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Childhood
Both people in the story met when they were very little kids. When they were kids, they never had direct feelings towards each other. Diction and Tone are very strong in the first stanza, as the author uses them to help understand what they were feeling when they first met. -
At 14...
Both grew up to get married at the young age of 14. Their feelings for each other expand, as the speaker calls their lover "My Lord". Tone seems to change in the 2nd stanza when the speaker exspands her affection for the merchant. -
1 Year Later
A year passed by before the speakers tone changes to a much happier feeling. Due to her getting over the fact that her husband the merchant travels a lot. She realizes her love for him, and that they will be together in the next life. -
At 16 you...
The merchant leaves for a time of 5 months to Ku-to-en. The speaker is upset about "monkeys" making noise over her head. This represents personification, making the connection to newborn kids that are hard to keep track of and act like monkeys. -
Depressed
As the merchant leaves he drags his feet on the way out showing how much he doesn't want to leave his wife. He has been gone so long there is multiple types of moss growing on their gate. Too deep to get rid of, the moss symbolizes him and the memory of him that won't go away. -
Butterflies
When 2 butterflies pass by the speaker, she is hurt and is reminded of her husband when they were together. Tone is much more dark than all other stanzas due to her husband being gone for so long. Her love is so powerful and strong she's willing to walk hundreds of miles to meet him.
