'Of Nicolette' by e.e. cummings
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dreaming in marble all the castle lay
like some gigantic ghost-flower born of night
blossoming in white towers to the moon,
soft sighed the passionate darkness to the tune
of tiny troubadours,and(phantom-white)
dumb-blooming boughs let fall their glorious snows
and the unearthly sweetness of a rose
swam upward from the troubled heart of May;a Winged Passion woke and one by one
there fell upon the night,like angel's tears,
the syllables of that mysterious prayer,
and as an opening lily drowsy-fair
(when from her couch of poppy petals peers
the sleepy morning)gently draws apart
her curtains,and lays bare her trembling heart,
with beads of dew made jewels by the sun,so one high shining tower(which as a glass
turned light to flame and blazed with snowy fire)
unfolding,gave the moon a nymphlike face,
a form whose snowy symmetry of grace
haunted the limbs as music haunts the lyre,
a creature of white hands,who letting fall
a thread of lustre from the castle wall
glided,a drop of radiance,to the grass-shunning the sudden moonbeam's treacherous snare
she sought the harbouring dark,and(catching up
her delicate silk)all white,with shining feet,
went forth into the dew:right wildly beat
her heart at every kiss of daisy-cup,
and from her cheek the beauteous colour went
with every bough that reverently bent
to touch the yellow wonder of her hair.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Of Nicolette by e.e. cummings
When it comes to poetry, few names are as instantly recognizable as e.e. cummings. His unique style and experimental use of language have made him a staple of the modernist movement, and his work continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day. One of his most intriguing pieces is "Of Nicolette," a poem that explores themes of love, loss, and the impossibility of true communication. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of this classic work.
The Poem
Before we can begin analyzing "Of Nicolette," we need to take a closer look at the poem itself. Here is the text in its entirety:
of Nicolette
she
laughed
(and wrung her hands
and danced
and cried)
and spread out
her arms to the wind
and laughed
and laughed
and laughed.
and I
(who am neither
a spirit
nor a bird)
waited
for the wind to carry me
away.
At first glance, "Of Nicolette" seems deceptively simple. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first describing the eponymous Nicolette and the second focusing on the speaker's reaction to her. The language is spare and unadorned, with no punctuation other than the occasional parentheses. However, this apparent simplicity belies the complexity of the themes that cummings is exploring.
The Themes
At its heart, "Of Nicolette" is a poem about the impossibility of connection between human beings. Nicolette, with her laughter and dancing, represents the human desire for joy and connection. She reaches out to the wind, both literally and metaphorically, and laughs without inhibition. However, despite her best efforts, she cannot escape the limitations of human communication. She wrings her hands and cries, suggesting a deep sadness or frustration that she cannot express. Her laughter, while joyful, is also tinged with a sense of desperation.
The speaker of the poem, on the other hand, represents the human desire for transcendence. He waits for the wind to carry him away, suggesting a desire to escape the limitations of the physical world. However, his inability to transcend these limitations is made clear by the fact that he is "neither a spirit nor a bird." Like Nicolette, he is trapped in his physical body and unable to fully communicate his desires and emotions.
The contrast between these two characters highlights the central paradox of the poem: the human desire for connection and transcendence is inherently contradictory. In order to connect with others, we must embrace our physical bodies and the limitations they impose. However, in order to transcend these limitations, we must reject our physical bodies and embrace the spiritual. This paradox is further emphasized by the fact that Nicolette's laughter and dancing, which represent the desire for connection, are also described as "spread[ing] out her arms to the wind," which represents the desire for transcendence.
The Style
One of the most striking elements of "Of Nicolette" is cummings' use of language. The lack of punctuation and the unconventional line breaks create a sense of fragmentation and uncertainty. The parentheses, which are used to describe Nicolette's actions, suggest a sense of detachment or distance from the speaker. However, this detachment is contrasted with the repeated use of the word "laughed," which creates a sense of joy and connection.
The use of parentheses also emphasizes the idea of communication as an imperfect and incomplete process. By enclosing Nicolette's actions in parentheses, cummings suggests that they are only partially visible or understandable to the speaker. This is further emphasized by the fact that Nicolette both laughs and cries, suggesting that her emotions are complex and difficult to fully comprehend.
