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?
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What is the significance of 'gladly'?
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Elaborate on the line 'your eyes have their silence.'
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Discuss the line 'in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me.'
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Discuss the line 'or which I cannot touch because they are too near'.
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Elaborate on the lines 'your slightest look easily will unclose me - though I have closed myself as fingers.'
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Discuss the line 'you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens.'
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What is the significance of the brackets in line 8?
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What does 'mysteriously' in the brackets mean?
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What is the significance of the rose?
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Discuss the lines 'or if your wish be to close me, I and - my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly.'
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Explain the simile in lines 11 and 12.
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What have stanzas 1 and 2 revealed about her love?
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What does perceive in line 13 mean?
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What is 'intense fragility'?
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What does 'whose texture' do to the intense fragility?
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What is the significance of the word 'compels'?
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Elaborate on 'colour of its countries.'
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Discuss the line 'rendering death and forever with each breathing'.
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In the last stanza, what is meant by 'the voice of your eyes.'?
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What does 'rain' reiterate?
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What is the significance of 'such small hands'?
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Why is there no full stop at the end of the last line?
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After reading and analysing this poem, who could the loved one possibly be?
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What are the symbols in this poem?
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What are the themes of this poem?
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What is the mood of this poem?
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What is the tone of this poem?
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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.