"next to of course god america i
love you land of the pilgrims' and so forth oh
say can you see by the dawn's early my
country tis of centuries come and go
and are no more what of it we should worry
in every language even deafanddumb
thy sons acclaim your glorious name by gorry
by jingo by gee by gosh by gum
why talk of beauty what could be more beaut-
iful than these heroic happy dead
who rushed like lions to the roaring slaughter
they did not stop to think they died instead
then shall the voice of liberty be mute?"
He spoke. And drank rapidly a glass of water
✦
Analysis
next to of course god america i... (III): analysis
Introduction
"next to of course god america i" is a sonnet made almost entirely of one man's speech, inside quotation marks. The speaker strings together scraps of patriotic song, mild oaths and praise of the war dead, with no punctuation to slow him. Then the quotation closes and a single plain line reports that he stopped and drank water.
The poem is a satire on empty public speech. It asks what such phrases are worth when the subject is young men who "died instead" of thinking. Readers have disagreed over whether it is patriotic, though the text leans heavily against that view.
Summary
The long first stanza is a speech inside quotation marks. It opens "next to of course god america i" and continues "love you land of the pilgrims' and so forth". The speaker runs into scraps of two patriotic songs, the Star-Spangled Banner and My Country 'Tis of Thee, finishing neither. He says centuries pass and asks "what of it". He claims that every language, "even deafanddumb", praises the country's name. Then comes a run of mild oaths, ending "by gosh by gum".
The subject then changes to the dead. The speaker asks why anyone should talk of beauty, because nothing is more beautiful than "these heroic happy dead". He says they "rushed like lions to the roaring slaughter". He adds that "they did not stop to think they died instead". His speech closes with a question, "then shall the voice of liberty be mute?" The quotation marks end there.
The final line is separate, and it is outside the quotation. An unnamed voice reports "He spoke." It then adds that he drank a glass of water, and that he drank it rapidly.
Themes and meaning
Patriotic language that has gone dead is the chief target. The speech is built from pieces the speaker does not bother to finish. The phrase "and so forth" even admits that the words can be skipped. Reciting fragments of anthems takes the place of thought. By the time he reaches "by jingo by gee by gosh by gum", the sounds have parted from any sense.
The poem's hardest point concerns the dead. Calling them "heroic happy dead" joins praise to a word that cannot fit them. The simile "rushed like lions to the roaring slaughter" gives them glory and also makes them animals running to a butcher. The line "they did not stop to think they died instead" sounds like praise, and it is an accusation. On this reading, thinking would have saved them.
The poem also sets voice against silence. The speaker asks whether "the voice of liberty" should be "mute", yet the only ones made silent are the dead he praises. Even "deafanddumb" gets drafted into his boast of worldwide praise. The liberty he defends amounts to his own right to go on talking.
The last line deflates all of this with the body. After so much rhetoric, "He spoke." reduces the speech to a physical act. The water shows a thirsty man who has been working hard at a job. Readers differ on whether the drink is merely practical or a sign of guilt. The word "rapidly" gives the practical view the edge, and "rushed" on line 11 sounds behind it.
Tone
There are two voices, and the distance between them makes the tone. The first is hearty, breathless and false. The speaker lurches from solemn song to "by gorry", and from "glorious name" to "beaut-". He seems to believe he is moving his audience. The phrase "what of it we should worry" shows the careless confidence behind the grand words.
The mood darkens at line 9. The enthusiasm stays the same, but its subject is now slaughter, and this mismatch is what chills. The second voice takes over in line 14. It is flat, brief and without comment. The dry detail of the water, drunk "rapidly", passes judgement without one word of anger.
Form and structure
This is a sonnet of 14 lines, divided into 2 stanzas of 13 and 1. Syllable counts run from 9 to 12, around a loose iambic pentameter. Line 8 is the shortest, with four beats, and it trots along like a jingle.
The rhymes are sonnet rhymes, though the speech hides them. The word "i" pairs with "my", and "oh" with "go". Then "worry" pairs with the comic "gorry", and "deafanddumb" with "gum". Near the end, "beaut-" pairs with "mute", and "dead" with "instead". The last line stands apart, yet "water" completes the rhyme with "slaughter" on line 11. There are no commas in the speech. The first full stop in the whole poem comes after "He spoke."
