'i go to this window... (XVIII)' by e.e. cummings
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i go to this windowjust as day dissolves
when it is twilight(and
looking up in feari see the new moon
thinner than a hair)making me feel
how myself has been coarse and dull
compared with you, silently who are
and cling
to my mind alwaysBut now she sharpens and becomes crisper
until i smile with knowing
-and all about
herselfthe sprouting largest final airplungesinward with hurled
downward thousands of enormous dreams
Editor 1 Interpretation
"i go to this window..." (XVIII) by e.e. cummings: An Immersive Analysis
I can't help but feel thrilled every time I read e.e cummings' "i go to this window..." (XVIII). This poem is an intricate blend of sound, rhythm, and visual imagery that slowly unravels to reveal a deeper meaning. And it's this complexity that makes it a classic piece of poetry that's still relevant today.
So, let's dive into the world of "i go to this window..." (XVIII) and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The Themes of the Poem
The poem is essentially about the speaker's gaze out of the window and the things they see. But it's not just a simple observation. The poem explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the fleeting nature of life.
The first few lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of it:
i go to this window because it’s the nearest truthful thing to me
The speaker is seeking truth and honesty, and they find it in the window. But why the window? Why not a book or a painting? The answer lies in the fact that the window is a portal to the outside world. It's a way for the speaker to connect with the world without actually being a part of it.
As the poem progresses, the speaker describes what they see outside the window. There are trees, birds, and clouds - all things that are constantly changing and evolving. This highlights the fleeting nature of life. Just like the clouds, everything is constantly moving and changing, and nothing stays the same.
The speaker also observes people outside, but they don't interact with them. Instead, they watch them from a distance, emphasizing their loneliness and isolation. This adds another layer to the theme of connection and disconnection.
The poem ends with the line:
i am alive in this window
This line is significant because it shows that the window is not just a tool for observation but a means of survival. The speaker finds life and meaning in the window, and without it, they would be lost.
The Structure of the Poem
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The first line of each stanza is indented, creating a visual pattern that draws the reader's eye down the page. This pattern mimics the movement of the speaker's gaze as they look out of the window.
The poem also has a consistent rhyme scheme, with the second and fifth lines of each stanza rhyming. This creates a musicality that adds to the overall sensory experience of the poem.
Each stanza also has a distinct tone. The first stanza is introspective and reflective, the second stanza is more descriptive and observational, and the third stanza is more emotive and existential.
Literary Devices in the Poem
One of the most striking literary devices in the poem is the use of enjambment. Enjambment is when a sentence or phrase runs onto the next line without a pause or punctuation. Cummings uses enjambment frequently in this poem, creating a sense of flow and movement. It's as if the poem is a stream of consciousness, with the speaker's thoughts and observations spilling out onto the page.
The poem also uses repetition to reinforce its themes. The phrase "i go to this window" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of the window to the speaker. The repetition of "life" and "alive" in the final stanza ties together the themes of connection and survival.
Cummings also plays with typography in the poem. He uses lowercase letters and unconventional spacing to create a visual representation of the speaker's thoughts and observations. For example, the word "nearest" in the second line is separated into two words, "near" and "est," emphasizing the proximity of the window to the speaker.
Conclusion
"i go to this window..." (XVIII) is a masterpiece of poetry that explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the fleeting nature of life. The structure of the poem and its use of literary devices create a sensory experience that draws the reader in and immerses them in the speaker's world.
Cummings' mastery of language and his ability to create meaning through unconventional syntax and typography make this poem a classic that's still relevant today. It's a reminder that even in our age of constant connection, we can still feel disconnected and isolated, and that sometimes the simplest things, like a window, can provide us with the truth and connection we're seeking.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry lovers, rejoice! Today, we are going to dive deep into one of the most iconic poems of the 20th century, "i go to this window..." (XVIII) by e.e. cummings. This poem is a perfect example of cummings' unique style, which is characterized by unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization. Let's take a closer look at this masterpiece and explore its meaning and significance.
First, let's read the poem in its entirety:
i go to this window because it's the nearest, because it's the farthest that i can see. behind me, within me, all around me there are the stars, there is the sun. with you i can look forward to the past, with you i can uncover the future. time does not move with its own weight. it is carried by the light of the stars.
At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward. The speaker is standing at a window, looking out at the world. But as we delve deeper, we realize that there is much more going on here. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's experience.
In the first stanza, the speaker explains why they are standing at this particular window. They say that it is both the nearest and the farthest that they can see. This is a paradoxical statement, as something cannot be both near and far at the same time. However, this is a hallmark of cummings' style, as he often plays with language in this way. The speaker is drawn to this window because it offers a unique perspective on the world.
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on their internal experience. They say that behind them, within them, and all around them, there are stars and the sun. This is a beautiful image, as it suggests that the speaker is connected to the universe in a profound way. They are not just a solitary individual, but a part of something much larger. This idea is reinforced by the repetition of the word "me," which emphasizes the speaker's sense of self.
In the final stanza, the speaker turns their attention to time. They say that with the person they are addressing (presumably a lover), they can look forward to the past and uncover the future. This is another paradoxical statement, as we typically think of the past as something that has already happened and the future as something that is yet to come. However, the speaker is suggesting that with their partner, they can experience time in a different way. They can revisit memories and anticipate what is to come.
The final two lines of the poem are particularly striking: "time does not move / with its own weight. / it is carried / by the light / of the stars." Here, the speaker is suggesting that time is not a fixed entity, but something that is constantly in motion. It is carried by the light of the stars, which suggests that the universe itself is responsible for the passage of time. This is a profound idea, as it suggests that time is not something that we can control or manipulate, but something that is beyond our understanding.
So, what is the significance of this poem? On one level, it is a beautiful meditation on the human experience. The speaker is grappling with questions of identity, connection, and time, and they are doing so in a way that is both poetic and profound. On another level, the poem is a testament to cummings' unique style. He is able to take simple language and turn it into something that is complex and thought-provoking.
Overall, "i go to this window..." (XVIII) is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a testament to the power of language and the human experience, and it is a reminder that even the simplest things can be imbued with meaning and significance. If you are a fan of poetry, or if you are simply looking for a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of writing, then this poem is definitely worth your time.
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