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PROBLEM IN A MATH BOOK, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography


"Problem in a Math Book" by Yehuda Amichai is a contemplative poem that uses the metaphor of a math problem to explore the complexities of human relationships and the journey of life. The poem begins with the memory of a mathematical problem from a textbook, involving two trains leaving from different places and the question of when they will meet. This problem, a common example in math education, is typically focused on calculating time and distance. However, Amichai delves deeper, pondering the nature of this meeting: Will the trains stop, pass each other, or collide?

This reflection on the trains' meeting serves as a metaphor for human encounters and relationships. Amichai extends the metaphor to a more personal realm, imagining a man and a woman as the subjects of a similar problem, leaving from different places. The poet questions when and if they will meet, and importantly, what the nature of their encounter will be. This shift from trains to people introduces the complexities of human relationships, unlike the predictable paths of trains bound by physical laws.

The poem then moves to a reflection on the journey of life itself, symbolized by the progression through a math book. In youth, looking at the answers at the end of the book was forbidden, a metaphor for the unknowns and uncertainties that characterize the early stages of life. However, as one ages and reaches the "final pages," looking back at the answers becomes permissible. This act of looking back is symbolic of reflecting on one's life, understanding where one was correct or erred, and recognizing successes and failures.

"Problem in a Math Book" is a poignant meditation on the passage of time, the unpredictability of human relationships, and the inevitability of aging and reflection. Amichai's use of the math book as a metaphor for life's journey offers a profound insight into the human condition, reminding us that, unlike mathematical problems, life does not always provide clear answers or predictable outcomes. The poem's closing, "Amen," suggests a sense of acceptance and finality, acknowledging the completion of this reflective journey


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