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Comment 14 of 64, added on November 7th, 2005 at 7:19 PM.
There really was a boy named Sue according to author Edward J. Larson in
his book, "Summer for the Gods - The Scopes Trial", page 89. He was one of
the lawyers that prosecuted John Scopes. He was named Sue by his father in
memory of the boy's mother who died during his birth.
Fred from United States
Comment 13 of 64, added on October 14th, 2005 at 5:46 AM.
As a retired English teacher I give occasional lectures to community groups
on language and related topics, one being names and their origins, and how
one's name relates to self-image. I sometimes start this lecture with a
mention of "A Boy Named Sue". Its humour lies in its absurdity - why would
the boy retain the name when he grew up, as if it was like a birthmark,
scar or other unchangeable thing? But the cleverness of the poem is of
course it isn't as absurd as all that. Names are very much a part of our
identity, given to us by those responsible for our existence, and we don't
lightly abandon or change our name. Parents often do give children awful,
pretentious or obscure names, and mostly the kids put up with them all
their life. So "A Boy Named Sue" is partly a satire on this. But surnames
can be pretty bad too - Belcher, Swindell, Coward, Ramsbottom, Death (all
of these originally had innocuous meanings, of course) - yet you'll find
plenty of people in phone books with such names. Again, our name, whatever
it is, is part of identity, and surnames in particular link us to ancestors
and present families and relatives. Silverstein of course knows these
traditions and sends them up in a marvellously humorous but basically
fairly gentle fashion.
Bill Jennings from Australia
Comment 12 of 64, added on June 28th, 2005 at 10:31 AM.
I am a high school teacher and I was looking for an entertaining poem to
discuss with my students - I found one! I will also play the song for my
kids to hear and to enjoy.
gailgw from United States
Comment 11 of 64, added on June 15th, 2005 at 11:56 AM.
Many times, I've listened to Johnny Cash do "A Boy Named Sue", had a laugh
and drove on. Not until today did I know that Shel had written the words.
Frank
Frank from United States
Comment 10 of 64, added on June 13th, 2005 at 12:30 PM.
i was realy suprised to see shel say mother fucker
Boom Wee from Israel
Comment 9 of 64, added on May 1st, 2005 at 12:07 PM.
this poem iz sooo freakn awesome!! its really funny! i luv shel
silverstien!!yayay!
Nikki from Australia
Comment 8 of 64, added on April 14th, 2005 at 8:04 PM.
I really like this poem and song as well! I like it a lot! =)
- -*Jade from United States
Comment 7 of 64, added on April 4th, 2005 at 6:55 PM.
cute poem.., i think i kno why it wasnt in a kids book... i think...haha...
hana from United States
Comment 6 of 64, added on April 3rd, 2005 at 4:57 PM.
its one of my personal favorite songs and i cant believe it was written by
shell either..wow..
mike from United Kingdom
Comment 5 of 64, added on March 1st, 2005 at 8:29 PM.
good poem and song..intresting makes you think
BOO mE from United States
This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
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There really was a boy named Sue according to author Edward J. Larson in
his book, "Summer for the Gods - The Scopes Trial", page 89. He was one of
the lawyers that prosecuted John Scopes. He was named Sue by his father in
memory of the boy's mother who died during his birth.
Fred from United States