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

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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 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 reveals the favoritism he shows toward some family members.
The poet reveals the favoritism he shows toward some family members.

The 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.

Answer 1

Based on E.E. Cummings' poem "My Sweet Old Etcetera," the two interpretations that can be supported regarding how each of his family members views the war are:

1. The poet is showing the contrast between the perception of war and its reality.

   • The different perspectives on the war from family members highlight the disconnection between the romanticized view of war and its mundane, practical implications.

2. The poet is mocking the glorification of war as noble and necessary.

   • By presenting family members' trivial and practical responses to the war, such as making socks and earwarmers, Cummings can be seen as ridiculing the traditional noble notions associated with war.

These interpretations reflect the poet’s critique of how society often views war in a glorified manner, contrasting it with the everyday, and sometimes absurd, actions taken by individuals in response to it.