Poem Analysis - In Making Marjorie God Hurried

A Dissection of Creation: Introduction

E.E. Cummings's "In Making Marjorie God Hurried" is a provocative and unsettling poem that explores the speaker's complex and objectifying view of a woman named Marjorie. The poem's tone is initially cynical and almost clinical, dissecting Marjorie's features as if she were a hastily assembled art project. This detached observation, however, gives way to a more vulnerable and emotionally charged response, particularly toward the end, revealing a sense of longing and perhaps even despair. The poem uses jarring imagery and a unique perspective to challenge conventional notions of beauty and desire.

"God's" Rushed Creation: Themes of Imperfection and Objectification

One of the main themes developed in the poem is imperfection. The title itself suggests a flawed creation, a being made in haste. The poem doesn't portray Marjorie as divinely beautiful or perfect, but rather as a collection of somewhat mismatched parts. "A boy's body on unsuspicious / legs of girl" and the description of her mouth as a "vicious / vegetable" all contribute to this sense of imperfection. This theme is further explored through the idea of objectification. The speaker scrutinizes Marjorie's body as if it were an object to be analyzed and manipulated. He describes how "god" (or whoever is doing the creating) forms her features with a careless, almost violent, touch. The final lines of the poem, where the speaker offers to "fill her hips with boys and girls" for money, reinforces the sense of her being treated as a commodity rather than a person.

Sunset Vermouth and Moist Mistakes: Vivid Imagery and Fragility

The poem is rich in unusual and vivid imagery. The phrase "a tiny sunset of vermouth-colour" to describe her hair is particularly striking. A sunset is typically associated with beauty and tranquility, but its association with vermouth, an alcoholic beverage, introduces an element of artificiality and perhaps even intoxication. Similarly, the "moist mistake" between her lips is a powerful image that evokes both beauty and something slightly unsettling. The speaker's reaction to this "mistake," which "hurls / me into tears," suggests a vulnerability and a capacity for deep feeling that contrasts with his earlier detachment. These images, though unconventional, convey the fragility and fleeting nature of beauty, as well as the speaker's own complex emotional response.

Obsolete Gaze: The Unsettling Depiction of Femininity

The phrase "obsolete gaze" is perhaps the most intriguing and ambiguous image in the poem. It suggests that Marjorie's gaze is somehow outdated or no longer relevant. This could be interpreted in several ways. It might refer to a certain innocence or naiveté that is lost as she becomes sexualized and objectified. It could also suggest a gaze that does not meet the speaker’s expectations, a failure to fulfill his desire. Could it imply that society's expectations of women's appearances are often outdated or even damaging?

Concluding Thoughts: The Pain of Objectification and Fleeting Beauty

In conclusion, "In Making Marjorie God Hurried" is a complex and challenging poem that explores themes of imperfection, objectification, and the fleeting nature of beauty. Through its jarring imagery and unconventional perspective, the poem forces us to confront the ways in which we perceive and interact with others, particularly in relation to gender and desire. The speaker's journey from detached observation to emotional vulnerability reveals the painful consequences of objectification and the longing for genuine connection in a world where beauty is often commodified. The poem ultimately leaves us with a sense of unease and a lingering question about the true nature of beauty and desire.