My Sweet Old Etcetera

Question

by E.E.Cummings

my sweet old etcetera

aunt lucy during the recent

war could and what

is more did tell you just

what everybody was fighting

for, my sister

Isabel created hundreds

(and hundreds) of socks not to

mention fleaproof earwarmers

etcetera wristers etcetera, my

mother hoped that

i would die etcetera

bravely of course my father used

to become hoarse talking about how it was

a privilege and if only he

could meanwhile my

self etcetera lay quietly

in 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.

Question
Use 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)
Responses

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.

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 indicates his own views using capitalization to rank importance.
The poet indicates his own views using capitalization to rank importance.
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Answer 1

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

1. The poet is showing the contrast between the perception of war and its reality. This is apparent in how each family member has a different view of the war, with some seeing it in a positive light while the speaker has a more somber reality.

2. The poet is mocking the glorification of war as noble and necessary. The descriptions of trivial contributions (like socks and earwarmers) and the superficial discussions about the war highlight the absurdity of glorifying war, contrasting with the difficult and harsh reality the speaker presents.

These interpretations reflect Cummings’ critical stance on the romanticized views of war prevalent at the time.