1984. Select a
line or so of poetry, or a moment or scene in a novel, epic poem, or play that
you find especially memorable. Write an essay in which you identify the line or
the passage, explain its relationship to the work in which it is found, and
analyze the reasons for its effectiveness.
My favorite line of poetry in the world goes "Since feeling is first/ who pays any attention/ to the syntax of things/ will never wholly kiss you" (cummings 1). This is the opening phrase in a poem by e.e. cummings. It introduces the theme of impulse over mind. It also sets up the construction of the poem, as an appeal to his love. This short phrase is full of rich language and deep meaning.
"Since feeling is first" is the first line, and it makes a powerful assumption, that feeling trumps all other senses (cummings 1). This condition holds true throughout the piece, as when he declares "kisses are a better fate/ than wisdom", valuing emotion over reason (cummmings 8). He reasserts the power of small emotive motions, like kisses, in his line "-the best gesture of my brain is less than/ your eyelids' flutter..." (cummings 11). Without an opening line to introduce and establish this theme of intuition and romance, the entire poem would be an argument, rather than evidence to an undeniable fact.
Whenever one analyzes a poem, one of the most important questions is 'who is this written for?'. In the case of "since feeling is first", it is answered in the opening lines. As he explains "who pays any attention/ to the syntax of things/ will never wholly kiss you", he describes what he can offer her that many men cannot (cummings 2). He is confessing and he in convincing, "my blood approves", as he woos the object of his passion (cummings 7). In the final stanza, he speaks the vow he has been working up to all along, "We are for each other: then/ laugh, leaning back in my arms" (cummings 13).
The opening and most memorable line from "since feeling is first" is effective because it introduces the themes and message of the poem with conviction. The claim in the first stanza is warranted in the following stanzas, as his message of love unfolds. These important functions of the opening phrase are expressed artfully and skillfully. The message comes across effortlessly, "for life's not a paragraph/ And death i think is no parenthesis" (cummings 15).
This is really good! You have great examples and explanations that are also very clear. There really isn't much I can comment on here :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Caitlyn. It's obvious that you really do love this poem, and when I was reading it I started to love it too
ReplyDeleteWow, Emily this response was quite deep. And, from reading the bits and pieces from this poem I can tell it is quite deep too. I loved your analysis and after reading it I looked up the poem online. Personally, I love the last two lines: "for life's not a paragraph/and death i think is no parenthesis"...For some reason it resonates with me.. but I don't know why! I feel like I understand it.. but I can't put words to my understanding! And it makes me really like this poem.
ReplyDeletesince feeling is first
ReplyDeletewho pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;
wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world
my blood approves,
and kisses are a better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
—the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says
we are for each other: then
laugh, leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph
And death i think is no parenthesis