Modernism – “next to of course god america i” by e.e. cummings

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Modernism – “next to of course god america i” by e.e. cummings

Modernist writers rarely say anything directly. Their work is like modern

paintings, which do not represent things directly. Instead, Modern writers and painters suggest ideas through both the form and content of their works. As always, interpreting literature is about looking beneath the surface to find a plausible interpretation, and then supporting that interpretation using the text. Once the theme has been established and supported, it can be applied to the reader’s life.

Resources (All found online)

  • Textbook: Glossary of literary terms. (2006). In D.M.Galens, J. Smith, & E. Thomason (EDS.), Nonfiction classics for students: Presenting analysis, context, and criticism on nonfiction works (Vol. 2, pp.385-418).
  • PowerPoint Presentation: Modernism and Harlem Renaissance 1910-1940
  • Video: Modernist Portraits
  • “next to of course god america I” by e.e. cummings

Instructions

  1. Watch/read “next to of course god america I” by e.e. cummings.
  2. Copy and paste the following questions and your answers to each of them into your initial post: 
    1. Whom do you think the speaker represents in this poem? Explain your answer.
    1. What does the line, “by jingo by gee by gosh by gum” make you think about the speaker?
    1. Identify a historical event the speaker alludes to in the poem.  Explain your answer using at least one direct quote from the text.
    1. Identify the poet’s attitude toward the historical event you identified in the previous question. Explain your answer.
    1. Identify one aspect of American culture that is being criticized through satire in this poem. Support your answer by directly quoting the text and explaining the quote.
    1. Identify at least two literary devices used in the poem and explain the purpose for each of them.
    1. Cummings invents the merged word “deafanddumb,” which he labels as a language. Whom or what do you think cummings is labeling as deaf and dumb, and why?
    1. Explain the poet’s use of fragmentation in this poem and suggest a possible reason for his using this technique.
    1. What is your personal reaction to this poem? Give examples of 2-3 words or phrases that cause you to have this reaction.
    1. Write a thesis statement for this poem that identifies at least two literary devices and a specific, universal theme.
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