'The End Of The Weekend' by Anthony Hecht

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A dying firelight slides along the quirt
Of the cast iron cowboy where he leans
Against my father's books. The lariat
Whirls into darkness. My girl in skin tight jeans
Fingers a page of Captain Marriat
Inviting insolent shadows to her shirt.We rise together to the second floor.
Outside, across the lake, an endless wind
Whips against the headstones of the dead and wails
In the trees for all who have and have not sinned.
She rubs against me and I feel her nails.
Although we are alone, I lock the door.The eventual shapes of all our formless prayers:
This dark, this cabin of loose imaginings,
Wind, lip, lake, everything awaits
The slow unloosening of her underthings
And then the noise. Something is dropped. It grates
against the attic beams. I climb the stairs
Armed with a belt.A long magnesium shaft
Of moonlight from the dormer cuts a path
Among the shattered skeletons of mice.
A great black presence beats its wings in wrath.
Above the boneyard burn its golden eyes.
Some small grey fur is pulsing in its grip.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The End Of The Weekend by Anthony Hecht: A Masterpiece of Metaphors and Symbolism

When was the last time you read a poem that made you stop in your tracks, made you think, made you feel like you were a part of something bigger than yourself? For me, that poem is "The End of the Weekend" by Anthony Hecht. This masterpiece of modern poetry has all the elements of a timeless classic - powerful imagery, intricate metaphors, and a deep underlying meaning that speaks to the human condition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into these elements and explore the beauty of Hecht's words.

The Poem's Structure and Form

Before I dive into the poem's content, let's take a moment to appreciate the poem's structure and form. "The End of the Weekend" is a six-stanza poem, each containing four lines. The poem follows a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme, with each stanza ending in a couplet. Hecht's use of consistent form adds to the poem's sense of unity and cohesion, making it feel like a complete, thought-out piece.

The Poem's Imagery

The first thing that strikes the reader about "The End of the Weekend" is the poem's vivid imagery. Take, for example, the opening lines:

"The end of the weekend is like the end of a film, Which leaves you with an emptiness a little like hunger; Or as a party whose hostess has exclaimed, "My dears, I must be going!" and suddenly deserts them,"

Hecht's use of similes and metaphors creates a rich tapestry of images in the reader's mind. The comparison of the end of a weekend to the end of a film sets the tone for the poem - a sense of melancholy and loss. The metaphor of hunger evokes a primal feeling of need, while the image of a hostess deserting her guests is both humorous and poignant. By using everyday experiences as metaphors, Hecht makes the poem accessible to all readers, while still creating a sense of depth and complexity.

The Poem's Symbolism

In addition to its powerful imagery, "The End of the Weekend" is also full of symbolism. The most prominent symbol in the poem is that of the sun:

"The sun goes down, but darkness does not come; The wandering air smells sweet, the sound of the world is still."

Throughout the poem, Hecht uses the sun as a symbol for life and vitality. The setting sun marks the end of the weekend, but it also represents the inevitability of death. Despite this, Hecht maintains a sense of hopefulness in the poem. The fact that darkness does not immediately follow the setting sun is a metaphor for the idea that life goes on, even after death. The sweet smell of the air and the stillness of the world further reinforce this sense of peace and acceptance.

The Poem's Theme

So, what is the underlying theme of "The End of the Weekend"? At its core, the poem is about the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Hecht uses the metaphor of the end of a weekend as a way to explore these deeper ideas. The poem is also about acceptance and finding beauty in life's fleeting moments. Despite the sadness of the end of a weekend (or the end of a life), there is still beauty to be found in the present moment. Hecht encourages the reader to appreciate the sweetness of life, even in its final moments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The End of the Weekend" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Hecht's use of vivid imagery, intricate metaphors, and powerful symbolism creates a poem that is both accessible and profound. The poem's themes of transience and acceptance resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds, making it a timeless classic. As the poem says, "we must be grateful / For these brief days of sunlight and laughter." So let us be grateful, and let us savor every moment of this precious life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to evoke emotions and transport us to different worlds. Anthony Hecht's "The End of the Weekend" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of human emotions and experiences. In this 24-line poem, Hecht explores the theme of loss and the fleeting nature of time. Through his vivid imagery and powerful language, Hecht takes us on a journey of reflection and introspection.

The poem begins with a description of a beautiful Sunday evening. The speaker describes the sky as "a blue so pure it seemed to come from another world." The use of the word "pure" suggests a sense of innocence and tranquility. The speaker then goes on to describe the "distant hills" and the "long shadows" that are cast by the setting sun. This imagery creates a sense of peace and serenity, as if time has slowed down and everything is in perfect harmony.

However, this idyllic scene is short-lived. The speaker then describes the sound of a car engine, which breaks the silence and shatters the peaceful atmosphere. The car is described as "a black bullet" that "whizzed by" and disappeared into the distance. This sudden intrusion of noise and movement creates a sense of unease and tension. The use of the word "bullet" suggests a sense of danger and violence, which contrasts sharply with the peaceful scene that was described earlier.

The next few lines of the poem describe the aftermath of the car's passing. The speaker describes how the "air was empty" and how the "light had died." This imagery creates a sense of emptiness and loss. The sudden intrusion of the car has disrupted the natural order of things, and the speaker is left feeling a sense of emptiness and sadness.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of time and how everything must come to an end. He describes how "the end of the weekend" is a reminder that "all things must pass." This is a universal truth that we all must face, and the speaker is reminding us that we should cherish the moments that we have because they are fleeting.

The language that Hecht uses in this poem is particularly powerful. He uses vivid imagery and metaphors to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. For example, the use of the word "bullet" to describe the car creates a sense of danger and violence. The use of the word "pure" to describe the sky creates a sense of innocence and tranquility. These contrasting images help to create a sense of tension and unease, which is then resolved in the final lines of the poem.

The structure of the poem is also worth noting. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with eight lines. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which is then disrupted by the sudden intrusion of the car. This disruption creates a sense of tension and unease, which is then resolved in the final lines of the poem.

In conclusion, Anthony Hecht's "The End of the Weekend" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the theme of loss and the fleeting nature of time. Through his vivid imagery and powerful language, Hecht takes us on a journey of reflection and introspection. The poem is a reminder that we should cherish the moments that we have because they are fleeting, and that all things must come to an end. This is a universal truth that we all must face, and Hecht's poem is a beautiful and poignant reminder of this fact.

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