Read this excerpt from Holes. How do the words "if only, if only" paralel Stanley's
predicament?
Sarah changed the words of the pig lullaby so that they
rhymed, and every night she sang it to little Stanley.
O They parallel the fact that Stanley can go home only
"if only, if only," the woodpecker sighs,
"The bark on the tree was as soft as the skies."
While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely,
Crying to the moo-oo-oon,
if only, if only."
O They parallel Stanley's homesickness and longing to
O They parallel how lonely Stanley feels most of the
O They parallel Stanley's wish that things had turned out
after he has completed his time at the camp.
be with his parents.
time at school and at the camp.
differently for him.