This Is Just To Say Analysis

Often referred to a "found" poem, William Carlos Williams's piece, “This Is Just To Say,” is said to be an apologetic note left for a loved one. Williams tries to disguise the incident within the poem as something minuscule and nonchalant but deeper analysis reveals this poem is an apology for a graver adulterous crime rather than just eating some plums. It’s title and overall structure sets the initial aura of nonchalance and casualness. Although simple, the diction allows the reader to recognize an intimate connection between speaker and reader as well as setting a sensual tone as he describes the plums. Further, biblical allusions connect the plums to the forbidden fruit making them a symbol for adultery. Lastly, not only does the shift …show more content…
The concise and brief exchange of words is a clear indicator that these two people know each other well enough that they don’t need extensive description of the plums and icebox. The speaker also already has prior knowledge that the reader was “saving / the plums / for breakfast” meaning that these two people must have a close enough relationship to know what there future plans are. This vague diction allows the speaker to demonstrate how intimate he is with the speaker. Further, the speaker describes the plums as “so sweet / and so cold” (11-12). There’s something delicate and sensual about describing plums as sweet and cold even more so when the speaker specifically adds “so” to emphasize these two characteristics. Sweet and cold almost makes our mouths water as if we could almost taste the plums. The speaker’s choice of words to describe the plums are also very specific; perhaps the speaker lacks of sweetness and the cold and had to resort to the plums. After close analysis of the speaker’s diction, the plums are made out to be something other than just