pigeon english essay questions

Pigeon English

By stephen kelman, pigeon english summary and analysis of june.

Harri, Mamma , and Lydia visit Auntie Sonia , who has a broken nose. Auntie Sonia claims to have dropped a suitcase on her face while searching in the closet, though the text indicates that Julius physically abuses her. Auntie Sonia buys Lydia a cell phone with a camera and Harri a remote-controlled car.

The local butcher, Nish, is arrested for being an undocumented immigrant. Lydia explains that Julius sells fake visas and assures Harri that their family resides in the UK legally.

Lydia also receives a box from home for her birthday. Overcome with homesickness, Lydia cries, and Harri tries to "save the day" by making Lydia laugh. For his present, Harri brings Lydia to a still-wet cement ramp and suggests she mark the spot with her footprints and signature, which the chapter visually represents. Harri asks the pigeon to guard the siblings' footprints.

At school, Harri and Poppy write their initials on a desk, indicating they belong together. Harri's friends discuss the disturbing nature of sexuality, expressing their fears about bestiality and pedophilia. During lunchtime, Miquita and Chanelle physically fight because Miquita accuses Chanelle of planning to report on Killa. Miquita tries to throw Chanelle out the window and kill her, but luckily, the teachers separate the two girls.

At home, Lydia and Harri watch the news. The newscaster comments on the rise of knife crime in London and the failure of the public to come forward with evidence identifying the perpetrators. Adding to the family's concerns, Agnes develops a fever. Harri has nightmares about being unable to save Agnes and attributes her illness to God's wrath. Then, Harri converses with the pigeon, who assures him Agnes will survive and that there is a heaven.

Harri prays for Agnes, promising his life in exchange for hers. Soon after, Agnes recovers from her fever, and Harri credits his prayers and the sacrifice of his alligator tooth for her health.

Lydia and Harri play pool at the Youth Club, and Harri spies on Killa and Miquita, who are smoking marijuana. Killa breaks Harri's binoculars, and Harri tells Dean that Killa has enough telltale signs of guilt to qualify him as a suspect in the dead boy's murder.

Harri and Jordan throw stones at passing buses for points and discuss which guns they will purchase when they have enough money. Jordan claims to know about guns because he had to bury a Glock as one of his missions for the Dell Farm Crew. Harri's mother gets off the bus that Harri and Jordan hit with stones, and she forbids Harri from seeing Jordan again. As Harri and Mamma walk away, Jordan spits at Harri, making them "enemies for life."

When Harri and Dean fail to find evidence for the case of the dead boy, they decide to collect forensic evidence to give to the police chief, namely fingerprints. Harri and Dean get Killa's fingerprints after he touches a window while pretending to be searched.

Later, when Harri walks to the principal's office to deliver a message, Killa drags him into the bathroom and threatens him with a "craft store knife," ordering Harri to give back his fingerprints.

As Harri grows increasingly involved in the murder investigation, he incorporates police jargon into his vocabulary. Harri defines terms using his own experiences. For example, he explains that "stake-out" is " just another word for when you're watching for the bad guys." Harri doesn't connect the purpose of a stake-out (gathering information) with the action of a stake-out (observing).

During the stake-out, Harri and Dean speak like detectives, using phrases such as "Copy that" and "affirmative" and identify "suspects" using faux police descriptions, such as "unknown white male." The boys' stake-out blurs the line between imaginary play and reality. Though they do not uncover any relevant information during the stake-out, the stake-out inspires them to collect forensic evidence by stealing Killa's fingerprints. This choice puts both Harri and Dean in life-threatening danger.

Harri uses lists throughout the text to organize his thoughts and explain the patterns he observes. After the stake-out, Harri compiles a list of "signs of guilt," which include legitimate tells, like "talking too fast," and childlike tells, such as "uncontrolled gas."

Harri notices that something is wrong with Auntie Sonia's relationship with Julius. He describes his observations using language he learned while playing detective. For example, Harri notes that Julius was "holding her arm like he was a handcuff." This quotation, coupled with Harri's increased attention to detail, demonstrates how his preoccupation with solving the murder changes the way he looks at the world.

