There But for the Grace by Wislawa Szymborska

There But For the Grace

Wislawa Szymborska

• Read each slide carefully as there will be random questions.

• Keep the Essential Question in mind:

What can we learn from tragic events?

​

​Instructions:

About the poet

Multiple Choice

What did Wislawa win in 1996?

• Nobel Peace Prize in Literature

• Kentucky Derby

• International Poets Association

• AME Grammy of Fine and Poetic Arts

While the Polish history from World War II through Stalinism (in other words, war and totalitarianism) clearly informs her poetry, Szymborska was also a deeply personal poet who explored the large truths that exist in ordinary, everyday things.

"Of course, life crosses politics," Szymborska once said "but my poems are strictly not political. They are more about people and life." -poets.org

Fill in the Blanks

The poet says that her poems are more about people and

.

Wisława Szymborska's poetry addressed existential questions. It is unique among its kind and does not easily lend itself to categorization.

Szymborska strives to illuminate the deepest problems of human existence, surrounded by the transitoriness of the now and everyday life.

​

​nobelprize.org

Multiple Choice

"Wisława Szymborska's poetry addressed existential questions... Szymborska strives to illuminate the deepest problems of human existence..."

What is the closest meaning of "existential"?

• relating to existence

• powerful analogy

• judging of the main character

Dropdown

Wisława Szymborska's poetry deals with ​

Select answer

, everyday life​ , and the​ timelessness found within a​

Select answer

.

We will be reading Philip Larkin's poem, Days, which deals with death.

​"Hers is a very grim poetry…a comparison with the despairing vision of Samuel Beckett and Philip Larkin suggests itself.

Yet, in contrast to them Szymborska offers a world where one can breathe."

- Czeslaw Milosz

read the poem in the next slides and share your opinion at the end.

​now, think for yourself...

“It could have happened.
It had to happen.
It happened sooner. Later.
Nearer. Farther.
It happened not to you.

​You survived because you were the first.
You survived because you were the last.
Because you were alone. Because of people.
Because you turned left. Because you turned right.
Because rain fell. Because a shadow fell.
Because sunny weather prevailed.

​Luckily, there was a wood.
Luckily there were no trees.
Luckily there was a rail, a hook, a beam, a brake,
a frame, a bend, a millimeter, a second.
Luckily a straw was floating on the surface.

​Thanks to, because, and yet, in spite of.
What would have happened had not a hand, a foot,
by a step, a hairsbreadth
by sheer coincidence.

​So you’re here? Straight from a moment still ajar?
The net had one eyehole, and you got through it?
There’s no end to my wonder, my silence.
Listen
how fast your heart beats in me.”

Poll

After reading the poem, what themes stick out to you?

• luck/chance

• I am not sure

• a survivor's marvel

• miracles can happen because of many seemingly ordinary things

• one or more of these options

Draw

Draw something that represents the poem:

Open Ended

In the poem “There But for the Grace,” the poet contemplates the role of chance in one’s life.

What do you think this poem is about? Why?