Social power
The Social Power Perspective emphasizes on the manner in which society is organized. Thus, reading "On Turning Ten" through the Social Power lens allows certain aspects to be highlighted. these include society's expectation of "growing up" and losing one's imagination as a result. These are heavily exaggerated and emphasizes throughout the poem. Another aspect is how turning a "big number" symbolizes the sacrificing of youthfulness and the start of maturity as well as stoicness, which is characterized by the "draining of colors". The loss of imagination is displayed when the child speaker says "good-bye to [his] imaginary friends" (line 26). this shows the speaker clearly limiting his imagination as he "turn[s] the first big number" (line 27). The start of a realistic approach to life is also displayed when the child claims that he used to think he was made of light, but now recognizes that he is skin, bones, blood, and organs. The "sidewalks of life" he speaks of also illuminate the turmoil that the speaker endures due to society's expectation of transforming into adulthood. Through these examples, the subjects and patterns of society's control over individuals and expectations versus realities are thoroughly explores. By using the Social Power perspective to analyze "On Turning Ten", the reader is allowed to better relate to the author and speaker as it explores a broader outlook; one in which the reader can recognize and sympathize with. The themes found in the poem, which contribute to this perspective, are less personal but more generalized as to gain ethos.
character
The Character (also known as Psychological) Perspective really examines every nook and cranny of the thoughts and motivations of characters in order to allow the reader to better understand a piece of literature. In this poem, the focus is on the speaker, a ten year old child who is reflecting on his earlier years. The use of narration by a single character (the ten year old child) allows the reader to really explore his inner motivations and thoughts, as they are laid out and easily accessible in the writing. The character speaks of transitioning into adulthood as causing him pain and stripping him of his imagination, leaving him without the former naive simplicity and happiness. These are shown through the character really digging into his thoughts and discussing them with the reader. He "feel[s] like [he's] coming down with something" and proceeds to explain the feeling of illness that is comparable to several diseases well-known to man (lines 1-2). The character tells his audience of his inner queasy feelings. Furthermore, the transition from adulthood is narrated by the speaker in which he claims he still remembers "the perfect simplicity of being one and the beautiful complexity introduced by two" (lines 10-11). He also describes his feelings as solemn. It is also displayed by the last few lines of the poem, in which the child speaks of remembering when he believed he was made of light inside, only to find out that he bleeds blood instead of the shining lights. The character's motivations and thoughts are easily accessible to reader, thus this lens is highly suitable for this piece. The loss of imagination, the correlation between complexity and adulthood and loneliness, as well as the subject of childhood versus adulthood is easily explored through the character's thoughts and words. Using this critical perspective allows the reader to understand the character himself on a truly personal level and the character's thoughts, feelings, and actions portrayed in the poem illuminate the main themes that Collins wishes to be known to the public through his writing.