Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"One: 4" by E.E. Cummings is a satirical and somewhat melancholic reflection on the passage of time, cultural decay, and the longing for a simpler, more innocent past. Through his playful manipulation of language and imagery, Cummings expresses a deep sense of disillusionment with the present and a yearning for the lost days of youth and cultural vibrancy.

The poem begins with an address to a "workingman with hand so hairy-sturdy," a figure who symbolizes the laboring class, rooted in the physical world, turning a "hurdysturdygurdy." The "hurdysturdygurdy" refers to a hurdy-gurdy, a mechanical musical instrument that requires continuous cranking to produce sound. This image evokes a sense of repetitive, perhaps monotonous, labor—an endless turning that mirrors the relentless passage of time.

Cummings then expresses a poignant desire: "but when will turn backward O backward Time in your no thy flight / and make me a child, a pretty dribbling child, a little child." This plea to reverse time reveals a deep longing to return to the innocence and simplicity of childhood. The repetition of "child" and the description of the child as "pretty dribbling" evoke an image of vulnerability and purity, contrasting sharply with the hardened, adult world.

The poem shifts abruptly with the line "In thy your ear: / en amerique on ne boit que de Jingyale." This sudden change to French ("In America, we only drink ginger ale") introduces a sense of disorientation and cultural commentary. The phrase reflects the triviality of American culture, where even drinks like ginger ale become a symbol of the banal, mundane life. Cummings juxtaposes this with the observation that "things are going rather kaka / over there, over there," a slangy, almost childish way of saying that things are going badly. This phrase critiques the state of society, both in America and possibly elsewhere, with "kaka" underscoring the poet's disdain.

Cummings continues his lamentation with a rhetorical question: "what's / become of (if you please) / all the glory that or which was Greece / all the grandja / that was dada?" Here, he contrasts the grandeur of ancient Greece with the more recent, avant-garde Dada movement, both of which represented high points of cultural achievement. The use of "grandja" (a playful distortion of "grandeur") and the blending of high culture with modern, irreverent art forms underscore Cummings' concern that the greatness of the past has been lost or diminished in the present.

The repeated plea to the "stout hurdysturdygurdyman" to "make me a child" echoes the earlier desire to escape the complexities and disappointments of adulthood. The poet's nostalgia extends to the present setting: "So this is Paris," a city traditionally associated with art, culture, and intellectualism. However, the speaker's disillusionment is palpable as he imagines sitting in a corner, "drink[ing] thinks and think[ing] drinks," a clever play on words that suggests both contemplation and the escape into alcohol.

Cummings then invokes memories of past literary and cultural figures: "in memory of the Grand and Old days: / of Amy Sandburg / of Algernon Carl Swinburned." These references blend the names of real and imagined poets—Carl Sandburg, Amy Lowell, and Algernon Swinburne—into composite characters, emphasizing the blending of past and present, and perhaps the loss of clear identity and meaning in contemporary culture.

The poem's closing lines continue the theme of disillusionment: "what's become of Maeterlinck / now that April's here?" Maurice Maeterlinck, a Belgian playwright and poet, is used here as a symbol of the fading significance of once-revered cultural figures. The arrival of April, traditionally a month of renewal and hope, is contrasted with the apparent decline of cultural importance. The poem ends on a sardonic note: "(ask the man who owns one / ask Dad, He knows)." This final line could be a jab at the commodification of knowledge and culture, reducing profound questions to something that could be answered by a slogan or an advertising campaign.

"One: 4" by E.E. Cummings is a meditation on the passage of time, the erosion of cultural values, and the personal longing for a return to innocence. Through his use of playful yet poignant language, Cummings critiques the state of modern society while expressing a deep sense of loss for the grandeur and vitality of the past.

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