Summary of A Funny Man

The poem "A Funny Man" by Natalie Joan describes a humorous encounter with a peculiar man who behaves in an amusing and unexpected way. The narrator meets this man walking down the street wearing a shoe on his head and hats on his feet, which immediately creates a funny and strange image. The man politely offers a currant bun as a rose and sings a song with a funny sound. The narrator is surprised and amused by the man’s odd behavior and appearance. The poem ends with the man hopping home on his head, continuing his funny antics.

Key Elements

• Theme: The joy of humor and the delight in unusual, playful behavior.
• Setting: A street where the narrator meets the funny man.
• Tone: Light-hearted, playful, and amusing.

Textual Evidence

Lines such as "He wore a shoe upon his head / And hats upon his feet" and "He turned the other way about, / And hopped home on his head" highlight the man’s comical appearance and actions.

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• Who is the narrator talking about in the poem?
• What unusual thing was the funny man wearing on his head?

Level 2 – Moderate

• Describe the funny man’s behavior and how it made the narrator feel.
• What did the funny man offer to the narrator as a rose?

Level 3 – Challenging

• Explain how the poet uses humor to create a playful mood in the poem.
• What is the significance of the man hopping home on his head at the end of the poem?

Answer Key

• The narrator is talking about a funny man he met on the street.
• The funny man was wearing a shoe on his head.
• The funny man behaved in a silly and polite way, which made the narrator amused and surprised.
• The funny man offered a currant bun as a rose.
• The poet uses humorous images and actions, such as wearing shoes on the head and singing funny songs, to create a light and playful mood.
• The man hopping home on his head shows his continued playful and unusual behavior, emphasizing the poem’s theme of fun and humor.

Quick Reference

• Funny man’s attire: shoe on head, hats on feet.
• Polite but silly behavior.
• Offers currant bun as rose.
• Sings funny song.
• Hops home on his head.

Glossary

• Currant bun: A small sweet bun with dried fruit.
• Staggered: To move unsteadily.
• Polite: Showing good manners.
• Antics: Funny or silly behavior.

Character Sketch of the Funny Man

The funny man in the poem is a cheerful and playful character who enjoys making others laugh through his unusual appearance and actions. He is polite and friendly, as shown by his courteous smile and offering a "rose" to the narrator. His behavior is unconventional, wearing a shoe on his head and hats on his feet, and singing a funny song. He is carefree and whimsical, hopping home on his head at the end, showing his love for fun and humor.

Key Traits

• Playful: Enjoys amusing others with his odd behavior.
• Polite: Uses good manners despite his silliness.
• Unconventional: Dresses and acts in a way that is unusual.
• Cheerful: His actions bring joy and laughter.

Textual Evidence

"He raised the shoe and smiled at me, / His manners were polite;" shows his courteous nature despite his funny appearance.

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• What kind of clothes did the funny man wear?
• Was the funny man rude or polite?

Level 2 – Moderate

• How does the funny man behave towards the narrator?
• What does the funny man’s behavior tell us about his personality?

Level 3 – Challenging

• Discuss how the funny man’s character adds to the poem’s theme of humor.
• Why do you think the poet chose to describe the man’s actions in such a playful way?

Answer Key

• The funny man wore a shoe on his head and hats on his feet.
• The funny man was polite.
• He behaved politely and offered a rose, showing friendliness.
• His behavior shows he is playful, kind, and enjoys making others laugh.
• The funny man’s character creates a joyful and humorous mood, emphasizing the poem’s theme.
• The playful description helps readers imagine the fun and silliness, making the poem enjoyable.

Quick Reference

• Funny man: playful, polite, unconventional.
• Friendly and cheerful behavior.

Glossary

• Unconventional: Not following usual rules or customs.
• Whimsical: Playfully unusual or fanciful.

Themes in A Funny Man

The poem explores several themes centered around humor, playfulness, and the joy found in unusual behavior. It highlights how laughter and fun can brighten everyday life. The poem also touches on the idea of seeing the world differently and appreciating the unexpected.

Main Themes

• Humor and Laughter: The funny man’s antics bring joy and amusement.
• Playfulness: The poem celebrates playful behavior and imagination.
• Unconventionality: Embracing uniqueness and oddness.
• Joy in Simplicity: Finding happiness in simple, funny moments.

Textual Evidence

"He wore a shoe upon his head / And hats upon his feet" shows unconventional behavior that creates humor.

