Final answer:
In 'The Journey of the Magi,' the beginning does not overtly express futility or ennui, but the detailed hardships and the sense of weariness hint at these themes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked for an example of futility or ennui in 'The Journey of the Magi' by T.S. Eliot from 1927. While this poem doesn't exhibit a direct sense of futility or ennui at the beginning, the sense of struggle in the journey could be tied to ennui as the Magi reflect on the hardships they face. The opening lines of the poem mention the cold, the hard time, and the worst time of the year for a journey, suggesting a sense of weariness or dissatisfaction associated with their task.