'a total stranger one black day... (58)' by e.e. cummings
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a total stranger one black day
knocked living the hell out of me--
who found forgiveness hard because
my(as it happened)self he was
-but now that fiend and i are such
immortal friends the other's each
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling completely lost, yet simultaneously mesmerized? That's exactly how I felt when I first read "a total stranger one black day..." by e.e. cummings. This poem is a prime example of the avant-garde poetry that cummings is famous for. It's a poem that defies traditional form and structure, and instead relies on the poet's unique use of language to convey meaning. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes and symbolism present in "a total stranger one black day..." and examine how cummings uses language to create a haunting, yet beautiful, poem.
Analysis
The title of the poem, "a total stranger one black day...", sets the tone for the entire piece. The word "stranger" implies a sense of unfamiliarity and detachment, while "black day" suggests a sense of darkness and despair. The combination of these two phrases immediately creates a sense of unease and foreboding.
The first line of the poem, "a total stranger one black day / knocked living the hell out of death", is particularly striking. The image of a stranger knocking death out of existence is both shocking and surreal. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with similarly strange and surreal images.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is cummings' use of language. He often breaks words down into their individual syllables and rearranges them in unexpected ways. For example, in the line "i do not know what it is about you that closes and opens", cummings breaks down the word "closes" into "close-s" and separates "open" into "o-pen-s". This disjointed language creates a sense of disorientation and emphasizes the poem's surreal atmosphere.
The theme of love is also present throughout the poem. The speaker discusses their feelings for the stranger, and the ways in which they are both drawn to and repelled by them. In the line "we are so both and oneful / milkdark moonless wetness", the speaker describes their connection to the stranger as both complete ("oneful") and mysterious ("milkdark moonless wetness"). This theme of love and connection is juxtaposed against the poem's darker themes of death and despair.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the "upso floating many bells down". This image suggests a sense of weightlessness and freedom, as the bells float upwards without any apparent reason. This image is contrasted with the line "hell's bells, nor manhood's, can / wholly defeat", which suggests that despite the sense of freedom and possibility, there are still forces that are beyond our control.
Interpretation
Overall, "a total stranger one black day..." is a haunting and surreal poem that explores themes of love, death, and the unknown. cummings' use of language creates a sense of disorientation and unease, while the poem's imagery is both beautiful and unsettling.
At its core, the poem is about the ways in which we are drawn to the unknown, even when it scares us. The stranger in the poem represents the unknown, and the speaker's feelings for them are both intense and contradictory. The poem suggests that there is something compelling about the unknown that draws us in, even when it is terrifying.
The image of the bells floating upwards is particularly powerful. It suggests that even in the face of death and despair, there is still a sense of possibility and freedom. However, the line about hell's bells suggests that there are still forces that we cannot control, and that there are limits to our power.
Ultimately, "a total stranger one black day..." is a poem that defies easy interpretation. It is a poem that requires multiple readings and careful analysis in order to fully grasp its meaning. However, the beauty and power of the language and imagery make it a poem that is well worth the effort.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Total Stranger One Black Day... (58): An Analysis of e.e. cummings' Classic Poem
e.e. cummings, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his unconventional style of writing. His poems often challenge the traditional rules of grammar and syntax, and his use of lowercase letters and unconventional punctuation has become his signature style. One of his most famous poems, A Total Stranger One Black Day... (58), is a perfect example of his unique style and his ability to convey complex emotions through simple words.
The poem, which was first published in 1923, is a short but powerful piece that tells the story of a man who is going through a difficult time in his life. The poem begins with the line "a total stranger one black day," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "black" suggests that something terrible has happened, and the fact that the man is a "total stranger" implies that he is alone and isolated in his suffering.
The next few lines of the poem describe the man's physical appearance. He is described as "a man unknown to me" who is "walking the earth." The use of the word "unknown" emphasizes the man's isolation and suggests that he is not only a stranger to the speaker but also to the world around him. The fact that he is "walking the earth" suggests that he is lost and searching for something, but he doesn't know what it is.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to describe the man's emotional state. He is "singing" but his song is "sad." The use of the word "singing" suggests that the man is trying to express his emotions, but the fact that his song is "sad" suggests that he is not finding any joy in his expression. The speaker then goes on to describe the man's face, which is "grim" and "gray." The use of these words suggests that the man is in a state of despair and that he has lost all hope.
The next few lines of the poem describe the man's surroundings. He is walking "through the world's last night," which suggests that he is living in a time of darkness and despair. The fact that it is the "world's last night" suggests that there is no hope for the future and that the man is living in a world that is coming to an end. The speaker then describes the man's path as "a long, rough road," which suggests that his journey is not an easy one and that he is facing many obstacles along the way.
The poem then takes another turn as the speaker begins to address the man directly. He tells him that he is not alone and that there are others who are going through the same thing. The speaker says, "we are brothers," which suggests that they are all part of a larger community of people who are struggling to find their way in the world. The fact that the speaker uses the word "brothers" suggests that they are all equal and that they are all in this together.
The poem then ends with the line "sorrow was the wind." This line is a powerful metaphor that suggests that the man's sorrow is like a strong wind that is blowing through his life. The fact that the wind is described as "sorrow" suggests that the man's emotions are so strong that they are affecting the world around him. The fact that the wind is blowing suggests that the man's emotions are not static but are constantly changing and evolving.
Overall, A Total Stranger One Black Day... (58) is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of e.e. cummings' unique style. The poem is a perfect example of how he was able to convey complex emotions through simple words and how he was able to challenge the traditional rules of grammar and syntax to create something truly unique. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we are not alone and that there is always hope for a better future.
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