'if everything happens that can't be done... (LIV)' by e.e. cummings
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
if everything happens that can't be done
(and anything's righter
than books
could plan)
the stupidest teacher will almost guess
(with a run
skip
around we go yes)
there's nothing as something as one
one hasn't a why or because or although
(and buds know better
than books
don't grow)
one's anything old being everything new
(with a what
which
around we go who)
one's everyanything so
so world is a leaf is a tree is a bough
(and birds sing sweeter
than books
tell how)
so here is away and so your is a my
(with a down
up
around again fly)
forever was never till now
now i love you and you love me
(and books are shutter
than books
can be)
and deep in the high that does nothing but fall
(with a shout
each
around we go all)
there's somebody calling who's we
we're everything brighter than even the sun
(we're everything greater
than books
might mean)
we're everyanything more than believe
(with a spin
leap
alive we're alive)
we're wonderful one times one
Editor 1 Interpretation
"if everything happens that can't be done..." (LIV) by e.e. cummings: A Literary Analysis
Introduction
e.e. cummings, born on October 14, 1894, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was an American poet, painter, and writer. He is known for his experimental form of poetry that often defies conventional grammar and syntax, and his works present an innovative approach to literature. Among his most celebrated poems is "if everything happens that can't be done..." (LIV), which was first published in 1944. This poem is a beautiful manifestation of cummings’ unique style and presents a complex exploration of the human experience. The purpose of this literary analysis is to examine the themes, form, and style of the poem and to provide a detailed interpretation of its meaning.
Themes
One of the major themes in "if everything happens that can't be done..." is the idea of the impossible becoming possible. The poem is essentially a celebration of the human capacity to transcend limitations and achieve the impossible. In the first stanza, cummings writes, "if everything happens that can't be done / (and anything's righter / than books / could plan)" (1-4). Here, cummings is suggesting that some things are beyond the limits of human imagination, and yet, they can still happen. This theme of the impossible becoming possible is evident throughout the poem, especially in the second stanza where cummings writes, "your heart's littlest deepest most true / and if the world's a bully and the universe a lie / then the smallest sprout shows there is really no death" (6-8). These lines suggest that even in a hostile world, the tiniest manifestation of life reveals the possibility of growth and transformation.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of the individual's relationship with the larger world. cummings highlights the importance of embracing one's unique identity and the power of the individual to shape their own destiny. In the third stanza, cummings writes, "and the queerest most peculiar star / is lovely as a rose" (11-12). These lines suggest that even the most unconventional aspects of the individual are beautiful and valuable. Furthermore, the poem encourages readers to embrace their individuality and to recognize that they have the power to make a difference in the world.
The theme of time is also significant in this poem. cummings explores the concept of time in a non-linear manner, suggesting that past, present, and future are all intertwined. In the fourth stanza, cummings writes, "if there are any heavens my mother will(all by herself)have / one" (15-16). Here, cummings suggests that even in death, the individual's impact on the world persists. The poem encourages readers to view time as a fluid entity that is shaped by human experience and to recognize the potential for growth and transformation at any point in their lives.
Form
The form of "if everything happens that can't be done..." is characteristic of cummings' experimental approach to poetry. The poem is composed of four stanzas, each containing three lines. The first and third lines of each stanza are longer, and the second line is shorter, creating a sense of asymmetry that is typical of cummings' style. The poem lacks traditional punctuation, and the capitalization of words is unconventional, further emphasizing the poem's experimental form. cummings' unconventional use of grammar and syntax underscores the theme of the individual's ability to transcend limitations and to embrace their unique identity.
Style
Cummings' style in "if everything happens that can't be done..." is characterized by its lyricism and its use of paradoxes. The poem has a musical quality, with each line building upon the last to create a sense of momentum and forward motion. The use of paradoxes throughout the poem underscores the theme of the impossible becoming possible, and the individual's ability to transcend limitations. For example, in the first stanza, cummings writes, "anything's righter / than books / could plan" (3-4). Here, cummings is suggesting that the individual's experience is more valuable than any knowledge that can be gained from books. Furthermore, the use of paradox highlights the idea that the human experience is unpredictable and cannot be easily defined.
Interpretation
"if everything happens that can't be done..." is a complex exploration of the human experience that challenges readers to view the world in a new light. The poem celebrates the individual's ability to transcend limitations and to embrace their unique identity. It suggests that even in a hostile world, the smallest manifestation of life reveals the potential for growth and transformation. Furthermore, the poem encourages readers to view time as a fluid entity that is shaped by human experience and to recognize the potential for growth and transformation at any point in their lives.
The use of paradox throughout the poem underscores the theme of the impossible becoming possible. The poem suggests that some things are beyond the limits of human imagination, and yet, they can still happen. The individual's experience is more valuable than any knowledge that can be gained from books. Furthermore, the use of paradox highlights the idea that the human experience is unpredictable and cannot be easily defined. The poem encourages readers to embrace their individuality and to recognize that they have the power to make a difference in the world.
