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what is " j'accuse " mean? It is from a poem "In Extremis" by John Updike   And what is the theme & mood of this poem??  

irenepark

by irenepark at November 29, 2009

In Extremis

I saw my toes the other day.
I hadn't looked at them for months.
Indeed, they might have passed away.
And yet they were my best friends once.
When I was small, I knew them well.
I counted on them up to ten
And put them in my mouth to tell
The larger from the lesser. Then
I loved them better than my ears,
My elbows, adenoids, and heart.
But with the swelling of the years
We drifted, toes and I, apart.
Now, gnarled and pale, each said, j'accuse!--
I hid them quickly in my shoes.

Answers

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j'accuse (French) means I accuse, or bitter denunciation. Hope this helps. Happy Holidays! : )

Lenora Lenora November 29, 2009

(up) 1 (down)
A malicious speech meant to blame someone for an error or wrongdoing

meccadrian meccadrian November 30, 2009

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Mea culpa! I missed the second question in my haste to complete my own studies. The theme (timeless or  universal ideas) is that of aging, reminising of years gone by, years past and reflecting yet,  lamenting is the "cry" (mood) - j'accuse! Lost youth. Swelling of the years (growth) - driting apart - toes no longer representive of youth, attractive enough to count. Now, gnarled and aged toes are hidden within shoes. Hope this helps.   

Lenora Lenora December 01, 2009

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"I accuse," phrase made famous by Emile Zola in a public letter attacking the irregularities of the Dreyfus trial (Jan. 13, 1898).

Faith Faith September 27, 2010

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