Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Five Americans: 3. Gert" by E.E. Cummings is a vivid and somewhat satirical portrayal of a woman named Gert, characterized by her ungainly movements, coarse speech, and overall unrefined demeanor. Cummings uses a mix of playful language, vivid imagery, and sharp commentary to create a portrait that is both humorous and critical.

The poem begins with a consideration of the words "joggle" and "jounce," which Cummings suggests might best describe the way Gert moves. The choice of these words immediately evokes a sense of awkward, bumpy motion, as if Gert's movements are unsteady and lack grace. The poem’s tone is playful but also slightly mocking, as Cummings seems to delight in finding just the right word to capture Gert's essence.

The mention of "balloons" moving as "her ghost lurks, a Beau Brummell sticking in its three-cornered always moist mouth" adds a layer of irony. Beau Brummell was a famous dandy known for his elegance and style, and here, he is imagined as a ghost with a wet mouthpiece, perhaps symbolizing the idea that Gert is far from the refined image that Brummell represents. The juxtaposition of this image with the word "jazz" suggests that Gert's movements are lively, erratic, and perhaps out of sync with any notion of refinement.

Cummings continues by exploring how Gert's "twitching lips" and her attempt to "toddle" almost succeed, but not quite, at achieving something—perhaps grace or a sense of rhythm. The phrase "toddle rings the bell" implies that Gert’s attempts at movement are childlike and clumsy, evoking an image of someone trying and failing to be elegant.

The poem then shifts focus to Gert's "tall corpsecoloured body," emphasizing her pallor and lifeless appearance. The description of her seating herself "with the uncouth habitual dull / jerk at garters" paints a picture of someone who is not only awkward but also resigned to this awkwardness as a routine part of her existence. The "jerk at garters" is a small, inelegant movement that speaks to her lack of refinement and her mundane, almost mechanical nature.

Cummings admits that "there's no sharpest neat / word for the thing," indicating that despite his best efforts, language falls short of fully capturing the essence of Gert. This suggests that Gert is a complex figure, not easily encapsulated by any single word or phrase, even in a poem that is so focused on finding the perfect description.

When describing Gert's voice, Cummings does not shy away from harshness: "gruesome: a trull / leaps from the lungs." The term "trull" is a derogatory word for a prostitute, and its use here adds to the unflattering portrayal of Gert. Her voice, coming from deep within, is described as something unpleasant and rough, fitting the overall coarse depiction of her character.

The poem ends with a quote from Gert herself, as she demands "uh swell fite / like up ter yknow, Rektuz, Toysday nite; / where uh guy gets gayn troze uh Iobstersalad." This final passage captures Gert's rough, working-class dialect and her desire for excitement or conflict—perhaps in a seedy or lowbrow setting. The mention of "lobstersalad" adds an absurd and almost comical touch, further highlighting the disparity between Gert's world and any notion of refinement or class.

"Five Americans: 3. Gert" by E.E. Cummings is a biting and humorous character study that uses language and imagery to paint a vivid picture of a woman who embodies awkwardness, coarseness, and a lack of refinement. Through his playful yet critical approach, Cummings explores themes of social class, the disconnect between appearance and aspiration, and the complexity of human character, all within the context of a single, striking portrait.

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