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Poet: e.e. cummings
Poem: a man who had fallen among thieves
Comment 8 of 8, added on May 1st, 2006 at 1:16 PM.
I would have to agree with others below who point to the biblical references in this poem. Our very first clue is “fallen amongst thieves,” i.e. Christ on the cross between two thieves; and, of course, the good Samaritan story, as others have pointed out. However, in my view, cummings is only using this as a allegorical vehicle. The clue here is the “pinkish” vomit. I believe this to be a reference to socialists and/or communists who openly criticized cummings during his career.
These “staunch” citizens are seeing the “Christ-like” character through their own “pinkish” filters, their judgmental (frozen) and condescending (swaddled) approach, rightly described as “vomit” by cummings. In the Bible, Christ himself often criticized religious zealots as “hypocrites and vipers.” The protagonist is rejecting their feigned overtures (which noticed nobody). He does not wish to rise; he has exchanged “consciousness” (in this context referring to “hypercivic zeal”) for a changeless grin. He’s not taking himself so seriously, at least not as seriously as those seeing through filters of “pinkish” vomit. He is heart-connected but in a natural way (one hand did nothing on the vest), and, to a degree (button solemnly inert), earthy, embodied (clenched weakly dirt).
And lastly, to our good Samaritan: This is a guess here, but I’m thinking the good Samaritan and the Christ-like figure are one and the same. Perhaps they were one and the same from the beginning, or perhaps they have merged through genuine empathy – “i put him ALL into my arms.” – which, if true, gives the poet another ‘crack’ at the contrived concern of the “staunch and Meal citizens” (who just might, in the end, be the thieves also!). The narrator, whoever he is, is also saying that he does not have all the answers either. In fact, he’s “staggering” humbly – “banged with terror” – through the universe looking for… what? True empathy? Authenticity? Or, perhaps Truth itself…
Brian Haley from Canada
Comment 7 of 8, added on November 8th, 2005 at 1:13 AM.
The poem has refernces lossely related but calculaed to the bible. we hve the 'good sameritan' and reference to the last supper with the dozen eating. The last 5 lines regesses to the common reflecting
common and frequent episodes in cummings life. reflecting is war experience and other issues of social commentary. the beauty of this poem is the unque historic episoded with characteristic language, which very much puts a spin on all the historical events cummings touches. greg
Greg Starr (gregkliq) from United States
Comment 6 of 8, added on November 4th, 2005 at 3:56 PM.
I believe that this poem may be analigous to the parable of the "good samaritin", but ee cummings makes it more real by adding discription.
Also when he says that the citizens where "fired by hypercivic zeal" I believe he is referring to how they thinik that their "civic" duty is more important than wasting their time to help someone out.
Darren from United States
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Comments
I would have to agree with others below who point to the biblical references in this poem. Our very first clue is “fallen amongst thieves,” i.e. Christ on the cross between two thieves; and, of course, the good Samaritan story, as others have pointed out. However, in my view, cummings is only using this as a allegorical vehicle. The clue here is the “pinkish” vomit. I believe this to be a reference to socialists and/or communists who openly criticized cummings during his career.
These “staunch” citizens are seeing the “Christ-like” character through their own “pinkish” filters, their judgmental (frozen) and condescending (swaddled) approach, rightly described as “vomit” by cummings. In the Bible, Christ himself often criticized religious zealots as “hypocrites and vipers.” The protagonist is rejecting their feigned overtures (which noticed nobody). He does not wish to rise; he has exchanged “consciousness” (in this context referring to “hypercivic zeal”) for a changeless grin. He’s not taking himself so seriously, at least not as seriously as those seeing through filters of “pinkish” vomit. He is heart-connected but in a natural way (one hand did nothing on the vest), and, to a degree (button solemnly inert), earthy, embodied (clenched weakly dirt).
And lastly, to our good Samaritan: This is a guess here, but I’m thinking the good Samaritan and the Christ-like figure are one and the same. Perhaps they were one and the same from the beginning, or perhaps they have merged through genuine empathy – “i put him ALL into my arms.” – which, if true, gives the poet another ‘crack’ at the contrived concern of the “staunch and Meal citizens” (who just might, in the end, be the thieves also!). The narrator, whoever he is, is also saying that he does not have all the answers either. In fact, he’s “staggering” humbly – “banged with terror” – through the universe looking for… what? True empathy? Authenticity? Or, perhaps Truth itself…
Brian Haley from Canada