Wednesday, November 27, 2019

The Poetry Of E. E. Cummings Essay Example For Students

The Poetry Of E. E. Cummings Essay E. E. Cummings, who was born in 1894 and died in 1962, wrote many poems with unconventional punctuation and capitalization, and unusual line, word, and even letter placements namely, ideograms. Cummings most difficult form of prose is probably the ideogram; it is extremely terse and it combines both visual and auditory elements. There may be sounds or characters on the page that cannot be verbalized or cannot convey the same message if pronounced and not read. Four of Cummings poems l(a, mortals), !blac, and swi( illustrate the ideogram form quite well. Cummings utilizes unique syntax in these poems in order to convey messages visually as well as verbally. We will write a custom essay on The Poetry Of E. E. Cummings specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Although one may think of l(a as a poem of sadness and loneliness, Cummings probably did not intend that. This poem is aboutindividuality oneness (Kid 200-1). The theme of oneness can be derived from the numerous inezces and forms of the number 1 throughout the poem. First, l(a contains both the number 1 and the singular indefinite article, a; the second line contains the French singular definite article, le; ll on the fifth line represents two ones; one on the 7th line spells the number out; the 8th line, l, isolates the number; and iness, the last line, can mean the state of being I that is, individuality or oneness, deriving the one from the lowercase roman numeral i (200). Cummings could have simplified this poem drastically (a leaf falls:/loneliness), and still conveyed the same verbal message, but he has altered the normal syntax in order that each line should show a one and highlight the theme of oneness. In fact, the whole poem is shaped like a 1 (200). The shape of the po em can also be seen as the path of a falling leaf; the poem drifts down, flipping and altering pairs of letters like a falling leaf gliding, back and forth, down to the ground. The beginning l(a changes to le, and af flips to fa. ll indicates a quick drop of the leaf, which has slowed by a longer line, one. Finally, the leaf falls into the pile of fallen leaves on the ground, represented by iness. Cummings has written this poem so perfectly that every part of it conveys the message of oneness and individuality (200). In mortals), Cummings vitalizes a trapeze act on paper. Oddly enough, this poem, too, stresses the idea of individualism, oreachness, as it is stated on line four. Lines 2 and 4, climbi and begi, both end leaving the letter i exposed. This is a sign thatCummings is trying to emphasize the concept of self-importance (Tri 36). This poem is an amusing one, as it shows the effects of a trapeze act within the arrangement of the words. On line 10, the space in the word open ing indicates the act beginning, and the empty, static moment before it has fully begun. of speeds of and ;meet;, lines 8 and 12 respectively, show a sort of back-and-forth motion, much like that of the motion of a trapeze swinging. Lines 12 through 15 show the final jump off the trapeze, and a/n/d on lines 17 through 19, represent the deserted trapeze, after the acrobats have dismounted. Finally, (im on the last line should bring the readers eyes back to the top of the poem, where he finds mortals). Placing (im at the end of the poem shows that the performers attain a special type of immortality for risking their lives to create a show of beauty, they attain a special type of immortality (36-7). The circularity of the poem causes a feeling of wholeness or completeness, and may represent the Circle of Life, eternal motion (Fri 26). .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 , .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 .postImageUrl , .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 , .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84:hover , .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84:visited , .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84:active { border:0!important; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84:active , .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84 .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u6fe05f48d6fc293c51f4261ad7e4ca84:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: How Many Pages is 800 Words?Cummings first tightly written ideogram was !blac, a very interesting poem. It starts with !, which seems to be saying thatsomething deserving that exclamation point occurred anterior to the poem, and the poem is trying objectively to describe certain feelings resulting from !. black against white is an example of such a description in the poem; the clashing colors create a feeling in sync with !. Also, why (whi) suggests amusement and wonder, another feeling resulting from ! (Weg 145). Cummings had written a letter concerning !blac to Robert Wenger, author of The Poetry and Prose of E. E. Cummings (see Works Cited). In it, he wrote, for me, thi s poem means just what it says . . . and the ! which begins the poem is whatmight be called and emphatic (=very). This poem is also concerns the cycle of birth, life, death, and