McGraw-Hill OnlineMcGraw-Hill Higher EducationLearning Center
Student Center | Instructor Center | Information Center | Home
Electronic Resources
Internet Primer
Career Considerations
Summary & Paraphrasing
Avoiding Plagiarism
Study Skills Primer
Basic Concepts
How to Write about Literature
An Introduction to Argument
Exercise in Literary Analysis
American Lit and the Internet
About the Author
Orientation
Key Concepts
Essay Questions
Multiple Choice Quiz
Matching Quiz
Fill in the Blanks
True or False
Links
Texts Online
Feedback
Help Center


The American Tradition in Literature, Volume 2 Book Cover
The American Tradition in Literature, Volume 2, 10/e
George Perkins, Eastern Michigan University
Barbara Perkins, University of Toledo-Toledo


Essay Questions



Analysis



1

Explain the contributions of rhythm to theme and tone in Cummings' two lyric poems, "Thy Fingers Make Early Flowers Of" and "When God Lets My Body Be."
2

What functions do the verbal apostrophes play in these lyric poems?

Interpretation



3

Do Cummings' lyric poems reflect a death wish, or if not, what role does death seem to play for the speakers?
4

Trace the theme of mortality in Cummings' poetry. For example, what are some possible interpretations of the references to death as "defunct" and "Mr. Death" in "Buffalo Bill's"?

Evaluation



5

Should E. E. Cummings's own war enlistments belie the sentiment of "I Sing of Olaf Glad and Big"? In what sense is the theme of poem ironic?
6

Are the juxtapositions of words and the interplays of rhyme and rhythm in "Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town" a matter only of playful diction, or do they function in a more significant way? Think about Cummings' themes and ideas in formulating your answer.