Somewhere I have never travelled gladly by E

“Somewhere I have never travelled gladly” by E. E. Cummings Per. 1 Stephanie Castaneda

What the title meant in my opinion… • The poet, E. E. Cummings, would describe a place in his own words a place he has never been to. • Turns out I was wrong, the poet describes a person, his lover (muse) in an interesting form and the way he strongly feels about her.

True meaning behind the poet’s words… 1 st stanza “somewhere I have never travelled, gladly beyond any experience, your eyes have their silence: ” • Lines 1 st and 2 nd -The poet says he has gone off on adventure to somewhere he hasn’t been to before and he is glad about it. We may think that he is going to describe the place at first but instead we find out he is staring into his lover’s eyes. “in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me, or which i cannot touch because they are too near” • Lines 3 rd and 4 th -the poet is head over heels with this person he is truly in love with. The power of love has taken over the poet’s mind, which drives him wild.

True meaning behind the poet’s words… 2 nd stanza “your slightest look easily will unclose me though i have closed myself as fingers, ” • Lines 5 th and 6 th -when the poet’s lover opens up he feels comfortable with her because he opens up as well. “you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens (touching skilfully, mysteriously)her first rose” • Lines 7 th and 8 th -In these lines we think the poet is talking about the girl when he is actually talking about himself opening up.

True meaning behind the poets words… 3 rd stanza or if your wish be to close me, i and my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly, • lines 9 th and 10 th -The poet explains that his lover has complete control over him and that she can make him do what ever she wants. as when the heart of this flower imagines the snow carefully everywhere descending; • Lines 11 th and 12 th - The poet again mentions that no matter what he will continue loving his lover throughout the changing of the seasons.

True meaning behind the poet’s words… 4 th stanza “nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals the power of your intense fragility: whose texture” • Lines 13 th and 14 th -The poet describes that his lover can complete control of him and the world and that her fragility gives her even more power, which is ironic. “compels me with the color of its countries, rendering death and forever with each breathing” • Lines 15 th and 16 th -The poet warns those who get close to his lover because she holds god-like powers.

True meaning behind the poet’s words… 5 th stanza “(i do not know what it is about you that closes and opens; only something in me understands the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)” Lines 17 -19 -the poet is amazed at the great amount of power his lover can withold. “nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands” Line 20 -The poet wants to emphasize that no one is as perfect as his lover.

What figurative language, imagery and sound was seen in the poem… • Simile - closed myself as fingers • Metaphor • Imagery • Allusion -changing of seasons won’t stop the poet from loving his muse.

Attitude/Tone of the speaker… • The poet write in a serious tone because his love for his muse is serious and not just some laughing matter.

Shift… • By the third stanza E. E. Cummings says that if his lover wishes to know he truly feels about her, he will do so at her request. • Also, towards the last stanza, Cummings compares his feelings towards his muse to a mystery.

Actual meaning of the title… • E. E. Cummings studied his lover’s eyes and went on an unknown adventure to discover his lover’s true feelings.

Theme… • The poet describes his mysterious feeling towards his lover and how it has affected him. • The feelings of mystery, adventure, and love are what the poet seems to go through in the poem.

Does this poem fit the modernism period? • Yes, because a young person would usually seek out an adventure and mystery instead of being stuck following rules and cultural beliefs.