Research Paper on E.E. Cummings
e.e. Cummings: The 20th Century’s Most Idiosyncratic Poet
By: Sara Gilmore
Poet Research Paper
March 9, 2013
Mrs. Evans
Although he was also a painter, he was mostly known for being a “painter with words.” Born into one of Boston’s most influential families, Edward Estlin Cummings’ (later known as e.e. Cummings) iconoclastic poetry acquired much attention from 20th century society. Encompassing over a total of 2,900 poems, four plays, essays, and two autobiographical novels, Cummings’ work is plentiful. (Poets.org) However, his errant but meaningful misuse of punctuation and grammar, a unique form of literary cubism, is what sets him apart from the poets before him. Readers of all ages were drawn to his poems, as they presented a challenge both visually and psychologically. Cummings’ poems revolved around the topics of war, sex, and love, which further catapulted his popularity. (Kennedy) The idiosyncratic state of e.e. Cummings’ poems destined him to become one of the 20th century's most eminent literary voices. e.e. Cummings was born Edward Estlin Cummings on October 14th 1894 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was the son of Edward Cummings, a Harvard alumni and professor, who later served as a minister in the South Congregational Church in Boston. (The Poetry Foundation) His mother, Rebecca Haswell Clarke, was “one of the more socially adept women of her time and came from a distinguished family line of religious, political and even literary importance.” (Thurman) His father’s status played an important and idyllic role in Cummings’ development, as the young boy constantly found himself surrounded by Boston’s most influential. Cummings’ also had a sister, named Elizabeth Cummings. (Kirsch) Devotion to the literary arts was implemented from an early age in the Cummings household; his mother encouraged the future poet to write verse and keep a journal. Beginning from the age of 10, Cummings wrote a poem a day, exploring poetry’s many traditional forms.
By: Sara Gilmore
Poet Research Paper
March 9, 2013
Mrs. Evans
Although he was also a painter, he was mostly known for being a “painter with words.” Born into one of Boston’s most influential families, Edward Estlin Cummings’ (later known as e.e. Cummings) iconoclastic poetry acquired much attention from 20th century society. Encompassing over a total of 2,900 poems, four plays, essays, and two autobiographical novels, Cummings’ work is plentiful. (Poets.org) However, his errant but meaningful misuse of punctuation and grammar, a unique form of literary cubism, is what sets him apart from the poets before him. Readers of all ages were drawn to his poems, as they presented a challenge both visually and psychologically. Cummings’ poems revolved around the topics of war, sex, and love, which further catapulted his popularity. (Kennedy) The idiosyncratic state of e.e. Cummings’ poems destined him to become one of the 20th century's most eminent literary voices. e.e. Cummings was born Edward Estlin Cummings on October 14th 1894 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was the son of Edward Cummings, a Harvard alumni and professor, who later served as a minister in the South Congregational Church in Boston. (The Poetry Foundation) His mother, Rebecca Haswell Clarke, was “one of the more socially adept women of her time and came from a distinguished family line of religious, political and even literary importance.” (Thurman) His father’s status played an important and idyllic role in Cummings’ development, as the young boy constantly found himself surrounded by Boston’s most influential. Cummings’ also had a sister, named Elizabeth Cummings. (Kirsch) Devotion to the literary arts was implemented from an early age in the Cummings household; his mother encouraged the future poet to write verse and keep a journal. Beginning from the age of 10, Cummings wrote a poem a day, exploring poetry’s many traditional forms.
Cited: Kennedy, Richard S. "E. E. Cummings ' Life." E. E. Cummings ' Life. Modern American Poetry, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. <http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/cummings/cummings_life.htm>. Kirsch, Adam. "The Rebellion of E.E. Cummings." Harvard Magazine. Harvard Magazine Inc., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. <http://harvardmagazine.com/2005/03/the-rebellion-of-ee-cumm.html>. The Poetry Foundation. "E. E. Cummings." The Poetry Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. <http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/e-e-cummings>. Poets.org. "E. E. Cummings." Poets.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. <http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/156>. Thurman, Caryn. "E. E. Cummings." Literary Kicks. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. <http://www.litkicks.com/EECummings>. Watson, Barbara. "The Dangers of Security: E. E. Cummings ' Revolt against the Future." E.E. Cummings: A Collection of Critical Essays. By Norman Friedman. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1972. N. pag. Print.