Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The End of the Weekend" is a poem by Anthony Hecht that explores the theme of mortality and the passing of time. The poem is narrated by a speaker who is reflecting on the end of a weekend and the approach of Monday, which represents the resumption of daily life. The poem was published in 1968.

Explanation:

The poem is a dramatic monologue spoken by a man who is reflecting on the end of a weekend. The speaker contemplates the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of mortality. He reflects on the beauty of life and the world around him, but also on the darkness and pain that exist in the world. The poem ends with the speaker accepting the inevitability of Monday and the resumption of daily life.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. It has a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB.
• Theme: Mortality, the passage of time, and the beauty and pain of life.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid and often contrasting imagery to describe the beauty and darkness of life. For example, the speaker describes "the green grace of leaves" and "the bright butterflies of childhood," but also references "the reek of pain" and "the stench of death."
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, with a sense of acceptance and resignation.
• Sound: The poem has a consistent rhythm and uses internal rhyme to create a sense of musicality and flow.
• Language: The language is poetic and elevated, with occasional use of archaic and biblical language.
• Figurative language: The poem uses metaphor and symbolism to explore the theme of mortality, such as "the winds of death" and "the boundless ocean of the dark."
• Structure: The consistent rhyme scheme and stanza structure create a sense of formality and structure that contrasts with the speaker's emotional turmoil.
• Symbolism: The weekend represents the fleeting nature of life and the passage of time, while Monday represents the resumption of daily life and the inevitability of mortality.
• Emotion: The poem conveys a sense of reflection, acceptance, and resignation, as well as a sense of awe at the beauty and pain of life.

In summary, "The End of the Weekend" is a thoughtful and poignant poem that explores the themes of mortality, the passage of time, and the beauty and pain of life. The poem's use of vivid imagery, metaphorical language, and symbolism create a sense of depth and meaning that goes beyond the literal subject matter. The poem invites readers to reflect on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments that we have.