what does the poet say the boy is learning from the loss of the ball explain the situation in your own words
Answers
The Ball Poem by John Berryman beautifully describes the state of mind of a boy who has lost his ball playing. He also gives a lesson full of wisdom that through loss every man or woman learns to bear the pain associated with loss.
The poet sees a boy who is playing with a ball. The ball bounces out of his control and falls into the water. The boy becomes sad at this. The poet feels no other ball given to the boy will lessen his sadness.
The lost ball stands for the general losses a human being suffers as he grows old. The losses may be the loss of a personal possession or the death of a dear one or separation from a beloved one. Using this metaphor the poet highlights the main point of coming to terms with the losses. As long as there is life, there will be many types of losses; what each one has to learn is bearing those losses.
Answer:
The poet says that the boy is learning to cope up with the feeling of loss, the loss of the ball. He was shaken by this loss, so he is trying to understand what it means to lose something. Everyone has to stand up after such losses. The boy will too learn how to stand up and leave the losses behind, once he understand the true meaning and nature of loss. He has to learn to grow up in this world of possessions.