"Television" from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl: A Satirical Poem that Criticizes the Excessive Consumption of Television and Promotes the Value of Reading Books

"Television"  is a part of a song sung by the Oompa-Loompas in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," from which the following lines are extracted, a race of small people employed in Mr Wonka's chocolate factory. The song vividly describes the negative effects of television, referred to as the 'idiot box,' on children. However, one can safely argue that television has a similar impact on many adults, gradually diminishing their desire to read and stifling their imagination and critical thinking abilities.

These observations about television's influence on children and adults provide important insights. The humorous tone of the poem should not detract from the underlying truth conveyed by the words. Television, with its passive nature and mind-numbing content, poses a threat to intellectual engagement and imaginative pursuits. It gradually erodes the inclination to read, diminishing the power of imagination and critical thinking.

Roald Dahl's experiences as a pilot and his own encounters with the limitations of screen entertainment likely shaped his strong views on the topic. The sentiment expressed in the poem remains relevant today, particularly as our modern lives are increasingly dominated by screens and digital media. The dangers of excessive television consumption, which can hinder intellectual growth and limit creative thinking, apply not only to children but also to adults.

Thus, "Television" by Roald Dahl is a satirical poem that criticizes the excessive consumption of television and promotes the value of reading books. The poem highlights the negative effects of television on children, arguing that it rots their senses, kills imagination, and dulls their minds. It portrays television as a mind-numbing and addictive medium that replaces the joy and intellectual stimulation of reading:

"IT ROTS THE SENSE IN THE HEAD!
IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!
IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE!
HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!
HE CANNOT THINK - HE ONLY SEES!"

Over-reliance on television: 

Dahl emphasizes the detrimental consequences of excessive television viewing. He suggests that children become passive and hypnotized by the screen, losing their ability to think critically and engage in imaginative play as "They loll and slop and lounge about,/ And stare until their eyes pop out." This criticism remains relevant today as technology continues to dominate our lives, with the proliferation of screens and digital media affecting children's development and well-being:

"The most important thing we've learned,
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, NEVER, NEVER let
Them near your television set -
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all."

Decline of reading: 

Dahl laments the decline of reading among children due to the rise of television. He argues that books offer a rich and imaginative world that captivates children's minds, fostering creativity, and expanding their intellectual capacities. The poem underscores the importance of encouraging reading habits in children and the benefits it brings to their overall growth:

"THEY... USED... TO... READ! They'd READ and READ,
AND READ and READ, and then proceed
To READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks!
One half their lives was reading books!
The nursery shelves held books galore!
Books cluttered up the nursery floor!
And in the bedroom, by the bed,
More books were waiting to be read!
Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales
Of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales
And treasure isles, and distant shores
Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars,
And pirates wearing purple pants,
And sailing ships and elephants,
And cannibals crouching 'round the pot,
Stirring away at something hot.
(It smells so good, what can it be?
Good gracious, it's Penelope.)
The younger ones had Beatrix Potter
With Mr. Tod, the dirty rotter,
And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland,
And Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and-
Just How The Camel Got His Hump,
And How the Monkey Lost His Rump,
And Mr. Toad, and bless my soul,
There's Mr. Rat and Mr. Mole-
Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!"

Parental responsibility: 

The poem places responsibility on parents to recognize the detrimental effects of television and actively promote reading as a source of entertainment and education. It urges parents to remove the television set and replace it with a bookshelf, emphasizing the positive impact of books on children's lives. The poem's message prompts parents to consider the role of media consumption and take an active role in shaping their children's intellectual development:

"So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books,
Ignoring all the dirty looks,
The screams and yells, the bites and kicks,
And children hitting you with sticks-
Fear not, because we promise you
That, in about a week or two
Of having nothing else to do,
They'll now begin to feel the need
Of having something to read.
And once they start - oh boy, oh boy!
You watch the slowly growing joy
That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ridiculous machine,
That nauseating, foul, unclean,
Repulsive television screen!
And later, each and every kid
Will love you more for what you did"

The poem remains relevant even today as technological advancements continue to shape our media landscape. While television has evolved into various forms of digital media, the underlying message of the poem persists. Excessive screen time, especially with mindless or inappropriate content, can hinder children's cognitive and imaginative development. The need for parents to actively promote reading as an alternative form of entertainment and intellectual stimulation is as crucial as ever.

Furthermore, the poem advocates for the preservation of traditional forms of storytelling and imaginative play, emphasizing the timeless value of books. It serves as a reminder that in an increasingly digital world, children should have exposure to the joys of reading, which can foster critical thinking, creativity, empathy, and a lifelong love for learning.

In summary, "Television" offers a critical analysis of the negative effects of television and the importance of reading in children's lives. Its relevance today lies in its call to recognize the impact of excessive screen time on children's development and to prioritize the benefits of reading and imaginative engagement. Dahl's work serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating a love for reading and promoting activities that stimulate the imagination. While technology continues to advance, it is crucial to recognize the value of books and their ability to foster intellectual development, empathy, and critical thinking skills. In a world saturated with screens, Roald Dahl's words stand as a testament to the enduring significance of literature and the necessity of preserving our capacity to imagine and think independently.

Note:

Roald Dahl (1916 - 1990), a Welsh-born author of Norwegian descent, led a remarkable life that greatly influenced his writing. During World War II, he served as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force until a plane crash in the Western Desert of Egypt left him with a severe head injury. It was during his recovery, approximately nine months after the crash, that Dahl began his writing career. While his adult stories are known for their intriguing plots and unexpected twists, it is his children's books that have garnered immense popularity.

Among his beloved works are "James and the Giant Peach," "Matilda," "The Witches," "The Magic Finger," "The BFG," "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator," "Fantastic Mr Fox," "The Twits," and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". 

Ardhendu De