Where go the boats? - Std 5 - Unit 5 - Personal Responses - 1

WHERE GO THE BOATS?

Where go the boats? by Robert Louis Stevenson is a gentle, imaginative poem that describes a river’s journey and floating boats. It reflects themes of nature, exploration, and curiosity, as the speaker wonders where the boats will end up and who will find them. The poem emphasizes the beauty of rivers and the continuous flow of life.

1. How does nature play a role in the poem?
Response - Nature feels like a guiding force in the poem, with the river and trees creating a peaceful journey for the boats.

2. Do you think the boats will ever come home?
Response - Maybe not, but that’s okay. The poem seems to suggest that part of the fun is in not knowing where they’ll end up.

3. What does the line 'Other little children shall bring my boats ashore' mean to you?
Response - It feels like a hopeful message—that even if we let go of something, it might find new meaning or joy for someone else.

4. Do you feel the poem is more about adventure or loss?
Response - I think it’s more about adventure—letting go and trusting the flow, without worrying too much about where things go.

5. How would you describe the tone of the poem?
Response - The tone is gentle and reflective, with a touch of childlike wonder."

6. If you could change one part of the poem, what would it be?
Response - I wouldn’t change much, but maybe I’d add a verse imagining the boats meeting other travelers along the way."

7. Do you think the poem is just for children, or can adults enjoy it too?
Response - Children might enjoy the imagery, while adults can appreciate the deeper message about time and letting go.

8. What life lesson do you take from the poem?
Response - It reminds me that life flows forward, and sometimes we have to release things without knowing the outcome.

9. If you were one of the boats, how would you feel drifting down the river?
Response - I’d feel excited but a little nervous—wondering what’s ahead but also enjoying the journey.

10. What kind of place do you imagine the boats reaching at the end?
Response - I imagine them arriving at a quiet, sunny shore where someone picks them up with joy.

11. Why do you think the poet chose a river instead of a lake or ocean?
Response - A river suggests movement and continuity, symbolizing life’s constant flow forward.