E.E. cummings's "she being Brand/-new" appears to be, at its surface, a poem about a man taking his car for a spin and learning the nuances of his new vehicle. The imagery and descriptions cummings uses allows the reader to understand the various things that need to be broken in. The poem's narrator freely admits the car was "consequently a little stiff," which can be further seen in how the narrator felt the need to "oil the universal joint" and test the gas, and made sure the radiator was in good condition. The ritual the narrator employs allows the reader to see how he takes great care to make sure that the not only are his needs met, but also that he does not do any damage to the car. The narrator also comments that he was impressed by the first ride and the results of his approach to breaking in his brand new car.
On another level, "she being Brand/-new" can also be interpreted as an extended metaphor for a sexual encounter with a new partner. The extended metaphor completely transforms the meaning of the poem, yet the narrator's approach to sex comes off as mechanical and not sensual. One of the questions that arises due to this metaphor is how the narrator views women; does the comparison of a woman to a car insinuate that the narrator sees women as possessions?
"since feeling is first" by e.e. cummings, is reminiscent of many 17th century carpe diem poems, including "To the Virgins, Who Make Much of Time" by Robert Herrick. "since feeling first" features a spontaneity in writing...
While the poems are no doubt universal, we can see elements of Americana sprinkled throughout them. Cultural issues such as decision-making, the pressure of responsibility and duty, and the complexity of death emerge in many poems, allowing us to see society's influence on the poet. In "The Road Not Taken," we see how life is filled with choices. Because we are American, we are lucky enough to experience freedom
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