"Hazel tells Laverne 1976"
Question. What do you imagine the situation and setting are for this poem? Do you like this
revision of the fairy tale "The Frog Prince"?
The author envisioned this situation and setting to be seedy, far from romantic or good, but rather
quite bad. This is evident in the line, "I'm cleanin' out my Howard Johnson's ladies' room when
all of a sudden up pops this frog." A potential romantic interest appears in the ladies' room, an
inappropriate place to seek companionship. The author highlights the absurdity of this revision of
'The Frog Prince,' questioning why someone would kiss a stranger and adds humour by having
the frog flushed down the toilet. Overall, I enjoy this humorous, concise, and sensible take on
'The Frog Prince.'
'Marvell Noir 2005'
Q. "Discuss the ways in which time is a central presence in the poem."
The concept of time is at the centre of the poem, moving both fast and slow. The 'Sweetheart'
faces 25 years in prison, showcasing a very long period for reflection and reminiscence about her
life and future. Past events are significant, such as, "He set you up; you had to eat, And bitter
with the bittersweet Was what they dished you; Ginger lied; You weren't there when Sanchez
died," showing how past actions impact the present. The setting of 'The Frog Prince' revision is
imagined as a dirty bathroom late at night, where the protagonist is alone and startled by a
talking frog. This version feels satirical, contrasting the original romantic fairy tale by presenting
a humorous and realistic reaction to a frog's promise of royalty. This gives humour and
potentiality to the classic and is a clean revision which provides fun to the classic.
