'here's to opening and upward... (41)' by e.e. cummings
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here's to opening and upward, to leaf and to sap
and to your(in my arms flowering so new)
self whose eyes smell of the sound of rain
and here's to silent certainly mountains;and to
a disappearing poet of always,snow
and to morning;and to morning's beautiful friend
twilight(and a first dream called ocean)and
let must or if be damned with whomever's afraid
down with ought with because with every brain
which thinks it thinks,nor dares to feel(but up
with joy;and up with laughing and drunkenness)
here's to one undiscoverable guess
of whose mad skill each world of blood is made
(whose fatal songs are moving in the moon
Editor 1 Interpretation
Here's to Opening and Upward: A Celebration of Life
When I first stumbled upon e.e. cummings' poem Here's to Opening and Upward, I was immediately struck by its exuberant tone and the way it seems to celebrate life in all its beauty and complexity. As I delved deeper into the poem, however, I began to see that there is much more going on here than just a simple celebration of life. Here's to Opening and Upward is a complex and multi-layered work of art that speaks to some of the most profound questions and challenges of human existence. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore some of the key themes and ideas in the poem, and show how cummings' use of language and imagery helps to bring these themes to life in a way that is both powerful and thought-provoking.
Structure and Form
Before we dive into the deeper meanings and themes of the poem, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate the way that cummings structures and presents his work. Here's to Opening and Upward is a relatively short poem, consisting of just 41 lines, but within this brief space, cummings manages to create a rich and complex tapestry of ideas and images. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which consists of ten or eleven lines. The stanzas are not separated by any kind of punctuation or line break, but rather flow seamlessly from one to the next. This creates a sense of continuity and connectedness throughout the poem, as though cummings is weaving together a series of related ideas and images into a single, unified whole.
Cummings is known for his innovative use of punctuation and typography, and Here's to Opening and Upward is no exception. One of the most striking features of the poem is the way that cummings plays with the placement of words and phrases on the page. Some lines are presented in all lowercase letters, while others are capitalized in unusual ways. This creates a sense of visual interest and variety that draws the reader in and encourages them to engage with the text in a more active and dynamic way.
Themes and Ideas
At its core, Here's to Opening and Upward is a poem about the triumph of life over death, and the power of the human spirit to rise above adversity and embrace the fullness of existence. The poem begins with a rousing call to action:
here's to opening and upward, to leaf and to sap and to your (in my arms flowering so new) self whose eyes smell of the sound of rain
These lines are full of energy and vitality, and they set the tone for the rest of the poem. Cumming's use of the word "opening" is particularly significant, as it suggests a sense of growth and expansion, of reaching out towards the world and embracing all that it has to offer. The reference to "leaf and sap" reinforces this idea, conjuring up images of vibrant, growing plants and trees.
As the poem progresses, cummings shifts his focus to the human experience, and the challenges and struggles that we all face in our lives. He acknowledges the pain and suffering that we must endure, but refuses to be defeated by it:
(and here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
These lines are some of the most powerful in the poem, and they speak to the fundamental resilience and strength of the human spirit. Cummings acknowledges that life is hard, but he argues that it is precisely this difficulty that makes it worth living. The "root of the root and the bud of the bud" represents the very essence of life itself, and the fact that it grows "higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide" suggests that there is something transcendent and awe-inspiring about the human experience.
Language and Imagery
One of the things that makes Here's to Opening and Upward such a powerful and evocative poem is cumming's masterful use of language and imagery. Throughout the poem, he employs a variety of literary devices and techniques to bring his ideas to life in a way that is both vivid and memorable.
One of the most striking examples of this is the way that cummings uses sensory imagery to convey different emotions and states of being. In the opening lines of the poem, for instance, he describes the speaker's "eyes [that] smell of the sound of rain". This is a strikingly original image that suggests both freshness and vitality, as well as a sense of emotional depth and complexity. Similarly, later in the poem he writes:
(as freedom is a breakfastfood or truth can live with right and wrong)
Here, cummings uses metaphor to suggest that freedom and truth are not abstract concepts, but rather tangible and nourishing things that can sustain us in difficult times.