renewal. This is derived from the . preceding the last letter. This shows that even though the poem is finished, the circle of life is not, and is ever cycling (Weg 144). Through the poems shape, !blac also shows a leaf fluttering to the ground. The lines spacing synchronizes the speed of the reading with that of the leaf at different points in its fall. With its capital Is, IrlI also indicates a leaf falling straight down before it hits the ground (147). Reading this poem, one may realize the lone comma on line 12. The poet writes about the sky and a tree, and then a comma intrudes, which makes the reader pause, and realize the new awareness that the comma indicated that of a falling leaf (145). Lines 1 through 6 are also very important to the poem. Although black against white may be referring to the colo r of the falling leaf in contrast to the bright sky, it is not wrong to assume it means more. As stated above, the poems theme is the cycle of life, and black against white could be indicating life death versus life. It shows that even though a leaf falling may be an indication of death, falling of leaves is an integral part of the whole life cycle of the tree(146). !blac may seem like a simple mess of words, but in reality is much more complex than that. swi( is another poem of Cummings ideogram form. The essence of this poem is seeing a birds swift flight past the sun, and the wonder of this experience. The poem mainly tries to convince the reader of the difference between conception, what one sees, and perception, what one knows he is seeing (Mar 105). The first line, swi( shows that the object the poet sees is moving so rapdly that before he completely utters his first word, he must describe the object, and that it is passing before another object the sun. His use of only primary descriptives, such as speed, direction, color, and shape indicates that he is trying to describe the bird as quickly as possible. The way he speaks, in terse syllables that lack syntactical relationship to each other, imitate one who tries to speak before he knows exactly what he wants to say; it is another indication of how quickly the object is moving (106). a-motion-upo-nmotio-n/Less?, the 6th line, is signifying that although the poet knows that both the objects are moving, ones motion causes the other to seem still (106). The d, at the end of the poem is showing that after the poet has finally namedthe object he saw, he immediately loses interest and stops, as writing more to further organize his thoughts would be superfluous (106). The contrasting words in this poem are very important. against contrasts with across, and signifies a halt. It seems that the poet wants to stop the object in order to describe it. But a stopping of motion would contradict swi/ftly, so Cummings decided to refer to the speed average of the two, Swi/mming (106). swi( contains less symbolism than the other poems being analyzed, but it is similar in that the syntax adds greatly to the poem. .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a , .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a .postImageUrl , .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a , .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a:hover , .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a:visited , .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a:active { border:0!important; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a:active , .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ucf31b12738c1e8c969f9da4833e1564a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Home Schooling EssayCummings peculiar method of using syntax to convey hidden meaning is extremely effective. The reader does not simply read and forget Cummings ideas; instead, he must figure out the hidden meaning himself. In doing this, he feels contentment, and thus retains the poems idea for a more extended period of time. Cummings ideogram poems are puzzles waiting to be solved. Works CitedFriedman, Norman. E. E. Cummings: A Collection of Critical Essays. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1972. Kidder, Rushworth M. E. E. Cummings: An Introduction to the Poetry. New York: Columbia UniversityPress, 1979. Marks, Barry A. E. E. Cummings. New York: Twayne Publishers, Inc., 1964. Triem, Eve. E. E. Cummings. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1969. Wegner, Robert E. The Poetry and Prose of E. E. Cummings. New York: Harcourt, Brace World, Inc., 1965.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Avoid Career Regret with These 6 Tips

