Poem Analysis - In Spite Of Everything

A Fleeting Moment Against Inevitability

E.E. Cummings' "In Spite Of Everything" is a poignant expression of love and defiance in the face of mortality. The poem is tinged with melancholy, acknowledging the inevitability of death and decay, personified as "Doom." However, a contrasting, tender moment shines through as the speaker finds solace in a simple act of affection. The overall impression is one of bittersweet acceptance and a quiet rebellion against the forces that seek to diminish life's intimate connections. The mood shifts from somber recognition of mortality to a gentle, almost desperate, clinging to the memory of shared intimacy.

Doom's Cold Embrace

One of the central themes of the poem is mortality. Cummings presents death, or "Doom," not as a violent force, but as a meticulous and orderly one. The image of "white longest hands / neatening each crease" suggests a clinical, almost bureaucratic process of erasing life. This careful smoothing of "our minds" implies not just physical death, but also the obliteration of memory and identity. The poem acknowledges that this fate is unavoidable, affecting "everything / which breathes and moves." This acceptance of mortality hangs heavy, casting a shadow over the speaker's actions.

Love as a Balm

Juxtaposed against the theme of mortality is the powerful theme of love and intimacy. The speaker's act of kissing the pillow before leaving the room is a tender gesture that speaks volumes. The pillow becomes a symbol of the shared space and experiences of the speaker and their beloved. The phrase "where our heads lived and were" elevates the physical object to a sacred space, a repository of memories and emotions. This act is a small, but significant, act of defiance against "Doom," a claiming of love's enduring presence even in the face of oblivion. It represents an effort to preserve the intimacy before time takes it away.

Brief Defiance: A Symbol of Pillow

The poem utilizes potent symbolism, most notably through the image of the pillow. The pillow, as noted earlier, represents shared intimacy and the physical space where the lovers' "heads lived and were." It’s a tangible reminder of their connection, a haven against the overwhelming forces of "Doom." The act of kissing the pillow is not merely a sentimental gesture; it is a conscious act of preserving memory and asserting the enduring power of love in the face of inevitable loss. The pillow becomes a symbol of resistance against the forces that seek to erase personal connection.

A Final Whisper Against Oblivion

In conclusion, "In Spite Of Everything" is a compact yet profound meditation on love and mortality. Cummings juxtaposes the inevitability of death with the enduring power of human connection. The poem acknowledges the somber reality of "Doom" while simultaneously celebrating the small, but meaningful, moments of intimacy that define our lives. The final image of the kiss on the pillow is a poignant reminder that love, even in the face of oblivion, leaves an indelible mark. The poem may be interpreted as a brief, almost desperate, attempt to capture and hold onto the fleeting moments of love and shared existence before they are inevitably lost to the passage of time.