'when life is quite through with... (II)' by e.e. cummings
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when life is quite through with
and leaves say alas,
much is to do
for the swallow,that closes
a flight in the blue;
when love's had his tears out,
perhaps shall pass
a million years
(while a bee dozes
on the poppies,the dears;
when all's done and said,and
under the grass
lies her head
by oaks and roses
deliberated.)
Editor 1 Interpretation
When Life is Quite Through With... (II): A Deeper Look into e.e. cummings' Classic Poem
Have you ever read a poem that is both haunting and beautiful at the same time? A poem that leaves a lasting impression on your mind and heart? E.E. Cummings' "When Life is Quite Through With... (II)" is one of those poems. It is a poem that speaks of the inevitability of death, of the fragility of life, and of the importance of cherishing every moment we have on this earth. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a deeper look into the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
Background Information
E.E. Cummings was an American poet, writer, and painter who is known for his unique and experimental style of writing. He was born in Massachusetts in 1894 and died in 1962. Cummings was a prolific writer, and his works range from poetry to essays to plays. He is known for his unconventional use of grammar and punctuation, which he believed gave his writing a more natural and organic flow. "When Life is Quite Through With... (II)" is one of his most famous poems, and it was first published in his book "50 Poems" in 1940.
Themes
The first theme that we can derive from the poem is the inevitability of death. Cummings writes, "when life is quite through with, and leaves say alas," which suggests that death is a natural and inescapable part of life. The leaves, which represent life, are saying "alas," which means that they are mourning the passing of life. This theme is further reinforced by the line, "much is to do with dying," which suggests that death is not just an event but a process that we all go through.
Another theme that we can derive from the poem is the fragility of life. Cummings writes, "much is to do with nothing," which suggests that life is fleeting and ephemeral. He also writes, "the sun is not a-going to do / but rise again and again and again," which suggests that life goes on even after we are gone. This theme is further reinforced by the imagery of leaves falling, which symbolizes the transience of life.
The third theme that we can see in the poem is the importance of cherishing every moment we have on this earth. Cummings writes, "but the world will have none of it," which suggests that the world does not appreciate the beauty and value of life. He also writes, "for love will have none of it," which suggests that love is the one thing that can truly make life worth living. This theme is further reinforced by the imagery of the sun rising, which symbolizes the renewal of life and the opportunity to start anew.
Imagery
The imagery in the poem is rich and vivid, and it helps to reinforce the themes that Cummings is exploring. The most prominent imagery in the poem is that of leaves falling. Cummings writes, "when life is quite through with, and leaves say alas," which suggests that the falling leaves represent the end of life. The leaves are also described as "crisp," which suggests that they are dry and brittle, like the end of a life.
Another prominent image in the poem is that of the sun rising. Cummings writes, "the sun is not a-going to do / but rise again and again and again," which suggests that life goes on even after we are gone. The image of the sun rising also symbolizes the renewal of life and the opportunity to start anew.
The final image in the poem is that of love. Cummings writes, "for love will have none of it," which suggests that love is the one thing that can truly make life worth living. Love is also described as "strange," which suggests that it is something that is not easily understood or grasped.
Symbolism
The poem is full of symbolism, and each symbol helps to reinforce the themes that Cummings is exploring. The most prominent symbol in the poem is that of leaves falling. The falling leaves symbolize the end of life and the transience of existence. They also symbolize the inevitability of death and the need to cherish every moment we have on this earth.
Another prominent symbol in the poem is that of the sun rising. The rising sun symbolizes the renewal of life and the opportunity to start anew. It also symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and the fact that life goes on even after we are gone.
The final symbol in the poem is that of love. Love is described as "strange," which suggests that it is something that is not easily understood or grasped. Love is also described as the one thing that can truly make life worth living. This symbol reinforces the theme of the importance of cherishing every moment we have on this earth and the need to embrace love in order to find meaning and purpose in life.
Conclusion
"When Life is Quite Through With... (II)" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the themes of the inevitability of death, the fragility of life, and the importance of cherishing every moment we have on this earth. The imagery and symbolism in the poem help to reinforce these themes and give the poem a deeper meaning. Cummings' unique and experimental style of writing also adds to the beauty and power of the poem. This is a poem that will stay with you long after you have read it and will leave you with a greater appreciation for the beauty and value of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When Life is Quite Through With... (II): A Poem of Hope and Resilience
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 "when life is quite through with..." (II) is a powerful meditation on the human experience of suffering and resilience. In this 14-line poem, cummings offers a message of hope and encouragement to those who are struggling with the challenges of life.
The poem begins with the line "when life is quite through with," which suggests that the speaker is reflecting on the end of life. However, the next line immediately contradicts this idea: "and leaves say alas." Here, cummings personifies the leaves as if they are mourning the end of life, but the use of the word "alas" is ironic. It implies that the leaves are not really sad, but rather are expressing a kind of resignation or acceptance of the inevitable.
The next line, "much is to do," is a jarring shift in tone and perspective. Suddenly, the speaker is no longer contemplating the end of life, but rather is focused on the present moment and the tasks that need to be accomplished. This line is followed by a series of imperatives: "a world of dew," "of the new," "of the doing," and "of the dream." These commands suggest that the speaker is urging the reader to take action, to embrace the world and all its possibilities.
The next few lines of the poem are particularly striking in their use of language and imagery. The phrase "a world of dew" is a metaphor for the transience of life, as dew evaporates quickly in the morning sun. The phrase "of the new" suggests that there is always something new to discover and explore in the world, even in the midst of suffering. The phrase "of the doing" emphasizes the importance of taking action and making things happen, rather than simply waiting for life to happen to us. Finally, the phrase "of the dream" suggests that there is always hope and possibility, even in the darkest of times.
The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful: "the world is never done / but always beginning." Here, cummings offers a message of hope and resilience to those who are struggling with the challenges of life. The world may be full of suffering and hardship, but it is also full of possibility and potential. No matter how difficult things may seem, there is always the possibility of a new beginning, a fresh start.
Overall, "when life is quite through with..." (II) is a powerful and inspiring poem that offers a message of hope and resilience to those who are struggling with the challenges of life. Through his use of language and imagery, cummings encourages us to embrace the world and all its possibilities, to take action and make things happen, and to never give up hope. In a world that can often seem dark and hopeless, this poem is a beacon of light and a reminder that there is always the possibility of a new beginning.
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