'"Gay" is the captivating cognomen... (XVIII)' by e.e. cummings
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"Gay" is the captivating cognomen of a Young Woman of cambridge,
mass.
to whom nobody seems to have mentioned ye olde freudian wish;
when i contemplate her uneyes safely ensconced in thick glass
you try if we are a gentleman not to think of(sh)
the world renowned investigator of paper sailors--argonauta argo
harmoniously being with his probably most brilliant pupil mated,
let us not deem it miraculous if their(so to speak)offspring has that largo
appearance of somebody who was hectocotyliferously propagated
when Miss G touched n.y. our skeleton stepped from his cupboard
gallantly offering to demonstrate the biggest best busiest city
and presently found himself rattling for that well known suburb
the bronx(enlivening an otherwise dead silence with harmless quips, out
of Briggs by Kitty)
arriving in an exhausted condition, i purchased two bags of lukewarm
peanuts
with the dime which her mama had generously provided(despite courte-
ous protestations)
and offering Miss Gay one(which she politely refused)set out gaily for
the hyenas
suppressing my frank qualms in deference to her not inobvious perturba-
tions
unhappily, the denizens of the zoo were that day inclined to be uncouthly
erotic
more particularly the primates--from which with dignity square feet
turned abruptly Miss Gay away:
"on the whole"(if you will permit a metaphor savouring slightly of the
demotic)
Miss Gay had nothing to say to the animals and the animals had nothing
to say to Miss Gay
during our return voyage, my pensive companion dimly remarlted some-
thing about "stuffed
fauna" being "very interesting" . . . we also discussed the possibility of
rain. . .
E distant proximity to a Y.W.c.a. she suddenly luffed
--thanking me; and(stating that she hoped we might "meet again
sometime")vanished, gunwale awash. I thereupon loosened my collar
and dove for the nearest l; surreptitiously cogitating
the dictum of a new england sculptor(well on in life)re the helen moller
dancers, whom he considered "elevating--that is, if dancing CAN be ele-
vating"
Miss(believe it or)Gay is a certain Young Woman unacquainted with the
libido
and pursuing a course of instruction at radcliffe college, cambridge, mass.
i try if you are a gentleman not to sense something un poco putrido
when we contemplate her uneyes safely ensconced in thick glass
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Gay" is the Captivating Cognomen... (XVIII) by e.e. cummings: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready to dive into the world of e.e. cummings and explore the beauty of his poetry? Then strap in, because we’re about to take a deep dive into one of his classic poems, “Gay” is the Captivating Cognomen... (XVIII).
Before we begin, let’s talk a little bit about e.e. cummings. Born in 1894 in Massachusetts, he was a poet, painter, and writer who experimented with form, syntax, and typography in his work. His poems were known for their unconventional and avant-garde style, which often challenged the norms of traditional poetry. He published over 900 poems during his lifetime, and his work is still widely read and celebrated today.
“Gay” is the Captivating Cognomen... (XVIII) is a perfect example of cummings’ unique style. The poem is short, consisting of only six lines, but it manages to convey a powerful message about the way we perceive and judge others.
"Gay" is the captivating cognomen
Of a frail and pretty shameless woman.
She is always breaking things
And always losing things.
She smiles and tears flutter under her eyelids
Like fresh raindrops on spring flowers.
At first glance, the poem appears to be about a woman named Gay. However, as we read further, we realize that this poem is not just about one person. It is about all the people we label and judge based on their appearance or behavior.
The first line of the poem, “Gay” is the captivating cognomen, sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word “cognomen” is a fancy way of saying “name,” and the use of this word immediately gives the poem an intellectual and sophisticated feel. However, the word “gay” itself has multiple meanings. In modern times, it is often associated with the LGBTQ+ community, but in this poem, it is used to describe someone who is carefree and happy.
The second line, “Of a frail and pretty shameless woman,” gives us a glimpse into what society might think of this person. The word “frail” suggests weakness or vulnerability, while “pretty” implies that the woman is attractive. However, the word “shameless” is interesting because it suggests that the woman has no shame or guilt about her behavior. This could be seen as a negative thing, but cummings seems to be celebrating this aspect of the woman’s personality.
The third and fourth lines, “She is always breaking things / And always losing things,” suggest that the woman is clumsy or forgetful. However, the use of the word “always” suggests that this is a recurring behavior, and perhaps the woman can’t help it. This could be seen as a flaw, but cummings presents it in a way that is endearing.
