who are you littler i?

 

Interpretation of the poem.

"who are you, little i" by e.e. cummings is a concise yet evocative poem that explores themes of childhood innocence, perception, and the beauty found in simple moments. Here is a detailed interpretation of the poem:

1. Title and Speaker: The poem's title, "who are you, little i," suggests a sense of curiosity and wonder. The speaker of the poem is addressing a young child, symbolized as "little i." The lowercase "i" is used intentionally to signify the child's innocence and humility.
2. Childlike Perspective: The poem immediately establishes the child's viewpoint as being "five or six years old." This age implies a sense of innocence and a lack of worldly experience, highlighting the purity and unfiltered wonder of childhood.
3. Setting: The poem is set during a November sunset. November is typically associated with the approach of winter and the diminishing daylight hours. This choice of setting adds a layer of poignancy, as it represents the transition from light to darkness, mirroring the transition from childhood to adulthood.
4. Imagery: Cummings uses vivid imagery to describe the scene. The "gold of November sunset" paints a beautiful picture of the setting sun's warm, golden hues. This image reflects the child's perception of the world as a place filled with beauty and magic.
5. Emotions and Feelings: The poem conveys a sense of awe and contentment that the child experiences while observing the sunset. The phrase "feeling: that if day has to become night this is a beautiful way" captures the child's acceptance of the natural cycle of day turning into night. It suggests a profound appreciation for the transient beauty of the moment.
6. Acceptance of Change: The child's acceptance of the sun setting and the day turning into night can also be seen as a metaphor for the inevitability of change in life. The child finds beauty in this change, suggesting a wisdom beyond their years in recognizing the inherent beauty in transitions.
7. Parentheses and Punctuation: Cummings's use of parentheses and unconventional punctuation is characteristic of his poetic style. The parentheses around "five or six years old" and "and feeling" create a sense of intimacy, as if the speaker is sharing a secret or a personal observation. The lack of punctuation at the end of the poem leaves the closing thought open-ended, inviting the reader to reflect on the beauty described.
8. Overall Message: The poem celebrates the purity and wonder of childhood, where even the simplest moments can be imbued with a sense of awe and beauty. It suggests that as we grow older, we often lose the ability to appreciate such moments. The poem encourages readers to find beauty in everyday experiences and to embrace the inevitability of change.

In summary, "who are you, little i" is a poignant and beautifully crafted poem that captures the essence of childhood innocence and the ability to find beauty in the most ordinary of moments. It reminds us to hold onto our sense of wonder and appreciation as we navigate the transitions of life.

Answer the following questions.

a. Who can be the speaker of this poem?

b. What is “little i” doing?

c. What can be the relationship between “little i” and the speaker of the poem?

d. What is the speaker remembering from his childhood days in the poem?

e. What attitude does the speaker seem to have toward the child in the poem?

a. The speaker of this poem can be interpreted as an adult, possibly the poet e.e. cummings himself, reflecting on childhood experiences and observations.

b. "Little i" in the poem is a representation of a young child who is gazing out of a high window, observing the November sunset. The child is in a state of wonder and awe, appreciating the beauty of the sunset.

c. The relationship between "little i" and the speaker is not explicitly stated in the poem. However, it can be inferred that the speaker is an observer or a reflective adult who is addressing or reminiscing about the child's perspective. The use of "who are you, little i" suggests a sense of detachment and curiosity on the part of the speaker, as if they are trying to understand or connect with the child's viewpoint.

d. The speaker in the poem is remembering the sense of wonder and appreciation that they experienced during their own childhood days. The poem reflects on the child's ability to find beauty in a simple moment, such as a November sunset, and suggests that the speaker, as an adult, is reminiscing about their own similar experiences from childhood.

e. The speaker in the poem seems to have a reverent and appreciative attitude toward the child ("little i"). The tone of the poem conveys a sense of wonder and admiration for the child's ability to see beauty in the world. The speaker may be nostalgic for their own lost innocence and the way they used to perceive the world with childlike wonder.

