HELP NEEDED 'THE WAY THINGS ARE by ROGER MCGOUGH'

A hint for literary analysis: look at the diction.

Negative terms ("No", "not") are used throughout, and this poem is not entirely ironic so one should rightly assume that the tone is negative.

Also, the repetition of the theme "This is the way things are" is of importance. What does it mean for you in the context of the poem?

These are just starting points, but always look at the diction and look for repeating words and ideas. They are always insightful.

What does this poem mean to you is more important than what it appears to mean to me.

ENG (Lit) 100: Introduction to Literature Analysis

Lecturer: Dr HansRik (nom de plume), BA Cambridge University, MA Harvard University, PhD Cambridge University.

Course Content: This course comprises 30 lectures over three terms dealing with the various aspects of poetry, prose and drama analysis.

Reading lists: No single text covers the full course material but the Department of Literature strongly recommends consulting lists provided in previous years. (Notice the irony, common to most universities).

Additional information: None.

Yes, I can see my name in there... Not really, haha.