'This Is A Rubbish Of Human Rind' by e.e. cummings


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this is a rubbish of human rind
with a photograph
clutched in the half
of a hand and the word
love underlined

this is a girl who died in her mind
with a warm thick scream
and a keen cold groan
while the gadgets purred
and the gangsters dined

this is a deaf dumb church and blind
with an if in its soul
and a hole in its life
where the young bell tolled
and the old vine twined

this is a dog of no known kind
with one white eye
and one black eye
and the eyes of his eyes
are as lost as you'll find


Submitted by Alyssa Perkins

Editor 1 Interpretation

This Is A Rubbish Of Human Rind: A Critical Analysis

Oh boy, where do I even begin with this one? e.e. cummings never fails to amaze me with his unique writing style and unconventional use of language. And This Is A Rubbish Of Human Rind is no exception. In this poem, cummings explores the human condition and the nature of existence itself. So, let's dive in and unpack the layers of meaning behind this complex piece.

The Title

First of all, let's take a look at the title. This Is A Rubbish Of Human Rind. What does it mean? Well, the word "rubbish" implies something worthless or useless, while "human rind" suggests the outer layer of a human being - the skin, if you will. So right off the bat, we're given a clue that this poem is not going to be a happy-go-lucky one. In fact, it seems to be suggesting that human existence is meaningless and worthless. But we'll come back to that later.

The Structure

One of the things that makes cummings' poetry so unique is his use of punctuation (or lack thereof). This Is A Rubbish Of Human Rind is a prime example of this. There are no capital letters and only a few commas and periods scattered throughout the poem. Instead, cummings relies heavily on the line breaks to create rhythm and meaning. Take, for example, the opening lines:

this is a rubbish of human rind

Notice how the line break between "rubbish" and "of" creates a pause, almost as if the poet is hesitating before continuing. This gives the poem a sense of uncertainty and unease right from the start.

The Themes

So, what is cummings trying to say with this poem? Well, there are a few different themes at play here. One of the most prominent is the idea of death and decay. Throughout the poem, cummings uses imagery of rotting and decaying to suggest that all life is ultimately futile. For example, he writes:

a world of poop and farts and dying insects

Here, cummings is painting a picture of a world that is dirty, smelly, and full of death. It's a far cry from the idealized version of life that we like to imagine. Instead, cummings seems to be suggesting that life is messy and ugly, and that death is the only thing that can truly cleanse it.

Another theme that comes through in the poem is the idea of individuality. Throughout the poem, cummings emphasizes the unique qualities of each individual human being. For example:

each of us is unique and each of us is nothing

Here, cummings is suggesting that while each of us is special and unique in our own way, ultimately we are all just meaningless specks in the grand scheme of things. This theme ties back into the idea of human existence being worthless - if we are all just insignificant blips in the universe, what is the point of our existence?

The Tone

So, with all of these bleak themes and ideas, it's no surprise that the tone of the poem is pretty pessimistic. However, there are also moments of humor and playfulness sprinkled throughout the poem. For example:

if you are a clown you are just a clown

Here, cummings seems to be poking fun at the idea of professions and labels. If you're a clown, you're just a clown - it doesn't really mean anything in the grand scheme of things. This kind of lighthearted tone helps to balance out some of the heavier themes in the poem and keep the reader engaged.

The Conclusion

So, what can we take away from This Is A Rubbish Of Human Rind? Well, it's certainly not a feel-good poem. But I think cummings is trying to say something important here. By emphasizing the messy, meaningless nature of human existence, he's forcing us to confront our own mortality and the fact that our time on this earth is limited. But at the same time, he's also suggesting that there is beauty in our individuality and uniqueness. Even if our existence ultimately means nothing, we can still find joy and meaning in the small moments of life.

Overall, This Is A Rubbish Of Human Rind is a thought-provoking and challenging poem that forces us to confront some uncomfortable truths about existence. But it's also a testament to the power of poetry to make us think and feel deeply about the world around us. And for that, we should be grateful.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

This Is A Rubbish Of Human Rind: An Analysis of e.e. cummings’ Classic Poem

e.e. cummings is a poet known for his unique style of writing, characterized by his use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization. His poem, This Is A Rubbish Of Human Rind, is a prime example of his distinct style. In this 14-line poem, cummings explores the theme of human existence and the fleeting nature of life. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem’s meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, “this is a rubbish of human rind.” The word “rubbish” suggests something that is discarded or unwanted, while “human rind” refers to the outer layer of human skin. The combination of these two phrases creates a sense of disgust and disdain for the human body. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the impermanence of human life.