Poetic devices
Irony line 1
next to of course god The words "of course" treat ranking God first as a formality. The speech begins with a piety he rushes past.
Cliché line 2
and so forth The speaker stops quoting a national phrase because everyone knows how it goes. This shows that the words no longer need to mean anything.
Allusion line 3
say can you see by the dawn's early my A line from the national anthem breaks off, and "my" starts another song. The patriotic songs collide and neither gets finished.
Coinage line 6
deafanddumb The run-together word turns people without speech into one more voice in the chorus of praise. The boast overreaches and becomes absurd.
Diction line 7
thy sons acclaim your glorious name by gorry Church language, "thy", sits beside the ordinary "your" and a mild oath. The speaker's lofty manner keeps collapsing into slang.
Anaphora and alliteration line 8
by jingo by gee by gosh by gum The repeated "by" and the j and g sounds make a nursery-rhyme beat. The oaths empty out, and "jingo" also points toward aggressive patriotism.
Broken rhyme line 9
more beaut- The word for beauty is split by the line end, and the fragment rhymes with "mute". The speaker's ideal is literally broken, and the fragment also sounds like the slang word for a fine thing.
Oxymoron line 10
heroic happy dead The alliterating adjectives sound cheerful and the noun cancels them. Happiness cannot apply to the dead, so the phrase exposes the speech.
Simile and alliteration line 11
rushed like lions to the roaring slaughter The stock image of courage sits beside a word for butchery. The r sounds carry the rush, and the phrase turns against itself.
Irony line 12
they did not stop to think they died instead The speaker intends praise of courage without hesitation. The line also says that thought was the alternative to death.
Rhetorical question line 13
then shall the voice of liberty be mute? This is a stock ending for a speech and expects applause. The word "then" follows from nothing, so the logic is only an imitation.
Anticlimax line 14
He spoke. And drank rapidly a glass of water A plain report replaces the rhetoric at once. The rushed drink echoes "rushed" on line 11, and it brings the speech down to a throat.
Words worth knowing
jingo
Part of an old mild oath. It also gives us jingoism, meaning loud and aggressive patriotism, and both senses work here.
gorry
A mild oath, a softened way of swearing by God. It is chosen here partly to rhyme with "worry".
deafanddumb
A run-together form of an old phrase for people who cannot hear or speak, now considered offensive. The speaker uses it for the sign language of the deaf.
beaut-
The first part of beautiful, cut by the line end. Standing alone, it can also recall beaut, slang for a fine example of something.
Context
It was Poem of the Day on January 28, 2007.
What readers have said
Emily loves the use of the two songs and says the poem shows the great respect and love we have for our country. Emily, 2006
amy insists it is absolutely not a patriotic poem, pointing to the lower-case "america" and comparing it with Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est. amy, 2007
Alicia replies to amy that it is definitely patriotic, and that the lower case is simply the poet's style, so it does not change the intent. Alicia, 2007
A commenter posting as no name says the poem is a politician's speech that mocks him for having no original thought, since his words belong to other songwriters and poets. no name, 2005
James calls the speaker clearly a politician and the form a usurped sonnet, and he notes that "slaughter" rhymes with the final "water" line. James, 2009
colleen is unsure why He is capitalised when "i" is not, and she wonders whether the water suggests forgiveness and washing away guilt, or just lets him keep speaking. colleen, 2007
which do you think is better and why, this poem or Whitmans song of myself?
ErrinUnited States
Post September 11th and with the current policies in Iraq, this poem seems just too familar. Patriotism is becoming more and more of a fad, with little or no action behind the flags we wave and the "Support Our Troops" ribbons everywhere. We blindly buy into our leaders' ideas and call it supporting our soldiers. But "what could be more beautiful than these heroic happy dead?"
I am embarking on a project which guides students to compare elements and techniques of classical poets with those of hip-hop poets. This poem is a good example of a protest poem which is an element many hip hop poets use.
