Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"One: 25" by E.E. Cummings is a satirical portrayal of a stereotypical "poor but honest" workingman, Dan, who is depicted with exaggerated praise and idealization. Through his characteristic blend of formal language, playful tone, and ironic subversion, Cummings critiques the romanticization of the working-class hero and the sentimental clichés often used to depict them.

The poem opens with a lofty description: "than(by yon sunset's wintry glow / revealed)this tall strong stalwart youth," immediately evoking a sense of grandeur and nobility associated with the subject. The formal diction and the reference to a "wintry glow" suggest a classical or epic tone, as if the subject is being elevated to a heroic status. However, the mention of "One wondrous fine sonofabitch" quickly undercuts this formality, introducing a jarring and humorous contrast. This phrase is deliberately crude and colloquial, clashing with the high-flown language that precedes it, and signaling the poem's satirical intent.

Cummings continues to mock the idealized image of Dan by noting that "in which distinct and rich / portrait should be included, gents / these(by the fire's ruddy glow / united)not less than sixteen / children." The sheer number of children—sixteen—exaggerates the idea of the workingman as a prolific family man, responsible for an improbably large brood. This over-the-top depiction plays on the stereotype of the working-class hero who is not only strong and noble but also virile and paternal to an extreme degree.

The poem further romanticizes Dan by mentioning "of course you know / their mother, of his heart the queen." The phrase "of his heart the queen" reinforces the notion of the idealized family unit, where the wife is revered and central to the man's life. This depiction, while seemingly respectful, is also laden with sentimentality and convention, which Cummings subtly critiques by presenting it in such a formulaic way.

As the poem progresses, Cummings continues to layer on the clichés: "Picture it gents: our hero, Dan / who as you've guessed already is / the poorbuthonest workingman." The line "poorbuthonest workingman" is delivered in a straightforward, almost mocking tone, as if Cummings is challenging the reader to recognize the trope for what it is—a simplistic and reductive portrayal of a complex human being.

The poem culminates with Dan "seated like any king or prince / upon his uncorrupted arse / with all his hearty soul aglow," further exaggerating the comparison between the workingman and royalty. The word "arse" is a deliberate choice to maintain the poem's tension between high and low diction, injecting a sense of irreverence into the otherwise grandiose imagery.

Finally, the poem concludes with the lines "it isn't snowing snow you know / it's snowing buttercups," a surreal and whimsical image that upends the reader's expectations. The substitution of "buttercups" for "snow" suggests a fantasy or dream-like quality, as if the idealized scene being described is not rooted in reality but in a world of exaggerated, sentimental fiction.

In "One: 25," E.E. Cummings skillfully uses satire to critique the overused and romanticized depiction of the working-class hero. By juxtaposing elevated language with colloquialism and exaggeration, Cummings exposes the absurdity and artificiality of such portrayals. The poem invites readers to question the validity of these cultural clichés, encouraging a more nuanced and realistic understanding of the lives and struggles of ordinary people.

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