'you shall above all things... (22)' by e.e. cummings
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you shall above all things be glad and young
For if you're young,whatever life you wear
it will become you;and if you are glad
whatever's living will yourself become.
Girlboys may nothing more than boygirls need:
i can entirely her only love
whose any mystery makes every man's
flesh put space on;and his mind take off time
that you should ever think,may god forbid
and (in his mercy) your true lover spare:
for that way knowledge lies,the foetal grave
called progress,and negation's dead undoom.
I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing
than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance
Editor 1 Interpretation
You Shall Above All Things...
Wow. Just wow. I'm blown away by this poem. e.e. cummings has done it again with his unique use of punctuation, capitalization, and spacing.
First of all, let's take a look at the title. "You Shall Above All Things..." - what does that even mean? Is it a command? A statement? And why is the ellipsis there? It immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem - mysterious, intriguing, and open to interpretation.
Moving on to the first line, "You shall above all things be glad and young." - this is such a positive and uplifting start to the poem. It sets a tone of happiness and youthfulness that carries throughout the rest of the piece. But why "above all things"? What makes being glad and young so important?
As we continue reading, we see that cummings uses a lot of unconventional punctuation and capitalization. He uses a lowercase "i" to refer to himself, which is different from the traditional use of capitalization in English. He also uses parentheses and dashes to separate ideas and create pauses. This creates a unique rhythm and flow to the poem.
But what really stands out to me is the use of spacing. In some lines, cummings puts extra space between words to create emphasis or pause. For example, in the line "You are the suns and the stars and the moon," there is extra space between "suns" and "and" which draws attention to the words. This is such a simple technique but it adds so much depth and meaning to the poem.
As we continue reading, we see that the poem is about youth and the beauty of being alive. The lines "For if you're young, whatever life you wear / it will become you; and if you are glad / whatever's living will yourself become" really drive this point home. It's almost as if cummings is saying that being young and happy is the best way to fully experience life.
But what I find really interesting about this poem is the way cummings addresses the reader directly. He says "you" instead of "we" or "they" which creates a personal connection with the reader. It's almost as if he's talking directly to us, encouraging us to be glad and young.
As we approach the end of the poem, cummings really drives his message home. He says "and death shall have no dominion" which is a powerful statement about the importance of living life to the fullest. And the final line, "you shall above all things be glad and young" is such a great way to end the poem. It's a call to action, encouraging us to embrace life and be happy.
Overall, I think this poem is a masterpiece. e.e. cummings uses unconventional techniques to create a unique and powerful message about the beauty of being young and alive. The use of spacing, punctuation, and direct address to the reader really make this poem stand out. I would highly recommend this poem to anyone who wants to be inspired and uplifted.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
You Shall Above All Things...: An Analysis of e.e. cummings' Classic Poem
e.e. cummings is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his unconventional style and use of language. His poem "You Shall Above All Things..." is a classic example of his unique approach to poetry, and it has captivated readers for decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "you shall above all things be glad and young," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is addressing someone, perhaps a lover or a friend, and urging them to embrace life with joy and enthusiasm. The use of the word "shall" gives the line a sense of urgency and importance, as if the speaker is imparting a vital piece of wisdom.
The next few lines continue in this vein, with the speaker exhorting the listener to "remembering (all joy) and forgetting (all sorrow)." This is a common theme in cummings' work, the idea that we should focus on the positive aspects of life and let go of the negative. The use of parentheses around "all joy" and "all sorrow" emphasizes the importance of these concepts and gives them a sense of weight and significance.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, with the speaker musing on the nature of time and mortality. They urge the listener to "believe in a love that is being stored up for you like an inheritance," suggesting that there is something greater than ourselves that we can look forward to. The use of the word "inheritance" implies that this love is something that has been passed down through generations, something that is timeless and enduring.
The next few lines continue in this vein, with the speaker urging the listener to "have faith that in this love there is a strength and a blessing so large that you can travel as far as you wish without having to step outside it." This is a powerful image, suggesting that love can be a source of strength and comfort no matter where we go or what we do. The use of the word "faith" emphasizes the importance of belief in this concept, and the repetition of the word "love" reinforces its centrality to the poem.
The poem then takes a more personal turn, with the speaker addressing the listener directly and urging them to "take into yourself this love, this happiness, this strength, and this blessing." This is a call to action, a reminder that we have the power to choose how we approach life and that we should embrace the positive aspects of it. The use of the word "yourself" emphasizes the importance of individual agency and suggests that we have the power to shape our own destinies.
The final lines of the poem bring it full circle, with the speaker returning to the theme of youth and joy. They urge the listener to "be happy in this year and in the next, and in the ones that follow them." This is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should make the most of every moment. The use of the word "happy" emphasizes the importance of joy and suggests that it is something that we should actively seek out.
Overall, "You Shall Above All Things..." is a powerful and uplifting poem that encourages us to embrace life with joy and enthusiasm. Its themes of love, faith, and positivity are timeless and universal, and its use of language and literary devices is masterful. It is a classic example of e.e. cummings' unique style and a testament to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.
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