In “The Bean Eaters,” Brooks captures the essence of an ...



In “The Bean Eaters,” Brooks captures the essence of an elderly couple who have lived a simple yet satisfying life. This theme is conveyed through the selection of imagery and the tone shift in the third stanza.

The first stanza introduces the couple and characterizes them with a series of common household images. From their diet of “mostly” beans to the “tin flatware” with which they eat their “casual” dinner, the man and woman are seen as modest and ordinary. The repetition of “plain” in line 3 emphasizes the meal’s simplicity. Word choice describing the utensils makes them sound utilitarian and worn, such as “chipware,” “tin flatware,” and “creaking wood.” The second stanza continues in the same direction but focuses instead on the people themselves. “Mostly Good” (not “bad” or “perfect”) further implies ordinariness, as does the straightforward cycle of “putting on their clothes / And putting things away.” The conjunction “But” in line 7 suggests that the people are aware of having out-aged most of their use but still find reason to approach day-to-day life with optimism and purpose. The vagueness of “putting things away” allows for multiple interpretations. Perhaps this is a reference to retirement savings, which explains the lack of financial anxiety that many people experience in old age. The phrase may also imply that the people feel that their lives are in order and that they are ready for death when it finally does come. The “things” might also be a reference to the many trinkets and minor possessions that the couple has accumulated over the course of their lives, items which are catalogued in the third stanza.

The third stanza conveys more feeling than the first two. The term “Remembering,” along with the ellipsis and the word’s repetition, suggests a powerful, ongoing emotional response shared by the couple. The effect of their memories on them is further indicated by the phrase “with twinklings and twinges.” The catalog that follows lists items of seemingly trivial value but that obviously represent a life which the people feel has been worthwhile despite its simplicity and frugal nature. The author’s choice of items in the list represents various degrees of personal importance. “Receipts” suggests the financial angle of their accumulations; “tobacco crumbs” is evidence of simple daily enjoyment over a period of time; the rest of the items have a more nostalgic value (“fringes,” “beads,” “dolls,” etc.), perhaps keepsakes.

A short modern poem about an elderly couple could take any number of approaches, many of which might depict despair, pain, boredom, or loneliness. Instead, Brooks shows the quiet power of the memories of a simple life, well-lived.

The first literary element a reader should consider is theme, or the argument about life that the author seems to be making in a work of literature. When planning an analysis, the writer should set the thesis up to argue that the author uses one or more literary techniques in a compelling way to convey the theme. Once a basic theme statement has been developed, the writer should re-read and annotate the text to find which techniques are prominently used. Much literature effectively uses imagery, or language which appeals to the readers senses. The writer might note certain “clusters” of images that work together to suggest pain, pleasure, or other physical responses. Another common element is metaphor, or the use of language that symbolizes an idea more complex than its literal meaning. Poems might function as extended metaphors; a climb up a ladder or a walk in the woods might actually represent a more serious life achievement or adventure. Such interpretations take many readings to discover. The selection of detail is also an important element to consider. If the author seems particularly interested in certain facts or aspects of his subject while ignoring others, it creates a noticeable effect on the reader’s understanding of the text. This effect should be discussed and linked to the theme in an analysis of the piece. A final important element to consider is tone, or the attitude the author seems to take toward the subject in the piece. Tone is sometimes difficult to determine; the reader should ask, Does the author want me to like these people or care about this situation or event? How do I know? The answers to those questions can help the writer discover the tone of the piece and explain its relationship to the theme in an analysis.

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