Poem Analysis - Being

Introduction: A Stark Portrait of Lost Innocence

E.E. Cummings's "being twelve who hast merely gonorrhea" presents a stark and unsettling portrait of a child robbed of innocence. The poem's fragmented structure and jarring juxtaposition of youth and disease create a tone of shock and pity, tinged with a sense of societal failure. The poem avoids sentimentality, opting instead for a blunt, almost clinical depiction of a tragic reality. The initial detached observation gradually gives way to a feeling of helplessness, culminating in a question that hangs heavy with unanswerable sorrow.

The Crushing Weight of Lost Childhood

One of the central themes is the destruction of innocence. The poem immediately confronts the reader with the horrific reality of a twelve-year-old burdened by a sexually transmitted disease. The phrase "merely gonorrhea" is particularly chilling, suggesting a casual acceptance of a profound violation. The word "child" further emphasizes the tragedy, contrasting sharply with the harshness of the disease. The "Oldeyed" description suggests a premature aging, a loss of the naivety and joy typically associated with childhood.

Mortality's Shadow: The Inevitability of Death

The theme of mortality, though subtly present, is undeniable. The abrupt addition of "death" in the penultimate line injects a sense of inevitability into the poem. It's not just the death of innocence, but potentially a literal death, hastened by the disease and its consequences. The query "what shall?" implies a helplessness in the face of this impending doom, a questioning of purpose and meaning when confronted with such a tragic fate. This highlights the vulnerability of youth and the fragility of life itself.

Society's Silence and Complicity

The poem touches upon the theme of social responsibility, or rather, the lack thereof. The poem implies a societal failure that allows such a situation to exist. While not explicitly stated, the poem implicitly questions the systems and structures that have failed to protect this child. The absence of judgment, replaced by a simple statement of fact, might be interpreted as a silent accusation against a world that allows such things to happen. This absence of direct condemnation forces the reader to confront their own complicity and consider the social factors that contribute to such tragedies.

Boots: Symbol of Premature Adulthood

The "boots" are a recurring image that likely symbolizes a forced and premature entry into adulthood. Boots are often associated with maturity, work, and experience, things that a twelve-year-old should not yet be burdened with. The phrase "ambitious weeness of boots" is particularly evocative, suggesting a pathetic attempt to mimic adult power and status, while still remaining fundamentally a child. This image underscores the tragedy of innocence lost and the crushing weight of premature responsibility.

Concluding Thoughts: A Question that Echoes

"being twelve who hast merely gonorrhea" is a haunting and unsettling poem that forces us to confront uncomfortable realities. It explores themes of lost innocence, mortality, and social responsibility through stark imagery and a detached, almost clinical tone. The poem's power lies in its unflinching portrayal of a child robbed of their youth, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of helplessness and a profound question: "what shall?" This question serves as a stark reminder of our collective responsibility to protect the vulnerable and address the societal failures that allow such tragedies to occur.