The author shows a theme of childhood innocence throughout the poem. He uses language features like hyperbole, simile and personifications to imply the feel of a young child on his first day of school. This really adds a theme of childhood innocence in the poem. Therefore childhood innocence is one of the main themes in the poem ‘The First Day At School’ by Roger McGough.

The author shows childhood innocence in the poem ‘First day at school’ by Roger Mc Gough through hyperbole and simile, as, using hyperbole the author shows the childish exaggeration when the child says, ‘a million billion willion miles’, showing how the little boy perceives the distance from the school to his house as much more than it really is. This shows how the boy feels like the few miles from his house and the school appears to be a lot more to him because of his vivid imagination and how the little boy most likely is missing home because he pictures the distance to be a lot more than it is. Simile shows the theme of childhood innocence as using simile the boy compares the strange world around him to a familiar one to make sense of his new surroundings.This is shown when the boy says, ‘Like wellies’. 

The author shows a theme of childhood innocence throughout the poem. He uses language features like hyperbole, simile and personifications to imply the feel of a young child.

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The author shows the theme of childhood innocence using language features in the poem. He uses language features such as imagery, and hyperbole. In imagery, the child hears everyday words that he doesn’t know like lessons, and then compares it to something he already knows, leading to “lessins” which he imagines are small slimy creatures. This way of thinking and finding out information shows the theme of childhood innocence as he attempts to understand the world around him by comparing it to things he’s already used to and comfortable with. The author also uses the literary device of hyperbole in the first sentence, “A millionbillionwillion miles from home”. The child is probably only a few miles from home, but all the emotions running in his head from trying something so new, like fear, anxiety and worry, makes him feel like he’s actually extremely far from home, which shows the theme of childhood innocence as he tries to actually make his situation work.

Phrases like "A millionbillionwillion miles from home" and the whimsical interpretation of "lessin" as something "small and slimy" reflect a child’s playful yet confused understanding of their surroundings.

The exaggerated language captures the boundless imagination of a child and gives us a sense of curiosity.

The playful distortion of words and the innocent misinterpretation of school (e.g., thinking the teacher makes tea) illustrate the speaker’s childlike view, revealing their vulnerability and the disarming simplicity with which they approach complex situations.

By employing such language features, the author emphasizes the innocence of childhood, portraying the speaker as a vulnerable individual navigating an unfamiliar world while retaining a sense of wonder and imagination. This innocence starkly contrasts with the harsh realities of their environment, deepening the emotional impact of their isolation.

The author uses lots of literary devices such as similies and repetition to show the innocence and curiosity of the child throughout the stanzas . The author implies throughout that the child is young, and this impacts the way he understands change and new environments. One such example is the use of similes. In the 3rd stanza the child tries to figure out his name and is confused about what he is supposed to do ” Mummy said it would come in useful. Like wellies. When there’s puddles ” this relation to wellies shows us how much he doesn't know and because he is a child , is naturally confused with change, indirectly showing childhood innocence and unknowing. Another way literary devices help bring out the theme is with the help of repetition, in the 2nd stanza he repeats the phrase “Railngs, All around, the railings” and thinks they are to keep ot monsters, this shows how scared of new places is, which is a very natural quality of children, this indirectly shows how children react, and give the boy an innocent and normal personality.

The author has really put the theme of childhood innocence out on the table using language features such as Imagery and Personification. Examples of Imagery and personification include “Games that are rough, that swallow you up” This use of personification shows us the vivid imagination of the child and how he relates other things to human traits.(Swallow). “Whole rooms made out of glass” This use of Imagery shows us how (again) vivid imagination to the child and the wonder of the child.

An example for this is hyperbole which is a major literary device in bringing out the theme of childhood innocence.An example for hyperbole is “a millionbillionwillion miles away.”.This shows us the childhood innocence of the boy, who is missing is mom and thinks he is very far from home.Another example for a literary device that brings out this theme is imagery.An example of this in the poem is “whole rooms made out of glass.”.This shows the child's innocence and very vivid imagination to create the sense of childhood innocence.