'This Is Just To Say' by William Carlos Williams
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I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the iceboxand which
you were probably
saving
for breakfastForgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
Editor 1 Interpretation
This Is Just To Say: A Deconstruction of Williams' Classic Poem
Wow! Have you ever come across a poem so simple yet so complex, so short yet so profound? Well, that's exactly what William Carlos Williams' "This Is Just To Say" does. In just 28 words, the poem challenges our perceptions of morality, love, and communication. This is a poem that leaves a lot to the reader's interpretation, and in this article, we'll take a deep dive into the world of "This Is Just To Say."
The Poem
Before we jump into the analysis, let's first read the poem in its entirety:
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
On the surface, the poem appears to be a simple apology note. Someone (the speaker) ate some plums that were in a fridge, and now they are apologizing for it. However, Williams' poem is far from a simple apology note. There are several layers to this poem, and we'll unravel them one by one.
The Deconstruction
The Plums
Let's start with the plums. What do they represent? On one level, they are just plums - a fruit that someone had saved for breakfast. However, they also represent something more significant. They represent something that was valuable to the other person (the one who had saved them). They were not just any plums; they were the plums that were "probably saving for breakfast." The word "probably" suggests that the speaker is not sure if the plums were being saved for breakfast or something else, but it doesn't matter. What matters is that they were valuable to the other person.
The Confession
The speaker's confession is not merely an admission of guilt. It is a confession of desire. They desired the plums, and they acted on that desire. The use of the word "eaten" suggests a consumption that was not just about satisfying hunger but also about satisfying a craving. The speaker didn't just eat the plums; they consumed them. This is important because it highlights the speaker's lack of self-control. They saw something they wanted, and they took it without considering the consequences.
The Apology
The apology in the poem is not a sincere apology. It is a selfish apology. The speaker is not sorry for taking the plums; they are sorry that they were caught. The use of the word "forgive" suggests that the speaker expects to be forgiven, but they are not sorry for what they have done. They are sorry that their actions have caused discomfort to the other person. The use of the word "delicious" reinforces this idea. The speaker is not sorry for eating the plums; they are sorry that they can't have more.
The Implication
The poem doesn't explicitly state what the speaker wants, but there is a clear implication. The way the poem is structured, with the confession followed by the apology, suggests that the speaker expects something in return. They expect forgiveness, but they also expect something more. The use of the word "delicious" suggests a desire that goes beyond the plums. The speaker is not just sorry for taking the plums; they are sorry for wanting something they shouldn't have. They are sorry for wanting something that belongs to someone else.
The Interpretation
So, what does all of this mean? What is the poem trying to say? Well, that's the beauty of "This Is Just To Say." It can mean different things to different people. Here are a few interpretations:
The Power Struggle
The poem can be interpreted as a power struggle between two people. The plums represent something that one person values, and the other person takes it without permission. The apology is not a sincere apology but a way for the speaker to assert their dominance. They are saying, "I can take what you value, and there's nothing you can do about it."
The Desire
The poem can also be interpreted as a reflection of our desires. We all have desires that we know we shouldn't act on, but we do anyway. The plums represent those desires. The speaker's apology is not a sincere apology but a way to justify their desire. They are saying, "I know I shouldn't have taken what you value, but I couldn't help it. It was too tempting."
The Communication
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on communication. The speaker's apology is not a sincere apology but a way to communicate their desire. They are saying, "I want something, and I hope you can give it to me." The plums represent the desire, and the apology represents the communication.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, "This Is Just To Say" is a poem that challenges our perception of morality, love, and communication. It is a simple poem with a complex message. It is a poem that can mean different things to different people. It is a poem that leaves a lot to the reader's interpretation. William Carlos Williams has created a masterpiece that will continue to be analyzed and discussed for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry This Is Just To Say: A Delectable Analysis
William Carlos Williams, a renowned American poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his unique style of writing. His poem, "This Is Just To Say," is a classic example of his minimalist approach to poetry. The poem is a short, sweet, and simple apology note that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing someone, presumably his partner, with a simple statement, "I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox." The tone of the poem is apologetic, but there is also a hint of playfulness in the speaker's words. The use of the word "plums" is significant as it represents something sweet and delicious, something that the speaker could not resist. The fact that the plums were in the icebox suggests that they were meant for someone else, and the speaker has eaten them without permission.
The second line of the poem, "and which you were probably saving for breakfast," further emphasizes the speaker's guilt. The use of the word "probably" suggests that the speaker is not entirely sure if the plums were meant for breakfast, but he assumes they were. This line also highlights the fact that the speaker has not only eaten something that was not his, but he has also disrupted someone else's plans.
The third line of the poem, "Forgive me, they were delicious, so sweet, and so cold," is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker's apology is not a typical one, but rather a justification for his actions. The use of the word "forgive" suggests that the speaker knows he has done something wrong, but he is not entirely sorry for it. The description of the plums as "delicious, so sweet, and so cold" is significant as it highlights the speaker's desire for something pleasurable. The use of sensory imagery in this line is also noteworthy as it allows the reader to imagine the taste and texture of the plums.
The structure of the poem is also significant. The poem consists of three stanzas, each with two lines. The first stanza sets the scene, the second stanza highlights the speaker's guilt, and the third stanza justifies his actions. The use of enjambment in the poem is also noteworthy. The first line of the poem flows into the second line, and the second line flows into the third line. This creates a sense of continuity and fluidity in the poem, which is significant as it mirrors the flow of the speaker's thoughts.
The poem's literary devices are also worth mentioning. The use of imagery, specifically sensory imagery, is prevalent throughout the poem. The description of the plums as "delicious, so sweet, and so cold" is an example of sensory imagery. The use of imagery allows the reader to imagine the taste and texture of the plums, which adds to the poem's overall effect.
The use of repetition is also significant in the poem. The repetition of the word "just" in the title and the first line of the poem creates a sense of simplicity and straightforwardness. The repetition of the word "forgive" in the third line of the poem emphasizes the speaker's desire for forgiveness. The repetition of the word "so" in the third line of the poem emphasizes the speaker's desire for something pleasurable.
The poem's tone is also noteworthy. The tone of the poem is apologetic, but there is also a hint of playfulness in the speaker's words. The use of the word "just" in the title and the first line of the poem creates a sense of lightheartedness. The use of the word "probably" in the second line of the poem suggests that the speaker is not entirely sure if the plums were meant for breakfast, which adds to the poem's overall effect.
In conclusion, William Carlos Williams' poem "This Is Just To Say" is a classic example of his minimalist approach to poetry. The poem's structure, literary devices, and tone all work together to create a sense of simplicity and straightforwardness. The use of sensory imagery allows the reader to imagine the taste and texture of the plums, which adds to the poem's overall effect. The poem's tone is apologetic, but there is also a hint of playfulness in the speaker's words. Overall, "This Is Just To Say" is a delectable poem that has captured the hearts of readers for generations.
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