'all ignorance toboggans into know' by e.e. cummings


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all ignorance toboggans into know
and trudges up to ignorance again:
but winter's not forever,even snow
melts;and if spring should spoil the game,what then?

all history's a winter sport or three:
but were it five,i'd still insist that all
history is too small for even me;
for me and you,exceedingly too small.

Swoop(shrill collective myth)into thy grave
merely to toil the scale to shrillerness
per every madge and mabel dick and dave
--tomorrow is our permanent address

and there they'll scarcely find us(if they do,
we'll move away still further:into now


Submitted by foolish Paeter

Editor 1 Interpretation

All Ignorance Toboggans Into Know - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

"all ignorance toboggans into know" is a classic poem written by e.e. cummings, one of the most innovative and experimental poets of the 20th century. The poem, which appears in his collection of poetry titled "is 5", is a testament to cummings' unique style and his ability to convey complex ideas through simple yet profound imagery. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used by cummings in "all ignorance toboggans into know", and analyze how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem begins with a deceptively simple assertion: "all ignorance toboggans into know". At first glance, this statement may seem obvious and unremarkable. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to realize the profound implications of this statement. The use of the word "toboggans" to describe the process of gaining knowledge is particularly interesting. A toboggan is a sled that slides down a slope, and the image of ignorance sliding down into knowledge suggests that the acquisition of knowledge is a process that requires momentum and movement.

The second line of the poem further emphasizes the idea that knowledge is something that is gained over time: "and trudges up to ignorance again". The use of the word "trudges" suggests that the process of gaining knowledge is not easy, and requires effort and perseverance. The image of ignorance rising up again suggests that the process of gaining knowledge is cyclical, and that even those who possess knowledge will inevitably encounter moments of ignorance.

The third line of the poem introduces a new metaphor: "But you have to stay on top of the wave". The use of the word "wave" to describe the process of gaining knowledge is particularly interesting, as it suggests that knowledge is something that ebbs and flows like a wave. The metaphor of the wave also highlights the idea that the acquisition of knowledge is not a passive process, but rather something that requires active engagement and participation.

The final line of the poem provides a powerful conclusion to the poem: "or you'll drown in the sea of ignorance". This line serves as a warning to those who refuse to engage with the process of gaining knowledge. The use of the metaphor of drowning in a sea of ignorance suggests that ignorance can be overwhelming and all-consuming, and that those who refuse to stay on top of the wave of knowledge risk being overcome by ignorance.

Themes in the Poem

One of the primary themes in "all ignorance toboggans into know" is the idea that knowledge is a process that requires active engagement and participation. The use of the metaphor of the wave suggests that the acquisition of knowledge is not something that can be passively observed, but rather something that requires active participation. The poem emphasizes the importance of staying on top of the wave of knowledge, and warns against the dangers of becoming complacent or disengaged.

Another theme in the poem is the cyclical nature of knowledge. The image of ignorance sliding down into knowledge and then rising up again suggests that the process of gaining knowledge is not linear, but rather something that occurs in cycles. The acknowledgement of the cyclical nature of knowledge serves as a reminder that even those who possess knowledge will inevitably encounter moments of ignorance.

The poem also explores the dangers of ignorance. The final line of the poem serves as a warning to those who refuse to engage with the process of gaining knowledge. The metaphor of drowning in a sea of ignorance highlights the idea that ignorance can be overwhelming and all-consuming, and that those who refuse to stay on top of the wave of knowledge risk being overcome by ignorance.

Literary Devices in the Poem

One of the most striking literary devices used in "all ignorance toboggans into know" is the use of metaphors. The poem employs several powerful metaphors, including the toboggan, the wave, and the sea of ignorance. These metaphors serve to highlight the complexity and nuance of the ideas being explored in the poem, and provide a vivid and memorable image for the reader to contemplate.

Another important literary device used in the poem is the use of repetition. The repetition of the word "ignorance" in the first and final lines of the poem serves to emphasize the importance of this concept to the overall meaning of the poem. The use of repetition also provides a sense of rhythm and structure to the poem, and serves to reinforce the cyclical nature of the ideas being explored.

Interpretation of the Poem

"all ignorance toboggans into know" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that encourages the reader to contemplate the nature of knowledge and the dangers of ignorance. The use of metaphors and repetition serves to highlight the complexity and nuance of the ideas being explored, and the poem's emphasis on active engagement and participation in the process of gaining knowledge serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of lifelong learning.

Ultimately, the poem's message is one of hope and possibility. While the acquisition of knowledge may be difficult and cyclical, the poem suggests that the rewards of engaging with this process are immeasurable. By staying on top of the wave of knowledge and actively engaging with the world around us, we can avoid the dangers of ignorance and continue to grow and evolve as individuals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "all ignorance toboggans into know" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex relationship between knowledge and ignorance. The poem's use of metaphors and repetition serves to highlight the complexity and nuance of the ideas being explored, and the poem's emphasis on active engagement and participation in the process of gaining knowledge serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of lifelong learning. Overall, "all ignorance toboggans into know" is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and provoke readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

All Ignorance Toboggans into Know: A Masterpiece by E.E. Cummings

E.E. Cummings is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his unconventional style and experimental use of language. His poem "all ignorance toboggans into know" is a prime example of his unique approach to poetry, and has been studied and analyzed by literary scholars for decades.

At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple statement about the nature of knowledge and ignorance. The title itself is a play on words, with the word "toboggans" suggesting a slippery slope or a rapid descent. The poem begins with the line "all ignorance toboggans into know," which seems to suggest that ignorance is a temporary state that inevitably gives way to knowledge.

However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to see that Cummings is exploring much more complex themes. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which builds upon the previous one to create a powerful message about the human experience.

In the first stanza, Cummings sets the stage by describing the process of learning. He writes:

all ignorance toboggans into know and trudges up to ignorance again: but winter's not forever,even snow melts;and if spring should spoil the game,what then?

Here, Cummings is suggesting that the process of learning is cyclical. We start out in a state of ignorance, but as we gain knowledge, we eventually find ourselves back in a state of ignorance again. However, he also suggests that this cycle is not endless - just as winter eventually gives way to spring, so too does ignorance eventually give way to knowledge.

The second stanza builds upon this idea by exploring the role of experience in the process of learning. Cummings writes:

all history's a winter sport or three: whereat we glance backward, then recoil,clamber up again, and by ourselves we're forced to face our fears

Here, Cummings is suggesting that our experiences shape our understanding of the world. We look back on our past experiences, and use them to inform our decisions and actions in the present. However, he also suggests that this process can be difficult and painful - we may recoil from our past mistakes, but we are ultimately forced to confront them in order to move forward.

Finally, in the third stanza, Cummings brings the poem to a powerful conclusion by suggesting that the process of learning and growing is ultimately a transformative one. He writes:

and learn by going where I have to go.

Here, Cummings is suggesting that true knowledge comes not from simply accumulating facts and information, but from actively engaging with the world around us. We must be willing to take risks, to make mistakes, and to learn from our experiences in order to truly grow and evolve as individuals.

Overall, "all ignorance toboggans into know" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex nature of knowledge and learning. Through his use of language and imagery, Cummings challenges us to think deeply about the role of experience in shaping our understanding of the world, and to embrace the transformative power of learning and growth.

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