Final answer:
Reuben Rabinovitch's repetitive recounting of the G.B. Shaw lecture in the poem indicates a deep engagement with the content. The speaker's repeated stories reveal a need to find order and meaning, transforming the narrative into something structured (rhythm and frame) for personal catharsis and societal reflection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reuben Rabinovitch's ability to repeat the G.B. Shaw lecture indicates an engagement with the content on a level that goes beyond simple memorization. It suggests a deeper reflection on and connection with the ideas presented. The patterns seen in the poem, including the repetition of the collision, the speaker's own story, and the eventual transformation of these repetitions into something with rhythm and frame, all point to the human tendency to seek meaning and order in experiences, even those rooted in personal trauma or desire for revenge.
When the speaker repeats the story 'for myself,' it hints at an internal need to process the events, to understand them better, or to gain a sense of control over them. Through repetition, the speaker is not only sharing a story but shaping it. The story takes on a structure (rhythm) and outline (frame), transforming the personal narrative into something that can be grasped and managed, both by the speaker and the listeners. This act of transformation raises questions about the reasons we share stories and the ways in which they serve both individual and collective purposes.
Ultimately, the speaker's repetition of the events functions as a coping mechanism, enabling him to find some meaning or catharsis. By implying the presence of replayed memories and a story told repetitively, the poem illustrates the complex interplay between personal healing and the social act of storytelling, which can inadvertently lead to creating a shared narrative or even a communal experience.