Har harUnited States
...but there are two sets of leaders. Truth is, there's a debate, but the left isn't part of it. The left, unfortunately, can't or won't communicate. They just stand there with their eyes closed, bellowing their doctrine at the rest of us. They don't listen. They don't think. If you disagree, if you ask questions, if you think for yourself at all, they throw a fit and scream at you that you're a "moron" or a…
Read the whole comment
...but there are two sets of leaders. Truth is, there's a debate, but the left isn't part of it. The left, unfortunately, can't or won't communicate. They just stand there with their eyes closed, bellowing their doctrine at the rest of us. They don't listen. They don't think. If you disagree, if you ask questions, if you think for yourself at all, they throw a fit and scream at you that you're a "moron" or a "fascist" or whatever. They call you a racist if you believe in God, and they call you a homophobe if you own a gun. Those are perfect non sequiturs, by the way.
It's a sort of Stalinism of the mind.
The "patriots" you hate and fear are questioning their leaders a lot more than you're questioning yours.
tennis_girl192United States
Well said, Har har. No generalization can apply entirely to any one group but from I observe the dogma of the left is enforced more completely and rabidly than the Thought Police of Orwell could dream. Some follow our leaders blindly and some do it with their eyes wide open but at least most conservatives, that I've met, allow those who will follow to follow and those who won't to disagree. Criticism is not censure and freedom of speech applies to all opinions, not only those that are "P.C."
Holly_samaCanada
This is a very compelling poem, and what I find interesting is that most of the people who have commented here seem to disagree with it. I can't tell you if I do or not but I can certainly understand where it's coming from. -Holly
no nameUnited States
none of u understand this poem......the poem is a speech of a politician. it is mocking him because there is no original thought. his words are the words of other famous song writers and poets.
Katie
I think all of us understand the poem. the fact that it is a jumbled mix of patriotic sayings is so evident it need not be expressed. The point is the meaning behind it. does this mass of patriotism sencerely make up for the loss of life and the lack disingenuous nature in which it is presented? We are looking at our current leaders and seeing this mass of jingo being presented once again. I like to read this poem in conjuction with "Dulce et decorum est". its a nice match.
ChrisUnited States
Going back to Har Har's comment, any partisan politics are "moronic." Such generalization makes you seem like a very narrow-minded person. I side neither with the "left" or "right" because I believe thinking for yourself involves detaching yourself from either political position (granted there are more than two). To help clarify, here are the words of the greatest America poet ever: "While some on principles baptized To strict party platforms ties Social clubs in drag disguise Outsiders they can freely criticize Tell nothing except who to idolize And then say God Bless him." - Bob Dylan
(Ownage)
gpar2008Barbados
This poem at first glabe is a mere poem of patriotism, but it goes much deeper than that. I like the way cummings breaks the rules of writing, he is a true modernist writer. He uses irony,and figurative language which is refreshing compared to various other poems.
-G Par
BillyAustralia
I think that this poem is really weird. Sorry but it's kind of (really) Stupid
DougUnited States
I agree with the politician speech, seeing as though it is in quotes. There is quite a sarcastic tone to this seeing as though 2 famous American songs are in here. My country tis of thee......, and the star spangled banner, he juxtaposes those pride and "our country is great" songs with the "heroic happy dead" And the only question i pose, is "the mute voice?" is that the voice of the dead who fought in the war?
I like how many people misinterpret this poem. I have had many people read it and some of them have even commented on the patriotism of e.e. Cummings. This poem brilliantly combines [at the beginning] a sense of patriotism and pride but [at the end] shows us how foolish we are for ignoring the down side of war. Patriotism isn't all it is cracked up to be.
Emily
I love how this poem uses my country tis of thee, and the star spangled banner. This poem shows the great respect and love we have for our country!
This poem by e.e. cummings is about a man mocking a politition in a chauvinistic manor. He is adorting his country and ridiculing it at the same time. Allusions to the National Anthom and the other patriotic song about how great america is. But then "deafanddumb", "mute liberty", "heroic happy dead." Young, inieve people goig tono a war without knowing the cause or purpose for it.
I think the whole poem is sarcastic. First he starts out with "next to of course god america i" The "of course" suggests that, even though church and state are supposed to be separate, they are not, and God rules the country. In the next line he says "land of the pilgriims and so forth". What does he mean by "and so forth"? Could he be refering to the native americans and mexican people that were here before us and…
Read the whole comment
I think the whole poem is sarcastic.
