This Is Just To Say Analysis

Many times, in one's lifetime, they've done something such as eating the last piece of the pie that their mother was saving or something quite similar. In "This is Just to Say," a poem written by William Carlos Williams, this is exactly what occurs. The assumed writer, William Carlos Williams, ate the plums that an unnamed reader was saving for themselves, falling to his own desires. He then goes on to inform the reader on how the plums tasted, almost, seemingly rubbing it in. Though the poem is short, it does seem to show some themes and ideas, such as it showing some form of family or familial relationship between the person reading this note like poem and the writer of it, themes of forgiveness from the writer asking, or even demanding for

Firstly, the writer is asking for forgiveness. For example, in the poem the writer puts, “you were probably / saving / for breakfast,” (6-8). This suggests the author of the poem, who ate these plums, knew that they were meant to be saved. By knowing this, and eating them anyway, the writer is already following the idea of committing the act and asking for forgiveness later. The author would know they would have to ask forgiveness at some point for their actions, even if they know that they would be forgiven regardless. Secondly, the author specifically writes "Forgive me," in the poem (9). This is almost like a pivotal moment where the writer finally does explicitly ask for forgiveness. In a way, the writer demands it by saying "Forgive me" instead of asking "forgive me please"(9). Not only that but "Forgive" is specifically capitalized when no other words in the poem are capitalized except for "I"(1-9). The capitalization gives emphasis to the word, making it more demanding. Lastly, though the writer of the poem is asking for forgiveness, it isn't very sincere. An example of this question of sincerity are the lines, “they were delicious / so sweet / and so cold,” (10-12) The writer tries to rub it in, remarking on the taste of the plums. Giving all the details of the coldness, and the sugary taste also pushes this idea that the

First, the writer knew the plums were likely being saved, yet ate them anyway, showing him falling to his desires. The lines in the poem saying, "you were probably / saving," suggests this (6-7). The author saw the plums, thought they were there to be saved, and due to the temptation to eat them, the writer went through with consuming the plums regardless. Another thing is the writer was also tempted by the way the plums must have looked, enough for the writer to get a taste. In the poem the writer remarks about the plums taste, saying, “they were delicious / so sweet / and so cold,” (10-12). This suggests that the plums were looking quite alluring. It could be assumed that the writer was hungry at the time as well, which could have brought on the visit to the icebox, allowing the writer to see the mouthwatering plums. Without even thinking much about it, the writer falls into temptation after seeing such an appetizing food item. Lastly, the writer eating the plums shows a victim falling into temptation. The poem seems to show a deeper meaning behind it as well. Though it might just be a simple note to someone saying that they have eaten the plums that they were saving, the falling into temptation and eating of a "forbidden fruit" could even relate back to Adam and Eve. Though it is likely looking too far into something, and reaching further than