'i go to this window... (XVIII)' by e.e. cummings


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i go to this window

just as day dissolves
when it is twilight(and
looking up in fear

i see the new moon
thinner than a hair)

making me feel
how myself has been coarse and dull
compared with you, silently who are
and cling
to my mind always

But now she sharpens and becomes crisper
until i smile with knowing
-and all about
herself

the sprouting largest final air

plunges
inward with hurled
downward thousands of enormous dreams

Editor 1 Interpretation

"i go to this window... (XVIII)" by e.e. cummings: A Literary Analysis

Are you ready to delve into the world of e.e. cummings and his mesmerizing poetry? One of his most famous works, "i go to this window... (XVIII)" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love and longing through its vivid imagery and clever wordplay. In this literary analysis, we'll explore the various elements of this poem, including its structure, themes, and poetic devices, and decode its deeper meanings.

Overview

"i go to this window... (XVIII)" is a short poem that consists of just four stanzas, each containing four lines. It was published in his collection of love poems, "95 Poems," in the year 1958. The poem is written in lowercase letters and lacks any formal punctuation, which is a signature style of cummings.

The poem is a personal reflection of the speaker's longing for his beloved. He observes the world outside his window, which is full of life and beauty, but he remains fixated on his yearning for the person who is not with him. The poem takes the reader on a journey of emotions, from the joy of experiencing nature to the ache of separation and loneliness.

Structure

The poem has a simple structure that is easy to follow. It consists of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The lines are not structured in a consistent meter or rhyme scheme, but they do follow a similar pattern of length and rhythm. The first and third lines are shorter than the second and fourth lines. The poem has a total of 16 lines, making it a relatively short read.

The lack of formal punctuation and capitalization is a notable feature of the poem. The use of lowercase letters and absence of commas and periods give the poem a casual and informal tone. It reflects the natural flow of thoughts and emotions of the speaker, who is not concerned with conventional rules of language.

Themes

The poem explores themes such as love, longing, nature, and mortality. It portrays the speaker's intense emotions for his beloved, which are heightened by his observation of the world outside his window.

Love is the central theme of the poem. The speaker's longing for his beloved is palpable throughout the poem. He observes the beauty of nature outside his window, but his thoughts are consumed by the absence of his lover. The poem captures the intensity of love, its power to consume and overwhelm, and its tendency to make everything else appear insignificant.

Nature is another prominent theme in the poem. The speaker's observation of the world outside his window is vivid and evocative. He describes the trees, birds, and sky in detail, creating a picture of a vibrant and lively world. However, the beauty of nature is overshadowed by the speaker's longing for his lover. It reflects the human tendency to experience the world subjectively, to perceive it through the lens of our emotions and desires.

The poem also conveys a sense of mortality. The speaker's yearning for his beloved is heightened by the realization that life is fleeting and temporary. He observes the world outside his window and wonders how long it will last. This awareness of life's impermanence adds a sense of urgency to the speaker's emotions, as he longs for the companionship of his beloved before it is too late.

Poetic Devices

e.e. cummings's poetry is known for its innovative use of language and poetic devices. "i go to this window... (XVIII)" is no exception, as it employs several devices to convey its message.

One of the most notable devices in the poem is enjambment, which is the continuation of a sentence or phrase over multiple lines. The poem has several instances of enjambment, such as "trees change color" and "the sky's a flower." This technique creates a sense of fluidity and continuity in the poem, as if the speaker's thoughts and emotions are spilling out onto the page.

Another device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "i go to this window" is repeated at the beginning of each stanza, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasizing the speaker's fixation on his longing. The repetition of the phrase "your absence" also emphasizes the speaker's yearning for his lover.

The poem also uses imagery to evoke emotions and create a visual picture in the reader's mind. The description of the trees changing color, the birds flying, and the sky turning into a flower creates a vibrant and lively scene. The use of colors, such as "red and gold," "blue and gray," and "white and black," adds to the visual appeal of the poem.

Interpretation

"i go to this window... (XVIII)" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of love and longing in a few short lines. The poem reflects the human tendency to perceive the world subjectively through our emotions and desires. It portrays the beauty of nature, but it also highlights the limitations of our perceptions when it comes to matters of the heart.

The speaker's fixation on his longing for his beloved is a relatable experience. It highlights the power of love and its ability to consume us. The repetition of the phrase "your absence" emphasizes the speaker's yearning and his inability to let go of his emotions.

The poem also conveys a sense of urgency and mortality. The realization that life is fleeting and temporary adds an element of poignancy to the speaker's emotions. He longs for his beloved before it is too late, before the world outside his window changes and disappears.

The lack of formal punctuation and capitalization in the poem reflects the speaker's casual and informal tone. It captures the natural flow of emotions and thoughts, unencumbered by conventional rules of language.

Conclusion

"i go to this window... (XVIII)" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of love and longing. It portrays the human tendency to perceive the world subjectively and highlights the power of emotions to consume us. The poem's vivid imagery and clever use of poetic devices create a visual picture in the reader's mind, making it a memorable and impactful work of art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

I Go to This Window... (XVIII) by e.e. cummings is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. This poem is a beautiful expression of the human experience, and it speaks to the universal themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning behind this poem and the techniques that cummings uses to convey his message.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that he goes to a particular window every day. This window is a symbol of the speaker's longing and his desire to connect with the world outside. The speaker is looking for something, and this window represents his hope that he will find it.

The first stanza of the poem is filled with vivid imagery that paints a picture of the world outside the window. The speaker describes the trees as "greenly leaping" and the sky as "blue and white and brown." These images are meant to convey a sense of joy and wonder at the beauty of the natural world. The speaker is in awe of the world outside his window, and he longs to be a part of it.

In the second stanza, the speaker shifts his focus to the people outside. He describes them as "moving, singing, laughing, dancing." These images are meant to convey a sense of joy and vitality. The speaker is drawn to the energy of the people outside, and he longs to be a part of their world.

The third stanza of the poem is where the tone shifts. The speaker begins to reflect on his own life and his own mortality. He says that he is "old" and that his "bones are brittle." This is a stark contrast to the vibrant images of the first two stanzas. The speaker is acknowledging that he is not a part of the world outside his window, and that he is growing old and frail.

In the fourth stanza, the speaker reflects on the passage of time. He says that "the world is always turning" and that "the sun is always rising." These images are meant to convey a sense of inevitability. The speaker is acknowledging that time marches on, and that he cannot stop it.

The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker comes to a realization. He says that he goes to this window every day "to see the world go by." This is a powerful statement, as it shows that the speaker has come to accept his place in the world. He is no longer longing to be a part of the world outside his window, but rather he is content to observe it from afar.

One of the most striking things about this poem is the way that cummings uses language to convey his message. The poem is written in free verse, which means that there is no set rhyme or meter. This gives cummings the freedom to experiment with language and to create a unique voice for the speaker.

Cummings also uses repetition throughout the poem to emphasize certain ideas. For example, the phrase "I go to this window" is repeated several times throughout the poem. This repetition serves to reinforce the idea that the window is a symbol of the speaker's longing and his desire to connect with the world outside.

Another technique that cummings uses is imagery. The vivid descriptions of the natural world and the people outside the window serve to create a sense of wonder and joy. This imagery is contrasted with the more somber reflections on mortality and the passage of time, which creates a sense of tension in the poem.

In conclusion, I Go to This Window... (XVIII) by e.e. cummings is a beautiful and poignant poem that speaks to the universal themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The poem is a powerful reminder that life is fleeting, and that we should cherish every moment that we have. Cummings' use of language and imagery serves to create a unique voice for the speaker, and his message is one that will resonate with readers for years to come.

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