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this small sentence by R.L. stevension

 
 
bubu
 
Reply Tue 12 Jul, 2011 05:48 am
What is the meaning of this small line written by the famous writer R.L.Stevension. This line is in the first stanza of the poem 'My Shadow'

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

I don't understand the second line "what can be the use.......I can see'

Can someone please explain it to me?
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Mame
 
  1  
Reply Tue 12 Jul, 2011 05:50 am
@bubu,
It means the shadow has no purpose

What is the use of the shadow? Whatever it is, it's more than he can understand.
McTag
 
  1  
Reply Tue 12 Jul, 2011 05:59 am
@Mame,

Mame is right, as always.

The poet has played around with the word order of the sentence, to better fit the poem.

"What can be the use of him is more than I can see"

What the use of him can be, I can't imagine.
Whatever use he is, I can't imagine.
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bubu
 
  1  
Reply Tue 12 Jul, 2011 06:00 am
@Mame,
Oh !!
so simple!! I had all sorts of complicated thoughts about the line.
Thank you for explaining it in the way you have done
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