Answers to Talking Points

"MMM MMM MMM MMM"
(CRASH TEST DUMMIES)


=============================================
1. Describe the structure of the song!
Ad 1. Classic structure: Introduction, 3 stanzas, chorus, bridge.
Each stanza deals with a kid that has it bad.
2. Describe in your own words what's wrong with the three kids !

3.1. Why had the boy's hair turned into white ?
Ad 3.1. He got into an accident; the car crash had the effect that the hair lost its pigment afterwards.
3.2. How do you think did the other pupils react ?
Ad 3.2. Grey hair is associated with old age. Maybe, some kids felt pity for the boy. Others may have turned around and stared at him, pointed their fingers at him, whispered about him and laughed at him. That must be a bad experience.

4.1. What was wrong with the girl ? Why didn't she change her clothes with the other girls ?
Ad 4.1. She had birthmarks all over her body
4.2. Why didn't the girl want the other girls to see her birthmarks ?
Ad 4.2. She was ashamed to show them. She was scared that the other girls would make bad jokes about her birthmarks.
4.3. Do you think it is wise to try to hide secrets like these birthmarks ?
Ad 4.3. No, it is not wise, because you cannot keep this secret.

5.1. What was special about the third kid ?
Ad 5.1. He and his parents used to shake and lurch all over the church floor.
5.2. What kind of church was it ?
Ad 5.2. It must be some strange sect.
5.3. Do you agree that the third kid "had it worse than" the other two ?

6. Do you agree that it can comfort you to know that someone else is worse off than you ?
7. Do you think you will remember these lyrics ? Why ?
8. Do you know other similar cases ?

9. Creative writing:
9.1. Write more stanzas !
Example:
Once there was this white girl
who came into the hospital, the labour had begun
but when her husband saw the child
it had black skin and black curly hair
she couldn't quite explain it
she said it was a miracle.

9.2. Write a parody (humorous exaggerated imitation) of the lyrics !
Example:
Once there was this kid who
watched tv all day and long into the night
and when he finally switched it off
his eyes had changed from round into square eyes
They couldn't quite explain it
they blamed it on the tv screen.