Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! Theme of Rules and Order

The Narrator of Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!, whom we lovingly refer to as the pointy-hand man, definitely has the feel of a father figure. It's not just the watch or the way he points at everything—although that certainly factors into it. No, it's the way he seems to set the rules. He tells Marvin K. Mooney the time has come, he gives Mooney the options to leave, and he provides the order of the poem since it's his voice telling the story. But most father-like of all, the Narrator gets angrier and angrier and angrier with Marvin K. when his rules aren't followed. We might have more sympathy for the guy, but like any child being told to go to bed, we want to know the reason why. Why is it time for Marvin K. to go? Sadly, the world may never know.

Questions and Answers

Questions the little ones might ask and how you might respond

Q: Why is the pointy-hand man so bossy to Marvin K.?
A: It's possible he's a father-type person to Marvin K. Maybe he's older and knows better, so he gets to make the rules. Of course, maybe he only thinks he's the one giving orders. What do you think?

Q: Why is the Narrator ordering Marvin K. to leave?
A: There could be any number of reasons. Maybe it's Marvin's time to go to bed? And speaking of bedtime…

Q: Why does the pointy-hand man think he's in charge?
A: Because it's his house? Because he has a watch? Because he's older? Why does anybody think they can order anybody else around? Mind if I answer your question with a question?