First he starts out with "next to of course god america i" The "of course" suggests that, even though church and state are supposed to be separate, they are not, and God rules the country. In the next line he says "land of the pilgriims and so forth". What does he mean by "and so forth"? Could he be refering to the native americans and mexican people that were here before us and just kind of got pushed aside? The inclusion of the two patriotically famous songs could be a mockery of our superfluous patriotism, later stating that "we should worry in every language even deafanddumb thy sons acclaim your glorious name by jing by gee by gosh by gum". He then ends it with the extremely sarcastic "beautiful... happy dead who rushed like lions to the roaring slaughter... then shall the voice of libert be mute?". I kind of think that the last line has a double meaning. It could mean that the soldier who fought for liberty are now dead, but I like to think that it is refering to how they had no say in what they did. The soldiers were ordered to go and die, but had no choice. They were not allowed to think for themselves, or decide for themselves if what they were fighting for was right. Since this was published after World War two, he could be refering to the conscription (draft).
That's my opinion, but no one can really be right. I'm only 17 after all, so if you don't accept my interpretation, ignore it.
Nadia, I really appreciated your comment! I am caught up on the "He" in the poem's final line and not completely satisfied with the explanation that He is a politician. Is it significant that He is capitalized while i is not? Why drink a glass of water? Water has a lot of religious associations including the forgiveness of sins and washing one's hands of guilt. Or, perhaps the speaker is drinking water so that he will be able to continue speaking. The rhetorical question, "shall the voice of liberty be mute?" is interesting too. Does the speaker see himself as the voice of liberty? I like the satirical tone, but am really lost on this final line.
this poem was published in 1926, which is most certainly NOT after World War II. It IS, however, after World War I. Is this what you meant, Chris S.? Also, this poem is very comparable to Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est". They both lament the loss of so many young lives as well as clamor against the presumption that "it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country".
"next to of course god america i" is absolutely not a patriotic poem. would a patriotic poem include a lower-cased "america" in the title?
AlexUnited States
At face value, E.E. Cummings’ “next to of course god america i”, impacts the reader with little to no emotional influence. Instead, the poem initially impresses its audience by assuming the appearance of, essentially, an incomprehensible slew of words thrown together without order or apparent meaning. As is the case for most well written, quality poetry, however, close reading of “next to of course got america i”,…
Read the whole comment
At face value, E.E. Cummings’ “next to of course god america i”, impacts the reader with little to no emotional influence. Instead, the poem initially impresses its audience by assuming the appearance of, essentially, an incomprehensible slew of words thrown together without order or apparent meaning. As is the case for most well written, quality poetry, however, close reading of “next to of course got america i”, illustrates the author’s meticulous poetic methodology; in which not a single syllable lacks explicit purpose in a connotative or denotative sense. The poet effectively posits the tone and purpose for “next to of course god america i”, through an, albeit grammatically convoluted, yet suggestively crafted, seven word title, and by continuing on with the poem as a satirical dramatization of the conflict between a public speaker’s empty charade of patriotism, and the audience’s cynical reception of his speech. The poet achieves the portrayal of this relationship through the use of various literary devices, imagery, diction, rhyme, and other aural and visual details throughout. The speaker dictates the poem in two stanzas, the first being thirteen lines, and the second only one. The total poem consists of fourteen lines in combination with a clear rhyme scheme which makes it a sonnet. The speaker leaves out all punctuation from the first stanza, except one question mark at the end, to purposefully interfere with the reader’s ability to comprehend the first stanza on the first read. The lack of punctuation makes the speaker sound rambling and indefinite, and it makes the poem’s first thirteen lines look like a random compilation of words. The second stanza incorporates much more sanity by adding some grammatically comprehensive punctuation in the form of a single period. The rambling sound of the speech followed by the coherency exhibited by the rational, one-lined listener juxtaposes the overall theme, which implies that the supposed representatives of America are just figure heads chanting empty, insubstantial lyrics of pretend patriotism from a speechwriters poisoned ink pen. All the while, the American people are forced to watch their soldiers, who are the ones fighting for American ideals, and acting as the true muted voice of liberty, die, and shake their heads as they suffer from one disappointing, representative inadequacy after another.
