Poem Analysis - Portraits

An Introduction to "Portraits"

E.E. Cummings' "Portraits" is a multifaceted poem, a triptych of distinct vignettes that explore birth, mundane existence, and death with Cummings' signature unconventional style. The poem shifts in tone from the deeply personal and somewhat obscure reflections on origins in the first section to the satirical portrayal of a woman in the second, culminating in the darkly whimsical and unsettling vision of death and judgment in the third. Throughout, Cummings challenges conventional poetic language and expectations, creating a unique and at times jarring reading experience.

Origin and Being: The First Portrait

The first section of "Portraits" delves into the speaker's origin, a complex and somewhat abstract consideration of birth and identity. The opening lines evoke a sense of time passing ("spent days begins to frail") and a symbolic burial, hinting at the past being laid to rest. The speaker emphasizes the power of love and connection, suggested by the phrase "by beauty i declare to you." He then grapples with his conception, using highly figurative language ("dangerous womb of cringing air") to portray the act of procreation. The imagery is intense and visceral, with "shock beyond shock" and "wallowing male strokes," suggesting a disruptive and forceful event. The section culminates in the speaker's emergence as "this blueeyed Finn," a concrete identity formed from this chaotic origin, buttoning his coat against the "wind," an image of vulnerability and resilience.

The Mundane and the Grotesque: A Satirical Second

The second portrait offers a stark contrast to the introspective nature of the first, presenting a satirical depiction of a woman. The description is unflattering, using terms like "flyspecked abdominous female" and "indubitably tellurian" to emphasize her physicality and ordinariness. Cummings employs unusual word choices and phrasing to create a sense of the grotesque, mocking societal ideals of beauty and femininity. The lines "eyes which mutter thickly (as one merely / terricolous American an instant doubts / the authenticity / of these antiquities—relaxing / hurries / elsewhere; to blow / incredible wampum)" suggest the shallowness of American society and the superficiality of appearances, using an obscure reference to "wampum" to emphasize the idea of worthlessness and fakery. This section serves as a commentary on the superficiality of modern life and the artist's rejection of it.

Death and Absurdity: A Crumby Conclusion

The final section, focusing on "little Effie," is perhaps the most unsettling and memorable. The image of a child's head filled with gingerbread immediately establishes a tone of macabre whimsy. The poem transforms into a parable about judgment and identity, as God confronts the six crumbs that remain of Effie's brain. Each crumb offers a different perspective, using subjunctive mood ("may," "might," "should," "could," "would," "must") to highlight their hypothetical existence and their role in Effie's identity. The entire scenario is inherently absurd, questioning the nature of identity and the process of judgment after death. The line "(want a match or can you see?)" directly addresses the reader, implicating them in this unsettling vision of mortality.

Cummings' Critique: A Final Insight

"Portraits" is a challenging and ultimately thought-provoking poem. Cummings uses unconventional language, fragmented syntax, and jarring imagery to disrupt conventional notions of beauty, identity, and mortality. While the poem's meaning may remain ambiguous, its power lies in its ability to evoke a range of emotions, from wonder and introspection to discomfort and unease. Through its three distinct portraits, Cummings offers a critique of societal norms, artistic conventions, and the human condition itself, leaving the reader to ponder the complexities of existence and the inevitability of death. The poem showcases how the use of unsettling imagery, combined with unusual syntax, contribute to an overall feeling of unease and ultimately, questioning what society deems beautiful or acceptable.