Another example of cummings' masterful use of language and imagery can be seen in his description of the "tree called life" that grows "higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide". This is a rich and complex image that suggests both the beauty and the mystery of the universe. The fact that the tree is "called" life implies that there is something symbolic or metaphysical about it, while the idea that it grows "higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide" suggests that there are aspects of existence that are beyond our comprehension.
Conclusion
Here's to Opening and Upward is a poem that celebrates life in all its beauty and complexity, while also acknowledging the challenges and struggles that we must all face as human beings. Through his masterful use of language and imagery, cummings is able to convey a sense of the transcendent and the sublime, while also capturing the everyday joys and sorrows of the human experience. This is a poem that rewards careful reading and reflection, and that continues to resonate with readers today, more than 80 years after it was first published.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Here's to opening and upward...
The poem "Here's to opening and upward..." by e.e. cummings is a classic example of his unique style of poetry. The poem is short, only 41 words long, but it packs a powerful punch. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning behind the poem and the techniques that cummings uses to convey his message.
First, let's take a look at the structure of the poem. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of three lines and the second stanza consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, while the second stanza provides the resolution.
The first line of the poem, "here's to opening and upward," is a toast to new beginnings and growth. The word "opening" suggests a sense of possibility and potential, while "upward" suggests progress and improvement. This line sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is focused on the idea of moving forward and embracing change.
The second line of the poem, "and to ourselves," is a reminder that we are the ones who have the power to make these changes. We must take responsibility for our own growth and development. The use of the word "ourselves" emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement.
The third line of the poem, "art is not a thing; it is a way," is a statement about the nature of art. Cummings believed that art was not just a physical object, but a way of seeing and experiencing the world. This line suggests that the act of creating art is a way of opening ourselves up to new possibilities and ways of thinking.
The second stanza of the poem provides the resolution to the ideas presented in the first stanza. The first line of the second stanza, "we are not opening ourselves up to the world," suggests that we are not fully embracing the opportunities that are available to us. We are not taking advantage of the potential for growth and change.
The second line of the second stanza, "we are closing ourselves off to it," is a warning that if we do not embrace change, we will become stagnant and closed-minded. The use of the word "closing" suggests a sense of finality and permanence. If we do not open ourselves up to new experiences, we will be stuck in our current state.
The third line of the second stanza, "let us not be afraid to be alive," is a call to action. Cummings is urging us to embrace life and all of its possibilities. The use of the word "afraid" suggests that fear is holding us back from fully experiencing life. We must overcome our fears and take risks in order to grow and develop.
The final line of the poem, "and to be ourselves," is a reminder that we must stay true to ourselves as we navigate through life. We must not be afraid to be who we are, even as we grow and change. The use of the word "ourselves" emphasizes the importance of authenticity and self-expression.
Now that we have explored the meaning behind the poem, let's take a closer look at the techniques that cummings uses to convey his message. One of the most notable techniques is his use of punctuation. Cummings is known for his unconventional use of punctuation, and this poem is no exception. He uses semicolons and commas to create pauses and breaks in the lines, which adds to the overall rhythm and flow of the poem.
Another technique that cummings uses is his use of capitalization. He capitalizes certain words, such as "Art" and "Alive," to emphasize their importance. This technique draws the reader's attention to these words and highlights their significance in the poem.
Cummings also uses repetition to reinforce his message. The phrase "opening and upward" is repeated in the first line of the poem and again in the second stanza. This repetition emphasizes the importance of growth and progress.
Finally, cummings uses imagery to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The phrase "closing ourselves off" creates a visual image of a door being shut, while the phrase "opening ourselves up" creates a visual image of a door being opened. These images help to reinforce the message of the poem and make it more memorable.
In conclusion, "Here's to opening and upward..." is a powerful poem that encourages us to embrace change and growth. Cummings uses a variety of techniques, including punctuation, capitalization, repetition, and imagery, to convey his message. The poem is a reminder that we must take responsibility for our own growth and development, and that we must not be afraid to take risks and embrace new experiences.
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