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• What is the main feeling the poem creates?
• What does the funny man wear that is unusual?

Level 2 – Moderate

• How does the poem show the importance of humor?
• What does the poem suggest about being different?

Level 3 – Challenging

• Explain how the theme of playfulness is developed through the funny man’s actions.
• Discuss how the poem encourages readers to appreciate the unexpected in life.

Answer Key

• The poem creates a feeling of joy and amusement.
• The funny man wears a shoe on his head and hats on his feet.
• The poem shows humor as a way to bring happiness and lighten moods.
• The poem suggests that being different is fun and should be enjoyed.
• The funny man’s playful actions highlight the theme of playfulness.
• The poem encourages readers to find joy in unusual and unexpected moments.

Quick Reference

• Humor, playfulness, and joy are key themes.
• Celebrates uniqueness and fun.

Glossary

• Antics: Silly or funny actions.
• Unconventional: Different from the usual.

Literary Devices in A Funny Man

The poem uses several literary devices to create humor and engage the reader. These devices help paint a vivid and amusing picture of the funny man and his actions.

Key Literary Devices

• Imagery: Descriptive language like "He wore a shoe upon his head" creates a funny visual image.
• Rhyme: The poem follows a rhyming pattern (e.g., street/feet, me/see) that adds musicality.
• Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds, such as "funny feeling sound," enhances rhythm.
• Personification: The man’s polite manners give human qualities to his funny behavior.
• Repetition: The word "funny" is repeated to emphasize humor.

Examples from the Poem

• Imagery: "He wore a shoe upon his head / And hats upon his feet."
• Rhyme: "He raised the shoe and smiled at me, / His manners were polite;"
• Alliteration: "funny feeling sound."

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• Find two rhyming words from the poem.
• What image does the poet create with the man’s clothes?

Level 2 – Moderate

• Explain how alliteration is used in the poem.
• Identify an example of repetition and its effect.

Level 3 – Challenging

• Discuss how imagery contributes to the humorous tone of the poem.
• Analyze the role of rhyme in making the poem enjoyable to read aloud.

Answer Key

• Rhyming words: street/feet, me/see.
• The poet creates a funny image of a man wearing a shoe on his head and hats on his feet.
• Alliteration is used in "funny feeling sound" to create rhythm and emphasis.
• The word "funny" is repeated to highlight the humorous nature of the man and the poem.
• Imagery helps readers visualize the man’s silly appearance, enhancing humor.
• Rhyme adds musicality and makes the poem pleasant and easy to remember.

Quick Reference

• Imagery, rhyme, alliteration, repetition are key devices.
• They create humor and musicality.

Glossary

• Imagery: Language that creates pictures in the mind.
• Rhyme: Words that have the same ending sounds.
• Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds.
• Repetition: Repeating words for effect.

Important Quotes from A Funny Man

The poem contains several memorable lines that capture its humor and playful spirit.

Selected Quotes

• "He wore a shoe upon his head / And hats upon his feet." – This line introduces the funny man’s unusual appearance.
• "He raised the shoe and smiled at me, / His manners were polite;" – Shows the man’s polite nature despite his odd look.
• "I never saw a rose with such / A funny looking smell." – The narrator’s humorous reaction to the currant bun offered as a rose.
• "He turned the other way about, / And hopped home on his head." – The funny man’s playful exit.

Explanation of Key Lines

These lines use humor and surprise to engage the reader. The contrast between polite manners and silly actions creates a delightful and amusing effect.

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• Which line tells us about the funny man’s clothes?
• What does the funny man offer to the narrator?

Level 2 – Moderate

• Explain the meaning of "I never saw a rose with such a funny looking smell."
• Why is the man’s polite smile important in the poem?

Level 3 – Challenging

• Analyze how the last two lines contribute to the poem’s humorous ending.
• Discuss the use of contrast in the poem’s key quotes.

Answer Key

• The line about clothes is "He wore a shoe upon his head / And hats upon his feet."
• The funny man offers a currant bun as a rose.
• The line humorously shows that the "rose" is actually a bun, which smells funny.
• The polite smile shows the man’s friendly nature despite his odd behavior.
• The last lines show the man’s playful nature and end the poem on a funny note.
• The poem contrasts polite manners with silly actions to create humor.

Quick Reference

• Quotes highlight humor and polite silliness.
• Contrast is used for comic effect.

Glossary

• Contrast: Showing differences to highlight qualities.
• Polite: Showing good manners.