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By Louisa Fletcher Tarkington

I wish there were some wonderful place
Called the Land of Beginning Again,
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches,
And all our poor, selfish grieves1
Could be dropped, like a shabby2 old coat, at the door,
And never put on again.
We would find the things we intended to do,
But forgot and remembered too late--
Little praises unspoken, little promises broken,
And all of the thousand and one
Little duties neglected3 that might have perfected
The days of one less fortunate.
So I wish that there were some wonderful place
Called the Land of Beginning Again,
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches,
And all our poor, selfish grieves
Could be dropped, like a ragged old coat, at the door,
And never put on again
What is this poem about?

9 answers

The poem "The Land of Beginning Again" by Louisa Fletcher Tarkington expresses a longing for a place where people can leave behind their mistakes, regrets, and heartaches. The speaker wishes for an opportunity to start over, shedding the burdens of past choices and unfulfilled commitments. The imagery of dropping a shabby old coat at the door symbolizes letting go of the weight of guilt and sorrow associated with those mistakes.

Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on the small, often overlooked actions—like unspoken praises and broken promises—that accumulate over time, contributing to a sense of imperfection and dissatisfaction. The repeated desire for a "Land of Beginning Again" highlights a universal human yearning for redemption, forgiveness, and the chance to make things right.

Overall, the poem resonates with themes of hope, renewal, and the potential for transformation, capturing the desire to escape the burdens of the past and embrace the possibility of a fresh start.

answer in 1 to 2 sentences

The poem "The Land of Beginning Again" by Louisa Fletcher Tarkington expresses a longing for a place where one can leave behind past mistakes, heartaches, and regrets to start anew. It reflects a universal desire for redemption and the opportunity to fulfill intentions that were overlooked or neglected.

What is the speakers tone answer in 1 sentence

The speaker's tone is wistful and longing, conveying a deep desire for renewal and the chance to escape past mistakes and heartaches.

Provide text evidence that supports your answer. Explain how the evidence supports your answer.

Provide text evidence that supports your answer. Explain how the evidence supports your answer.

Provide text evidence that supports your answer. Explain how the evidence supports your answer.

Provide text evidence that supports your answer. Explain how the evidence supports your answer.

Text Evidence 1: The repetition of the phrase "I wish there were some wonderful place called the Land of Beginning Again" signifies a deep yearning for a fresh start.

Explanation: This repetition illustrates the speaker's wistfulness, emphasizing their desire for an ideal place where they can escape their past mistakes and begin anew, which reflects a tone filled with longing.

Text Evidence 2: The imagery of dropping "a shabby old coat" at the door conveys a desire to rid oneself of burdens.

Explanation: This metaphor underscores the speaker's wish to shed the weight of guilt and regret, reinforcing the wistful tone, as it suggests both a wish for relief and a revelatory moment of clarity.

Text Evidence 3: The line "little praises unspoken, little promises broken" highlights the small, often overlooked regrets the speaker carries.

Explanation: By focusing on these minor yet significant hardships, the tone reveals a sense of melancholy and nostalgia for what could have been, amplifying the speaker's longing for redemption and new beginnings.

Text Evidence 4: The phrase "and all our poor, selfish grieves" suggests an awareness of personal flaws and past mistakes.

Explanation: This acknowledgment indicates a reflective sense of remorse, adding layers to the wistful tone, as the speaker wishes to leave behind not only the mistakes but also the burdensome selfishness tied to them, further reinforcing the desire for transformation.

Provide text evidence that supports your answer. Explain how the evidence supports your answer. for what is the poem about

Text Evidence 1: The speaker expresses a desire for "some wonderful place called the Land of Beginning Again."

Explanation: This line encapsulates the central theme of the poem, highlighting the speaker's yearning for a space where they can let go of their past mistakes and start over, which underscores the overarching idea of redemption and renewal.

Text Evidence 2: The phrase "all our mistakes and all our heartaches" emphasizes the burdens the speaker wishes to release.

Explanation: By listing these emotional weights, the speaker illustrates the toll that past experiences take on individuals, reinforcing the poem’s focus on the desire for a clean slate and the universal human experience of grappling with regret.

Text Evidence 3: The line "We would find the things we intended to do, but forgot and remembered too late" reflects on unfulfilled intentions.

Explanation: This acknowledgment highlights the common struggle of forgetting promises and duties, emphasizing the poem's theme of missed opportunities and the wish for a chance to correct past oversights.

Text Evidence 4: The imagery of dropping "a ragged old coat" at the door symbolizes shedding one's burdens.

Explanation: This metaphor illustrates the speaker's hope to discard the weight of guilt and sorrow associated with past actions, reinforcing the poem's central message about the desire for a place to leave behind regrets and embrace a fresh start.