTS OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO LULU?
THEMES
s@ Grief and love
s@ A young family member who has run away from home
s@ Feelings of helplessness
s@ Confusion over family situations
s@ Concern for parents and siblings
seems to look normal and there is
an air of secrecy.
Stanza 5
We insist on talking about these
details and other related aspects but
again the
queries are pushed aside. On the
surface, everything seems all right
as we are
constantly assured.
Stanza 6
So, we have to keep searching and
looking and asking but no one has
the answer.
s@ No one is exempted from having problems
s@ Parents' and siblings' feeling of loss

Moral Values

We should not even entertain the idea of running away from home.
- We should be concerned about our parents' feelings.
- We should not give parents and siblings reason to grieve.
- We should be observant of other family members' behaviour and show concern.
- We should appreciate our parents' love and care.
- We should remember that everyone, young and old, has to face problems.
- We should realise that running away from problems is not a solution.
- Every problem can be solved if we work together.

EXERCISES

PRACTICE 1
PRACTICE 2