Somewhere I Have Never Travelled Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is this poem about?

This is an unconventional love poem. The speaker is trying to understand the intense love he feels for a loved one/ trying to understand the power of love.

What is the significance of the lack of punctuation in this poem?

The lack of punctuation is a form of protest indicating that Cummings did not like the poetry written during his time.

What can be seen throughout this poem?

Enjambment.

In the first line, what is 'somewhere I have never travelled' a reference to?

The speaker has never felt this way before. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'gladly'?

This shows the eagerness and willingness of the speaker for the journey. Signup and view all the answers

Elaborate on the line 'your eyes have their silence.'

This is a contradiction. It shows the power of her love & it evokes mystery. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the line 'in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me.'

'Frail' (meaning gentle) and 'enclose' (meaning surround) contrast each other. In this line we see that even her small gestures fascinate/captivate the speaker. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the line 'or which I cannot touch because they are too near'.

'Or' in this context acts as 'and'. This line is also a contradiction. It shows that love is so overwhelming that the speaker cannot explain it = surreal experience. Signup and view all the answers

Elaborate on the lines 'your slightest look easily will unclose me - though I have closed myself as fingers.'

Unclose = open. Here the speaker is saying that his loved one opens him up emotionally to love. In the second line an image of a closed fist is created. This is a metaphor alluding to the idea that the speaker was emotionally unavailable in the past. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the line 'you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens.'

This is a simile which is comparing the speaker to a closed flower that is opened by Spring, his beloved. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the brackets in line 8?

The brackets are placed there for emphasis (not typically what brackets are used for). Signup and view all the answers

What does 'mysteriously' in the brackets mean?

Difficult and impossible to understand. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the rose?

Roses are a common image used in love poetry. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the lines 'or if your wish be to close me, I and - my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly.'

These lines show the immense power the loved one holds over the speaker. He is willing to do anything for her. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the simile in lines 11 and 12.

If it is his beloved's wish, the speaker will close just like a flower in winter. Signup and view all the answers

What have stanzas 1 and 2 revealed about her love?

These stanzas have revealed that her love is capable of doing things that nature can do. This reiterates the idea that her love is powerful. Signup and view all the answers

What does perceive in line 13 mean?

Realize/understand. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'intense fragility'?

This is an oxymoron (strong + gentle, words contradict). This emphasizes the power she has over the speaker. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'whose texture' do to the intense fragility?

The 'whose' personifies the intense fragility. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the word 'compels'?

Her intense fragility makes the speaker want to go on this journey. Signup and view all the answers

Elaborate on 'colour of its countries.'

'Colour' refers to the idea of the journey being vivid and bright. 'Countries' refers to the journey of their love. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the line 'rendering death and forever with each breathing'.

This line indicates that she will have power over the speaker's life, death and beyond. Their journey will never end = emphasizes her power over him. Signup and view all the answers

In the last stanza, what is meant by 'the voice of your eyes.'?

This illustrates a deeper understanding and connection. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'rain' reiterate?

The idea of nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'such small hands'?

This reiterates the idea of fragility. The loved one helps the speaker similarly to how the rain opens up / helps flowers to grow. Signup and view all the answers

Why is there no full stop at the end of the last line?

It indicates that the journey of their love is never going to end. Signup and view all the answers

After reading and analysing this poem, who could the loved one possibly be?

The poet's newborn girl. Signup and view all the answers

What are the symbols in this poem?

Firstly, the symbol of touch is explored. Images of the speaker being touched and untouched. Secondly, the symbol of eyes & their power is also explored. They represent the connection between the speaker and his loved one. Lastly, roses also act as a symbol. They represent the speaker's emotions and love. Signup and view all the answers

What are the themes of this poem?

The power of love, man and the natural world. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mood of this poem?

Awe Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of this poem?

Amazement. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of the Poem

Unconventional love poem exploring intense emotions and the complexities of love.
Speaker seeks to comprehend the power and depth of their feelings for a loved one.

Style and Structure

Lack of punctuation reflects a protest against the conventions of contemporary poetry.
Use of enjambment throughout the poem to create flow and continuity.

Key Lines and Their Significance

"somewhere i have never travelled" indicates feelings previously unexplored.
"gladly" reveals speaker's eagerness for the emotional journey.
"your eyes have their silence" suggests power and mystery within the loved one's gaze.
"in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me" juxtaposes fragility with the strength of emotional connection.
"or which i cannot touch because they are too near" highlights the surreal and overwhelming nature of love.
"your slightest look easily will unclose me" indicates emotional vulnerability and openness due to the loved one.

Imagery and Symbolism

"you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens" uses simile to compare the speaker’s emotional awakening to a flower blossoming.
Brackets in lines emphasize special emotions or concepts.
"mysteriously" implies complexity and depth in the relationship.
Roses serve as a common symbol of love in literature.

Themes of Power and Willingness

The loved one possesses immense power over the speaker, willing to conform to her desires.
Imagery in stanzas 1 and 2 reinforces her love's resemblance to natural forces.
"intense fragility" emphasizes the strength and gentle nature of the loved one.
"colour of its countries" suggests a vibrant and rich journey of love.

Connections and Nature

"rendering death and forever with each breathing" indicates the eternal nature of their bond.
"the voice of your eyes" signifies a profound connection and understanding.
"rain" symbolizes nature, suggesting how love nurtures growth.
"such small hands" reinforces themes of fragility and nurturing, akin to nature's impact on flowers.

Conclusion and Interpretation

Absence of a full stop at the poem's end signifies an ongoing love journey.
The loved one could symbolize the poet's newborn girl, showcasing a deep and transformative connection.
Major symbols: touch, eyes conveying power, and roses representing emotions.
Themes encompass love's power, the relationship between man and nature, along with an overall mood of awe and a tone of amazement.

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Description

Test your understanding of E.E. Cummings' poem 'Somewhere I Have Never Travelled'. This quiz covers key themes, including the nature of love and the significance of the poem's unconventional structure. Engage with thought-provoking questions to deepen your appreciation of this unique piece.