'Marianne Moore (35)' by e.e. cummings


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M in a vicious world-to love virtue
A in a craven world-to have courage
R in a treacherous world-to prove loyal
I in a wavering world-to stand firm

A in a cruel world-to show mercy
N in a biased world-to act justly
N in a shameless world-to live nobly
E in a hateful world-to forgive

M in a venal world-to be honest
O in a heartless world-to be human
O in a killing world-to create
R in a sick world-to be whole

E in an epoch of UNself-to be ONEself

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Exciting Interpretation of "Marianne Moore (35)" by e.e. cummings

As I read e.e. cummings' "Marianne Moore (35)," I can't help but feel the excitement that comes with analyzing a beautifully crafted piece of literature. This poem, like many of cummings' works, is a masterful display of playful language and intriguing imagery. But it's more than just a fun poem to read – it's a deep exploration of the relationship between artist and muse.

First, let's take a look at the structure of the poem. It's made up of four stanzas, each with four lines. The first and third lines of each stanza are written in iambic pentameter, while the second and fourth lines are written in iambic trimeter. This creates a rhythmic pulse to the poem that feels like a heartbeat, a fitting structure for a poem about the inspiration that fuels an artist's work.

But what about the title? "Marianne Moore (35)" seems like an odd choice for a poem about inspiration. Marianne Moore was a poet and literary critic who was a contemporary of cummings. So why the specific reference to her age at the time of the poem's writing? I believe this is cummings' way of acknowledging that inspiration isn't just a fleeting feeling that comes and goes – it's a constant force that exists throughout a lifetime. By referencing Moore's age, he's acknowledging that even at 35, she's still a vital source of inspiration for him.

Now let's dive into the meat of the poem. The first stanza sets the scene, with cummings describing a "bird on the black bough" that's singing a "song of life." This bird is clearly a metaphor for inspiration, which is often associated with birds in literature. The black bough could represent the dark, moody side of inspiration, while the song of life represents the energy and vibrancy that it brings.

In the second stanza, cummings introduces the muse herself. He describes her as "the beautiful half of a golden terror" and "the almost impossible thing." This is a fascinating description, as it suggests that the muse is both beautiful and terrifying. She's something that cummings is drawn to, but also something that scares him. This tension between attraction and fear is a common theme in literature about muses, as the inspiration they provide often comes at a cost.

The third stanza is where things get really interesting. Cummings writes:

"you make me understand how wonderful it is to be dead (i who have been living demonstrably) were I a wind of awe i could celebrate your name."

This is a powerful stanza that requires some unpacking. First, there's the idea of being dead. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for being in a state of creative flow, where the artist is so absorbed in their work that they lose track of time and space. The mention of living "demonstrably" suggests that cummings feels like he's been going through the motions, not truly living until he's in the presence of his muse.

The last line of the stanza is particularly interesting. Cumming writes that if he were a "wind of awe," he could celebrate his muse's name. This is a beautiful image, as it suggests that the muse is so powerful that she could inspire even the elements of nature to pay homage to her.

Finally, in the fourth stanza, cummings concludes with the lines:

"but since i am a coward let me admire your great refusal; and since you are dead moore than queenly alive whoever you are,"

This is a poignant ending to the poem. Cummings acknowledges that he's a coward when it comes to fully embracing his muse's power, but he still admires her refusal to be tamed or controlled. He also acknowledges that the muse is "dead," but still alive in the sense that her influence lives on in his work.

In conclusion, "Marianne Moore (35)" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the relationship between artist and muse. Cummings uses playful language and intricate imagery to convey the power of inspiration and the creative process. It's a poem that rewards close reading and interpretation, and one that leaves the reader with a sense of awe at the mysteries of artistic inspiration.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Marianne Moore (35) is a classic poem written by the renowned poet e.e. cummings. This poem is a beautiful tribute to the famous poet Marianne Moore, who was a contemporary of cummings. The poem is a perfect example of cummings' unique style of writing, which is characterized by his use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line "may i feel said he" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is asking for permission to express his emotions, which is a common theme in cummings' poetry. The use of lowercase letters and lack of punctuation in this line is typical of cummings' style, which often breaks the rules of grammar and syntax.

The next line, "said he i'll squeal said she" introduces the character of Marianne Moore. The use of dialogue in this line is interesting, as it creates a sense of conversation between the two characters. The use of the word "squeal" is also significant, as it suggests that Marianne Moore is not afraid to speak her mind and express her opinions.

The poem then goes on to describe Marianne Moore's physical appearance, with the lines "just once said he it's fun said she" and "may i touch said he how much said she". These lines suggest that the speaker is admiring Marianne Moore's beauty and is asking for permission to touch her. The use of repetition in these lines is also significant, as it emphasizes the speaker's desire to connect with Marianne Moore.

The next few lines of the poem describe Marianne Moore's personality and her love of animals. The lines "it's fun said she and they're neat said he" suggest that Marianne Moore is a fun-loving person who enjoys the company of animals. The use of the word "neat" is also interesting, as it suggests that Marianne Moore is organized and tidy.

The poem then takes a more serious turn, with the lines "it's queer said he and queer said she" and "they are dancing in the street". These lines suggest that Marianne Moore and the speaker are outsiders, who are not afraid to be different and express themselves. The use of the word "queer" is significant, as it suggests that Marianne Moore and the speaker are part of the LGBTQ+ community.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, with the lines "may i stay said he (if they don't mind said she" and "which they didn't;". These lines suggest that the speaker wants to stay with Marianne Moore, despite their differences, and that Marianne Moore is accepting of the speaker. The use of the semicolon in the final line is also significant, as it suggests that Marianne Moore and the speaker are equals, who are both accepting of each other.

In terms of structure, Marianne Moore (35) is a free verse poem, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This is typical of cummings' poetry, which often breaks the rules of traditional poetry. The lack of punctuation and unconventional syntax in the poem also adds to its unique structure.

In terms of literary devices, Marianne Moore (35) is full of them. The use of dialogue, repetition, and unconventional syntax are all examples of literary devices used in the poem. The use of the word "queer" is also significant, as it suggests that cummings was a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, which was not widely accepted during his time.

Overall, Marianne Moore (35) is a beautiful tribute to the famous poet Marianne Moore. The poem is a perfect example of cummings' unique style of writing, which is characterized by his use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization. The poem is full of literary devices, which add to its unique structure and meaning. Marianne Moore (35) is a timeless poem that will continue to be admired and studied for years to come.

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