Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"One: 16. ?" by E.E. Cummings is a satirical exploration of social hierarchies, the absurdity of fame, and the juxtaposition between the lives of the elite and the mundane reality of the everyday individual. Cummings uses his characteristic blend of irony, humor, and fragmented language to critique the superficial values of society, contrasting the glamorous lives of the rich and famous with his own more modest existence.

The poem begins with a question: "why are these pipples taking their hets off?" This deliberately playful and childlike phrasing sets a tone of curiosity and bemusement, suggesting that the spectacle of people removing their hats for royalty or celebrities is not only puzzling but also somewhat ridiculous. The "king & queen / alighting from their limousine" symbolize the epitome of social status and power, contrasted with the poet's humble self-description as someone who "live[s] in a garret and eat[s] aspirine." This stark contrast highlights the gulf between the elite and the ordinary, underscoring the poet's skepticism about the values that elevate some people to near-godlike status while others are left to struggle.

Cummings then shifts focus to "this pale softish almost round / young man to whom headwaiters bow so." The young man, identified as the author of sensationalist literature ("Women By Night" and "Seeds Of Evil"), represents the kind of shallow fame that Cummings finds troubling. The poet contrasts the success of this author, whose "latest Seeds / Of Evil sold 69 carloads before / publication," with his own struggles, noting wryly that "when i lie down i cough too / much." The reference to the commercial success of lurid, exploitative literature points to a critique of popular culture's obsession with scandal and depravity, elevating those who pander to these interests while more thoughtful or sincere voices are overlooked.

The poem continues with a commentary on the absurdity of modern life, as traffic jams are caused not by accidents or emergencies, but by the presence of a "famous doctor who inserts / monkeyglands in millionaires." This reference likely alludes to the quack medical practices that were popular at the time, such as the insertion of monkey glands as a supposed rejuvenation treatment for the wealthy. Cummings' mockery of this "cute idea" underscores his disdain for the ways in which the rich indulge in ridiculous or unscientific fads, all while ordinary people like himself are left to deal with far more mundane and pressing concerns.

The poem culminates in a surreal image of the "prime / minister of Siam in native / costume" emerging from a public restroom ("pissoir") and entering Notre Dame, a scene that epitomizes the bizarre collision of the sacred and the profane, the ordinary and the extraordinary. This moment of cultural dislocation serves as a final jab at the pretensions of society, where even the most exalted figures can be reduced to the banalities of everyday life.

The closing line, "de gustibus non disputandum est / my lady is tired of That sort of thing," is a Latin phrase meaning "there's no disputing taste," which adds a philosophical reflection on the subjective nature of values and preferences. The poet's mention of his "lady" being "tired of That sort of thing" suggests a weariness with the whole spectacle, a rejection of the empty pomp and circumstance that society so often venerates.

In "One: 16. ?", Cummings masterfully combines humor, irony, and social critique to highlight the absurdities of fame, power, and societal values. Through his fragmented and conversational style, he exposes the superficial nature of the world around him, contrasting it with his own more grounded, if unglamorous, reality. The poem invites readers to question the worth of the things society celebrates, urging a deeper consideration of what truly matters beyond the surface.

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