The theme of the tanka poem "The Weeping Willow" by Mushimaro is best inferred as b: death and lost love. The imagery of the weeping willow on a maiden's grave suggests a connection to mourning and the sorrow associated with lost love. The mention of a young man's hill and the reflection on the dead girl's love further highlight themes of loss and memory.
Read the following tanka poem: (Note: form was lost in translation)
The Weeping Willow
Mushimaro
The weeping willow on the maiden’s grave
Lets its branches sway to one side
only. A young man’s hill
Rises there. Now who would doubt
Whom that dead girl’s love was for?
Infer the theme of the tanka poem.
a
living life to the fullest
b
death and lost love
c
seasons
d
reincarnation
1 answer