Poetry Essay, “Polished Draft”
English 1102
Beth Spencer Cummings
April 24, 2001
Perception of the Ordinary
“what if a much of a which of a wind,” a poem by e.e. Cummings, thoroughly reveals the author’s view of poetry.It shows how Cummings uses his poetry to express his inner thoughts about nature.Cummings tells the story of how he views the reality of life through a variety of methods.These help readers to live and feel exactly as Cummings did as he wrote each of his poems, especially “what if a much of a which of a wind.” Through the many references to rebirth, seasonal images, strong language, and references to royalty, Cummings transfers his ideas about the power of nature to his readers.Cummings views poetry as a way to reveal a clear perception of nature and ordinary life.
Throughout this poem, Cummings reveals his thoughts that a person’s connection to nature can be a sign of their chances for rebirth.This is clearly shown through the line, “whose hearts are mountains, roots are trees / it’s they shall cry hello to the spring”(15-16).The new life of spring is a joy for not only the plants, but also people.Hearts patiently wait for the newness and rebirth found in spring.It offers a chance to begin fresh.Cummings uses the image, “peels forever out of his grave”, to further express the effect rebirth has on people (19).It possesses a power to forget the old and overcome any obstacle.The last line of the poem says, “the most who die, the more we live”, which also suggests that rebirth serves as an important role in normalcy (24).This message Cummings sends continues through other forms in “what if a much of a which of a wind.”
The use of seasonal imagery also serves a purpose in symbolizing nature to a deeper degree.Cummings mentions several seasons and weather conditions to give the poem movement.This starts with the first line, “what if a much of a which of a wind / gives the truth to summer’s lie”(1-2).Next he uses imagery of winter in “screaming hills with sleet and snow” and “…stifles forests in white ago?”(10,12).The final seasonal reference is to spring, which offers relief from the two previous harsh time periods.“It’s they shall cry hello to the spring,” continues to show the emotions Cummings has for life (16).While he experiences all seasons, and the cycle they create, his positive focus is on emphasizing the newness found within.Through reading these lines and looking at the language this can be more thoroughly understood.
Cummings creates his pictures of nature through the use of strong language. The message of destruction and devastation is the message sent through the forceful verbs, “yanks…blow…hanged…drowned…flays…bloodies…bites.”He utilizes these powerful action words to create more interaction from the readers.The force they possess moves the poem and unfortunately connects to real life.The second stanza adds, “what if a keen of a lean wind flays / screaming hills with sleet and snow: / strangles valleys by ropes of thing / and stifles forests in white ago?”(9-12).The images of screaming, strangling, and stifling offer a harsh and violent attitude to this poem.Cummings reflects the force of nature and the way it affects the world in every season through the use of strong action words.
In addition to imagery and language, Cummings also uses allusions to express his feelings about the importance of nature “what if a much of a which of a wind” creates his message through the reference to Shakespeare’s Lear. “Blow king to beggar and queen to seem,” provides an example that no one is exempt from the powers of the ordinary (5).Nature can tear down a king and reduce him to a beggar as easily as any other person.The power of a human is no match against the power of physical devastation through ordinary events.Cummings knows this and uses his poetry to become an advocate for living life to the fullest.The rules of nature do not exempt anyone from its unpredictable path.
Cummings’s “what if a much of a which of a wind” uses many different tools to reflect his ideas about nature and its changes.He creates moods and uses the seasons to help his readers understand how powerless people are.Promoting his opinions through the idea of rebirth, seasonal imagery, strong language, and royal allusions encourages readers to better realize how Cummings feels about his poetry. A bridge is built between the readers, Cummings, and nature that opens up a new path to understanding.Through “what if a much of a which of a wind” Cummings relays his views that poetry is a way to reveal clear perception of the ordinary.