'Now i lay(with everywhere around)... (44)' by e.e. cummings

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Now i lay(with everywhere around)
me(the great dim deep sound
of rain;and of always and of nowhere)and
what a gently welcoming darkestness--now i lay me down(in a most steep
more than music)feeling that sunlight is
(life and day are)only loaned:whereas
night is given(night and death and the rainare given;and given is how beautifully snow)now i lay me down to dream of(nothing
i or any somebody or you
can begin to begin to imagine)something which nobody may keep.
now i lay me down to dream of Spring

Editor 1 Interpretation

A detailed analysis of "Now i lay(with everywhere around)... (44)" by e.e. cummings

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were on a rollercoaster ride? That's exactly how I felt when I first read "Now i lay(with everywhere around)... (44)" by e.e. cummings. This poem is a masterpiece of modernism that explores themes of death, nature, and the human condition. In this literary criticism, I'll dive deep into the metaphors, rhythm, and structure of the poem to uncover its hidden meanings.

Background on e.e. cummings

Before we dive into the poem, let's talk about the poet himself. E.E. Cummings was an American poet, painter, and playwright who lived from 1894 to 1962. Cummings is known for his unconventional punctuation and syntax, as well as his use of lower case letters in his name. He was an influential figure in the modernist movement, along with other poets such as T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound.

Cummings published his first book of poetry, "The Enormous Room," in 1922, which was based on his experiences during World War I. He went on to publish over 900 poems and several plays throughout his career. Cummings' poetry often explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, and his style was characterized by his use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and wordplay.

An Overview of "Now i lay(with everywhere around)... (44)"

The title of the poem, "Now i lay(with everywhere around)... (44)," sets the tone for the entire work. The lowercase "i" is a trademark of Cummings, and it emphasizes the loneliness and isolation of the speaker. The ellipsis at the end of the title suggests that the poem is incomplete, and that there is more to be said.

The poem itself is divided into six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme scheme. The lack of traditional structure allows Cummings to experiment with language and syntax, which adds to the sense of chaos and confusion in the poem.

A Line-by-Line Analysis of "Now i lay(with everywhere around)... (44)"

Let's take a closer look at each stanza of the poem, line by line:

now i lay(with everywhere around)me
the silver,late
summer sunlight
azed summering webs

The first stanza sets the scene for the poem. The speaker is lying down, and they are surrounded by nature. The "silver, late summer sunlight" suggests that it is late in the day, and the "summering webs" suggest that the speaker is lying in a field or meadow, surrounded by spiders' webs. The word "azed" adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem, as if the speaker is in a trance or hallucinating.

a spider's web
all things
aspire to symmetry

In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the spider's web. The web represents the idea of symmetry, or balance. The spider has created a perfectly balanced structure, and the speaker suggests that all things aspire to this kind of balance. This could be interpreted as a comment on the human condition, and our desire for order and balance in our lives.

rocks
panic
over
scissors

The third stanza is a bit more enigmatic. The word "rocks" suggests stability and strength, while "scissors" suggest cutting or separating. The word "panic" adds a sense of urgency or fear. The meaning of this stanza is open to interpretation, but it could be read as a commentary on the fragility of balance, and how easily it can be disrupted.

paper
dreamingly
swims
into
its
dispersal

The fourth stanza is a continuation of the theme of balance and symmetry. The word "paper" suggests something insubstantial or fragile, and the word "dreamingly" adds a sense of unreality or fiction. The phrase "swims into its dispersal" suggests that the paper is dissolving or disappearing. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the impermanence of balance and order, and how it is always in danger of falling apart.

as
my
body
did
this
not
understand

The fifth stanza is where the poem takes a turn. The word "as" suggests a comparison or connection between what came before and what is happening now. The speaker suggests that their body is doing something that they do not understand. This could be interpreted as a commentary on death, and how the body continues to function even when the mind is no longer in control.

and
rose
eternal
merciful
alive

The final stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The word "and" suggests a continuation of the previous line. The speaker suggests that they have "rose eternal," which could be interpreted as a reference to the afterlife. The words "merciful" and "alive" suggest a sense of relief or release from the struggles of life. This stanza could be read as a commentary on the human condition, and how we all long for some kind of release from the struggles and pain of life.

