CHEST Guidelines--em-Marbles--em-

-em-Marbles--em-_chest
Pdf Summary
The poem "Marbles" by Lala Tanmoy Das reflects on a poignant childhood memory of the author and his sister being told by their grandfather about his lung cancer diagnosis. The poem is written as a flashback to when the author and his sister, aged four and five, misunderstood the gravity of their grandfather’s condition due to their young age and naivety. The grandfather, after receiving his diagnosis in the doctor's office, attempts to explain his illness to his young grandchildren through a metaphor, describing the cancerous growths in his lungs as "marbles." His intention was to convey the seriousness of his situation in a gentle way that the children could comprehend. However, their youthful innocence leads them to take the metaphor literally, imagining marbles multiplying in his lungs, which they find amusing rather than alarming. They are entertained by the concept and treat it as a kind of game, unaware of the distressing truth their grandfather is facing. In a solemn moment, when asked when he would return if he left to find a cure, he replies "never," a response that the children interpret as part of the game, laughing and joking about it afterward, completely oblivious to the message of permanent absence he was conveying. The author’s work encapsulates the innocent misinterpretation of words and the unintentional humor found by children in serious adult discussions, contrasted with the reality of a painful medical condition. Through the poem, Das skillfully highlights the disconnect between the perceptions of children and the adult world, as well as the tender, yet tragic, attempt of an adult to shield his grandchildren from harsh realities.
Keywords
Marbles
Lala Tanmoy Das
childhood memory
grandfather
lung cancer
metaphor
innocence
misinterpretation
adult world
poem