Poem Analysis - Dead Every Enormous Piece

Introduction: A Cry Against the Impersonal

E.E. Cummings's "dead every enourmous piece" is a brief, sharp jab at the dehumanizing nature of large, impersonal institutions, specifically, as the poem suggests, the "state." The poem's tone is initially cynical and dismissive, contrasting the lifelessness of the state with the vibrant, albeit suffering, individual. It shifts to a more contemplative mood towards the end, pondering the individual's experience of time and despair, culminating in an allusion to Shakespeare's tragic figure, Lear, suggesting profound, personal anguish.

The Tyranny of the Abstract: State vs. Individual

One of the central themes of the poem is the tension between the individual and the overwhelming power of abstract entities like the state. Cummings sets up a stark contrast, describing the "state" as a "dead every enourmous piece of nonsense." This forceful language immediately establishes the state as something devoid of life and meaning. This emptiness is juxtaposed with the "alive individual," who, despite being "pitying terrible," possesses a vital existence that the state lacks. The word "pitying" suggests a capacity for empathy and connection, while "terrible" hints at the raw, unfiltered experiences that define a living being. The poem suggests that the individual, however flawed or suffering, is inherently more valuable than any abstract political structure.

Time and Suffering: An Eternal Now

The poem also explores the theme of time and suffering, particularly as it relates to the individual experience. The lines "ten centuries of original soon or make it ten times ten are more than not entitled to complain" suggest a vast, almost incomprehensible span of time compressed into a single moment, the "eternal now." This could represent the weight of history and accumulated suffering that each individual carries. The phrase "eternal now" captures the immediacy and inescapability of human experience, particularly in the face of despair. The individual is "plunged" into this "eternal now," suggesting a lack of control and a sense of being overwhelmed by the present moment.

Lear's Echo: The Depths of Despair

The allusion to "a lear" is a powerful symbol of human suffering and the descent into madness. King Lear, from Shakespeare's play, is a figure of immense power who is ultimately stripped of everything, including his sanity. By invoking Lear, Cummings connects the individual's experience to a timeless archetype of human tragedy. The "five nevers" likely allude to Lear's heart-wrenching lament at the end of the play, where he repeatedly refuses to accept the death of his daughter, Cordelia. This reference adds a layer of profound sorrow and suggests that the individual's despair is not merely a fleeting emotion but a deep, existential crisis. The ambiguity of "five nevers of a lear" invites the reader to consider the myriad ways in which loss and disappointment can shape human experience.

Final Insights: The Enduring Value of Being

In conclusion, "dead every enourmous piece" is a potent critique of the dehumanizing forces of the state and a celebration of the individual's capacity for feeling, even in the face of immense suffering. Through vivid imagery and powerful allusions, Cummings contrasts the sterile emptiness of abstract institutions with the messy, vibrant reality of human existence. The poem's final resonance lies in its affirmation of the enduring value of being alive, even when that existence is marked by pain and loss. It leaves us pondering the profound and inescapable nature of individual experience in a world often dominated by impersonal structures.