Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does the grass symbolize in the poem?
What does the grass symbolize in the poem?
What does the speaker mean by describing the 'someone' as 'stretched out / blade of grass in his mouth / gazing at the clouds'?
What does the speaker mean by describing the 'someone' as 'stretched out / blade of grass in his mouth / gazing at the clouds'?
In lines 37-42, what is the contrast between 'those who knew' and 'those who know 'as little as nothing'?
In lines 37-42, what is the contrast between 'those who knew' and 'those who know 'as little as nothing'?
What theme might the author be suggesting about the cyclic, repetitive nature of human events?
What theme might the author be suggesting about the cyclic, repetitive nature of human events?
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Why does the poem's title, with 'End' coming before 'Beginning', reverse the usual order of events?
Why does the poem's title, with 'End' coming before 'Beginning', reverse the usual order of events?
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What does the camera (media) do by the time the war ends?
What does the camera (media) do by the time the war ends?
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What effect does the repetition of the word 'someone' have in the poem?
What effect does the repetition of the word 'someone' have in the poem?
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Based on the text, what is the significance of the speaker's statement that the aftermath of war is not 'photogenic'?
Based on the text, what is the significance of the speaker's statement that the aftermath of war is not 'photogenic'?
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How does the poet use the word 'clean up' in line 2 to convey a specific message about war?
How does the poet use the word 'clean up' in line 2 to convey a specific message about war?
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What does the speaker's attitude shifting to a more hopeful tone beginning with line 30 suggest about their perspective on resilience?
What does the speaker's attitude shifting to a more hopeful tone beginning with line 30 suggest about their perspective on resilience?
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Why does Szymborska choose to use informal language in the poem?
Why does Szymborska choose to use informal language in the poem?
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In what way do Szymborska's word choices contribute to creating a specific tone throughout the poem?
In what way do Szymborska's word choices contribute to creating a specific tone throughout the poem?
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Study Notes
Poem Analysis
- The speaker uses informal language throughout the poem.
- The tone of the poem is initially somber, reflecting on the destruction caused by war, but shifts to a more hopeful tone around line 30.
Key Imagery and Symbolism
- The poem highlights the devastating effects of war through words like "clean up" (line 2) and "conflict" (implied).
- The phrase "photosenic" (line 18) emphasizes the harsh reality of war, contrasting with the idea that war is often romanticized.
- The image of "someone" with a "blade of grass in his mouth / gazing at the clouds" (lines 45-46) symbolizes regeneration and hope.
Themes and Tone
- The poem explores the cyclical nature of human events, with war and destruction followed by reconstruction and hope.
- The contrast between "those who knew" and "those who know as little as nothing" (lines 37-42) highlights the difference between those who experience war firsthand and those who do not.
Poem Structure and Message
- The poem's title, "End and Beginning," reverses the typical order of events, suggesting that endings can lead to new beginnings.
- The poem implies that people tend to forget the horrors of war, allowing cycles of violence to repeat themselves.
- The author may be suggesting that humans are prone to repeating the mistakes of the past, but that there is always hope for renewal and growth.
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Description
Explore the strategies used by Szymborska to create the tone of the poem by answering questions about formal or informal language, word choice, speaker's attitude, and tone evolution. Support your responses with evidence from the text.