In Harri's "Creatures of the Deep book," he learns that sharks never sleep because they "have to keep swimming or they'll die." The shark serves as a metaphor for Harri and his peers. While living in a dangerous environment, the children maintain a state of constant vigilance and fear to keep themselves safe.

The text quickly transitions from descriptions of violence to mundane, juvenile observations. For example, after Harri watches Nish's wife get "her head trod on" during the couple's public arrest, Harri immediately states the non sequitur, "the next time I see Dean I'll ask him how he likes his new socks." Harri's random thoughts and associations demonstrate how, as a young child, he processes violence and oppression. Though Harri understands and is concerned for his safety, he is equally concerned with his childlike interests.

When Agnes develops a fever, Harri feels personally responsible because he "should have been good" but chose to hang around with bad influences, and "now God's going to destroy" the Opoku family. Harri reasons that God will "kill Agnes first" to teach Harri a lesson. This disturbing exploration of faith and superstition marks a change in Harri's character. At the beginning of the text, before Harri recognizes the crime and danger surrounding him, he describes the figure of God in friendly, pleasant terms, even imagining himself as God "easing himself on his favorite cloud." After Harri witnesses and participates in violence, he recognizes danger everywhere, even in his family life. Since the authority figures in Harri's life (like the police, the Dell Farm Crew, and Julius) are brutal punishers, Harri begins to see God as occupying a similar role.

Jordan explains that he buries guns in gardens. On one level, Harri understands that Jordan is hiding weapons for the Dell Farm Crew, but Harri associates burying things in the garden with planting plants. The parallel amuses him, because "if you're planting plants they'll grow into something. A gun doesn't even grow into anything." This observation has a double meaning: the text argues that violence, represented by the gun, cannot produce anything good, though violence can be nurtured like a plant in a garden.

Terry Takeaway lets Harri walk his pit bull, Asbo. Harri enjoys the power he exercises over Asbo and feels like he "owns" the dog. By the end of the walk, Asbo "stopped trying to get away." This walk is an allegory for how gangs like the Dell Farm Crew get children involved in crime. Just as Harri trains Asbo to walk beside him by complimenting him when he does something good and punishing him for resisting, the Dell Farm Crew courts Harri's interest by praising his strengths and scaring him when he disobeys.

Pigeon English Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Pigeon English is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

How does Kelman present ideas of control and power in Pigeon English?

All of the characters are forced to uphold the masculine traits like power and control or toughness and ruthlessness in order to protect themselves. This culture of violence means that life is treated as disposable and death is ever-present.

how does the writer present the struggles of childhood in pigeon english

The setting of this British town is quite a dangerous place, especially for the children. As readers learn almost from the outset, a boy from Harrison's school was murdered and left for dead in the street recently. Harrison learns firsthand how...

How does Stephan Kelman present Harri as a vulnerable character in the novel

Being from Ghana and still a child, Hari is vulnerable to the world of a child near teen as well as the world of a visible immigrant. The protagonist/narrator is an eleven-year-old schoolboy newly arrived in London from Ghana. He is a good kid...

Study Guide for Pigeon English

Pigeon English study guide contains a biography of Stephen Kelman, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Pigeon English
• Pigeon English Summary
• Character List

Lesson Plan for Pigeon English

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Introduction to Pigeon English
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Pigeon English Bibliography

Pigeon English

Stephen kelman, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions, harrison opoku (harri), the dead boy.

Connor Green

Auntie sonia, poppy morgan, fag ash lil, mr. frimpong.

Pigeon English

37 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

June Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Summary: “june”.

This month begins with Harri and Dean on a stakeout for the killer, carefully observing everyone who passes them for what they deemed proof of guilt culled from Dean’s television knowledge. Dean explains DNA to Harri and why it is so helpful in solving crimes.

