THEMES
The poem Ending by Ewart explores several themes including lost love. It focuses on a couple whose relationship has become devoid of affection. The love that once characterised the union has faded away and they are now in a loveless relationship. The poem also highlights the disillusionment as the couple realises that their relationship is beyond saving. Emotional distance is highlighted through the imagery of "bird-pecks in a hurry." The brief, rushed kisses symbolise the lack of intimacy and emotional connection between the couple. What was once passionate is now mechanical. Change and decay run through the poem as the couple's relationship deteriorates into a lifeless routine. The poet captures a sense of melancholy and longing as the speaker reminisces the romantic relationship they once enjoyed.
FORM AND STRUCTURE
The poem is a sonnet. Traditionally, sonnets were used to celebrate love and to express admiration. However, the irony here lies in the fact that this sonnet deals with the absence of love, creating a tension between the form and the content. The single-stanza structure reflects the speaker's desire for order and tranquility, but also emphasises the unbroken nature of the persona's sadness and disillusionment.
The use of the rhyming couplets further adds to the irony, suggesting a sense of order and harmony, while the content reveals a fractured and broken relationship.
LITERARY DEVICES
Personification
Personification has been employed to give human attributes to love. Romance has been personified and is described as having the ability to write a note stating it has "GONE AWAY." This emphasises the absence of love as if it has physically departed from the relationship.
Irony
There is a rich use of irony throughout the poem, starting with the sonnet form. Traditionally, sonnets celebrate love, but this one explores the absence of love, creating an ironic contrast. Furthermore, the rhyming couplets, which typically suggest unity and harmony, are used to describe a relationship that is falling apart.
Juxtaposition
The poet employs juxtaposition to contrast the past and the present states of the relationship. The use of past tense for the memories of love and present tense to describe the current situation highlights the stark difference between the two. The repetition of the word "now" signifies the present, which is devoid of love.
Similes
Similes are used to compare the past intensity of the relationship with its current state. The line "cools like a congealing chop" evokes the image of something once hot and full of life, now cold and unappetising. Similarly, "kisses that were hot as curry" contrast the passion of the past with the current lack of emotional warmth.
Symbolism
The metaphor of "electric charges" symbolises the intense and electrifying love that once existed between the couple. This energy has since been lost, further symbolised by the "power cut," a phrase used to emphasise the absence of love in their current state.
Alliteration
Alliteration is used effectively in phrases like "cold and coy" to highlight the coldness and lack of affection that now exists between the couple. This repeated voiceless velar "c" sound emphasises the emotional chill that has settles over the relationship.
TONE
The tone of the poem is melancholic and reflective. The persona looks back and reminisces about the nature of their relationship which was romantic but now is loveless and hollow. The reference to the glorious romantic episode creates a nostalgic tone.
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