Cummings" poetry invites readers to contemplate connotative intention, mull over multiple meanings, and inspect the effectual usage of syntax. The unconventional use and often absence of punctuation can augment one's understanding of the author's intention; carefully placed line breaks, hyphens, and commas provide a portal into the writer's mind. In his work she being Brand, Cummings uses a single sentence to lay out his innovatively contructed syntax and vividly portrays a sexual encounter under the guise of a joy ride.
We are immediately introduced to the significance of word placement and line breaks as Cummings commences "she being Brand/-new. . ."(542). By separating the words Brand and new, Cummings rouses several interpretations: the obvious and the open-ended reading of Brand. While Brand-new describes a car, it can also be divulging the virginity of a woman, with whom the narrator is engaging in sexual activity. Considering the sentiments toward sex in the "20s, Cummings" poem can be interpreted as a satirical jab at societal inhibitions and the subsequent forbidden nature of sex. The word "Brand" symbolizes the stigma upon women of that time as they were classified as nonsexual, subservient caretakers: branded by the views of a patriarchal society. By comparing the excitement of sex to that of a ride in a new car, Cummings is illuminating the stereotypical views of men who hold women in the same regard as automobiles: simply objects for enjoyment. .
Cummings" sexual joy ride begins in lines 3-7 as he depicts the initiation of the encounter.
little stiff i was.
careful of her and(having.
thoroughly oiled the universal.
joint tested my gas felt of .
her radiator made sure her springs were O.(542).
Literally, line 3 describes the apprehension felt by a young man at the initiation of a joy ride or sexual act. Figuratively, the line is insinuating that the narrator has an erection and the ensuing lines depict typical foreplay, providing lubrication for intercourse.
Considering the poem "The Cadaver,"" readers gain a perspective and lens into a medical professional's life as literary techniques enhance the audience's perception of the distressing events they are exposed to every day. Utilizing methods of imagery and metaphor, the physical words come to life, dr...
When I first attended this class, I was eager to have the instructors show me the relationship between science and poetry, as I could not construct a meaningful connection between the two subjects myself. ... Now, however, I do not doubt that science and poetry are related having learned that both the scientist and the poet utilize keen analysis, previous observations, and a "hands on" approach to learning. ... Similarly, the poet may take years to create poetry that is based not only on personal experiences, but the observed experiences of others. ... In conclusion, I am now able to cons...
The following analysis investigate, separately, a passage from Whitman's "Song of Myself" and Emily Dickinson's poem 334 -see Appendix- focusing on thematic contents and on the formal aspects which lead to their interpretation. ... The letters of Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson distinguished herself not only for her poetry but also as writer of letters sent to friends, relatives. ... Dickinson transcended not only poetry conventions of her time (by her free-verse, her particular use of punctuation and capitalization) but also epistolary ones, especially those for women,...
On a closer analysis, Heaney is describing the process of writing poetry: the process of unravelling of thoughts and experiences within himself. ... Through this comparison of a simple man to a being with supernatural powers, the reader is indeed left with a sense of marvel and admiration of how beautiful and profound poetry is. Typical of Heaney's early poetry is the simplicity in his style of writing. ... Heaney describes this process of inventing poetry in other poems such as "The Peninsula" and "Follower". He uses everyday mundane tasks to describe the art of writing poetry, as in "...
Nature Imagery SYMBOL ANALYSIS There's a lot of nature in this poem. ... If that sounds familiar to you, that's probably because it's the most common meter in English poetry. ... (In the poetry biz, a syllable pair that contains a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable is called a trochee.) ... Small substitutions like this are fairly common in poetry, so just be on the lookout for any metrical oddities. ... ANALYSIS SPEAKER The speaker of "The Soldier," is the soldier. ...
As I researched for other classes I stumbled upon Intro to Poetry, to me I find most if not all music to be a form of poetry which is the reason I added the class to my schedule. ... This paper begins by introducing the argument between whether poetry and music are directly related, I will do this by demonstrating other scholar's thoughts on the matter of music and poetry along with my thoughts. ... How does music relate to poetry? ... In this essay Jay Rogoff first discusses the connection between music and poetry and references the works of Jon Stallworthy in "The Norton Anthology of...
Meaning in poetry is created from the reader making the connection between the literal and the metaphorical, and in doing so, "reading between the lines." At first glance, Yeats" poetry may seem to be merely spontaneous emotion, however, after close literary analysis, it is clear that Yeats" poetry is often fairly systematic and reveals an assortment of reoccurring ideas. When analysis of Yeats" works is undertaken, especially when discussing Yeats" ideas and thoughts expressed through his poetry, it is often useful to consider the context of the poems. ... These regularly reiterated ideas are...
Poetry Analysis of Robert Browning's "Porphyria's Lover" While reading "Porphyria's Lover" the main idea that stood out most in the poem was love. ... Robert Browning uses elements of poetry such as the speaker, rhyme scheme, and rhythm to accentuate the theme in the poem. ... The elements of poetry chosen by Robert Browning ingeniously tie together to draw attention to the theme. ...