 

a. Why do you think Cummings has placed a semicolon between the words window and at?

b. If the speaker is the child grown up, why does he ask, “who are you”?

c. In this poem, an adult reflects on the childhood experience. Based on that, what might be the theme of the lines: “(and feeling: that if day / has to become night / this is a beautiful way)”?

d. What is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?

e. Explain the pun in “little i” that is related to what he is doing.

f. How does Cummings’s use of lowercase letters affect your understanding of the poem? Explain.

a. Cummings has placed a semicolon between the words "window" and "at" to create a pause in the sentence and to emphasize the act of peering from the high window before shifting the focus to the child's observation of the November sunset. The semicolon helps to separate and highlight these two distinct actions or aspects of the child's experience.

b. If the speaker is indeed the child grown up, the question "who are you" takes on a more metaphorical or introspective meaning. The speaker is not asking about the child's identity but is rather questioning their own identity and perspective as an adult looking back on their childhood self. It's a way for the speaker to reflect on how they have changed and evolved over time.

c. The theme of the lines "and feeling: that if day / has to become night / this is a beautiful way" reflects the idea of finding beauty in the natural cycles and transitions of life. It suggests that the child, and by extension the speaker, has an appreciation for the beauty of endings and beginnings. It's a theme of acceptance and finding beauty in change, even when it involves the transition from day to night.

d. The rhyme scheme in the poem is irregular, and Cummings employs his signature unconventional use of punctuation and spacing, which often disrupts traditional rhyme and meter. This irregularity contributes to the poem's unique and nonconformist style.

e. The pun in "little i" is related to the child's smallness and innocence. The lowercase "i" not only represents the child's youth but also suggests humility and a lack of ego. It emphasizes the idea that the child is a small, unassuming observer who sees the world with wonder and without pretension.

f. Cummings's use of lowercase letters in the poem adds to its overall style and tone. The lowercase letters give the poem a sense of informality and intimacy, as if the speaker is sharing a personal reflection or observation. It also reinforces the idea of the child's humility and innocence, as "i" is not capitalized as it typically would be. This lack of capitalization allows the reader to focus on the essence of the child's perspective rather than on formalities of language. It contributes to the poem's overall sense of simplicity and childlike wonder.

a. How does nature inspire the speaker in “who are you, little i”? Explain.

b. Recall a childhood moment when you felt closely connected with nature. Describe the time and place as well as your feelings and thoughts about it.

c. Interpret the poem in any way you like.

a. Nature inspires the speaker in "who are you, little i" by offering a moment of profound beauty and wonder. The speaker is inspired by the November sunset and the colors of the sky. Nature, in this case, represents the external world and its capacity to evoke a deep emotional response. The changing colors of the sunset serve as a source of inspiration, prompting the speaker to reflect on the beauty of the moment and the acceptance of the natural cycle from day to night. In essence, the natural world in this poem serves as a catalyst for the speaker's sense of awe and appreciation for life's fleeting moments.

b. One childhood moment that stands out in my memory is a summer afternoon when I visited a lush, sun-dappled forest near my grandparents' house. I must have been around eight years old. The forest was a place of enchantment for me, filled with towering trees, the sound of rustling leaves, and the chirping of birds.

As I walked deeper into the forest, I came across a small clearing with a crystal-clear stream running through it. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating a shimmering dance of light on the water's surface. I remember the sensation of the cool, clear water on my feet as I waded into the stream. I felt a profound sense of connection with nature at that moment.

Sitting on a moss-covered rock, I watched the water flow gently over pebbles and leaves. I was completely immersed in the sights and sounds around me. I felt a sense of peace and harmony with the natural world. It was as if I had discovered a secret, magical place where I could escape from the cares of the world and simply be in the moment.

I remember feeling a deep sense of wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the forest and the stream. It was a moment of pure joy and connection with nature that has stayed with me throughout my life.

c. "who are you, little i" can be interpreted in various ways, but one possible interpretation is that it celebrates the timeless wonder and innocence of childhood. The speaker, who may be an adult reflecting on their own childhood, is captivated by the child's ability to find beauty in a simple moment—a November sunset. The poem emphasizes the idea that even as we grow older and more experienced, we should strive to retain our sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty in the world around us.

The poem also suggests that the transition from day to night, symbolizing the inevitable changes in life, can be seen as a beautiful and natural process. It encourages readers to embrace the fleeting moments and transitions in life with grace and acceptance, just as the child in the poem does.

Overall, the poem invites us to view the world through the lens of a child's unfiltered perception and to find beauty and meaning in the everyday experiences and transitions that make up our lives. It is a celebration of the simple, yet profound, moments that shape our understanding of the world.