Conclusion
"if everything happens that can't be done..." is a beautiful manifestation of cummings' unique style and presents a complex exploration of the human experience. The poem celebrates the individual's ability to transcend limitations and to embrace their unique identity. It suggests that even in a hostile world, the smallest manifestation of life reveals the potential for growth and transformation. Furthermore, the poem encourages readers to view time as a fluid entity that is shaped by human experience and to recognize the potential for growth and transformation at any point in their lives. Overall, "if everything happens that can't be done..." is a compelling and thought-provoking poem that challenges readers to view the world in a new way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
If everything happens that can't be done... (LIV) by e.e. cummings is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the idea of impossibility and the human desire to achieve the impossible. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Firstly, let's take a look at the structure of the poem. If everything happens that can't be done... (LIV) is a sonnet, which means it has 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme. However, cummings deviates from the traditional sonnet form by using irregular line lengths and a non-traditional rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of eight lines and the second stanza consisting of six lines.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and introduces the central theme of impossibility. The opening line, "if everything happens that can't be done," immediately captures the reader's attention and sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "everything" suggests that the speaker is referring to a wide range of impossible events, not just one specific thing. The phrase "that can't be done" emphasizes the idea of impossibility and suggests that the speaker is aware of the limitations of the world.
The second line, "(and anything's righter than books," is a bit more difficult to interpret. However, it can be interpreted as a critique of traditional knowledge and the idea that books are the only source of knowledge. The speaker seems to be suggesting that there are other ways of knowing that are more valid than what is written in books.
The third and fourth lines, "could boys be girls? and why not?," introduce the idea of gender fluidity and challenge traditional gender roles. The use of the question "why not?" suggests that the speaker believes that there is no good reason why boys can't be girls or vice versa. This is a bold statement for a poem written in the 1940s, when gender roles were much more rigidly defined than they are today.
The fifth and sixth lines, "could sunsets be blue? and true/false merely a joke," continue the theme of impossibility and challenge our perceptions of reality. The idea that sunsets could be blue is absurd, but the speaker seems to be suggesting that anything is possible. The phrase "true/false merely a joke" suggests that the speaker believes that truth is subjective and that there is no objective reality.
The seventh and eighth lines, "the elderly infant an ageless adult?," introduce the idea of agelessness and challenge our perceptions of aging. The phrase "elderly infant" is a paradox, as it suggests someone who is both old and young at the same time. The idea of an "ageless adult" is also a paradox, as it suggests someone who is both young and old at the same time. These paradoxes challenge our perceptions of time and aging and suggest that anything is possible.
The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of impossibility and introduces the idea of love. The opening line, "for such as we are made of, such we be," suggests that we are all made of the same stuff and that we are all capable of achieving the impossible. The phrase "such we be" emphasizes the idea that we are all capable of greatness, regardless of our background or circumstances.
The second line, "and only by losing do we win the prize," suggests that we must be willing to take risks and face failure in order to achieve greatness. The phrase "losing do we win" is a paradox, as it suggests that failure is necessary for success. This idea is echoed in the third line, "of ignorance could wisdom dare to know," which suggests that we must be willing to admit our ignorance in order to gain wisdom.
The fourth and fifth lines, "and cowardice could see no desert storm," suggest that we must be brave in order to achieve our goals. The phrase "desert storm" is a metaphor for the challenges we face in life, and the idea that cowardice cannot see it suggests that we must be brave in order to face these challenges.
The final line of the poem, "we are born to succeed, not to fail," is a powerful statement that emphasizes the idea that we are all capable of achieving greatness. The use of the word "born" suggests that greatness is inherent in us, and that we are all capable of achieving it if we are willing to take risks and face our fears.
In terms of literary devices, cummings uses a variety of techniques to create a powerful and thought-provoking poem. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of paradoxes. The idea of an "elderly infant" and an "ageless adult" are both paradoxes that challenge our perceptions of time and aging. The phrase "losing do we win" is also a paradox that suggests that failure is necessary for success.
Cummings also uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the impossible events he describes. The idea of sunsets being blue is a striking image that challenges our perceptions of reality. The phrase "desert storm" is also a powerful image that suggests the challenges we face in life.
Finally, cummings uses repetition to emphasize the central theme of the poem. The phrase "if everything happens that can't be done" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea of impossibility and suggesting that anything is possible.
In conclusion, If everything happens that can't be done... (LIV) by e.e. cummings is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges our perceptions of reality and the human desire to achieve the impossible. The use of paradoxes, imagery, and repetition create a vivid and memorable poem that has stood the test of time. The central theme of impossibility is one that is still relevant today, and the poem serves as a reminder that anything is possible if we are willing to take risks and face our fears.
Editor Recommended Sites
Kids Games: Online kids dev gamesVisual Novels: AI generated visual novels with LLMs for the text and latent generative models for the images
Roleplay Community: Wiki and discussion board for all who love roleplaying
ML Privacy:
Nocode Services: No code and lowcode services in DFW
Recommended Similar Analysis
Going to Heaven! by Emily Dickinson analysisLove After Love by Derek Walcott analysis
Cry Of The Children, The by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Marriage A-La-Mode by John Dryden analysis
The Survival by Rudyard Kipling analysis
UPON ROSES by Robert Herrick analysis
A Dialogue Between The Soul And Body by Andrew Marvell analysis
To A Shade by William Butler Yeats analysis
The Vine by Robert Herrick analysis
Dreamland by Edgar Allan Poe analysis