The beginning of a poem and its ending usually “talk to each other” in a few important ways. Here’s what you should generally notice and comment on when you get this kind of question in class.

1. Tone at the start vs. the end

Ask yourself: does the mood change?

  • The poem may begin sad, tense, confused, or chaotic, and end calmer, hopeful, or resigned.
  • Sometimes the tone stays the same; that can show that the speaker is stuck in the same emotional place.

You can write something like:

At the beginning, the tone is anxious and uncertain, but by the end it becomes more peaceful and reflective.

2. Situation or perspective

Look at what is happening or being described in the first lines and compare it with the last lines.

  • Beginning: often sets the scene, asks questions, or shows a problem/conflict.
  • Ending: often shows a result, realization, decision, or change in understanding.

Example: a poem might start with a speaker angry about war and end with them quietly watching nature, showing a shift from chaos to contemplation.

3. Repetition, echoes, or contrasts

Many poems repeat or twist something from the beginning at the end.

  • The same word/phrase may reappear but with a new meaning (for example, repeating a line but now it sounds ironic or wiser).
  • Or the ending may strongly contrast the beginning (from “after every war, someone has to clean up” to “gazing at the clouds,” moving from hard work to quiet reflection).

You can notice if:

  • The first and last lines sound similar (circular ending).
  • The last line answers or opposes an idea in the first line.

4. Theme development

Think about how the main idea of the poem grows from start to finish.

  • Beginning: introduces the subject or problem (war, love, nature, memory, etc.).
  • Ending: often gives a deeper insight, a final image, or an open question that leaves you thinking.

A good way to phrase it:

The beginning introduces the theme of ___, while the ending deepens it by showing that ___.

5. Structure and “framing”

Notice if the poet uses structure to connect beginning and end.

  • Does the poem start with a simple, direct statement and end with a vivid image or metaphor?
  • Is there a “frame,” where the poem starts and ends in the same place, image, or time, creating a sense of a complete circle?

For a short exam-style answer, you might write:

The beginning of the poem introduces the main situation and sets a particular mood, while the ending either resolves this mood or gives it a surprising twist. The first lines raise questions or present a problem, and the final lines offer a new image or thought that changes how we see everything that came before.

If you share the actual poem or its first and last lines, I can help you write a precise 2–3 sentence answer tailored to that specific text.