So we have to assume that the occasion for this poem is some kind of question posed by John Milton, Sr., a question like, "To what end am I supporting you, Son?

我们可以假定这个诗的起因是,老约翰弥尔顿问小弥尔顿，“我到底为什么要资助你，儿子？“

耶鲁公开课 - 弥尔顿课程节选

Let me ask you a question first about John Barth and the stories that I asked you to read. Which of them was your favorite? Some cackling I hear None of them?Which of them was your favorite?

我先来问你们一个关于约翰·巴斯和我让你们读的,故事的问题，你们最喜欢哪个故事，我听到一些咯咯笑的声音,都不喜欢吗，你们最喜欢哪个故事啊？

耶鲁公开课 - 1945年后的美国小说课程节选