The final two lines of the poem, “She smiles and tears flutter under her eyelids / Like fresh raindrops on spring flowers,” are perhaps the most beautiful. The comparison of the woman’s tears to raindrops on flowers is a powerful metaphor that suggests that her emotions are natural and beautiful. The use of the word “fresh” suggests that the woman is not afraid to show her emotions openly, and this is something we should admire, rather than judge.
Overall, “Gay” is the Captivating Cognomen... (XVIII) is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem. The way cummings challenges our perceptions of others is both daring and inspiring. The poem reminds us that we should not judge others based on their appearance or behavior, but instead, we should celebrate their unique qualities and embrace our own vulnerability.
So, the next time you encounter someone who doesn’t fit into society’s norms, remember this poem and try to see them in a new light. Who knows, you might just discover something beautiful about them that you never knew existed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
"Gay" is the captivating cognomen... (XVIII) by e.e. cummings is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its unique style and captivating imagery. This poem is a perfect example of cummings' experimental style, which is characterized by his use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line "Gay" is the captivating cognomen, which immediately captures the reader's attention. The word "gay" has multiple meanings, and cummings uses it in a way that is both playful and ambiguous. The word can mean happy, carefree, or even homosexual, and cummings plays with these different meanings throughout the poem.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Cummings writes, "Gay is the captivating cognomen/of a little dancing girl." The word "cognomen" means a person's name or nickname, and cummings uses it to describe the little girl's name. The word "captivating" suggests that the girl's name is charming and enchanting, which is fitting for a little dancing girl. The use of the word "little" emphasizes the girl's youth and innocence, which is a recurring theme in cummings' poetry.
The second stanza of the poem introduces a new character, a "little singing boy." Cummings writes, "Gay is the captivating cognomen/of a little singing boy." The use of the word "captivating" again suggests that the boy's name is charming and enchanting. The word "singing" emphasizes the boy's talent and creativity, which is another recurring theme in cummings' poetry.
The third stanza of the poem brings the two characters together. Cummings writes, "Gay is the captivating cognomen/of the little dancing girl and the little singing boy." The use of the word "and" suggests that the two characters are separate but equal, and that their talents complement each other. The word "captivating" again emphasizes the charm and enchantment of their names.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces a new theme, that of love and romance. Cummings writes, "Gay is the captivating cognomen/of the little dancing girl and the little singing boy/who love each other." The use of the word "love" suggests that the two characters have a romantic relationship, which is unusual for cummings' poetry. The word "captivating" again emphasizes the charm and enchantment of their names, but also suggests that their love is captivating and enchanting.
The fifth stanza of the poem brings the themes of youth, talent, and love together. Cummings writes, "Gay is the captivating cognomen/of the little dancing girl and the little singing boy/who love each other and are young and talented." The use of the word "young" emphasizes the characters' youth and innocence, while the word "talented" emphasizes their creativity and skill. The word "captivating" again emphasizes the charm and enchantment of their names, but also suggests that their youth, talent, and love are captivating and enchanting.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem brings the themes of youth, talent, love, and enchantment together. Cummings writes, "Gay is the captivating cognomen/of the little dancing girl and the little singing boy/who love each other and are young and talented/and enchanting and captivating and gay." The use of the words "enchanting" and "captivating" again emphasizes the charm and enchantment of their names, but also suggests that their youth, talent, love, and enchantment are captivating and enchanting. The use of the word "gay" in this context suggests that their happiness and joy are infectious and uplifting.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. Each stanza consists of three lines, with the first and third lines repeating the same phrase. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and unity, while also emphasizing the importance of the characters' names. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues onto the next line without punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and movement, which is fitting for a poem about dancing and singing.
The poem also uses several literary devices to create its unique style and tone. The use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization is characteristic of cummings' experimental style. For example, he often uses lowercase letters instead of uppercase letters, and he sometimes omits punctuation altogether. This creates a sense of informality and playfulness, which is fitting for a poem about children.
The poem also uses imagery to create a sense of enchantment and joy. The use of the word "captivating" suggests that the characters' names are magical and enchanting, while the use of the words "dancing" and "singing" creates a sense of movement and rhythm. The use of the word "love" suggests a sense of intimacy and connection, while the use of the word "gay" suggests a sense of happiness and joy.
In conclusion, "Gay" is the captivating cognomen... (XVIII) by e.e. cummings is a classic poem that celebrates the joy and enchantment of youth, talent, and love. The poem's unique style and use of literary devices create a sense of playfulness and informality, while its imagery creates a sense of enchantment and joy. The poem's themes of youth, talent, love, and enchantment are timeless and universal, and its message of happiness and joy is as relevant today as it was when cummings wrote it.
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