“THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE...” (Szymborska) Read the poem “There But for the Grace” by Wisława Szymborska. Then, reread the lines indicated with each question below. Answer each question, citing text evidence.

1. Interpret What is the theme, or overall message, of this poem? Explain how the sound devices in the poem help to communicate that theme.

2. Identify Patterns Reread lines 6–7. What sound device is used in these lines, and what effect does it have?

3. Analyze Reread lines 8–11. How does the speaker use parallelism to emphasize chance?

4. Analyze Lines 12–16: What sound or word does Szymborska emphasize? Describe its impact.

5. Cause/Effect Examine line 16. Identify the sound device used, and explain how it affects the ending of the stanza.

6. Infer What two sound devices are used in the lines “by a step, a hairsbreadth / by sheer coincidence”? What impact does this combination of sound devices have?

7. Evaluate Reread stanzas 2 and 3. What does the poet do to establish rhythm in this part of the poem? How does that rhythm enhance the speaker’s message?

8. Draw Conclusions The tone of a literary work expresses the writer’s attitude toward his or her subject. Describe the overall tone of the poem, as well as the tone in line 23, “There’s no end to my wonder, my silence.”

9. Infer Lines 23–25: What phrase suggests that the speaker has survived a difficult situation? What is the impact of the choice to end the poem with the words "in me"?

“There But for the Grace”

by Wislawa Szymborska***

It could have happened.
It had to happen.
It happened sooner. Later.
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.