@amy this poem is definitely a patriotic poem, just because cummings did not capitalize america doesn't mean that it is not patriotic. you need to realize that cummings writes in his own specific style which includes little to no capitalization, which makes a bigger impact on the reader because it makes the reader think. and so what if he didn't capitalize america it doesn't change the intent of the poem, which is mainly about how people think of america and how people are willing to die for america with out even a second thought which show a great deal of patriotism.
tikiUnited States
honestly, i feel that this poem has many different and almost opposite-like ideas. cummings' character praises the fact that America is a glorious nation and all who reside in America hold great pride in their country. Soldiers are proud to go fight for what America stands for, for them in this world. And the thing that this character emphasizes is that these soldiers of America fight for the beauty of America; the…
Read the whole comment
honestly, i feel that this poem has many different and almost opposite-like ideas. cummings' character praises the fact that America is a glorious nation and all who reside in America hold great pride in their country. Soldiers are proud to go fight for what America stands for, for them in this world. And the thing that this character emphasizes is that these soldiers of America fight for the beauty of America; the freedom, the liberty. The soldiers don't even think one bit; to such an extent that they are ready to face death even when it comes to them. cummings sarcastically remarks how America has patriotic soldiers representing her freedom, without thinking because they only have the thought that war glorifies a nation and "beautifies" the "voice of liberty." This poem is a poem of the question WHY towards this capitalist train of thinking of patriotism in these soldiers and people of America. The real question is Why is freedom fighting when everything should be earned or given in freedom? including individual worth and thought?
:) this is what i think. i just wrote what came to my mind.
The poem is satirizing the fact that America is great. But in reality is very different. one of the ideals of America is lierty or equality, but they dont have it. He also criticizes the polititions for inaction, theytend to say things, but never do it. They are repeating the same things again and again and it becomes meaning les.
J.A. GarridoUnited States
"America makes prodigious mistakes, America has colossal faults, but one thing cannot be denied: America is always on the move. She may be going to Hell, of course, but at least she isn't standing still."
e.e. cummings said the above quote. I don't mean to be melodramatic (but) this poem couldn't be further away frompatriotism. The inclusion of 'andsoforth' is indeed (As someone else mentioned) the poet satirising the superflous spewing of nationalism that is so typical of (myfellow) americans. That is really only one example, but i cant be bothered to think of more, so forget about it.
JamesUnited Kingdom
TO all those who take this as a symbol of patriotism: you are the people Cummings is ripping the piss out of with this piece. The speaker is clearly a politician, the platitudes and unfinished anthem he spouts are not given meaning, importance, or space. The form is a usurped form of sonnet (which are always love songs) so what else can he be doing but usurping this political over-done love for america? Notice how slaughter is rhymed with the (unfinished) ending couplet? notice how it changes rythm on that line? He is pointing out the senseless slaughter carried out in the name of america. Sorry patriots, this is clearly NOT for you. (it is however, brilliant- like most Cummings work.)
daniUnited Kingdom
lastt line
in the last line, when cummings says 'he spoke. And drank rapidly a glass of water' it could actually be him washing his mouth out from the things he feels he perhaps should not have said
I believe that this poem is about a person who is reading a messege out to the public like(george bush) did because he did not write any of his speechs He has them written for him so i believ it is a big metaphor saying that they are like ventriloquists told what to say.
But also it could be that the poem is about a person telling a story from the past about how pilgrims supposedly were the founders of america and he then realises at the end when he drinks the water that he has to take a drink to calm down and forget about it
Didn’t President Trump use this poem whenever he delivered a speech. I think I watched it several times on Fox during his failed attempt to be re-elected President. After he drinks the water I think Lee Greenwood comes out and sings “I’m proud to be an American.
which do you think is better and why, this poem or Whitmans song of myself?
Post September 11th and with the current policies in Iraq, this poem seems just too familar. Patriotism is becoming more and more of a fad, with little or no action behind the flags we wave and the "Support Our Troops" ribbons everywhere. We blindly buy into our leaders' ideas and call it supporting our soldiers. But "what could be more beautiful than these heroic happy dead?"
