Poem Analysis - Gee I Like To Think Of Dead

An Unconventional Embrace of Mortality

E.E. Cummings' "Gee I Like To Think Of Dead" is an unconventional and almost whimsical exploration of death. The poem avoids traditional somber tones, instead embracing death as something familiar, comforting, and even desirable. The mood oscillates between playful curiosity and profound acceptance, creating a unique and unsettling perspective on a typically feared subject. Its unpunctuated style and childlike language further contributes to its unique voice.

The Comforting Familiarity of the Unknown

One of the main themes of the poem is the idea of death as a comforting and familiar presence. Cummings uses imagery of everyday objects like "rosebugs and jackknives and kittens and pennies" falling into a well, suggesting that death is a repository for the discarded and forgotten aspects of life. These objects "sit there looking at each other having the fastest time because they've never met before," implying that death brings a sense of novelty and connection that life lacks. The poem continuously uses comparatives like "nearer because deeper firmer" to build death as an enhanced version of life, which is the opposite of the way it's usually perceived.

Death as Liberation from Societal Constraints

Another prominent theme is the liberation that death offers from societal constraints and self-consciousness. The poem depicts death as a release from the pressures of appearance ("dead's more even than how many ways of sitting on your head your unnatural hair has in the morning") and social expectations ("dead never says my dear,Time for your musiclesson"). The image of taking off "prickly-clothes" and squeezing "into-largeness" suggests a shedding of inhibitions and a merging with something greater than oneself. This idea of liberation extends to physical and emotional experiences, with death promising a deeper understanding and connection to others.

Imagery of a Deep Well and a Kind Stranger

Recurring symbols and vivid images play a crucial role in conveying the poem's message. The "little round water at one end of the well" is a central image, representing death as a cool, dark, and mysterious depth. The well also symbolizes a shared space where disparate elements of life converge. The image of a "nicest man you've never met who maybe winks at you in a streetcar" is an intriguing symbol of death's allure, suggesting that death can be charming and inviting, despite its inherent strangeness. The wink is key, an invitation to a world the speaker is already prepared to embrace.

The Allure of Finality and Connection

In conclusion, "Gee I Like To Think Of Dead" offers a strikingly positive and unconventional portrayal of mortality. Through its playful tone, unconventional imagery, and exploration of themes like liberation and connection, the poem suggests that death is not something to be feared, but rather a natural and even desirable part of existence. The poem's final affirmation, "Sure you say (like that) sure i'll come with you you say for i like kittens i do and jackknives i do and pennies i do and rosebugs i do," encapsulates its overall message of embracing death with open arms and a childlike sense of wonder. The poem suggests that the true fear lies not in death itself, but in the limitations and anxieties of life.