Those Winter Sundays: Sacrifice and Regret

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Questions and Answers

What does the phrase 'blueblack cold' suggest about the environment in which the father moves?

A colorful, vibrant, chilly morning.
An environment of emotional warmth despite physical cold.
An intensely cold and dark atmosphere. (correct)
A warm but dimly lit space.

The line 'banked fires blaze' implies which of the following about the father's actions?

He is starting new fires without caution.
He is extinguishing fires to prepare for the day.
He is stoking existing fires to create warmth. (correct)
He is recklessly burning through resources.

What is the significance of the detail that 'no one ever thanked him'?

It implies that the family was unappreciative in general.
It emphasizes the thankless nature of his sacrifices and the speaker's later regret. (correct)
It suggests that the father's actions were performed reluctantly.
It highlights the father's desire for gratitude and recognition.

The phrase 'cold splintering, breaking' is an example of what literary device, and what does it convey?

Onomatopoeia; represents the sounds of the house warming up and the sound of the cold winter. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the speaker's 'fearing the chronic angers of that house' contribute to the poem's meaning?

It implies underlying tension and unhappiness, contrasting with the father's efforts to provide comfort. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker's 'speaking indifferently to him' reveal about their relationship at the time?

The speaker was unaware of the father's sacrifices and efforts. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The act of the father having 'polished my good shoes as well' suggests what about his character?

He was a caring figure who took pride in providing for his child's needs. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the repetition of 'What did I know, what did I know' emphasize?

The speaker's past innocence and lack of understanding. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'love’s austere and lonely offices' implies that the father’s love was...

strict, demanding, and performed in isolation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a central theme of 'Those Winter Sundays'?

The unrecognized sacrifices and quiet expressions of love within a family. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Austere offices of love

Love's duties that are simple, demanding, and perhaps unappreciated.

Speaking indifferently

Showing a lack of interest or concern; casually.

Banked fires

To build up a fire so that it will burn slowly and steadily.

Cold splintering, breaking

The feeling of cold so intense it feels like things are breaking.

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Chronic angers

Persistent and long-lasting anger.

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Study Notes

The poem reflects on the speaker's childhood memories of his father's sacrifices and his own lack of appreciation at the time.
The father woke up early on Sundays to warm the house
It was a thankless task.
The speaker recalls waking to the sound of the cold breaking.
The father also polished the speaker's shoes.
The speaker admits to speaking to his father "indifferently".
He now understands the father's actions were "love's austere and lonely offices".
The poem explores themes of sacrifice, regret, and the complex nature of love within a family.

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Description

This poem reflects on childhood memories of a father's sacrifices. The speaker recalls the father waking early to warm the house and polish shoes. The poem explores themes of regret and love.