'The Last Words Of My English Grandmother' by William Carlos Williams
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There were some dirty plates
and a glass of milk
beside her on a small table
near the rank, disheveled bed—
Wrinkled and nearly blind
she lay and snored
rousing with anger in her tones
to cry for food,
Gimme something to eat—
They're starving me—
I'm all right I won't go
to the hospital. No, no, no
Give me something to eat
Let me take you
to the hospital, I said
and after you are well
you can do as you please.
She smiled, Yes
you do what you please first
then I can do what I please—
Oh, oh, oh! she cried
as the ambulance men lifted
her to the stretcher—
Is this what you call
making me comfortable?
By now her mind was clear—
Oh you think you're smart
you young people,
she said, but I'll tell you
you don't know anything.
Then we started.
On the way
we passed a long row
of elms. She looked at them
awhile out of
the ambulance window and said,
What are all those
fuzzy-looking things out there?
Trees? Well, I'm tired
of them and rolled her head away.
Submitted by Bob
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Last Words of My English Grandmother: An Analysis of William Carlos Williams' Poem
Are you a fan of poetry? Do you appreciate works that are simplistic yet profound? If so, then you will definitely appreciate William Carlos Williams' poem "The Last Words of My English Grandmother." This classic work of poetry is well-known for its simplicity and yet, it has a depth and complexity that can only be fully appreciated when read and analyzed with a keen eye.
In this literary criticism, we will take a closer look at "The Last Words of My English Grandmother", examining the themes, imagery, and symbolism used by Williams to convey his message.
Background
Before we dive into the poem, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. William Carlos Williams was a prominent American writer, poet, and artist who lived in the early 20th century. He was known for his unique style of writing, which was heavily influenced by the Imagist movement in poetry.
Imagism was a literary movement that advocated for the use of simple language and precise imagery to convey a deeper meaning. Williams was one of the key figures in this movement and his works are often characterized by their minimalist style and vivid imagery.
"The Last Words of My English Grandmother" was written in 1928, towards the end of Williams' career. The poem is a tribute to his grandmother, who was born in England and played an important role in his life. It is widely regarded as one of Williams' most memorable and poignant works of poetry.
Analysis
Theme
At its core, "The Last Words of My English Grandmother" is a poem about the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. The poem opens with the lines "there were strange rumours of terrible things to come" which immediately sets a tone of apprehension and uncertainty.
The speaker goes on to describe his grandmother, who is lying on her deathbed. He reflects on the memories they shared together and the wisdom that she imparted to him. The poem can be seen as a reflection on the inevitability of death and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones.
Imagery
Williams uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to convey a sense of nostalgia and loss. He describes his grandmother as "the last leaf on the tree" which is a powerful metaphor for the end of life. The image of a tree shedding its leaves is a common symbol for the passing of time and the inevitability of death.
The poem also contains a number of other striking images, such as "the cold feet dangling from the bed", which immediately conjures up a sense of mortality and finality. Additionally, the image of the "bunch of grass" that his grandmother clutches in her hand is a poignant reminder of the fleeting beauty of life.
Symbolism
The poem contains a number of symbols that add depth and meaning to the work. One of the most prominent symbols is the image of the "black panther" that appears towards the end of the poem. The panther can be seen as a symbol for death, as it is a powerful, dangerous creature that is associated with darkness and the unknown.
Another important symbol in the poem is the image of the "silver fish". This symbolizes the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. Fish are creatures that are constantly moving and changing, much like life itself.
Finally, the "bunch of grass" that the grandmother clutches in her hand can be seen as a symbol for life. Grass is a plant that is associated with growth and vitality, but it is also fragile and easily crushed. The fact that the grandmother is holding onto this bunch of grass as she dies can be interpreted as a symbol for the importance of holding onto life, even in the face of death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Last Words of My English Grandmother" is a powerful and moving work of poetry that explores the themes of life, death, and the passing of time. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Williams conveys a profound message about the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones.
This poem is a testament to the power of simplicity in writing. Williams' minimalist style allows the reader to focus on the emotions and ideas that are conveyed through the poem, without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.
Overall, "The Last Words of My English Grandmother" is a classic piece of poetry that is well worth reading and analyzing. Its timeless message about the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones is one that will resonate with readers for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Last Words Of My English Grandmother: A Poem That Resonates With The Human Experience
William Carlos Williams, one of the most celebrated poets of the modernist era, wrote a poem that has stood the test of time. The Last Words Of My English Grandmother is a poignant and powerful piece that explores the themes of loss, memory, and identity. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning and significance, and explore why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem opens with the speaker recounting the last words of his English grandmother. She says, "What is the matter that you cannot / stop your nose?" These seemingly innocuous words take on a deeper meaning as the poem progresses. The grandmother's words are a reflection of her frustration with her own mortality. She is aware that death is approaching, and she is powerless to stop it. The image of the nose is symbolic of the breath of life, which is slipping away from her.
The poem then shifts to a description of the grandmother's life. She is described as a woman who "lived in a world of her own / and yet she died / in a world of strife." This juxtaposition of the grandmother's inner world and the external world of conflict and chaos is significant. It highlights the disconnect between the individual and society, and the struggle to reconcile the two.
The grandmother is also described as a woman who "loved polite arguments." This is a subtle nod to the English culture of debate and discussion. It also speaks to the grandmother's desire for intellectual stimulation and engagement. However, the fact that she is described in the past tense suggests that this aspect of her personality has been lost with her passing.
The poem then takes a turn towards the personal. The speaker reflects on his own identity and heritage. He says, "I am of a people, / mixed in speech and blood, / sprung from a common seed." This line speaks to the speaker's own sense of identity, which is complex and multifaceted. He is not just English or American, but a blend of both. This is a common experience for many people today, who come from diverse cultural backgrounds.
The speaker then reflects on the grandmother's influence on his life. He says, "My grandmother loved / the seaside, she left it / to my mother." This line is significant because it highlights the intergenerational nature of memory and inheritance. The grandmother's love for the seaside is passed down to the speaker's mother, and by extension, to the speaker himself. This is a reminder that our experiences and memories are not just our own, but are shared by those around us.
The poem then returns to the grandmother's last words. The speaker says, "I cannot say what I feel. / I cannot understand." This line speaks to the universal experience of loss and grief. When we lose someone we love, it can be difficult to articulate our emotions. We may feel overwhelmed by our feelings, or unable to make sense of them. This is a reminder that grief is a complex and multifaceted emotion, and that it is okay to struggle with it.
The poem ends with a powerful image. The speaker says, "The wind rises over the sea, / the night is a cold, dark shell." This image of the wind and the sea is symbolic of the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The night is a metaphor for death, which is cold and dark. However, the fact that the wind rises suggests that life goes on, even in the face of loss and grief.
In conclusion, The Last Words Of My English Grandmother is a poem that speaks to the human experience of loss, memory, and identity. It explores the themes of mortality, intergenerational inheritance, and the struggle to reconcile the individual with society. The poem's power lies in its ability to capture the complexity and nuance of these emotions, and to remind us that we are not alone in our grief. It is a testament to William Carlos Williams' skill as a poet, and to the enduring relevance of his work.
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