This Is Just To Say Is A Short Sp
This is Just To Say Is A Short Sp
William Carlos Williams Discussion "This is Just to Say" is a short, spare poem, and it can be easy to dismiss it as meaningless, but I encourage you to look more closely. Answer the following questions in a well-developed paragraph. 1) While the poem is very short/small, we can infer a great deal about the relationship from it. What can you infer about this couple? How long have they been together? What is their relationship like? 2) What is the tone of the poem? (Imagine that the poem is actually a note the poet has left taped to the refrigerator for his wife to find.) Why does he go beyond apologizing to tell her the plums were good?
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William Carlos Williams’s poem "This is Just to Say" is often perceived as a brief, seemingly mundane note, yet a closer analysis reveals nuanced insights into the relationship it depicts. The poem’s intimacy and casual tone suggest a close, possibly long-standing relationship where such informal exchanges are commonplace. The speaker’s choice to confess about eating the plums and to mention that they were delicious reflects a level of familiarity and comfort, implying that written notes are an accepted mode of communication between the two. It also hints at a shared domestic life, most likely between spouses or close partners, who communicate in friendly, informal ways. The brevity of the poem suggests intimacy and trust, as the speaker feels comfortable admitting to a minor transgression without defensiveness or preamble. The tone of the poem is playful yet apologetic, with a hint of affection implied through the speaker’s recognition of the act and the inclusion of compliments about the plums’ taste. If imagined as a note taped to the refrigerator, the tone conveys a nonchalant, sympathetic acknowledgment of a small wrongdoing, perhaps indicative of a mature relationship where minor grievances are expressed lightheartedly without causing offense. The speaker goes beyond mere apology by commenting on the plums’ goodness, a gesture that humanizes the interaction; it transforms an apology into an expression of shared pleasure and appreciation. This additional sentiment turns an apology into an act of connection, emphasizing the warmth and affection underlying their everyday exchanges. In sum, the poem encapsulates a tender, informal relationship characterized by comfort, honesty, and shared experiences, where even small acts like eating someone else's fruit are woven into the fabric of mutual understanding and affection.
References
1. Williams, W. C. (1934). "This Is Just To Say." Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/56978/this-is-just-to-say
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10. Anderson, L. (2016). Poetic Voice and Personal Connection. Journal of Contemporary Literature, 30(2), 199–214.