Back at the apartment towers, Harri’s mother is asking Auntie Sonia to explain how she hurt herself and ended up with a bandaged nose and bruised eye. Auntie Sonia blames her own clumsiness and goes quiet when Julius reenters the room.

Get access to this full Study Guide and much more!

• 7,500+ In-Depth Study Guides
• 4,900+ Quick-Read Plot Summaries
• Downloadable PDFs

At school, Poppy shows Harri how to write their initials into a desk to memorialize their love: P.M. + H.O. I.D.S.T. (“If Destroyed Still True”). Harri recalls, “[i]t felt brutal seeing it there. It felt important” (164). He values what he has with Poppy and is thrilled and relieved that sex does not have to be involved, making it even better to have her as his girlfriend.

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Featured Collections

Teams & Gangs

View Collection

Turn autoplay off

Turn autoplay on

Please activate cookies in order to turn autoplay off

• Jump to content [s]
• Jump to site navigation [0]
• Jump to search [4]
• Terms and conditions [8]
• Press office
• Guardian Print Centre
• Guardian readers' editor
• Observer readers' editor
• Terms of service
• Privacy policy
• Advertising guide
• Digital archive
• Digital edition
• Guardian Weekly
• Buy Guardian and Observer photos

Today's paper

• Main section
• G2 features
• Comment and debate
• Editorials, letters and corrections
• Other lives
• SocietyGuardian
• Environment
• Children's books
• 7 and under
• DIY bookmarks
• Guardian Books

Stephen Kelman: Why I wrote Pigeon English

• Stephen Kelman
• theguardian.com , Tuesday 23 October 2012 08.00 BST
• License/buy our content
• Terms & conditions
• Accessibility
• Inside the Guardian blog
• Work for us
• Join our dating site today
• © 2016 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.

• International
• Schools directory
• Resources Jobs Schools directory News Search

Pigeon English

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Audio, music & video

Last updated

21 August 2023

• Share through email
• Share through twitter
• Share through linkedin
• Share through facebook
• Share through pinterest

Tes paid licence How can I reuse this?

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

This resource hasn't been reviewed yet

To ensure quality for our reviews, only customers who have purchased this resource can review it

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource:

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

QUESTION PIGEON ENGLISH

Related Papers

Anna Pragrová

This bachelor thesis is focused on the translation from the English Language into the Czech language; extra attention is given to translation of dialects and sociolects. The first part of the thesis consists of the translation of one chapter of the novel Pigeon English written by the English author Stephen Kelman. The second part of the thesis deals with theories of translating process and translation of substandard language formations. This part contains also the analysis of the translated text and justification of the choice of the register used in the translation.

Rebecca Fitzell

Louise Logan-Smith

Marcus Stenberg

Apoorva Malepati

The purpose of this essay is to analyze how the novel ‘Invention of Wings’ can be seen as a Bildungsroman in the author's portrayal of Sarah’s and Handful’s struggle against mental and physical enslavement. I analyze the different incidents in the novel that portray the features of a Bildungsroman as well as the characters mental and physical enslavement. The story is told from the first person point of view, with Sarah and Handful alternating, but Sarah can be considered the protagonist of the novel as she seems more prominent and dominating in the pages of the book. This essay focuses on her life and pin-points the different parts of the story where the features of Bildungsroman are evident. I will examine the psychosomatic growth of Sarah as the novel begins when she is of eleven years old and ends in her adulthood. I explain how the author uses the genre to depict Sarah’s growth into a confident, vocal woman who campaigns for racial and gender rights. The features of a Bildungsroman examined are: the protagonist’s psychological and moral growth, experiences that change the protagonist’s perspective, struggles, hardships faced in leaving home and on return, introspection and most importantly, attaining ultimate maturity in the end. I also compare and contrast the physical and mental enslavement of the two women. Handful plays a vital part in Sarah’s struggles and the subsequent victory over her condition. The life of Handful, a slave, can also be seen parallel to that of Sarah’s growing up story, as Handful transcends the shackles of slavery that hold her down realizing the metaphorical meaning in the myth of Africans having wings that were supposed to help in flying to freedom. I conclude that the story of the two women’s struggles can indeed be seen as a Bildungsroman.

