This is Just to Say

This Is Just To Say Historical Context

William Carlos Williams was born in New Jersey to an English father and a Puerto Rican mother of multiracial ancestry. He became a pediatrician, novelist, essayist, and poet. This is a rare combination, but it meant that he could write whatever he wanted without having to depend on it to make a living.

Along with Ezra Pound and Hilda Doolittle aka HD, he was a member of the Imagists movement. John Keats and Walt Whitman initially influenced his poetry, but he developed his unique style after meeting Ezra Pound. He commented on this meeting, saying,

By 1917 and the publication of his third book, Al Que Quiere! (1917), he had nailed the key Imagist principle.

Poetry at the time lagged behind other artistic fields in terms of breaking down the traditional structures and forms that were accepted as 'correct' or academic. The Imagists challenged conventional structures, themes, and language within the genre. Williams made extensive use of free verse and his version of metre, variable foot.

This Is Just To Say Key Themes

On the surface, this is a very simple poem, written about a pretty mundane domestic event involving some plums. Williams made a career out of writing poems about subjects that were not considered traditionally poetic. He also wrote in a structure and tone that were not considered traditionally poetic either.

Generally, his work is not very grand. The themes concern everyday life and the structure is plain.

Choice

The poet chooses to eat the plums, even though he seemingly knows that the other person might have set them aside for themselves. He also chooses to confess and to make a whole poem out of his quirky little apology.

These lines clearly show the reader that Williams made his choice to eat the plums, despite his assumption, and then made his choice to confess, apologise, and ask for forgiveness.

Relationships and communication

The nature of the relationship between the poet and the owner of the plums is never explicitly mentioned. However, the tone of the poem, with its casual familiarity, indicates they know each other well. The detail of the shared icebox tells us that they share a kitchen, at least.

Outside of the poem, we know that the note is for William’s wife, nicknamed Flossie. Even without this knowledge, it is clear that the two people are close and probably share a home. The fact that Williams had to leave a note also indicates that he and his wife had different schedules they used various forms of communication to overcome.

There is a separateness that comes in having to leave a note rather than telling Flossie in person. The off-hand tone and humour in the poem indicate an easy understanding between the two, which contrasts that temporary physical separateness in a typically Imagist way.

Apologies and forgiveness

After eating the plums, Williams confesses and mentions forgiveness. The admission that he thought they might not be for him at that time and that they were delicious is quite teasing, especially as he ate all of them. It is not a very convincing apology, nor a really serious request for forgiveness.

When considering this last theme, it is worth reading Flossie's reply for some context on this poem and its cheeky admission of enjoyment. She is obviously not at all bothered about not having any plums.

Reply (crumped on her desk)²

Dear Bill: I've made a couple of sandwiches for you. In the icebox, you'll find blueberries--a cup of grapefruit a glass of cold coffee. On the stove is the tea-pot with enough tea leaves for you to make tea if you prefer--Just light the gas-- boil the water and put it in the tea. Plenty of bread in the bread-box and butter and eggs-- I didn't know just what to make for you. Several people called up about office hours--

See you later. Love. Floss.

Please switch off the telephone.

This Is Just To Say Use of Literary Devices

Williams uses some subtle devices with multi-layered meaning to create rhythm and cohesion in this poem. Although it is only 28 words long and written in plain English, there are plenty of nuances to notice.

Enjambment

Enjambment is when lines run into the next line, across a line break, with no use of punctuation. All of the lines are run-ons in 'This Is Just To Say'.

In addition, other than a couple of capital letters, this poem makes no use of punctuation at all.

Sibilance

Sibilance is the repetition of letters that have a long 's' or slightly hissing quality to their sound. You can spot this throughout the poem, starting with the title.

Does This Is Just To Say have a deeper meaning or use Symbolism

It is possible to see many deeper meanings or types of symbolism in this poem if you choose to. Many critics have done so already. For example, the plums might symbolise temptation. The note may symbolise separateness. The apology might even symbolise a larger confession or an attempt at redemption for Williams' affairs with other women.

Considering William’s stance on breaking the rules of what he termed 'classroom poetry’, he also might have just meant it as it is. Williams and the Imagists wanted to directly depict everyday American life. Nothing spectacular. Nothing out of the ordinary. Perhaps he did that with 'This Is Just To Say'.

It could just be a seemingly simple, insider joke in the form of a thank you note disguised as a poem.

¹ 'A retrospective and a Few Dont's,' Poetry Foundation, 2020.

² Anne Fisher Worth, The Allocations of Desire: 'This Is Just to Say' and Flossie Williams's 'Reply' (Penn State University Press, 1996).