American literature essay. Literary analysis of works and characters - Sykalo Evgen 2023

Tulips and Chimneys: Through the Cracks of Convention Blooms the Individual
E.E. Cummings

The Individual Blooms Through the Cracks of Convention: An Examination of E.E. Cummings's Tulips and Chimneys
"Tulips and Chimneys," a groundbreaking collection by E.E. Cummings that defies the stuffy standards of poetry, was first published in 1923. It's more than just a collection of lines; it's a colorful, experimental tapestry in which words twist and turn to fit Cummings' singular vision. Through nontraditional typeface, broken lines, and whimsical artwork, Cummings creates a universe in which the unique person thrives in the gaps left by social conventions.
Breaking Down the Form:

Cummings' disobedience begins with the poem's structure. The formulaic rhyme patterns and stanzas are no longer present. The way those lines bend and break symbolizes the dynamism of existence and the flexibility of thought. Consider the poem "anyone lived in a little green," in which the speaker's reflections on dying are expressed in a framework that cascades:

This deconstruction is further emphasized by the nontraditional typography. Words flow freely across the page, elongating and constricting like organic entities. Letters dance, emulating the erratic beauty of the natural world—sometimes overlapping, sometimes separated by dashes. The reader is compelled by this visual drama to slow down and interact with the poetry on a visceral as well as semantic level.

Honoring the Individual

However, Cummings' perversion transcends simple form. His poetry are a protest against the oppressive conformity of the modern society and celebrations of the individual spirit. The "little nobody" in "anyone lived in a little green" and the "nobody" in "I am going to utter a tree" are two examples of characters that demonstrate the strength of the voice of the disadvantaged. In defiance of the status quo, they voice their dreams, their truths, and their fears.

The language used by Cummings itself becomes a liberating tool. Words like "moon" and "tulips" resist the harsh reality of "chimneys" and "barrages," instead becoming emblems of beauty and hope. In poetry such as "somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond," the speaker sets out on an unencumbered path of self-discovery.

Discovering Beauty Amidst Brokenness

However, "Tulips and Chimneys" offers more than just a trip to fantasy land. Real life is brutal, and Cummings recognizes that "brittle towns asleep" and "barrages" have left scars on the terrain. But even among the rubble, he discovers beauty. The "tulips," brittle but tenacious, poke through the gaps in the concrete jungle, while the "moon" stays hidden, providing a glimmer of hope.

The final verse, "plato told his friends," may be the clearest example of this resiliency since it shows the speaker choosing to "dance" in the face of the "death of god." It's a celebration of life's innate beauty in the face of its unavoidable death, a daring act of affirmation.

In summary:

"Tulips and Chimneys" is a manifesto as much as a collection of poems. It is an exhortation to rise above the confines of tradition, to value the unique voice, and to see the beauty in the brokenness of the world. Cummings tells us, via his whimsical yet impactful lyric, that the human spirit can blossom with brilliant life even in the darkest corners, just like a tulip pushing through concrete.

Additional Analysis

The significance of environmental imagery in honoring the unique person.
the application of dislocation and fragmentation to depict the disorder of the contemporary world.
the conflict between optimism and pessimism regarding one's own death.
The legacy and impact of Cummings on contemporary poetry.