woman sitting and writing on a piece of paper with her hand on her cheeck with a river and butterflies in the background

The River-Merchant's Wife

by Ezra Pound

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Student Question

What point about love does Ezra Pound's "The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter" make?

Quick answer:

"The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter" illustrates how love evolves and deepens over time. Initially depicting youthful affection, the poem progresses to show the intense love that develops with maturity and is further intensified by the husband's absence. This transformation portrays love as a dynamic force that grows and changes through life's experiences.

Expert Answers

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One of the main points of the story with regard to love is how love changes and develops, matures and deepens, over time.

The poem starts off with a description of love between young people, and gradually grows into the intense love that is only heightened by the absence of the man. This gives a portrait of love as something which changes, grows over time. Much more info in the themes part of the eNotes for the poem.

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