Jeremy Sung

Shenelle Perera

Susheel K Sharma

Haifa Radwan

Henry James is considered to be one of the greatest American writers as his literary production contributed to the consolidation of a truly American literature. Moreover, James was an influent literary critic. His studies of the art of fiction and, especially, the use of point of view entitled him to be called 'the master' by other writers. In this sense, this study discusses the use of point of view in one of James's most acclaimed novels: The Wings of the Dove. More

WALRUS MEDIA

RELATED PAPERS

Veronika Kapsali

Natural Hazards

Alton Byers

Revista Iberoamericana De Automatica E Informatica Industrial

Eduardo Camacho

Tevfik Dalgic

AyeniNA Surveillance

Cuadernos de Antropología Social

Antonella Delmonte Allasia

IET Optoelectronics

Champak Sarma

Cassiana Magalhães

BMC Infectious Diseases

Pascalina Kapata

British Journal of Educational Technology

LeeAnn Adams

Djibril Diop

Revista Española de Salud Pública

Ignacio Zapata

Pakistan Journal of Zoology

Ghulam Jelani

Alexandra Endara

Open Journal of Respiratory Diseases

Stanley Mugambi Ndwiga

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention

Maria Jose Sanchez

Scientific Reports

Clara Domínguez Vivero

Global Journal of Geological Sciences

Joseph Omada

Physical Review C

Pietro Corvisiero

Journal of Bio- and Tribo-Corrosion

Ravindra Kotian

International Journal of Computing and Digital Systems

Narayan Murmu

Akos Jobbagy

Mirko Susta

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

Essay on Pigeon

Students are often asked to write an essay on Pigeon in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Pigeon

Introduction.

Pigeons, often seen in parks or city squares, are birds that have a close relationship with humans. They are known for their ability to find their way home from long distances.

Pigeons are medium-sized birds with short necks and slender bodies. They have a variety of colors, from grey to white, brown, and even green and purple.

Pigeons are social creatures, often seen in flocks. They eat seeds and fruits, and are known for their cooing sound.

Significance

Pigeons have been used for communication in the past due to their homing ability. They symbolize peace and love.

Also check:

• 10 Lines on Pigeon

250 Words Essay on Pigeon

Pigeons, often referred to as ‘rock doves’ or ‘city doves,’ are ubiquitous avian species that have a significant relationship with human societies. Their adaptability and resilience have enabled them to thrive in urban environments, making them a familiar sight in cities worldwide.

Biological Characteristics

Pigeons exhibit a plethora of fascinating biological characteristics. They are monogamous creatures, usually forming lifelong pairs. Their diet primarily consists of seeds and grains, but they can adapt to consume human food waste in urban areas. With a remarkable homing ability, pigeons can find their way back to their nests over vast distances.

Symbolic Significance

Historically, pigeons have held symbolic significance in various cultures. They were revered as sacred in ancient civilizations and represented peace and love in Christian iconography. Their ability to return home led to their use as message carriers in wars, earning them the title ‘war heroes.’

Human-Pigeon Interaction

The human-pigeon interaction is a complex one. While some view them as pests due to their potential to spread diseases and damage property, others appreciate their presence as a symbol of urban wildlife. They also serve as subjects for scientific studies, particularly in the fields of navigation and behavioral sciences.

In conclusion, pigeons, though often overlooked, play a significant role in our urban ecosystems and cultural narratives. Their presence in our lives offers an opportunity to appreciate the diversity of wildlife within urban landscapes and invites us to reconsider our relationship with nature.

500 Words Essay on Pigeon

The pigeon, often seen as a humble city dweller, is a bird that has played a significant role throughout human history. They are members of the bird family Columbidae, which also includes doves. Pigeons have been associated with a variety of symbolic interpretations, including peace, love, and loyalty, but their importance extends beyond symbolism.

