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Comment 79 of 79, added on March 28th, 2008 at 10:27 PM.
It is difficult to analyze Though as Blake suggested, we may be able “to
see a world in a grain of sand” I don’t think we can discuss the quality of
Williams’ marriage on the evidence of a single poem. I realize it is
difficult to analyze something as intimate as poetry, especially Williams’
poetry, without bringing along some of our own personal baggage. Yet I
believe it is important to try and take his words at face value. To my
understanding, William Carlos Williams wanted most of all for us to see how
every-day life and language is laden with beauty and richness. Perhaps I
missed the poem where he tells how sad he is in his loveless marriage. What
do we know if their relationship? Have we considered how his life as a
physician impacts his poetry?
When I read this poem (out loud) I picture the Doctor called away before
dawn, trying to get something to eat before heading off to the sickbed of
some child. Does he wake his wife so she may prepare him breakfast? He
does not. Does he snatch her breakfast and leave her nothing in return?
Look again. He has left her the vivid image of his pleasure in the plums.
He has asked for her forgiveness. He has left her a note, speaking of his
actions… and his acceptance of the consequences.
To me, it is a love not. I wonder left how many notes like this he has
left for his wife over the course of their marriage. I sense he is
confident that this small transgression will be overlooked. He has given
the women he loves a precious gift that I have noticed many men seem afraid
to share… his attention, his ability to admit his error and ask
forgiveness, and his willingness to communicate.
PGLK from United States
Comment 78 of 79, added on January 21st, 2008 at 6:15 AM.
I read the poem differently. To me it seemed terribly sad. It showed a
marriage where all sentiment, love and regard has long since left. "I ate
the plums. I assume you wanted them. They were good." Their entire
relationship stripped down to petty acts and comments devoid of human
feeling for a one time loved one.
jim gallman from United States
Comment 77 of 79, added on January 10th, 2008 at 2:08 PM.
i have laughed
my heart out
from my
chest
and which
i couldnt stop
myself
they made me cry
forgive me
i could not
contain my
laughter!
Samantha from United States
Comment 76 of 79, added on January 1st, 2008 at 9:12 PM.
I'll tell you what this poem is about.
It's about living in the moment. The narrator ate the plum which he knew
that the "audience" was saving for breakfast. Instead of thinking about
things and the audience's feelings, he decided to act in the moment and eat
the plum. He didn't think about the consequences but just the feeling he
had when he ate the plum-- "they were delicious/so sweet/and so cold."
The narrator accepts what he does not let it get it in his way by asking
for forgiveness instead of hiding what he has done.
This poem is a call to people to live life in the moment and don't let good
opportunities pass.
George from United States
Comment 75 of 79, added on December 13th, 2007 at 9:08 PM.
I think this poem is about taking someone's innocence. And that person was
saving it for marriage. And the speaker, is not really sorry.
Marcelia from United States
Comment 74 of 79, added on September 13th, 2007 at 3:25 PM.
I think that we may juxtapose the guilt about eating the plums with the
guilt about eating the apple of knowledge by Adam. In this sense, the
person for whom the speaker had left the note may be seen as a "friend who
understands"; God here would be seen as somebody distant and severe
Annie from Poland
Comment 73 of 79, added on August 29th, 2007 at 7:58 PM.
Some of you guys are spending too much time reading into a "poem" by WCW
that is just explaining a bit of fruit.
"This is just to say" clearly says that there is no hidden meaning...it's
just a note to inform the intended that their breakfast was gone...
rienne
Comment 72 of 79, added on August 28th, 2007 at 11:23 PM.
You've all got it all wrong. This guy is talking about having an affair
with somebody else's neglected wife. I've got an entire interpretation of
it written down but it's not really... 'appropriate.'
Kory X. from United States
Comment 71 of 79, added on May 23rd, 2007 at 8:21 PM.
I did this for English class and it is a representative of life!
Haven't you ever done something that you weren't supposed and that the
person wouldn't appreciate? But you would do it again if you had to because
of the rewards?
This is that type of situation. The poet says "forgive me", but does he
really mean it?
John from United States
Comment 70 of 79, added on May 22nd, 2007 at 1:37 PM.
this is an imagist poem which means he was just trying to make you see a
picture there is no deeper meaning!
Kati Johnson from Armenia
This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
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It is difficult to analyze Though as Blake suggested, we may be able “to
see a world in a grain of sand” I don’t think we can discuss the quality of
Williams’ marriage on the evidence of a single poem. I realize it is
difficult to analyze something as intimate as poetry, especially Williams’
poetry, without bringing along some of our own personal baggage. Yet I
believe it is important to try and take his words at face value. To my
understanding, William Carlos Williams wanted most of all for us to see how
every-day life and language is laden with beauty and richness. Perhaps I
missed the poem where he tells how sad he is in his loveless marriage. What
do we know if their relationship? Have we considered how his life as a
physician impacts his poetry?
When I read this poem (out loud) I picture the Doctor called away before
dawn, trying to get something to eat before heading off to the sickbed of
some child. Does he wake his wife so she may prepare him breakfast? He
does not. Does he snatch her breakfast and leave her nothing in return?
Look again. He has left her the vivid image of his pleasure in the plums.
He has asked for her forgiveness. He has left her a note, speaking of his
actions… and his acceptance of the consequences.
To me, it is a love not. I wonder left how many notes like this he has
left for his wife over the course of their marriage. I sense he is
confident that this small transgression will be overlooked. He has given
the women he loves a precious gift that I have noticed many men seem afraid
to share… his attention, his ability to admit his error and ask
forgiveness, and his willingness to communicate.
PGLK from United States