Critically Analysing the Poem “since feeling is first” by E. E. Cummings

About the Poet – E. E. Cummings: E. Cummings was an American poet and painter best known for his unique style of poetry, characterized by non-traditional syntax, typography, and punctuation. Born in 1894 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Cummings studied at Harvard University and later served in World War I, an experience that greatly influenced his writing. His poetry is often experimental, playful, and filled with imagery that challenges the reader’s perception of language and meaning. Cummings’ work explores themes of love, nature, individuality, and the human condition. His poetry continues to be celebrated for its innovation and artistic beauty, making him a significant figure in modernist literature.

E.E. Cummings’ poem “Since feeling is first” is a complex and nuanced exploration of the relationship between emotion and reason and the ways in which they intersect in our lives. Through its use of fragmented syntax, unconventional punctuation, and striking imagery, the poem invites readers to engage with questions of identity, desire, and the role of art in shaping our experiences of the world.

Introduction to The Poem “since feeling is first”

At its core, “since feeling is First” is a meditation on the importance of living in the present moment and embracing the full range of human emotion to truly experience the world around us. By rejecting the idea that reason and logic are the only valid ways of understanding reality, Cummings challenges the readers to open themselves up to the power of feeling and intuition and embrace the chaos and unpredictability of the world.

In this critical analysis, we will explore the key themes and motifs of “since feeling is First,” including its use of language, imagery, and metaphor, as well as the historical and cultural context in which it was written. Through this exploration, we will gain a deeper understanding of Cummings’ poetic vision and how his work continues to speak to us today.

Read the Poem “since feeling is First”

Before we divulge into a line-by-line analysis of the poem, you can go through the poem below:

Line by Line Analysis of the Poem “since feeling is First”

since feeling is first

who pays any attention

to the syntax of things

These opening lines suggest that emotions are more important than language and grammar. Cummings argues that paying too much attention to the conventions of language and communication can obscure our ability to experience the world in a direct and immediate way.

will never wholly kiss you;

wholly to be a fool

while Spring is in the world

These lines suggest that it is better to be foolishly in love, fully experiencing and embracing the emotions of spring, than to be rational and measured. Cummings suggests that the experience of love is more important than any intellectual understanding of it.

my blood approves,

and kisses are a better fate

than wisdom

Here, Cummings emphasizes the importance of the senses and sensory experience. He suggests that the experience of love is more important than any intellectual understanding of it and that the beauty of the world around us can be best appreciated through the senses.

lady i swear by all flowers.  Don’t cry

– the best gesture of my brain is less than

your eyelids’ flutter which says

In these lines, Cummings directly addresses the object of his affection, swearing his love with the symbol of all flowers. He suggests that even the most profound intellectual gesture is less meaningful than a simple movement, such as the fluttering of eyelids.

we are for each other; then

laugh, leaning back in my arms

for life’s not a paragraph

Cummings here emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and embracing the experience of love. He suggests that life is not a story or a carefully structured paragraph but rather a series of experiences we should embrace fully.

And death i think is no parenthesis

These final lines suggest that even death is not the ultimate end but a continuation of the cycle of life and emotions. Cummings suggests that the power of our emotions can transcend even death, underlining the importance of experiencing life fully and passionately.

Use of Language in the Poem “since feeling is first”

The use of language in E.E. Cummings’ poem “since feeling is first” is central to the poem’s meaning and impact. Cummings employs several unconventional techniques, including fragmented syntax, unconventional punctuation, and playful wordplay, to create a unique and striking poetic voice that challenges traditional notions of meaning and interpretation.

Cummings often breaks sentences apart and rearranges them in unexpected ways, thus creating a sense of fragmentation and dislocation that mirrors the poem’s themes of identity and desire. For example, the beginning lines of the poem – “since feeling is first / who pays any attention / to the syntax of things” – illustrate this technique, with the phrase “who pays any attention” interrupting the sentence’s grammatical flow.

The poem’s language is marked by a playful and inventive use of wordplay and metaphor. Cummings often create new compound words and associations between seemingly unrelated concepts, using them to form unexpected connections and new ways of understanding the world. For example, the lines “while Spring is in the world / my blood approves” connects the happy, fluttery emotions felt during fresh flowers blooming with using our senses wholly.

Overall, the use of language in “since feeling is first” is a key element of the poem’s impact and meaning. Cummings’ carefree and inventive use of syntax, punctuation, and wordplay creates a unique and striking poetic voice that challenges traditional notions of meaning and interpretation and invites readers to engage with the poem’s themes in new and unexpected ways.

Also, Read – “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” – Raging Against the Dying Light with Dylan Thomas

Use of Irregular Syntax in E. E. Cummings’ Poems

The use of irregular syntax in E.E. Cummings’ poem “since feeling is first” is a notable feature of the poet’s distinctive style. Cummings often eschews conventional grammatical structures and punctuation, instead opting for a more fragmented and unconventional syntax that propagates the poem’s themes of emotion, desire, and the importance of living in the present moment.

The poem also makes use of unconventional punctuation, with Cummings often using parentheses, ellipses, and dashes to interrupt the flow of language and create new associations between words and phrases. For example, the lines “Don’t cry / — the best gesture of my brain is less than” break apart before the sentence is complete and continue with a guided hyphenation. This creates a certain sense of emphasis and rhythm in the entire poem.

Overall, the use of irregular syntax in “since feeling is first” is a key element of the poem’s unique and striking style. By breaking apart conventional sentence structures and punctuation, Cummings creates a sense of fragmentation and dislocation that emphasizes the poem’s themes of emotion and desire and invites the reader to engage with it on a visceral level.

Why should you read more poetry by E. E. Cummings?

Reading more of E. E. Cummings’ poetry can be a rewarding experience for several reasons. 

Firstly, the experimentation with language and form that marks his poetry can challenge and expand the reader’s understanding of what poetry is and can be. The poem “Somewhere I have never traveled, gladly beyond” is known for its unconventional use of punctuation and syntax and its imagery of love and nature.

Secondly, Cummings’ poetry often explored universal themes such as love, nature, and the human condition in a deeply emotional and personal way. His work can evoke powerful emotions and connections to the reader’s own experiences. For example, another poem, “anyone lived in a pretty how town”, explores the themes of individuality and conformity through the story of a town where everyone is the same except for one person.

Finally, Cummings’ poetry is an essential part of modernist literature, and reading his work can provide insight into the artistic and cultural movements of his time. Overall, reading more of E. E. Cummings’ poetry can be an enriching experience for anyone interested in understanding the English language, global literary movements, and the uniqueness of the human experience.