Avoid Career Regret with These 6 Tips Getting a job is hard enough, but if you’re playing the long game for career fulfillment and success, it’s never a good idea to rest too long on your laurels. Rather than getting lazy and complacent, why not stay hungry and strategic, and keep your eyes on that ultimate prize, whatever yours may be. Here are 6 things you should always keep in mind if you want to look back and not have any career regrets. Click for more.Don’t always put money firstObviously, it’s important to make enough to support yourself and whomever else you need to care for. But constantly making moves in order to maximize what you make? That can lead you into all sorts of unsatisfying situations.Once you reach a certain threshold of financial comfort, ask yourself with each potential move: is this going to make me happier or just more rich? Focus on work that keeps you interested, challenged, and smiling on your way to work. Rather than the drudgery or soul-selling for the fancy pay-o ut. It’s also a great way to avoid burning out.Push your own boundariesEvery so often, push yourself out of your own comfort zone. Try taking an opportunity you might ordinarily say no to, or learning a skill you didn’t think you’d ever need. The broader your interests and skills, the more you’ll get out of your work life.Trust your gutIf you sense impending shake-ups or lay-offs or feel you’re on a sinking ship, be smart and start looking before disaster strikes. If a position doesn’t smell right for some reason? Take your time and look elsewhere. Learning to hone (and trust!) your instincts can be an invaluable skill that will help steer you straight for your entire career.Keep ‘em sweetIf ever you have to leave a hell job, or quit on a demon boss, resist the temptation to burn bridges. Take the moral high road, keep it classy, walk out with your head held high having done everything you could to stay respectful. You never know when you might run into former colleagues or supervisors again down the line. Gain a reputation for professionalism, not pique.Stay sharpKeep a constant eye on the trends in your field. That means watching out for new systems and software, participating in additional training, keeping on top of new qualifications you can acquire. Staying devoted to learning will nurture you in multiple ways, but will also keep you fiercely marketable.Shoot for the moonYou know, in nice and steady, measured, incremental shots. Do have a big dream and do pursue it. Just try to do so as smartly and well-preparedly as you can. Put your big dream on a hidden post-it somewhere and keep that in mind as you go through every humdrum workday. Eye on the prize.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

A Catastrophe Housing Crisis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A Catastrophe Housing Crisis - Essay Example The astonishing part about this is that amidst this crippling crisis, no one truly has an astute understanding of how a simple subprime mortgage flap has caused so much life-changing damage. This holds particularly true for the embattled homeowner, who was bombarded with highly technical instruments without being duly informed of its potentially damaging ramifications. My uncle was one of those gravely affected by the mortgage crisis. He was always an upstanding, responsible guy, and a few years ago he proudly announced that he had taken out a mortgage for a nice new property, the culmination of all his hard work and efforts. Some in our family were particularly wary as to how he got the home loan, as he gone through a rough financial patch some years back. He proudly stated that the bank was very "kind" to him, and had worked out a "special" deal for him so he could buy his house. I distinctly remember having a conversation with him where he was really hyped about this newfangled instrument called a subprime loan. He boasted about how the bank gave him a really low interest rate for the first year, and that succeeding years would depend on how the prime rate would hold up. I asked him how sure it would hold up, and that it wouldn't skyrocket. He said he was assured by the banker he was talking to that it was the perfect time to take out a loan be cause the market was very stable and wasn't going anywhere in the next couple of years.When the prime rate went through the roof, the increase in my uncle's monthly amortization became exponential. He simply could not keep up with the payments , he was only earning so much to support himself and my three cousins. As the bills piled up, he had no choice but to let go of his dream home. The bank is starting foreclosure proceedings on his home, and I often catch him staring blankly into space. When prodded with what went wrong, all he could tell me was "They never told me it would turn out this way".Quite frankly, they never expected that it would turn out this way either. An article in the New York Times (2008) argues that "your confusion is shared by many people who are right in the middle of the crisis. (p.14.) Even top analysts and brokers are lost amidst the extreme complexity of the instruments used. Now, if even the experts do not grasp the crisis fully, what more for the ordina ry homeownerWe have to understand that we are dealing with an issue that ran so deep that once the bubble burst, everyone from the bottom up was hit hard. Its ramifications were far-reaching, extending far beyond domestic shores. According to Dattels and Antonshin, (2008), "Over the next few years losses are expected to reach the $900 billion mark, and banks and financial institutions everywhere are scrambling just to keep their head above their water". (p.9)So who could blame my uncle for not knowing what hit him, when the experts themselves were completely lost as well. Could he be completely blamed for his seeming ignorance, when everyone else was in the same boat.