Physical Characteristics

Pigeons typically weigh between 9 to 13 ounces and have a length of 12 to 15 inches. They possess a short neck, slender body, and short, slender bill. Their plumage can range from grey to white, brown, and even green or purple iridescence, depending on the species. Pigeons have a remarkable ability to see ultraviolet light, an adaptation that aids in their navigation.

Behavior and Lifestyle

Pigeons are known for their impressive homing ability. They can return to their nests from distances of several hundred miles, an ability that has been used by humans for centuries in the form of pigeon post. Their navigation skills are believed to be based on a combination of landmarks, the Earth’s magnetic field, and possibly even the stars.

Pigeons are monogamous, usually mating for life and sharing the responsibility of caring for their offspring. Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the young ‘squabs’ a special ‘crop milk’.

Historical Importance

Historically, pigeons have been used for a variety of purposes. In wartime, they were used to carry messages across enemy lines. The reliability and speed of these birds made them an essential communication tool before the advent of modern technology. Pigeons have also been used in research, contributing to our understanding of animal behavior and navigation.

Pigeons and Urbanization

In modern times, pigeons have adapted incredibly well to urban environments. They are often seen in large numbers in cities worldwide, where they feed on food scraps and nest on buildings. However, this close association with humans has led to them being considered a nuisance by some. Despite this, their presence in urban areas provides an opportunity for city dwellers to engage with wildlife.

Conservation and the Future

While many pigeon species are thriving, some are under threat due to habitat loss and hunting. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of these species. Understanding and appreciating the role of pigeons in our world is a step towards their conservation.

Pigeons are more than just common city birds. Their unique physical characteristics, behavior, historical importance, and relationship with urban environments make them a fascinating subject of study. As we move forward, it is vital to recognize the role of these birds in our ecosystems and work towards their conservation. Pigeons, in their simplicity, offer profound lessons about adaptation, survival, and the intricate tapestry of life on Earth.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Pharmacist
• Essay on Petroleum
• Essay on Penguin

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

10 lines on Pigeon in English - Short essay on Pigeon

Today, we are sharing ten lines essay on Pigeon . This article can help the students who are looking for information about Pigeon in English . This essay is very simple and easy to remember. The level of this essay is moderate so any students can write on this topic. This article is generally useful for class 1, class 2, and class 3 .

10 lines on Pigeon in English

• Pigeon is a very beautiful bird which is found almost all over the world.
• Pigeons are of different colors like white, gray, and black.
• Pigeon has two eyes, two wings, two claws, and small feathers all over the body.
• Pigeon's paws are dark red in color.
• Pigeons mostly live in herds, there are about 10-22 pigeons in their flock.
• Pigeons eat wheat, cereals, pulses, etc. in their diet.
• Pigeon's hearing and memory power are more than other birds.
• Pigeon was used as a messenger in ancient times.
• The female pigeon lays 5-6 eggs at a time, and about 130 eggs throughout her life.
• The average lifespan of a pigeon is around 3-4 years.

Children in school, are often asked to write 10 lines about Pigeon in English . We help the students to do their homework in an effective way. If you liked this article, then please comment below and tell us how you liked it. We use your comments to further improve our service. We hope you have got some learning on the above subject. You can also visit my YouTube channel that is https://www.youtube.com/synctechlearn. You can also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/synctechlearn .

You might like

Is it stuck or something ? Try pulling her back from the window sill gently if she is stuck. Also keep some seeds at a place which she can reach from her perch for food. Keep water as well. There's a ton of possibility that this beautiful pigeon has come to your place because she feels she's gonna get some care and rest. Or she may be stuck. Nudge her into your hand gently so that you can be sure. Don't push her out of the window sill. pigeon

Post a Comment

Contact form.

2269 Chestnut Street, #477 San Francisco CA 94123

Sharing Educational Goals

Our cheap essay service is a helping hand for those who want to reach academic success and have the perfect 4.0 GPA. Whatever kind of help you need, we will give it to you.

• Password reminder
• Registration

Final Paper