Errin, I agree entirely.
I am embarking on a project which guides students to compare elements and techniques of classical poets with those of hip-hop poets. This poem is a good example of a protest poem which is an element many hip hop poets use.
...but there are two sets of leaders. Truth is, there's a debate, but the left isn't part of it. The left, unfortunately, can't or won't communicate. They just stand there with their eyes closed, bellowing their doctrine at the rest of us. They don't listen. They don't think. If you disagree, if you ask questions, if you think for yourself at all, they throw a fit and scream at you that you're a "moron" or a…
Read the whole comment...but there are two sets of leaders. Truth is, there's a debate, but the left isn't part of it. The left, unfortunately, can't or won't communicate. They just stand there with their eyes closed, bellowing their doctrine at the rest of us. They don't listen. They don't think. If you disagree, if you ask questions, if you think for yourself at all, they throw a fit and scream at you that you're a "moron" or a "fascist" or whatever. They call you a racist if you believe in God, and they call you a homophobe if you own a gun. Those are perfect non sequiturs, by the way.
It's a sort of Stalinism of the mind.
The "patriots" you hate and fear are questioning their leaders a lot more than you're questioning yours.
Well said, Har har. No generalization can apply entirely to any one group but from I observe the dogma of the left is enforced more completely and rabidly than the Thought Police of Orwell could dream. Some follow our leaders blindly and some do it with their eyes wide open but at least most conservatives, that I've met, allow those who will follow to follow and those who won't to disagree. Criticism is not censure and freedom of speech applies to all opinions, not only those that are "P.C."
This is a very compelling poem, and what I find interesting is that most of the people who have commented here seem to disagree with it. I can't tell you if I do or not but I can certainly understand where it's coming from.
-Holly
none of u understand this poem......the poem is a speech of a politician. it is mocking him because there is no original thought. his words are the words of other famous song writers and poets.
I think all of us understand the poem. the fact that it is a jumbled mix of patriotic sayings is so evident it need not be expressed. The point is the meaning behind it. does this mass of patriotism sencerely make up for the loss of life and the lack disingenuous nature in which it is presented? We are looking at our current leaders and seeing this mass of jingo being presented once again. I like to read this poem in conjuction with "Dulce et decorum est". its a nice match.
Going back to Har Har's comment, any partisan politics are "moronic." Such generalization makes you seem like a very narrow-minded person. I side neither with the "left" or "right" because I believe thinking for yourself involves detaching yourself from either political position (granted there are more than two). To help clarify, here are the words of the greatest America poet ever:
"While some on principles baptized
To strict party platforms ties
Social clubs in drag disguise
Outsiders they can freely criticize
Tell nothing except who to idolize
And then say God Bless him." - Bob Dylan
(Ownage)
This poem at first glabe is a mere poem of patriotism, but it goes much deeper than that. I like the way cummings breaks the rules of writing, he is a true modernist writer. He uses irony,and figurative language which is refreshing compared to various other poems.
-G Par
I think that this poem is really weird. Sorry but it's kind of (really) Stupid
I agree with the politician speech, seeing as though it is in quotes. There is quite a sarcastic tone to this seeing as though 2 famous American songs are in here. My country tis of thee......, and the star spangled banner, he juxtaposes those pride and "our country is great" songs with the "heroic happy dead"
And the only question i pose, is "the mute voice?" is that the voice of the dead who fought in the war?
I like how many people misinterpret this poem. I have had many people read it and some of them have even commented on the patriotism of e.e. Cummings. This poem brilliantly combines [at the beginning] a sense of patriotism and pride but [at the end] shows us how foolish we are for ignoring the down side of war. Patriotism isn't all it is cracked up to be.
I love how this poem uses my country tis of thee, and the star spangled banner. This poem shows the great respect and love we have for our country!
This poem by e.e. cummings is about a man mocking a politition in a chauvinistic manor. He is adorting his country and ridiculing it at the same time.
Allusions to the National Anthom and the other patriotic song about how great america is. But then "deafanddumb", "mute liberty", "heroic happy dead." Young, inieve people goig tono a war without knowing the cause or purpose for it.