The Themes of "Now i lay(with everywhere around)... (44)"

So, what are the main themes of "Now i lay(with everywhere around)... (44)"? Here are a few possible interpretations:

Death

One of the most obvious themes of the poem is death. The speaker is lying down, surrounded by nature, and reflecting on their own mortality. The final stanza suggests that the speaker has passed away and entered the afterlife. This theme is a common one in Cummings' poetry, and it reflects his own experiences with loss and grief.

Nature

Nature is another prominent theme in the poem. The speaker is surrounded by spiders' webs, rocks, and the late summer sunlight. The spider's web represents the idea of balance and symmetry, while the rocks suggest stability and strength. The natural imagery in the poem adds to the sense of chaos and confusion, as if the speaker is lost in the natural world.

The Human Condition

Finally, the poem could be read as a commentary on the human condition. The themes of balance, impermanence, and release are all common themes in Cummings' poetry, and they reflect his own struggles with the meaning of life. The poem suggests that we all long for some kind of release from the struggles and pain of life, and that we are all searching for balance and order in an inherently chaotic world.

Conclusion

"Now i lay(with everywhere around)... (44)" is a complex, enigmatic poem that explores themes of death, nature, and the human condition. Cummings' use of unconventional syntax and language adds to the sense of chaos and confusion in the poem, while the natural imagery adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness. The poem is a masterpiece of modernism, and it continues to inspire and challenge readers today. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend giving it a try - you won't be disappointed!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "now i lay(with everywhere around)" by e.e. cummings. This classic poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, and it is a testament to the power of language and the human spirit.

The poem is a meditation on the nature of life and death, and it explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The poem is written in cummings' signature style, which is characterized by its use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization. The poem is a series of fragmented thoughts and images that are woven together to create a powerful and evocative whole.

The poem begins with the line "now i lay(with everywhere around)," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is lying down, and they are surrounded by everything that exists in the world. This line is a reminder that we are all connected, and that we are all part of the same universe.

The next line of the poem is "me(the tiny heart of)an enormous love." This line is a powerful statement about the nature of love. The speaker is saying that they are a small part of a much larger love that exists in the world. This love is all-encompassing and infinite, and it is a reminder that we are all connected by this universal force.

The poem then moves on to explore the theme of death. The speaker says, "i am not dead," which is a powerful statement about the nature of life and death. The speaker is saying that even though their physical body may die, their spirit will live on. This line is a reminder that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new phase of existence.

The poem then moves on to explore the theme of time. The speaker says, "with the hush of my lips i wholly confide," which is a powerful statement about the passage of time. The speaker is saying that they have lived a full life, and that they have no regrets. This line is a reminder that time is fleeting, and that we should make the most of every moment.

The poem then moves on to explore the theme of love once again. The speaker says, "vaster than empires and more slow," which is a powerful statement about the nature of love. The speaker is saying that love is bigger than anything else in the world, and that it moves at its own pace. This line is a reminder that love is a powerful force that can overcome anything.

The poem then moves on to explore the theme of loss. The speaker says, "only the snow can begin to explain," which is a powerful statement about the nature of loss. The speaker is saying that sometimes words are not enough to express the depth of our emotions. This line is a reminder that loss is a part of life, and that we must learn to accept it and move on.

The poem then moves on to explore the theme of the human spirit. The speaker says, "the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses," which is a powerful statement about the nature of the human spirit. The speaker is saying that our eyes are a window to our soul, and that they can express more than words ever could. This line is a reminder that we are all connected by our humanity, and that we must learn to see the beauty in each other.

The poem then moves on to explore the theme of the universe. The speaker says, "nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands," which is a powerful statement about the nature of the universe. The speaker is saying that even the smallest things in the world are important, and that they have a role to play in the grand scheme of things. This line is a reminder that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.

In conclusion, "now i lay(with everywhere around)" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of life, death, love, loss, time, the human spirit, and the universe. The poem is a testament to the power of language and the human spirit, and it is a reminder that we are all connected by our humanity. This classic poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, and it will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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