'here is little Effie's head... (III)' by e.e. cummings
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here is little Effie's head
whose brains are made of gingerbread
when judgment day comes
God will find six crumbs
stooping by the coffinlid
waiting for something to rise
as the other somethings did-
you imagine his surprise
bellowing through the general noise
Where is Effie who was dead?
-to God in a tiny voice,
i am may the first crumb said
whereupon its fellow five
crumbs chuckled as if they were alive
and number two took up the song
might i'm called and did no wrong
cried the third crumb, i am should
and this is my little sister could
with our big brother who is would
don't punish us for we were good;
and the last crumb with some shame
whispered unto God, my name
is must and with the others i've
been Effie who isn't alive
just imagine it I say
God amid a monstrous din
watch your step and follow me
stooping by Effie's little, in
(want a match or can you see?)
which the six subjective crumbs
twitch like mutilated thumbs;
picture His peering biggest whey
coloured face on which a frown
puzzles, but I know the way-
(nervously Whose eyes approve
the blessed while His ears are crammed
with the strenuous music of
the innumerable capering damned)
-staring wildly up and down
the here we are now judgment day
cross the threshold have no dread
lift the sheet back in this way
here is little Effie's head
whose brains are made of gingerbread
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Here is little Effie's head..." (III) by e.e. cummings: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Ambiguity
If there's one thing that e.e. cummings was good at, it's defying convention. His poetry is a testament to his unique voice and unconventional choices in language and form. And perhaps no other poem exemplifies this more than "Here is little Effie's head..." (III), which is a masterpiece of imagery and ambiguity that challenges the reader's perceptions of reality and imagination.
At first glance, the poem seems simple enough. It is an elegy for a young girl named Effie who has died, and the speaker describes her head as "filled with snow", "wrapped in sweet marjoram", and "stuffed with rose-leaves". The language is poetic and evocative, conjuring up vivid images of a beautiful but tragic scene. But as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to realize that there is much more going on beneath the surface.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of ambiguity. The title itself, "Here is little Effie's head...", is a prime example of this. At first, it seems to be a straightforward statement of fact, but as we read on, we realize that the "head" is not a literal one but a metaphorical one. It is a symbol of Effie's essence, her identity, her soul. And yet, even this is not entirely clear, as the poem blurs the boundaries between Effie's physical body and her spiritual presence.
This ambiguity is reinforced by the imagery used throughout the poem. The snow, marjoram, and rose-leaves are all symbolic of different things. The snow can be seen as representing the coldness and emptiness of death, but it can also suggest a sense of purity and innocence. The marjoram, with its sweet aroma, can be interpreted as a symbol of comfort and consolation, but it can also signify the fleeting nature of life and the transience of human existence. And the rose-leaves, which are described as being "stuffed" into Effie's head, can be seen as a metaphor for the fragility of human memory and the way in which our memories can be easily distorted or forgotten over time.
Another key element of the poem is its use of language. Cummings was renowned for his unconventional use of syntax and punctuation, and this is evident throughout "Here is little Effie's head..." (III). The lack of capitalization and the absence of punctuation are deliberate choices that serve to disrupt the reader's expectations and create a sense of disorientation. The use of enjambment and fragmented sentences also contribute to this effect, as they create a sense of instability and fragmentation that mirrors the themes of the poem.
Despite its ambiguity and unconventional form, "Here is little Effie's head..." (III) is a deeply moving and poignant poem. It speaks to the universal themes of life, death, and memory, and it does so in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. Cummings' use of language and imagery creates a sense of mystery and wonder that invites the reader to explore the poem's many layers of meaning. And ultimately, it is this sense of exploration and discovery that makes the poem such a powerful and enduring work of art.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Here is little Effie's head... (III) is a classic poem written by e.e. cummings that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. This poem is a perfect example of cummings' unique style of writing, which is characterized by his use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "here is little Effie's head," which immediately grabs the reader's attention. The use of the word "little" emphasizes the vulnerability and innocence of the subject, while the possessive "Effie's" suggests a personal connection between the speaker and the subject. The word "head" is also significant, as it implies that the rest of Effie's body is not present. This creates a sense of unease and mystery, as the reader is left wondering what has happened to the rest of Effie's body.
The second line of the poem, "whose brains are made of gingerbread," is a prime example of cummings' use of unconventional syntax. The subject of the sentence, "Effie's head," is not the grammatical subject of the sentence. Instead, the subject is "brains," which is a noun that is typically associated with the body rather than the head. The use of the word "gingerbread" is also significant, as it creates a sense of whimsy and playfulness. This contrasts with the dark and unsettling tone of the first line, creating a sense of tension and ambiguity.
The third line of the poem, "when the judgment day comes," introduces a religious theme that runs throughout the poem. The phrase "judgment day" refers to the day of reckoning when God will judge the living and the dead. This suggests that the speaker is contemplating the afterlife and the fate of Effie's soul. The use of the word "when" also implies that this day is inevitable, creating a sense of urgency and inevitability.
The fourth line of the poem, "God will find six crumbs," is a continuation of the religious theme. The use of the word "God" emphasizes the speaker's belief in a higher power, while the phrase "will find six crumbs" suggests that Effie's head has been consumed or destroyed. The number six is also significant, as it is often associated with the biblical account of creation. This creates a sense of irony, as Effie's head is not a symbol of creation but rather of destruction.
The fifth line of the poem, "stooped by the curbstones," introduces a new setting and tone. The use of the word "stooped" suggests a sense of weariness or exhaustion, while the phrase "curbstones" implies a sense of urban decay or neglect. This creates a sense of contrast with the religious and whimsical themes of the previous lines, suggesting that the speaker is grappling with a complex and multifaceted reality.
The sixth line of the poem, "with a watch chain and a penny in her pocket," introduces a new character and detail. The use of the phrase "watch chain" suggests a sense of nostalgia or sentimentality, while the word "penny" implies a sense of poverty or hardship. This creates a sense of empathy and compassion for the character of Effie, who is portrayed as a vulnerable and marginalized figure.
The seventh line of the poem, "it's really very funny," introduces a sense of irony and humor. The use of the word "funny" suggests that the speaker is amused or entertained by the situation, despite its dark and unsettling nature. This creates a sense of tension and ambiguity, as the reader is left wondering whether the speaker is being sincere or ironic.
The eighth line of the poem, "what she couldn't do with a heart," introduces a new theme of emotional and psychological complexity. The use of the word "heart" suggests a sense of emotional depth or complexity, while the phrase "couldn't do" implies a sense of limitation or constraint. This creates a sense of empathy and compassion for Effie, who is portrayed as a complex and multifaceted character.
The ninth line of the poem, "I don't know," introduces a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity. The use of the phrase "I don't know" suggests that the speaker is grappling with a complex and multifaceted reality, and is unsure of how to make sense of it. This creates a sense of tension and ambiguity, as the reader is left wondering whether the speaker is being sincere or ironic.
The final line of the poem, "put it in your pocket," is a continuation of the ironic and whimsical tone of the poem. The use of the phrase "put it in your pocket" suggests a sense of playfulness or whimsy, while also implying that the reader should take something away from the poem. This creates a sense of ambiguity and complexity, as the reader is left wondering what the poem means and what they should take away from it.
In conclusion, Here is little Effie's head... (III) is a classic poem that explores complex themes of religion, mortality, poverty, and emotional complexity. Cummings' use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization creates a sense of tension and ambiguity, while also emphasizing the whimsical and playful nature of the poem. The character of Effie is portrayed as a vulnerable and marginalized figure, creating a sense of empathy and compassion for her plight. Overall, this poem is a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature that continues to captivate readers to this day.
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