Shel Silverstein Research Paper

“Listen to the MUSTN’TS child, listen to the DON’TS. Listen to the SHOULDN’TS, the IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS. Listen to the NEVER HAVES, then listen close to me- anything can happen, child, ANYTHING can be” (Silverstein, Listen to the Mustn’ts). Shel Silverstein was a famous American poet, songwriter, musician, cartoonist, and screenwriter.. He illustrated his own pictures for his works of literature and enjoyed writing songs. Though most people don’t know him as a songwriter, musician, or screenwriter, many children and adults around the world enjoy his poetry today. Sheldon Allan Silverstein, better known as Shel Silverstein, was born on September 25, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to Nathan and Helen Silverstein. He grew up in a low class neighborhood in the Logan Square Area of Chicago with his sister Peggy Myers. (Shel Silverstein’s Biography) During the Great Depression, the Silverstein family opened a bakery, and the financial stress caused his parents to constantly argue. (Beckles, 1) Therefore, Shel started writing and drawing at a

Shel Silverstein married Susan Taylor Hastings, and they had a daughter named Shoshanna Jordan Hastings on June 30, 1970. Five years later on June 29, 1975, in Baltimore, Maryland, Susan Hastings passed away. Not too long after, Shoshanna died of cerebral aneurysm when she was eleven in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 24, 1982. “Silverstein, though never married again, had a son named Matthew with a woman named Sarah Spencer. Matthew was born in 1983” (The Famous People Website). Shel Silverstein was lonely and had to deal with his parent’s constant arguing during his childhood, which may have influenced some of his sadder works. “Tell me I’m clever, tell me I’m kind, tell me I’m talented, tell me I’m cute, tell me I’m sensitive, graceful, and wise, tell me I’m perfect- but tell me the truth” (Silverstein, Tell