And I have learned too
to laugh with only my teeth
and shake hands without my heart.
I have also learned to say, 'Goodbye',
when I mean 'Good-riddance':
to say 'Glad to meet you',
without being glad; and to say 'It's been
nice talking to you', after being bored.
Question 1: What does the speaker imply by saying they have learned "to laugh with only my teeth"?
Answer: The speaker implies that they have learned to fake laughter without genuine emotion, suggesting a sense of insincerity or detachment.
Question 2: How does the speaker describe their interactions with others in the stanza?
Answer: The speaker describes their interactions as superficial and dishonest. They say "Goodbye" when they actually mean "Good-riddance," express being "Glad to meet you" without genuine happiness, and pretend that conversations were enjoyable when they were bored.
Question 3: What literary technique is evident in the line "to say 'Goodbye' when I mean 'Good-riddance'"?
Answer: The literary technique evident in this line is irony, where the speaker says one thing but means the opposite, highlighting the disconnect between their words and true feelings.