I think the whole poem is sarcastic. First he starts out with "next to of course god america i" The "of course" suggests that, even though church and state are supposed to be separate, they are not, and God rules the country. In the next line he says "land of the pilgriims and so forth". What does he mean by "and so forth"? Could he be refering to the native americans and mexican people that were here before us and…
Read the whole commentI think the whole poem is sarcastic.
First he starts out with "next to of course god america i" The "of course" suggests that, even though church and state are supposed to be separate, they are not, and God rules the country.
In the next line he says "land of the pilgriims and so forth". What does he mean by "and so forth"? Could he be refering to the native americans and mexican people that were here before us and just kind of got pushed aside?
The inclusion of the two patriotically famous songs could be a mockery of our superfluous patriotism, later stating that "we should worry in every language even deafanddumb thy sons acclaim your glorious name by jing by gee by gosh by gum".
He then ends it with the extremely sarcastic "beautiful... happy dead who rushed like lions to the roaring slaughter... then shall the voice of libert be mute?". I kind of think that the last line has a double meaning. It could mean that the soldier who fought for liberty are now dead, but I like to think that it is refering to how they had no say in what they did. The soldiers were ordered to go and die, but had no choice. They were not allowed to think for themselves, or decide for themselves if what they were fighting for was right. Since this was published after World War two, he could be refering to the conscription (draft).
That's my opinion, but no one can really be right.
I'm only 17 after all, so if you don't accept my interpretation, ignore it.
Nadia, I really appreciated your comment! I am caught up on the "He" in the poem's final line and not completely satisfied with the explanation that He is a politician. Is it significant that He is capitalized while i is not? Why drink a glass of water? Water has a lot of religious associations including the forgiveness of sins and washing one's hands of guilt. Or, perhaps the speaker is drinking water so that he will be able to continue speaking. The rhetorical question, "shall the voice of liberty be mute?" is interesting too. Does the speaker see himself as the voice of liberty? I like the satirical tone, but am really lost on this final line.
this poem was published in 1926, which is most certainly NOT after World War II. It IS, however, after World War I. Is this what you meant, Chris S.? Also, this poem is very comparable to Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est". They both lament the loss of so many young lives as well as clamor against the presumption that "it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country".
"next to of course god america i" is absolutely not a patriotic poem. would a patriotic poem include a lower-cased "america" in the title?
At face value, E.E. Cummings’ “next to of course god america i”, impacts the reader with little to no emotional influence. Instead, the poem initially impresses its audience by assuming the appearance of, essentially, an incomprehensible slew of words thrown together without order or apparent meaning. As is the case for most well written, quality poetry, however, close reading of “next to of course got america i”,…
Read the whole commentAt face value, E.E. Cummings’ “next to of course god america i”, impacts the reader with little to no emotional influence. Instead, the poem initially impresses its audience by assuming the appearance of, essentially, an incomprehensible slew of words thrown together without order or apparent meaning. As is the case for most well written, quality poetry, however, close reading of “next to of course got america i”, illustrates the author’s meticulous poetic methodology; in which not a single syllable lacks explicit purpose in a connotative or denotative sense. The poet effectively posits the tone and purpose for “next to of course god america i”, through an, albeit grammatically convoluted, yet suggestively crafted, seven word title, and by continuing on with the poem as a satirical dramatization of the conflict between a public speaker’s empty charade of patriotism, and the audience’s cynical reception of his speech. The poet achieves the portrayal of this relationship through the use of various literary devices, imagery, diction, rhyme, and other aural and visual details throughout.
The speaker dictates the poem in two stanzas, the first being thirteen lines, and the second only one. The total poem consists of fourteen lines in combination with a clear rhyme scheme which makes it a sonnet. The speaker leaves out all punctuation from the first stanza, except one question mark at the end, to purposefully interfere with the reader’s ability to comprehend the first stanza on the first read. The lack of punctuation makes the speaker sound rambling and indefinite, and it makes the poem’s first thirteen lines look like a random compilation of words. The second stanza incorporates much more sanity by adding some grammatically comprehensive punctuation in the form of a single period. The rambling sound of the speech followed by the coherency exhibited by the rational, one-lined listener juxtaposes the overall theme, which implies that the supposed representatives of America are just figure heads chanting empty, insubstantial lyrics of pretend patriotism from a speechwriters poisoned ink pen. All the while, the American people are forced to watch their soldiers, who are the ones fighting for American ideals, and acting as the true muted voice of liberty, die, and shake their heads as they suffer from one disappointing, representative inadequacy after another.
