“Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert

“Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert, first appeared in his 1946 poetry collection Paroles (Words), is a quintessential example of Prevert’s minimalist yet emotionally resonant style, characterized by its simplicity, directness, and use of everyday language. In “Breakfast,” Prevert narrates a scene of routine domestic life—someone quietly eating breakfast while their partner silently observes. The poem’s power lies in what is left unsaid; through sparse description, it evokes feelings of detachment, alienation, and the unspoken complexities of human relationships. Its main idea revolves around the theme of emotional distance and communication breakdown, captured in a few seemingly mundane yet poignant lines.

Text: “Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert

He poured the coffee
Into the cup
He put the milk
Into the cup of coffee
He put the sugar
Into the coffee with milk
With a small spoon
He churned
He drank the coffee
And he put down the cup
Without any word to me
He emptied the coffee with milk
And he put down the cup
Without any word to me
He lighted
One cigarette
He made circles
With the smoke
He shook off the ash
Into the ashtray
Without any word to me
Without any look at me
He got up
He put on
A hat on his head
He put on
A raincoat
Because it was raining
And he left
Into the rain
Without any word to me
Without any look at me
And I buried
My face in my hands
And I cried

Annotations: “Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert

Line	Annotation
He poured the coffee	The opening line sets up a mundane action, reflecting a routine. The subject is unidentified, suggesting emotional distance from the speaker.
Into the cup	This simple act of pouring highlights the focus on ordinary details, underscoring the sense of ritual in the morning routine.
He put the milk	Another mundane action, adding layers of normalcy and calmness to the scene. The choice of verbs remains plain and detached, emphasizing the mechanical nature.
Into the cup of coffee	Repetition of actions creates a rhythmic quality, mirroring the repetitiveness of routine life. This reinforces the emotional distance between the two characters.
He put the sugar	More detailing of the breakfast routine, extending the sense of monotony and mechanical precision in the man’s actions.
Into the coffee with milk	The simple, repetitive syntax here further highlights the banality of the moment, leaving emotional undercurrents unspoken.
With a small spoon	A specific, yet unremarkable detail adds to the realism of the scene. The speaker seems hyper-focused on small actions.
He churned	The term “churned” evokes a mechanical, unfeeling movement, adding to the sense of coldness in the relationship.
He drank the coffee	This action is performed without acknowledgment of the speaker, symbolizing emotional withdrawal and disconnection.
And he put down the cup	The act of setting the cup down punctuates the routine, signaling the completion of the task but still no interaction.
Without any word to me	The first direct acknowledgment of the speaker, emphasizing the emotional silence and the absence of communication between the two.
He emptied the coffee with milk	The repetition of actions highlights the passage of time and further reinforces the emotional void.
And he put down the cup	Again, the same repetitive action. The monotony mirrors the emotional distance between the characters.
Without any word to me	The continued silence between the characters becomes more noticeable, indicating a deeper emotional or relational rift.
He lighted	Another independent action that carries symbolic weight. Lighting a cigarette is often associated with reflection or disinterest.
One cigarette	The use of “one” cigarette isolates the object, making the scene more lonely and personal. Smoking can also suggest detachment or escape.
He made circles	The image of smoke circles carries a symbolic weight of repetition, futility, and cyclical routines. It could also suggest distraction or aimlessness.
With the smoke	Smoke is an ephemeral substance, much like the intangible nature of the relationship between the two characters.
He shook off the ash	A dismissive gesture, perhaps symbolic of the man’s emotional indifference. It subtly hints at his detachment from the speaker and the relationship.
Into the ashtray	The ashtray signifies the residue of something once whole, possibly a metaphor for the remnants of a deteriorating relationship.
Without any word to me	Once more, this phrase reinforces the emotional chasm, with the silence becoming deafening to the speaker.
Without any look at me	The man doesn’t even make eye contact, intensifying the sense of isolation felt by the speaker. Eye contact, a basic form of connection, is notably absent.
He got up	A simple, unceremonious action that signals the end of the scene. The lack of any tenderness or communication further deepens the emotional void.
He put on	The methodical action continues as he prepares to leave. Again, no communication, reinforcing the mechanical nature of the morning.
A hat on his head	The act of putting on a hat may symbolize a barrier between him and the world (and the speaker), further distancing him emotionally.
He put on	Repeated, mechanical action emphasizing the routine nature of his departure.
A raincoat	The raincoat acts as a protective layer, possibly symbolic of shielding emotions or protecting himself from the outside world.
Because it was raining	The mention of rain adds a melancholic tone, often symbolizing sadness or emotional turmoil. It reflects the speaker’s inner state.
And he left	The finality of this action solidifies the separation. There is no warmth or hesitation; the man leaves the scene coldly.
Into the rain	The rain symbolizes emotional distance, sorrow, and the washing away of any remaining connection. It can also be seen as a metaphor for isolation.
Without any word to me	This repeated line emphasizes the lack of communication, the void that exists between them.
Without any look at me	Reinforces the emotional indifference and highlights the loneliness of the speaker.
And I buried	The speaker’s response is deeply emotional, in stark contrast to the man’s indifference.
My face in my hands	A physical manifestation of sorrow, possibly indicating shame, grief, or a feeling of abandonment.
And I cried	The final release of emotion, contrasting sharply with the coldness of the previous actions. The speaker’s pain becomes palpable as the emotional breakdown occurs.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert

