Boy Tales of Childhood (Reading Log)

by Roald Dahl


1. How does the text relate to the theme of a journey?

This is a life journey of a person called Roald Dahl. He wrote some of the incidence throughout his young days at school and a number of things happens and never forgets. He wrote his journey of life from the day he was born until he went to work for Shell Oil Company in Africa. He changed physically and mentally as he grows older. This is common among human being to undergo changes from childhood to adulthood. Lots of interesting events had happen while he was in his school. This book sounds more like his diary of childhood.

2. What is the main issue in the text?

The main issue here is love towards family. This can been clearly seen in Roald Dahl’s father, Harald Dahl. Even though he had one of his arm amputated, he worked very hard to support the family. He did not give up easily and abandon the family. Besides that, his mother, Magdalene Hesselberg is the women of love. After her husband passed away she stand on her own legs to bring them up. She emphasized on her children’s education. When she got to know that her son was caned, she went to meet the Headmaster and solved the problem. Roald Dahl has great attachment with his family members. He cares about his mum and always write letter to her sharing his feelings. He misses his home while he was in boarding school. He came up with reasons to go home and spend time with his family.


3. What quality do you admire or dislike in a character?

One of the most interesting part of the story is when Roald Dahl placed a dead rat into the Gobstopper jar in Mrs Pratchetts shop and caused a huge chaos. He is daring and mischievous. He stands for his rights. When he was accused of copying during Prep, he argued with the headmaster and explained to him. He shows bravery. His very active in sports and was the captain of fives and squash racquets. Even though he had so many posts, he was humble. Besides that, he had a good relationship with his mother. He loves his mother and family. He felt homesick while he was studying in boarding school and he came out with a reason that he has appendicitis so that he can go back home. Nowadays sometimes I feel the same too when I am away from my family. He is honest and open. When he was offered to work in Egypt he rejected it because he did not want to work there. He did not hide anything. Furthermore, he is also good at photography. He won lots of awards and prizes.

4. How does the text develop your understanding of the world?

This story gives me a better understanding of education system in overseas and in a boarding school. The education system in England is totally different from Malaysia. Discipline is one of the most important aspects in boarding schools. This enables a person to be more disciplined. People in boarding school had to undergo a lot of sufferings and they are under control every moment. I also got to know more about corporal punishment in schools in overseas. Although the school that Roald Dahl enrolled is one of the best schools, they do practice corporal punishment.