My Sweet Old Etceteraby E.E.Cummingsmy sweet old etceteraaunt lucy during the recentwar could and whatis more did tell you justwhat everybody was fightingfor, my sisterIsabel created hundreds(and hundreds) of socks not tomention fleaproof earwarmersetcetera wristers etcetera, mymother hoped thati would die etceterabravely of course my father usedto become hoarse talking about how it wasa privilege and if only hecould meanwhile myself etcetera lay quietlyin the deep mud etcetera(dreaming, etcetera, of Your smile eyes knees and of your Etcetera)"my sweet old etcetera". Copyright 1926, 1954, (c) 1991 by the Trustees for the E. E. Cummings Trust. Copyright (c) 1985 by George James Firmage, from COMPLETE POEMS: 1904-1962 by E. E. Cummings, edited by George J. Firmage. Used by permission of Liveright Publishing Corporation.QuestionUse the poem to answer the question.What interpretation can be supported based on the poet’s decision to describe how each of his family members views the war? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)ResponsesThe poet indicates his own views using capitalization to rank importance.The poet indicates his own views using capitalization to rank importance.The poet is mocking the glorification of war as noble and necessary.The poet is mocking the glorification of war as noble and necessary.The poet stresses the overall uselessness of violence and war.The poet stresses the overall uselessness of violence and war.The poet reveals the favoritism he shows toward some family members.The poet reveals the favoritism he shows toward some family members.The poet is showing the contrast between the perception of war and its reality.The poet is showing the contrast between the perception of war and its reality.

1 answer

Based on the poem "my sweet old etcetera" by E.E. Cummings, the two correct interpretations that can be supported are:

  1. The poet is mocking the glorification of war as noble and necessary. - The descriptions of his family's views on the war highlight how each member holds a somewhat superficial or misguided perception of its importance, contrasting notably with the poet's own indifferent and grim reality of being "quietly in the deep mud."

  2. The poet is showing the contrast between the perception of war and its reality. - The differing attitudes of family members—such as his mother hoping he would die bravely and his father's belief in the privilege of fighting—are juxtaposed with the harsh and unromantic reality of the war experienced by the poet himself.

These interpretations reflect how Cummings critiques the glorified perceptions of war while showcasing the stark contrast with its true nature.