Device	Definition	Example from “Breakfast”	Explanation
Anaphora	The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines.	“Without any word to me”	The repeated phrase emphasizes the emotional void and silence between the two characters, reinforcing the detachment throughout the poem.
Assonance	The repetition of vowel sounds within words.	“He put the milk / Into the cup of coffee”	The repeated short “u” sound in “put” and “cup” creates a soothing, rhythmic quality that mirrors the mechanical nature of the actions described.
Cacophony	The use of harsh, discordant sounds.	“He churned”	The word “churned” itself produces a jarring, mechanical sound that contributes to the emotional coldness and detachment of the man’s routine.
Chiasmus	A reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases.	“He put the milk / Into the cup of coffee” and “He put the sugar / Into the coffee with milk”	The reversal of actions reflects the mechanical and emotionless process, showing how these actions are habitual rather than meaningful.
Connotation	The implied or associative meaning of a word beyond its literal definition.	“Rain”	The rain connotes sadness, isolation, or emotional turmoil, beyond its literal meaning of precipitation.
Consonance	The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.	“He lighted / One cigarette”	The repetition of the “t” sound creates a soft, repetitive sound, which mirrors the slow, methodical actions of the man.
Enjambment	The continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break.	“He put the milk / Into the cup of coffee”	This continuation without pause mirrors the uninterrupted flow of routine actions, emphasizing the mechanical, unfeeling nature of the scene.
Epiphora	The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive lines or sentences.	“Without any word to me” / “Without any look at me”	The repetition of these phrases reinforces the emotional isolation felt by the speaker, as each line compounds the sense of abandonment.
Euphony	The use of pleasant, harmonious sounds.	“He lighted / One cigarette”	The soft sounds create a calm, detached mood, which contrasts with the underlying emotional tension in the poem.
Hyperbole	Exaggeration for emphasis or effect.	“I cried”	While crying itself is not exaggerated, the lack of detail about the crying adds a heightened emotional weight to this final action, emphasizing the speaker’s despair.
Imagery	Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.	“He made circles / With the smoke”	This visual image of smoke circles adds a dreamlike, disconnected quality to the scene, highlighting the man’s detachment from the speaker.
Irony	A contrast between expectation and reality.	The routine actions seem ordinary but reveal deep emotional distance.	The mundane breakfast routine contrasts with the intense emotional reaction at the end, showing how what appears simple can carry deep emotional significance.
Juxtaposition	The placing of two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast.	His calm departure vs. her emotional breakdown.	The calm, methodical actions of the man are juxtaposed with the intense emotional reaction of the speaker, highlighting their emotional disconnect.
Metaphor	A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things.	“I buried / My face in my hands”	This metaphor implies the speaker is overwhelmed with sorrow, using “buried” to express how deeply she feels the emotional pain.
Mood	The emotional atmosphere created by the text.	The mood is one of coldness and detachment.	The mood is established through the man’s repetitive, detached actions and the speaker’s growing sorrow, creating an emotional distance between them.
Parallelism	The repetition of a grammatical structure.	“He put the milk / Into the cup of coffee” / “He put the sugar…”	The parallel structure of these lines mimics the repetitive nature of the man’s actions, reinforcing the mechanical, emotionless routine of the scene.
Repetition	The use of the same words or phrases multiple times for emphasis.	“Without any word to me”	The repetition of this phrase underscores the emotional silence and void between the two, heightening the sense of abandonment.
Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.	“Rain”	The rain symbolizes emotional sadness, isolation, and a lack of warmth in the relationship, echoing the speaker’s inner turmoil.
Tone	The attitude or approach that the writer takes toward the subject.	The tone is melancholic and detached.	The tone is created through the use of simple, direct language that reflects the emotional distance and coldness between the characters.

