The theme of preserving the innocence and optimism of children is a common motif in literary works. Billy Collins' poem, "The History Teacher," and Richard Wilbur's "A Barred Owl" both demonstrate this theme. Both poems depict adults trying to protect children from the harsh realities of life, but the consequences of these attempts differ significantly. |||||||| HIDDEN IN PREVIEW MODE ||||||| As a result, the speaker tries to calm the child by personifying the forest bird and explaining that it is merely asking, "Who cooks for you?" The use of personification and the familiar English language helps to soothe the child's fears. |||||||| HIDDEN IN PREVIEW MODE |||||||

... SIGN IN TO VIEW REMAINDER ...