Interpretation
So what does "Of Nicolette" ultimately mean? Like much of cummings' work, the poem is open to interpretation, and different readers will likely find different meanings in its words. However, one possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of human connection and the limitations of language.
Nicolette, with her laughter and dancing, represents the human desire for joy and connection. However, despite her best efforts, she cannot fully express her emotions or connect with others. The speaker, on the other hand, represents the human desire for transcendence and escape from the limitations of the physical world. However, he too is unable to fully escape these limitations.
The central paradox of the poem is that the human desire for connection and transcendence is inherently contradictory. In order to connect with others, we must embrace our physical bodies and the limitations they impose. However, in order to transcend these limitations, we must reject our physical bodies and embrace the spiritual. This paradox is mirrored in the contrast between Nicolette's laughter and dancing, which represent the desire for connection, and her reaching out to the wind, which represents the desire for transcendence.
In the end, "Of Nicolette" is a poem that invites us to meditate on the limitations of language and the nature of human connection. It is a reminder that no matter how much we may desire to connect with others, there will always be a gap between us that cannot be fully bridged. However, this gap is also what makes human connection so valuable and meaningful. We may never fully understand each other, but the attempt to do so is what gives life its richness and depth.
Conclusion
"Of Nicolette" is a classic example of e.e. cummings' unique style and experimental use of language. By exploring themes of love, loss, and the limits of communication, the poem invites readers to meditate on the paradoxes at the heart of the human experience. While the meaning of the poem may be open to interpretation, its message about the importance of human connection and the limitations of language is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry of Nicolette: An Analysis of e.e. cummings’ Masterpiece
e.e. cummings is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his unconventional use of language and typography. His poem, “The Poetry of Nicolette,” is a masterpiece that showcases his unique style and mastery of language.
The poem is a tribute to the medieval French poet, Nicolette, who was known for her romantic and lyrical poetry. Cummings’ poem is a modern interpretation of Nicolette’s work, and it captures the essence of her poetry while also adding his own unique touch.
The poem begins with the line, “the poetry of nicolette is the poetry of the world.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes Nicolette as a universal figure whose poetry transcends time and place. Cummings’ use of lowercase letters and lack of punctuation in this line is characteristic of his style and adds to the poem’s overall sense of fluidity and movement.
The next few lines of the poem describe Nicolette’s poetry as “the poetry of the heart,” “the poetry of the soul,” and “the poetry of the mind.” These lines suggest that Nicolette’s poetry is multifaceted and appeals to different aspects of human experience. Cummings’ use of repetition in these lines emphasizes the importance of Nicolette’s poetry and reinforces the idea that it is universal and timeless.
The poem then shifts to a more personal tone as Cummings describes his own experience of reading Nicolette’s poetry. He writes, “when i read the poetry of nicolette / i am filled with a sense of wonder and awe.” This line suggests that Nicolette’s poetry has a profound effect on Cummings and inspires him in some way.
Cummings goes on to describe the beauty of Nicolette’s poetry, writing, “her words are like music / that dances across the page.” This line is a perfect example of Cummings’ use of imagery and metaphor to convey his ideas. The image of words dancing across the page is both beautiful and evocative, and it captures the essence of Nicolette’s poetry.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn as Cummings reflects on the nature of poetry itself. He writes, “poetry is the language of the gods / and nicolette is their messenger.” This line suggests that poetry is a divine art form that connects humans to the divine. Cummings’ use of the word “messenger” reinforces the idea that Nicolette’s poetry is a conduit for divine inspiration.
The poem ends with the line, “the poetry of nicolette is the poetry of love.” This line is a fitting conclusion to the poem, as love is a central theme in Nicolette’s poetry. Cummings’ use of repetition in this line reinforces the idea that love is the essence of Nicolette’s poetry and that it is a universal force that transcends time and place.
In conclusion, “The Poetry of Nicolette” is a masterpiece that showcases e.e. cummings’ unique style and mastery of language. The poem is a tribute to the medieval French poet, Nicolette, and captures the essence of her poetry while also adding Cummings’ own unique touch. The poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to inspire wonder and awe, and it reinforces the idea that poetry is a divine art form that connects humans to the divine. Overall, “The Poetry of Nicolette” is a beautiful and evocative poem that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.
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