THIS POEM WAS AWSOME
@amy this poem is definitely a patriotic poem, just because cummings did not capitalize america doesn't mean that it is not patriotic. you need to realize that cummings writes in his own specific style which includes little to no capitalization, which makes a bigger impact on the reader because it makes the reader think. and so what if he didn't capitalize america it doesn't change the intent of the poem, which is mainly about how people think of america and how people are willing to die for america with out even a second thought which show a great deal of patriotism.
honestly, i feel that this poem has many different and almost opposite-like ideas. cummings' character praises the fact that America is a glorious nation and all who reside in America hold great pride in their country. Soldiers are proud to go fight for what America stands for, for them in this world. And the thing that this character emphasizes is that these soldiers of America fight for the beauty of America; the…
Read the whole commenthonestly, i feel that this poem has many different and almost opposite-like ideas. cummings' character praises the fact that America is a glorious nation and all who reside in America hold great pride in their country. Soldiers are proud to go fight for what America stands for, for them in this world. And the thing that this character emphasizes is that these soldiers of America fight for the beauty of America; the freedom, the liberty. The soldiers don't even think one bit; to such an extent that they are ready to face death even when it comes to them. cummings sarcastically remarks how America has patriotic soldiers representing her freedom, without thinking because they only have the thought that war glorifies a nation and "beautifies" the "voice of liberty." This poem is a poem of the question WHY towards this capitalist train of thinking of patriotism in these soldiers and people of America. The real question is Why is freedom fighting when everything should be earned or given in freedom? including individual worth and thought?
:) this is what i think. i just wrote what came to my mind.
The poem is satirizing the fact that America is great. But in reality is very different. one of the ideals of America is lierty or equality, but they dont have it. He also criticizes the polititions for inaction, theytend to say things, but never do it. They are repeating the same things again and again and it becomes meaning les.
"America makes prodigious mistakes, America has colossal faults, but one thing cannot be denied: America is always on the move. She may be going to Hell, of course, but at least she isn't standing still."
e.e. cummings said the above quote.
I don't mean to be melodramatic (but) this poem couldn't be further away frompatriotism. The inclusion of 'andsoforth' is indeed (As someone else mentioned) the poet satirising the superflous spewing of nationalism that is so typical of (myfellow) americans. That is really only one example, but i cant be bothered to think of more, so forget about it.
TO all those who take this as a symbol of patriotism: you are the people Cummings is ripping the piss out of with this piece.
The speaker is clearly a politician, the platitudes and unfinished anthem he spouts are not given meaning, importance, or space.
The form is a usurped form of sonnet (which are always love songs) so what else can he be doing but usurping this political over-done love for america?
Notice how slaughter is rhymed with the (unfinished) ending couplet? notice how it changes rythm on that line?
He is pointing out the senseless slaughter carried out in the name of america.
Sorry patriots, this is clearly NOT for you. (it is however, brilliant- like most Cummings work.)
lastt line
in the last line, when cummings says 'he spoke. And drank rapidly a glass of water' it could actually be him washing his mouth out from the things he feels he perhaps should not have said
I believe that this poem is about a person who is reading a messege out to the public like(george bush) did because he did not write any of his speechs He has them written for him so i believ it is a big metaphor saying that they are like ventriloquists told what to say.
But also it could be that the poem is about a person telling a story from the past about how pilgrims supposedly were the founders of america and he then realises at the end when he drinks the water that he has to take a drink to calm down and forget about it
I wasn't even born when u wrote this comment lol
Didn’t President Trump use this poem whenever he delivered a speech. I think I watched it several times on Fox during his failed attempt to be re-elected President. After he drinks the water I think Lee Greenwood comes out and sings “I’m proud to be an American.
I don't think tRump would read a poem that criticizes patriotism. I seriously doubt tRump reads poetry.