SKB
“Perhaps the World Ends Here”
Joy Harjo
Speaker: An anonymous “We,” 1st person plural, suggesting that she/he
is speaking for humanity as a whole. Obviously a member of a closeknit family….wait, that’s a better explanation for the” we.”
Situation: Reflecting about the importance of family interaction,
using the kitchen table as a symbol of inner-connected hearts and
minds.
Diction: Simple but powerful connotations. “gifts of earth” “teethe”
“scrape knees” “be human” “gossip” “enemies” “make men, women”
“birth” “ burial” “sing” “pray”
These words/phrases almost trace the ages of man from being a baby to
maturing as an adult, then dying. Negative attitudes as well as
positive, making the portrayal realistic.
Imagery: Lacks deep descriptive imagery: “Scrape their knees” “poor
falling-down selves” “House in the rain” Umbrella in the sun”
“shadow of terror” “last sweet bite”
Perhaps the lack of exactness in imagery allows for universality.
Each family’s table will differ: a fancy antique Duncan Phyfe with
curved, carved legs and impeccable finish…a second-hand weathered
cast-off with scratches and rings on the surface…but each serving the
same purpose.
Syntax: Uneven lines. First three stanzas have 3 lines. Then 2, then
1. Then 3, then 1. The last 4 stanzas have 2 lines each with the
same spacing. Short simple sentences.
Comes full circle:
end” in the last.
“world begins” in first stanza and “world will
Uneven lines within stanzas suggest the unpredictability of life and
the varied experiences within it.
The last four stanzas with two lines each reflect the duality
contained in each one: “Wars begun and ended, Celebrating terrible
victory, singing with joy, with sorrow, laughing and crying”
No surprising marks of punctuation, only commas and periods.
Figurative Language:
 Hyperbole
“The world begins at a kitchen table.”
“We make men at it, we make women.”
Referring to teaching the young, allowing them to mature into men and
women with strong morals and convictions and a plan for the future.
“Wars have begun and ended at this table.”
Family controversy, working through differences to make the family as
a unit and the individuals stronger.
 Paradox
“A place to celebrate the terrible victory.”
This paradox suggests getting through tragedies such as death or
trauma. The OKC bombing that brought strangers together and made
them smile through their tears.
 Personification
“Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our
children. They laugh with us at our falling-down selves and as we put
ourselves back together once again at the table.”
My personal favorite. Dreams become such a real part of life that
they “drink coffee with us” and become such a comforting force that
they “put their arms around our children.” They become trusted
friends instead of distant goals.
 Metaphor
“This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun”
“shadow of terror”
“eating of the last sweet bite”
Life takes on the characteristics of a feast. Exotic dishes to
sample, favorite recipes to sample again and again. Maybe varied
seasonings and a variety of side dishes. Some disasters, some
culinary delights.
 Oxymoron
“terrible victory”
 Antithesis:
“rain…sun”
“sing with joy, with sorrow”
Again, the idea of smiling through tears.
and strength.
Facing adversity with hope
“laughing and crying”
“birth…burial”
The cyclical nature of the life process. Continuation of blood lines
and traditions and memories passed down from generation to generation.
Tone:
Contemplative, Introspective with a backdrop of poignancy and
serenity. We feast of life, make the best of all it offers, then pass
away surrounded by the same supportive atmosphere.
Theme: The nuclear family with its warmth, understanding, traditions,
and support, creates and protects, enabling members to endure all life
might dish out at its table.