Themes: “Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert

• Emotional Distance: One of the central themes of “Breakfast” is emotional distance between individuals, particularly in intimate relationships. Throughout the poem, the man performs routine actions—pouring coffee, adding milk and sugar, smoking a cigarette—without acknowledging the speaker. Phrases like “Without any word to me” and “Without any look at me” are repeated several times, emphasizing the growing gap between the two characters. The man’s silence and lack of eye contact represent not just physical distance, but an emotional chasm that has grown between them. This theme is underscored by the speaker’s passive observation of these actions, highlighting the lack of communication and intimacy in their relationship.
• Routine and Monotony: The poem vividly portrays the theme of routine and monotony, reflecting how daily habits can become empty and mechanical, stripping life of emotion. The man’s actions—pouring coffee, drinking it, lighting a cigarette—are described in meticulous, repetitive detail, as if he is functioning on autopilot. The simplicity and repetition of lines like “He put the milk / Into the cup of coffee” and “He churned / He drank the coffee” reinforce the sense that the actions have become devoid of any emotional significance. This monotonous routine serves as a metaphor for the emotional stagnation in the relationship, where everyday activities are performed without meaning or connection.
• Isolation and Loneliness: Isolation and loneliness permeate the poem, both in the man’s emotional detachment and the speaker’s silent suffering. The speaker observes the man’s actions but receives no acknowledgment in return, as expressed in the repeated lines “Without any word to me” and “Without any look at me.” This emotional coldness leads to the speaker’s profound sense of isolation, culminating in the final lines where she buries her face in her hands and cries. The emotional void between them leaves the speaker isolated, even while they are physically together, highlighting the deep loneliness that can exist within relationships.
• Unspoken Grief: The theme of unspoken grief is subtly woven into the poem, culminating in the speaker’s final emotional breakdown. The entire poem builds tension through what is left unsaid between the characters, with the man’s silence acting as a powerful indicator of the unresolved issues between them. The speaker’s grief is expressed only at the end, when she “buried / My face in my hands / And I cried.” This release of emotion contrasts sharply with the man’s calm and detached demeanor, highlighting the silent suffering that has been endured throughout the poem. The unspoken grief reflects the deep emotional impact of uncommunicated feelings in relationships.

Literary Theories and “Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert

Literary Theory	Explanation	Application to “Breakfast”
Feminist Theory	Focuses on gender dynamics, exploring the roles, power structures, and expectations of men and women.	In “Breakfast,” the woman’s passive role contrasts with the man’s actions. She silently observes, without any communication, highlighting gendered power imbalance. The line “Without any word to me” reflects the lack of emotional labor or connection expected from the man, while the woman’s final emotional breakdown (“And I cried”) reflects the traditionally gendered expectation of emotional expression.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Explores unconscious desires, repression, and inner psychological conflict as reflected in literature.	The emotional distance between the characters in the poem (“Without any word to me”) can be interpreted through a psychoanalytic lens as repression of emotions. The man’s detached actions, such as lighting a cigarette and leaving without speaking, may reflect an internalized avoidance of confronting emotional conflicts, while the woman’s breakdown at the end (“I buried my face in my hands / And I cried”) shows the surfacing of repressed grief.
Existentialism	Centers on themes of isolation, meaninglessness, and individual freedom in the face of an indifferent world.	The routine, mechanical actions in “Breakfast” (“He poured the coffee… He lighted one cigarette”) illustrate a sense of meaninglessness and alienation that aligns with existentialist thought. The emotional void between the two characters reflects an existential isolation, where human connections seem fleeting or absent. The speaker’s crying at the end (“And I cried”) can be seen as an acknowledgment of her own sense of despair in a seemingly indifferent world.

Critical Questions about “Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert

• What is the significance of the repeated phrase “Without any word to me”?
• The repetition of the phrase “Without any word to me” throughout the poem raises the question of the significance of silence in the relationship. Why does the man remain silent, and what does this lack of communication symbolize in the context of their relationship? Each time this phrase is repeated, it underscores the emotional distance between the two characters. The silence may reflect unresolved tensions, emotional detachment, or an inability to communicate deeper feelings. By focusing on mundane actions without conversation, the poem suggests that the absence of communication is as impactful as the actions themselves, deepening the rift between them.
• How does the poem use routine to reflect emotional disconnection?
• The poem meticulously details the man’s routine—pouring coffee, adding milk and sugar, smoking a cigarette—and this repetitive, methodical sequence raises the question of how routine reflects emotional disconnection. The man’s actions are mechanical, devoid of emotion or warmth. Lines such as “He churned / He drank the coffee” suggest a focus on the external, mundane aspects of life, while the internal emotional world is ignored. The mechanical nature of the routine implies that the relationship, too, has become a series of empty motions, devoid of genuine emotional interaction. How do such repetitive actions act as a metaphor for emotional stagnation?
• What role does the speaker’s emotional breakdown play in the poem?
• The final lines of the poem, “And I buried my face in my hands / And I cried,” prompt the question of what role the speaker’s emotional breakdown plays in the overall narrative. The sudden outpouring of emotion contrasts sharply with the man’s calm detachment throughout the poem, creating a moment of intense vulnerability. Why does the speaker choose this moment to cry? Her breakdown seems to be a culmination of suppressed emotions, triggered by the man’s cold, indifferent behavior. It suggests that, while the man is emotionally disconnected, the speaker has been carrying the emotional weight of the relationship, and this moment represents a release of long-repressed grief.
• How does the setting contribute to the mood and themes of the poem?
• The setting of the poem, particularly the reference to rain in the line “Because it was raining,” invites the question of how the external environment reflects the internal emotional states of the characters. The rain serves as a symbolic backdrop, often associated with sadness, isolation, or melancholy. In this poem, it mirrors the speaker’s emotional state and the cold, detached atmosphere between the two characters. How does the rain intensify the mood of loneliness and isolation that permeates the poem? The gloomy weather outside parallels the emotional “rain” of the relationship, where warmth and connection are absent.