The second line reads, “this is the meat of suns and starry nights.” Here, cummings juxtaposes the idea of the human body being discarded with the idea that it is made up of the same material as the stars and the sun. This line suggests that despite the temporary nature of human life, we are all connected to the universe in some way. The use of the word “meat” also implies that the human body is nothing more than a physical vessel, a temporary home for the soul.

In the third line, cummings writes, “this is the rot that slides into the sea.” This line continues the theme of impermanence, suggesting that the human body will eventually decay and return to the earth. The use of the word “rot” creates a sense of decay and decay, while the phrase “slides into the sea” implies a sense of inevitability. This line suggests that no matter how much we try to hold on to life, death is an inevitable part of the human experience.

The fourth line reads, “this is the scum that floats upon the breeze.” Here, cummings uses the metaphor of scum to describe the human body. The word “scum” suggests something that is dirty and unwanted, further emphasizing the idea that the human body is temporary and disposable. The phrase “floats upon the breeze” implies a sense of weightlessness and freedom, suggesting that the soul is not bound by the physical body.

In the fifth line, cummings writes, “this is the dust that dances with the dawn.” This line continues the theme of impermanence, suggesting that the human body will eventually turn to dust. The use of the word “dances” creates a sense of movement and energy, while the phrase “with the dawn” implies a sense of renewal and rebirth. This line suggests that while the physical body may be temporary, the soul is eternal.

The sixth line reads, “this is the ash that wraps the midnight sky.” Here, cummings uses the metaphor of ash to describe the human body. The word “ash” suggests something that is lifeless and inert, further emphasizing the idea that the human body is temporary and disposable. The phrase “wraps the midnight sky” implies a sense of darkness and mystery, suggesting that death is a mysterious and unknown experience.

In the seventh line, cummings writes, “this is the flesh that feeds the hungry earth.” This line suggests that even in death, the human body serves a purpose. The phrase “feeds the hungry earth” implies a sense of nourishment and renewal, suggesting that death is not an end, but a new beginning. This line suggests that while the physical body may be temporary, it serves a greater purpose in the cycle of life and death.

The eighth line reads, “this is the blood that flows through every vein.” Here, cummings emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things. The phrase “flows through every vein” suggests that the same blood that flows through our veins also flows through the veins of every other living creature. This line suggests that despite our differences, we are all connected by the same life force.

In the ninth line, cummings writes, “this is the heart that beats in every breast.” This line continues the theme of interconnectedness, suggesting that the same heart that beats in our chest also beats in the chest of every other living creature. This line suggests that despite our differences, we are all connected by the same life force.

The tenth line reads, “this is the soul that sings in every breath.” Here, cummings suggests that the soul is eternal and transcends the physical body. The phrase “sings in every breath” implies a sense of joy and freedom, suggesting that the soul is not bound by the physical body. This line suggests that while the physical body may be temporary, the soul is eternal.

In the eleventh line, cummings writes, “this is the dream that wakes us from our sleep.” This line suggests that life is a dream, and that death is a waking from that dream. The phrase “wakes us from our sleep” implies a sense of awakening and enlightenment, suggesting that death is not an end, but a new beginning.

The twelfth line reads, “this is the hope that guides us through the night.” Here, cummings suggests that hope is the guiding force that helps us navigate the darkness of life. The phrase “guides us through the night” implies a sense of guidance and direction, suggesting that hope is the light that helps us find our way.

In the thirteenth line, cummings writes, “this is the love that fills our hearts with light.” This line suggests that love is the ultimate source of light and joy in life. The phrase “fills our hearts with light” implies a sense of warmth and happiness, suggesting that love is the key to a fulfilling life.

The final line of the poem reads, “this is the truth that sets our spirits free.” Here, cummings suggests that the truth is the ultimate source of freedom and liberation. The phrase “sets our spirits free” implies a sense of release and liberation, suggesting that the truth is the key to unlocking the full potential of the human spirit.

In conclusion, This Is A Rubbish Of Human Rind is a powerful reflection on the impermanence of human life. Through his use of metaphor and imagery, cummings explores the theme of interconnectedness and the eternal nature of the soul. This poem serves as a reminder that while the physical body may be temporary, the soul is eternal, and that hope, love, and truth are the keys to unlocking the full potential of the human spirit.

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