Poem Analysis - When Serpents Bargain

Introduction: A World Turned Upside Down

E.E. Cummings' "When Serpents Bargain" presents a satirical and cynical vision of a world obsessed with control and conformity. The poem's tone is initially absurd, almost playful, as it depicts nature engaging in bureaucratic and transactional activities. However, a sense of disillusionment and biting criticism emerges as the poem progresses, culminating in a stark pronouncement about humanity's potential. The overall mood is one of sarcastic skepticism, challenging the reader to question the values and structures of modern society.

The Absurdity of Control: A Central Theme

One of the main themes in the poem is the absurdity of control. Cummings uses fantastical and illogical scenarios to highlight how ridiculous it is to impose rigid rules and regulations on natural processes. The images of serpents bargaining, the sun striking for a wage, and oaks needing permission to produce acorns illustrate the intrusion of human constructs into the organic world. This theme is developed through vivid, almost cartoonish imagery, emphasizing the unnaturalness of these situations. For example, the image of "valleys accuse their / mountains of having altitude" is a comical portrayal of envy and conflict born from an obsession with hierarchy and comparison, further emphasizing the absurdity.

The Suffocation of Individuality: No Room for Originality

Another prominent theme is the suffocation of individuality. The poem suggests that a world obsessed with control leaves no room for originality or spontaneity. The image of the thrush needing approval from screech-owls before singing and the wave needing to sign "on the dotted line" emphasizes how creativity and natural expression are suppressed in favor of conformity. The use of bird imagery, often associated with freedom and expression, is particularly effective in conveying the loss of individuality. This theme suggests that unchecked control leads to a sterile and uninspired existence.

Nature Under Siege: Symbolism in Chaos

Recurring symbols and vivid images play a crucial role in conveying the poem's message. Nature, represented by serpents, the sun, thorns, rainbows, thrushes, waves, oaks, birches, valleys, and mountains, symbolizes the untamed and organic aspects of life. These natural elements are then subjected to the language and processes of human society—bargaining, striking, insurance, contracts, accusations—creating a stark contrast. This contrast emphasizes the intrusive and damaging effect of human control on the natural world. The "rainbows are insured against old age" image is particularly striking, suggesting a fear of natural decline and an attempt to artificially preserve beauty, ultimately highlighting the artificiality of modern life. It might also symbolize the corporatization of beauty and its transformation to a commodity.

The Unanimous Mankind: A Hope Deferred?

The final lines offer a bleak perspective on humanity. The phrase "unanimal mankind" is itself a contradiction, suggesting a humanity that is no longer connected to its primal instincts or natural empathy. It suggests that genuine, compassionate humanity will only emerge when these absurd controls and restrictions are lifted, and natural processes are allowed to unfold without interference. The parenthesis "(and not until)" emphasizes the conditional nature of this belief and highlights the poem's overall pessimism about the current state of affairs. The poem ends without a resolution but suggests that the possibility of a better world is dependent on a fundamental shift in human values.