explication of cummings poem since feeling is first Essay -- since fe

explication of e. e. cummings poem since olfaction is scratch line e. e. cummings since feeling is first is round feeling (802). This is immediately evident from the title and first line, which emphasize the account book feeling in several different ways. The stresses on feel- and first, as strong as the alliteration between those two words, make explicit their nexus and importance, and the repetition of the same line in both title and first line serves to enhance the effect. The core of the first line is clear, but because of cummings distinctive absence of punctuation and capitalization as intimately as metre structure, the nigh few lines are more ambiguous. The first three lines in concert could be paraphrased as, Because feeling comes first, who cares about the rules? Feeling is first in holy order of importance, and the rest does not matter. Who pays attention is a rhetorical question meaning that no one pays any attention. However, the ambiguousness of sentence structure means that the finis two lines of the first stanza, the syntax of things / will never on the whole flatter you, can also be read together. Linked together in such a way, this clause means that structure, such as grammar, is not engaging it does not seize the imagination or emotions the way feeling does. This thought is continued in the next stanza, with the repeated word wholly linking back to the previous line. Spring is a time of year cognize for giddy foolishness, and cummings plays off this idea. The use of the word fool implies that thither is a lack of intelligence, therefore that intelligence is important however, in the next stanza, the speaker lets go of intellect entirely, declaring, kisses are a better fa... ...Even though during the height of life we may be able to do whatever we want, eventually we will have to follow the rules, so we should make the around of it while we still can. Because it uses the threat of death to urge the addressee to hurry up and live life to the fullest, especially through love, e. e. cummings since feeling is first is basically a carpe diem poem. Works Cited cummings, e. e. since feeling is first. The Norton Anthology of Poetry. Ed. Margaret Ferguson et al. 5th ed., shorter. New York W. W. Norton, 1997. Professors Comments Very well done indeed. Two thoughts 1) you might emphasize the paradox involved--even in assay to throw out syntax, he cant get away from its terms and metaphors 2) peradventure try to get a bit of a smile into your hold tone--a touch of wit to match his. But as a whole, first-rate work.