Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Five Americans: 1. Liz" by E.E. Cummings presents a portrait of a woman named Liz, depicted in a way that highlights her physicality and the mundane, almost mechanical aspects of her existence. Through his characteristic use of language and imagery, Cummings explores themes of ennui, the passage of time, and the disconnection between body and mind.

The poem opens with an intimate observation of Liz's breathing: "with breathing as (faithfully) her lownecked / dress a little topples and slightly expands." The description of her dress moving with her breath suggests a kind of rhythmic, involuntary motion, highlighting the routine nature of her physical existence. The parenthetical "(faithfully)" adds a layer of irony, as if even her breathing is a duty she performs with regularity but without passion.

Cummings then focuses on the small details of Liz's appearance, particularly "one square foot mired in silk wrinkling loth / stocking." This image evokes a sense of discomfort or disarray, as if her stocking and the silk are reluctantly interacting, creating wrinkles that mar the smoothness one might expect. The word "mired" suggests that even this small part of her is trapped or stuck, contributing to an overall sense of lethargy or resignation.

The next lines describe the actions of Liz's body: "begins queerly to do a few / gestures to death," implying a kind of awkwardness or clumsiness in her movements. The phrase "gestures to death" introduces a morbid undertone, suggesting that her body is unconsciously mimicking the gestures associated with decay or the end of life. This idea is reinforced by the description of her "silent shoulders" being "slowly with pinkish ponderous arms bedecked," as if her body is weighed down by its own movements.

Her "white thick wrists deliver promptly to / a deep lap enormous mindless hands." Here, the hands are described as "mindless," emphasizing a disconnect between her physical actions and any conscious intent. The use of "enormous" exaggerates this sense of disconnection, making her hands seem almost alien or separate from the rest of her body.

The poem then shifts to a contemplation of Liz's thoughts, or the lack thereof: "and no one knows what (i am sure of this) / her blunt unslender, what her big unkeen / 'Business is rotten' the face yawning said." Cummings portrays Liz as emotionally and intellectually disengaged, her thoughts seemingly as dull and unrefined as her physical form. The phrase "Business is rotten" reflects a sentiment of dissatisfaction or disillusionment, but it is delivered with a "yawning" face, suggesting a lack of true concern or passion.

Cummings then wonders "what her mouth thinks of / (if it were a kiss)," introducing a contrast between the reality of Liz's existence and the potential for something more intimate or meaningful. The idea that her mouth could be thinking of a kiss suggests a desire for connection or tenderness, but it remains an unfulfilled potential, as indicated by the conditional "if."

The poem concludes with the phrase "distinct entirely melting sinuous lean .. / whereof this lady in some book had read." This final image suggests that Liz has encountered the idea of sensuality or emotional fluidity in literature, but it remains something external to her, something she has read about but not truly experienced. The "sinuous lean" contrasts sharply with her earlier description, implying a grace and fluidity that she lacks in her own life.

"Five Americans: 1. Liz" by E.E. Cummings is a nuanced portrayal of a woman who appears to be trapped in the routines of her physical existence, disconnected from deeper emotional or intellectual engagement. Through his use of detailed, often unflattering imagery, Cummings captures the monotony and alienation that can accompany a life lived without passion or purpose. The poem suggests a yearning for something more—whether it be connection, meaning, or beauty—that remains just out of reach for Liz, confined to the realm of imagination or literature.

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