Literary Works Similar to “Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert

1. “This Is Just to Say” by William Carlos Williams
   Like “Breakfast,” this poem focuses on a simple, everyday act and subtly explores themes of human relationships and unspoken emotions through mundane details.
2. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot
   This poem similarly portrays emotional isolation and the internal complexities of human relationships, particularly through the lens of routine and unexpressed feelings.
3. “The Dead” by Sylvia Plath
   Plath’s poem also delves into themes of emotional distance and loss, using sparse language to convey deep emotional undercurrents in seemingly simple interactions.
4. “Home is So Sad” by Philip Larkin
   Larkin’s poem shares with “Breakfast” the exploration of emotional emptiness and the coldness that can exist within domestic spaces, capturing the sorrow of unfulfilled connection.
5. “The River Merchant’s Wife: A Letter” by Ezra Pound
   Like Prévert’s work, this poem conveys emotional longing and the pain of distance, using simple language and a focus on everyday life to express deeper relational disconnection.

Representative Quotations of “Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“He poured the coffee”	Describes the beginning of the man’s routine breakfast, setting the tone for the poem.	Existentialism: Reflects the repetitive, mechanical nature of life and actions devoid of deeper meaning.
“Without any word to me”	Repeated phrase that emphasizes the lack of communication between the speaker and the man.	Feminist Theory: Highlights the woman’s marginalized position, passively observing without receiving attention or dialogue.
“He put the milk / Into the cup of coffee”	Another part of the mundane routine, focusing on the simple, unremarkable actions of the man.	Psychoanalytic Theory: This repetition symbolizes emotional detachment, with the man focused on routine rather than relationships.
“He churned / He drank the coffee”	Describes more of the man’s mechanical, habitual actions, revealing his detachment.	Modernism: The focus on routine and surface-level actions critiques modern alienation and disconnectedness.
“He lighted / One cigarette”	Marks a transition in the man’s routine, introducing a sense of cold detachment.	Symbolism: The cigarette could symbolize the man’s emotional withdrawal, using smoking as an escape.
“Without any look at me”	A repeated phrase that reinforces the emotional and physical distance between the two.	Psychoanalytic Theory: Reflects a deeper, unconscious avoidance of emotional confrontation.
“He got up / He put on / A hat on his head”	Describes the man preparing to leave, signaling his final disconnection.	Existentialism: The man’s methodical departure mirrors the idea of existential isolation and alienation from others.
“Because it was raining”	Explains the man’s reasoning for wearing a raincoat, adding a melancholy tone to the setting.	Symbolism: Rain symbolizes sadness, emotional distance, and unresolved tensions within the relationship.
“And I buried / My face in my hands”	The speaker’s emotional breakdown, a stark contrast to the man’s calm demeanor.	Feminist Theory: The woman finally expresses the emotional weight she has been carrying, shedding light on gendered emotional labor.
“And I cried”	The poem ends with the speaker’s release of emotion, signaling the culmination of her grief.	Psychoanalytic Theory: The speaker’s suppressed emotions finally surface, indicating an internal conflict and repression that has been building.

Suggested Readings: “Breakfast” by Jacques Prevert

1. Petri, György, and Bruce Berlind. “‘Breakfast’ (After Jacques Prévert’s Poem).” World Literature Today, vol. 75, no. 1, 2001, pp. 92–92. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/40156332. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.
2. Fay, Eliot G. “The Bird Poems of Jacques Prévert.” The Modern Language Journal, vol. 33, no. 6, 1949, pp. 450–57. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/318787. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.
3. Hammond, Robert. “Humorous Word-Play in the Poetry of Jacques Prevert.” Pacific Coast Philology, vol. 1, 1966, pp. 59–65. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1316794. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.
4. Petri, György, and Bruce Berlind. “‘Breakfast’ (After Jacques Prévert’s Poem).” World Literature Today, vol. 75, no. 1, 2001, pp. 92–92. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/40156332. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.