The Last Words of My English Grandmother
The Last Words of My English Grandmother - context Summary
Published 1935, Bedside Account
Written from the poet’s firsthand perspective as a family member and physician, the poem recounts his English grandmother’s final moments when she is taken to the hospital. Williams records small domestic details, her blunt speech and intermittent clarity, and the collision between domestic intimacy and clinical removal. The tone is plain and observational, preserving a brief, compassionate snapshot of aging, resistance, and ordinary human stubbornness.
Read Complete AnalysesThere were some dirty plates and a glass of milk beside her on a small table near the rank, disheveled bed— Wrinkled and nearly blind she lay and snored rousing with anger in her tones to cry for food, Gimme something to eat— They’re starving me— I’m all right—I won’t go to the hospital.No, no, no Give me something to eat! Let me take you to the hospital, I said and after you are well you can do as you please. She smiled, Yes you do what you please first then I can do what I please— Oh, oh, oh! she cried as the ambulance men lifted her to the stretcher— Is this what you call making me comfortable? By now her mind was clear— Oh you think you’re smart you young people, she said, but I’ll tell you you don’t know anything. Then we started. On the way we passed a long row of elms. She looked at them awhile out of the ambulance window and said, What are all those fuzzy looking things out there? Trees?Well, I’m tired of them and rolled her head away.
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