'what if a much of a which of a wind... (XX)' by e.e. cummings


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what if a much of a which of a wind
gives the truth to summer's lie;
bloodies with dizzying leaves the sun
and yanks immortal stars awry?
Blow king to beggar and queen to seem
(blow friend to fiend: blow space to time)
-when skies are hanged and oceans drowned,
the single secret will still be manwhat if a keen of a lean wind flays
screaming hills with sleet and snow:
strangles valleys by ropes of things
and stifles forests in white ago?
Blow hope to terror; blow seeing to blind
(blow pity to envy and soul to mind)
-whose hearts are mountains, roots are trees,
it's they shall cry hello to the springwhat if a dawn of a doom of a dream
bites this universe in two,
peels forever out of his grave
and sprinkles nowhere with me and you?
Blow soon to never and never to twice
(blow life to isn't: blow death towas)
-all nothing's only our hugest home;
the most who die, the more we live.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"what if a much of a which of a wind…" - An Analysis

"what if a much of a which of a wind…" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem written by e.e. cummings. It was published in his book "XLI Poems" in 1925. This poem is a perfect example of cummings' unique style of writing. He uses unusual syntax, punctuation, and capitalization to convey his message. In this literary criticism, we will delve deep into the poem and analyze its structure, themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning.

Structure of the Poem

The poem consists of four stanzas, with each stanza having four lines. The first two stanzas have a similar structure, with the third and fourth stanzas having a different structure. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme scheme. The poem's title is taken from the first line and is repeated at the end of each stanza, emphasizing its importance.

Themes of the Poem

The poem deals with two major themes, namely, the power of nature and the impermanence of life. In the first stanza, the speaker talks about the wind's power and how it can uproot trees and move mountains. The second stanza talks about the beauty of nature and how it can bring joy to people's lives. However, in the third and fourth stanzas, the speaker shifts his focus to the idea of death and how it is inevitable. The wind, which was once a force of nature, now becomes a metaphor for death. The speaker asks what would happen if the wind were to blow away all the memories and the things that people hold dear. In the end, the speaker concludes that life is fleeting, and we should cherish every moment we have.

Literary Devices Used

Cummings' unique style of writing is evident in this poem. He uses unusual syntax, punctuation, and capitalization to convey his message. He also uses several literary devices to enhance the poem's impact. Let's take a look at some of them.

Metaphor

The wind is used as a metaphor for death. The speaker asks what would happen if the wind were to blow away all the memories and things that people hold dear. This metaphor highlights the impermanence of life and how everything can be taken away in an instant.

Personification

The wind is personified in the first stanza, where it is described as having the power to uproot trees and move mountains. This personification emphasizes the wind's strength and reinforces the idea of nature's power.

Alliteration

Cummings uses alliteration in the second stanza, where he writes, "the gay great happening illimitably earth." The repetition of the "g" and "h" sounds creates a musical effect that enhances the poem's tone.

Repetition

The repetition of the poem's title at the end of each stanza emphasizes its importance and reinforces the poem's theme of the impermanence of life.

Interpretation of the Poem

The poem's central message is that life is fleeting and that we should cherish every moment we have. The first two stanzas highlight the power and beauty of nature, while the third and fourth stanzas shift the focus to the idea of death. The wind, which was once a force of nature, now becomes a metaphor for death. The speaker asks what would happen if the wind were to blow away all the memories and the things that people hold dear. The repetition of the poem's title at the end of each stanza reinforces the theme of the impermanence of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.

Cummings' unique style of writing adds to the poem's impact. His use of unusual syntax, punctuation, and capitalization creates a sense of disorientation that mirrors the poem's theme of the impermanence of life. The use of metaphors, personification, alliteration, and repetition enhances the poem's impact and reinforces its themes.

Conclusion

"what if a much of a which of a wind…" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that highlights the power and beauty of nature while reminding us of the impermanence of life. Cummings' unique style of writing and his use of literary devices enhance the poem's impact and reinforce its themes. The poem's central message is that life is fleeting and that we should cherish every moment we have. This message is as relevant today as it was when the poem was written almost a century ago.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

What if a much of a which of a wind... (XX) by e.e. cummings is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by literary scholars for decades. This poem is a prime example of cummings' unique style, which is characterized by his use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "what if a much of a which of a wind." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with whimsy and playfulness. The use of the word "what if" suggests that the poem is a hypothetical scenario, and the repetition of the phrase "a much of a which of a" creates a sense of confusion and uncertainty. The word "wind" is also significant, as it is a common symbol in literature that represents change and transformation.

The second line of the poem reads, "gives the truth to summer's lie." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it can be understood as a reference to the cyclical nature of life. Summer is often associated with growth and abundance, but it is also a season that eventually gives way to fall and winter. The wind, then, is the force that reveals the truth behind the illusion of summer's abundance.

The third line of the poem reads, "bloodies with dizzying leaves the sun." This line is a bit more abstract, but it can be interpreted as a reference to the way in which the wind can obscure the sun and create a sense of disorientation. The use of the word "dizzying" suggests that the leaves are moving in a chaotic and unpredictable way, which further emphasizes the sense of confusion and uncertainty that is present throughout the poem.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "and yanks immortal stars awry." This line is perhaps the most difficult to interpret, but it can be understood as a reference to the way in which the wind can disrupt the natural order of things. The stars are often seen as symbols of constancy and stability, but the wind has the power to move them out of place and create a sense of chaos.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "blow king to beggar and queen to seem." This line is a bit more straightforward, as it can be interpreted as a reference to the way in which the wind can level the playing field and create a sense of equality. The use of the words "king" and "queen" suggests that the poem is referencing the social hierarchy, and the wind is the force that disrupts this hierarchy and creates a sense of egalitarianism.

The sixth and final line of the poem reads, "blow friend to fiend: blow space to time." This line is perhaps the most enigmatic, but it can be interpreted as a reference to the way in which the wind can transform relationships and alter our perception of time and space. The use of the words "friend" and "fiend" suggests that the wind has the power to change our relationships with others, and the phrase "blow space to time" suggests that the wind can alter our perception of the physical world around us.

Overall, What if a much of a which of a wind... (XX) is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the themes of change, transformation, and disruption. The poem is characterized by cummings' unique style, which is marked by his use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization. The poem is also filled with literary devices such as symbolism and metaphor, which add depth and complexity to the text.

In terms of structure, the poem is composed of six lines, each of which is relatively short. The use of short lines creates a sense of urgency and momentum, which adds to the overall sense of chaos and confusion that is present throughout the poem. The poem is also characterized by its lack of punctuation, which creates a sense of fluidity and movement.

In conclusion, What if a much of a which of a wind... (XX) is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. The poem is a prime example of cummings' unique style, and it explores themes that are still relevant today. The poem is filled with literary devices and is characterized by its structure and lack of punctuation. Overall, this poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexity and beauty of the human experience.

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