when one can see the effect that the poem has through the style, imagery, and word choice that it presents, because mere descriptions do not give enough emphasis on the emotions and themes that E.E. Cummings conveys in l(a:
“l(a
le af fa ll s) one l iness”
When the reader first looks at the poem, Cummings’ particular style of nonconformity is evident. The entire poem is written vertically, the words themselves completely separated into different lines to emphasize the different parts of the words that represent the meaning he is trying to convey. This poem oozes with stylization, for as your eyes trail down the letters on the page, it is as if your eyes are watching the leaf as it falls from the branch. Cummings writes the poem like this specifically for that reason. So, what he writes in his poem is exactly what you are seeing as you follow the letters. At first, the poem leaves the reader with a sense of confusion, which is a central part to the feeling of loneliness. Those who feel lonely usually feel confusion towards the world, and invoking that confusion in the reader makes them feel alone, as if others understand what they do not. Then, when Cummings separates the word “loneliness,” it is to give the reader the exact sense of connection between separation and isolation. From what can be seen, the “l” is alone and separated from the rest of its word. It also creates a sense of anticipation, a curiosity to know the rest of the word, even though as the reader then reads the phrase in the parentheses, they can already feel the rest of the word in the back of their minds. Cummings utilizes the structure of his poems to enforce a certain inkling, a feeling of the meaning behind it, and since the poem can’t be effectively read aloud, it is left within the consciousness of the reader’s own mind. The mind is an essentially lonely place, for only the reader alone can inhabit their own thoughts.
As one reads the poem, it evokes an actual image of the leaf falling.
The leaf is alone as it drifts from its branch to the ground. A feeling of autumn warms the reader. It could be the first leaf to fall, or the last, depending on the imagination and viewpoint of the reader. Different readers can interpret the leaf falling to mean something else. The first leaf falling is an image of a green leaf getting ready to start the rebirth of life, and the last leaf is the image of being left behind while all the others are changing. The tree it falls from can be full of life as it begins its journey to death, or it can be dead, waiting for its inevitable chance at life again. Whichever image the reader sees, the impending image of isolation and sadness is constant. A leaf is still falling alone, and that image alone holds a feeling of separation. However, a leaf is a part of nature, and a leaf will always grow back in its place upon the tree it fell from. The imagery that Cummings gives the reader is a metaphor for death and rebirth, but he also includes the loneliness that occurs alongside those …show more content…
concepts.
The words that Cummings’ specifically chooses for this poem are important to understand the themes of isolation.
He chooses the word “loneliness” as the base of the poem, because it is the straight-up impression that Cummings wants to get across to the reader. That, ultimately, this poem is about loneliness and provides a metaphor for what loneliness feels like. He uses the word “one” or a lowercase L is commonly used in the poem, usually separated from the other words to show its singularity and to emphasize its isolation. The lowercase L (l) also looks like the number one (1), and the letter is separated most often from the words of the poem, to emphasize that not only is it singular, but it is also isolated from the rest of the groups of letters. Then, he chooses the word “falling” because represents the way loneliness feels. Some people who experience an intense feeling of loneliness or depression feel as though they are falling into an abyss. The image of something falling can have many different meanings. For example, dreaming about falling is symbolic of feeling a lack of control over one's life. Lastly, he chooses the words “a leaf,” mostly because it means that the falling leaf is singular, and is the only one that seems to be falling from the tree. Leaves can symbolize many different concepts. Green leaves give a sense of hope, while dead leaves represent sadness. However, both green leaves and dead leaves are symbols of rebirth. Both are a natural part of the
change of seasons, and are involved with the rejuvenation of life. It represents a cycle of Life and Death, which can be quite repetitive, and lonely at times when all the leaves are gone. The term “turning over a new leaf” is also representative symbolically, because it basically means to start new and fresh. Leaves can also be representative of shame, for they were used by Adam and Eve to cover their naked bodies. In the context of this poem, a falling leaf is a sign that change is coming, and it may be lonely for that one leaf that falls, but it is a part of a bigger picture than just itself. It is a part of a chain of nature, and those who feel lonely should appreciate what they are really worth.
To conclude, Cummings’ poem, l(a, is meant to provoke an intense feeling of loneliness through it’s style and word choice. It portrays the image on the page for the audience to see, it utilizes words which carry a very symbolic meaning, and the style of the poem stands true to most of Cummings’ works–the fact that it is non-conformist. He skillfully combines all the factors that go into writing a poem, to depict this poem as a true sense of loneliness. He hands the audience a pure experience on a silver platter. This is why poetry-enthusiasts are so drawn to this poem. With the way the poem is written, it forces you to sense and see the image of a leaf falling from a tree, and with that, the chill of autumn, the loneliest season. If the reader understand the symbolism of the falling leaf, they will understand that Cummings’ message is that a leaf is a part of a bigger scheme of renewal, and while one may feel lonely, they must realize that there is an importance to their existence.