The Influences On The Poetry Of E. Cummings

Edward Estlin Cummings once said, “The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.” (“E.+e.+cummings Quote Citation”). E. E. Cummings was a modernist era poet who looked at society through a somewhat satirical and sensual lens. His accomplishments include several volumes of literature, and 4 plays spanning from the 1920-50’s. Cummings spent his life writing and observing the world. He contributed his ideas that helped shape our literary world as the one it is today. The intrigue of his life, the cultural aspects that influenced his writings, and the thought process that goes into developing the poems people read today, are important in knowing and understanding E. E. Cummings himself. Edward Estlin Cummings matured and unsheathed his poetic
mind in a positive, academic background during the 20th century (the Modernist era), to write his poem “ i like my body when it’s with your” which attributes to his appreciation for writing freely about the organic lust for love.
Edward Estlin Cummings was born October 14, 1894, in Cambridge, Massachusetts (Everett,2001). Unlike a large sum of artists that use their own misfortunes to create deep, dark art, he did not have a scarring childhood. His father was a professor of sociology and political science at Harvard (and eventually went on to become a unitarian minister), while his mother stayed at home to raise Edward and his younger sister Elizabeth (born 7 years later). His mother was very fond of reading poetry, and encouraged Cummings to write poetry in a journal starting at the young age of 3. The yearning for learning continued throughout his schooling, which lead him to earn his B.A. at Harvard in the year of 1915. After some minor jobs, in 1917, Cummings decided to volunteer as an ambulance staff in a french detention camp during the first World War. He worked there for 5 months until he and his friend William Slater Brown were arrested and imprisoned by the French, for pacifist views. He remained confined in solitude for a total of four months at the La Ferté-Maće (a concentration camp). This sobering experience spawned his first autobiographical work, "The Enormous Room". “I was too tired to think. I merely felt the town as a unique unreality.” (“The Enormous Room Quotes”) This is an excerpt from The Enormous Room, describing how the effects of isolation can drive a person mad. His fame began to rise once he moved to New York City and started writing more, and gaining publicity. The imagist poet Ezra Pound had a huge influence on his Edward's work. Cummings began to adapt Pound's precise language, and common conversational style of speech, rather than rhyming metrical schemes. His words were sharp and created images in the readers head. From there, he developed his own characteristics- the uncapitalized words and use of split words. Cummings went through 3 wives. The last, he remained wed to til death. His poems became much happier and light in his last marriage, where their love flourished. Edward Estlin Cummings was known for his eccentric, happy, and romantic personality. He believed strongly in the power love holds, and the outrageous spontaneity of love. Cummings accolades include: the Dial Award, the Guggenheim fellowship and the shelley memorial award (“E. E. Cummings Biography”). Due to a brain haemorrhage, on September 3 1962, Edward Estlin Cummings died in a New Hampshire hospital at the age of 68 (“E. E. Cummings”). E. E. Cummings love for poetry since childhood, facilitated his spectacular poems.

E.
E. Cummings affluent, educational early life quickened his maturity and start of poetic success. Cummings was a 20th Century Modernist Era poet. Modernist poetry involved less conservative styles, and more cynical outlooks on life. People questioned, “What is becoming of the world?” ("What Are Characteristics of Modernist Literature, Fiction in Particular?"). Looking at Cummings early work, it’s apparent that he was replicating the style of poets that use the imagist approach. Ezra Pound was an inspirational poet to Cummings. He drew inspiration from his dislike of his environment. He wanted to show the world how poetry did not need to be conservative. He introduced more sexual romance poems, and criticisms on society. He experimented with visual style. He would write his poems with the intention to appeal to the eye. His poems would for different shapes such as diamonds, hourglasses, and triangles (Kirsch). He also would alter words and add –ly, -ish, -est, -ful, to add intensity (Unger,1974). His unique approach on attacking issues by poking fun of them, caught peoples attention. Others of the time copied this by questioning the world around them and evidently producing arguably, more engaging, thorough, less “flowery poems.” Cummings introduced a new style of poetry that explored unauthorized literary
areas.

E. E. Cummings most notable works focused on society and love. He saw the world through a sensual, cynical lens. The poem “i like my body when it’s with your” is one of his most famous love poems. It's fame sprouted from the intrigue of human sexualtiy. The poem depicts the essential element of life: sex. Particularly the enjoyment and exploration of loving someone that you connect with in a way you have never done before. “it is so quite a new thing” (Cummings2) People are drawn to poetry that incorporates taboo topics--like sex. According to most literary sources, this poem is one of Cummings many examples of societal rebellion. Inferring from his past, one can assume this poem came from his rejection of the conventional mindset of how society presented sexuality. He did not appreciate the conservative approach, and wanted to live in a culture where sexualtiy was embraced and worn on the sleeve.

When reading the poem "i like my body when it's with your" done will develop opinions--some more obvious than others.
Cummings wanted to incorporate themes of sex and sensuality into society's day to day life, and have it not be questioned, but he didn't do so by making a harsh statement. It’s enjoyable, the way he describes a simple natural act in such a lovely way. The loss of innocence and/or (as you interpret it) virginity, is established through vague, yet polished word choice. His use of diction consists of vague meanings that elude to love making. When he says, "the shocking fuzz of your electric furr" (Cummings10) it's a clever use of crunchy words to summarize the texture of hair. The meaning of the furr isn't too deep. He keeps it light, breezy and readable. Instead of thinking of sex in a guilty, dirty way, Edward dilutes it to be accepted by a general audience. This helps execute his plan to make sex more widely accepted. Some critics say the poem when read, gives the illusion of sex itself. (Curtis,2013). It starts out slow and gradual, taking its time. Then, it picks up pace and starts getting into repetition, " again and again and again kiss, i like kissing this and that of you i like". (Cummings8,9). Next the details are crammed in with juicy adjectives to cling to. Lastly he breaks to a new stanza, and stops the hurried motion. Cummings modernized the 20th centuries society by easing them into the new acceptance of
sexuality.

E. E. Cummings desire to reach his goal of societal appreciation towards the art of love, was achieved by publishing literature like “i like my body when it’s with your”. His life led him to keep with his education and construct poetry that engages the mind. The culture of a strict 20th century society initiated his more edgy poems. The way he wrote his poems with imagery, and clean word choice, made them satisfying to read. Trailblazer, Edward Estlin Cummings, contributed his extraordinary literary works and new fashioned view to a world that will use them for millenniums to come.