Poem Analysis - And What Were Roses

An Ethereal Quest for Beauty

E.E. Cummings’ "And What Were Roses" is a delicate and dreamlike exploration of beauty, memory, and the fleeting nature of idealized images. The poem unfolds as a wistful inquiry, questioning the essence of roses and transitioning into a contemplation of ethereal figures that haunt the speaker's dreams. The tone is initially uncertain and questioning, gradually shifting towards a more reverent and imaginative portrayal of these figures. The poem creates a sense of longing for an elusive beauty that exists beyond the tangible.

Memory and the Fragility of Remembrance

One central theme is the fragility of memory and how it shapes our perception of beauty. The poem opens with a direct question about roses, “and what were roses. Perfume? for i do/forget…” This immediate acknowledgment of forgetfulness suggests that the speaker is struggling to recall the essence of something once cherished. This "forgetting" isn't literal amnesia, but rather the blurring of sensory details over time. The poem hints that the abstract idea of roses has become more significant than the actual memory of them. The fading recollection leads the speaker toward other forms of beauty, hinting that memory can be a foundation upon which to build new fantasies.

The Elusive Ideal of Feminine Beauty

The poem develops a strong theme of idealized feminine beauty. The transition from roses to the "haunters of dreams" reveals a focus on an almost otherworldly kind of beauty. These figures are described with adjectives like "demurely," "purely," and "proudly," presenting a complex vision of feminine grace and power. They are "ladies, ladies of my dreams" and even "queens," further elevating them to a level of ethereal perfection. Their detached, almost indifferent nature – "thinking very much/of nothing" – adds to their allure, suggesting that their beauty lies in their enigmatic and unattainable quality.

Dreams and the Realm of Imagination

The theme of imagination and the power of dreams is woven throughout the poem. The central figures are explicitly "haunters of dreams," indicating that they reside in the subconscious and are products of the speaker’s imagination. This suggests that true beauty might be found not in the real world, but in the realm of idealized fantasy. The imagery of "willows, bending upon streams" creates a classic, romantic landscape typical of daydreaming, reinforcing the sense that the speaker is actively constructing a world of beauty within their own mind. The poem emphasizes that the mind can create more perfect and lasting beauty than reality can.

Symbolism of Roses and Light

Roses, in this poem, function as a symbol of beauty and love, but more importantly, as a symbol of fleeting and imperfect beauty. The speaker's inability to fully recall their essence highlights the transient nature of physical beauty. The recurring imagery of light also plays a crucial role. The "twilight" setting suggests a liminal space between day and night, reality and dream, while the phrase "whom dawn loves most to touch" implies that these figures are connected to the ethereal quality of the morning light, suggesting purity and new beginnings. Dawn's touch could also imply vulnerability, as the dawn is brief and the figures are most beautiful when illuminated.

Concluding Thoughts on Fleeting Beauty

In conclusion, "And What Were Roses" is a subtle and evocative meditation on the nature of beauty and the power of imagination. The poem explores how memory can shape our perception of beauty, and how idealized images of feminine figures can exist in the realm of dreams. The symbolism of roses and light further underscores the transient nature of physical beauty, while emphasizing the enduring quality of beauty conceived in the mind. Ultimately, the poem suggests that true beauty may lie not in the tangible world, but in the ethereal realm of imagination and dreams, where the speaker is free to construct a world of idealized perfection. Does the speaker ultimately find the ladies/queens to be better than the roses or does he find all of it to be "good"?