Introduction: “my father moved through dooms of love” by e e cummings
“my father moved through dooms of love” by e.e. cummings was first published in his groundbreaking 1926 collection, Tulips. Known for his experimental style, Cummings subverts traditional poetic conventions in this work. The poem’s syntax is deliberately unconventional, with sentences often fragmented and rearranged to create a unique rhythm and meaning. Additionally, Cummings eschews capitalization, using lowercase letters throughout to emphasize the democratic and egalitarian nature of his message. The poem’s typography also plays a significant role, with words and phrases arranged in unconventional ways to visually represent the themes and emotions expressed.
The main idea of “my father moved through dooms of love” is a celebration of love and life, despite the challenges and hardships that may be encountered. Cummings suggests that even in the face of adversity, love can provide a source of strength and resilience. The poem’s imagery, often drawn from nature, evokes a sense of hope and renewal. Ultimately, “my father moved through dooms of love” is a testament to the enduring power of human connection and the ability of love to transcend even the darkest of times.
Text: “my father moved through dooms of love” by e e cummings
my father moved through dooms of love
through sames of am through haves of give,
singing each morning out of each night
my father moved through depths of height
this motionless forgetful where
turned at his glance to shining here;
that if (so timid air is firm)
under his eyes would stir and squirm
newly as from unburied which
floats the first who, his april touch
drove sleeping selves to swarm their fates
woke dreamers to their ghostly roots
and should some why completely weep
my father’s fingers brought her sleep:
vainly no smallest voice might cry
for he could feel the mountains grow.
Lifting the valleys of the sea
my father moved through griefs of joy;
praising a forehead called the moon
singing desire into begin
joy was his song and joy so pure
a heart of star by him could steer
and pure so now and now so yes
the wrists of twilight would rejoice
keen as midsummer’s keen beyond
conceiving mind of sun will stand,
so strictly (over utmost him
so hugely) stood my father’s dream
his flesh was flesh his blood was blood:
no hungry man but wished him food;
no cripple wouldn’t creep one mile
uphill to only see him smile.
Scorning the Pomp of must and shall
my father moved through dooms of feel;
his anger was as right as rain
his pity was as green as grain
septembering arms of year extend
less humbly wealth to foe and friend
than he to foolish and to wise
offered immeasurable is
proudly and (by octobering flame
beckoned) as earth will downward climb,
so naked for immortal work
his shoulders marched against the dark
his sorrow was as true as bread:
no liar looked him in the head;
if every friend became his foe
he’d laugh and build a world with snow.
My father moved through theys of we,
singing each new leaf out of each tree
(and every child was sure that spring
danced when she heard my father sing)
then let men kill which cannot share,
let blood and flesh be mud and mire,
scheming imagine, passion willed,
freedom a drug that’s bought and sold
giving to steal and cruel kind,
a heart to fear, to doubt a mind,
to differ a disease of same,
conform the pinnacle of am
though dull were all we taste as bright,
bitter all utterly things sweet,
maggoty minus and dumb death
all we inherit, all bequeath
and nothing quite so least as truth
—i say though hate were why men breathe—
because my Father lived his soul
love is the whole and more than all
Annotations: “my father moved through dooms of love” by e e cummings
| Stanza | Annotation |
| my father moved through dooms of love through sames of am through haves of give, singing each morning out of each night my father moved through depths of height | The poem opens with contrasting images, blending abstract opposites like “dooms of love” and “depths of height” to describe the father as a figure who transcends dualities. Cummings portrays him as someone who embraces contradictions and moves with love through both joy and hardship. The use of “singing each morning out of each night” suggests renewal and optimism in his actions. |
| this motionless forgetful where turned at his glance to shining here; that if (so timid air is firm) under his eyes would stir and squirm newly as from unburied which floats the first who, his april touch drove sleeping selves to swarm their fates | The father’s presence transforms spaces, bringing vitality where there was stillness or forgetfulness. His influence wakes people to their destinies, as symbolized by the “sleeping selves” that are driven to “swarm their fates.” His “April touch” suggests renewal and hope, associated with spring and rebirth. The father seems to represent a guiding force that brings life and awareness to those around him. |
| woke dreamers to their ghostly roots and should some why completely weep my father’s fingers brought her sleep: vainly no smallest voice might cry for he could feel the mountains grow. Lifting the valleys of the sea my father moved through griefs of joy; | The father possesses a comforting and almost magical power: he awakens dreamers and soothes weeping individuals. The imagery of “feeling the mountains grow” and “lifting the valleys of the sea” positions him as someone deeply connected to nature, with a strength that transcends ordinary limits. His ability to navigate “griefs of joy” highlights his capacity to hold both sorrow and happiness simultaneously, emphasizing his emotional depth. |
| praising a forehead called the moon singing desire into begin joy was his song and joy so pure a heart of star by him could steer and pure so now and now so yes the wrists of twilight would rejoice | This stanza portrays the father as a figure of joy and inspiration. His praise of the moon’s forehead suggests reverence for natural beauty, and “singing desire into begin” highlights his role in inspiring creativity or new beginnings. His joy is depicted as pure and influential, able to steer a “heart of star.” This joy seems to transcend time, as even “the wrists of twilight” (a metaphor for the end of the day) rejoice in his presence. |
| keen as midsummer’s keen beyond conceiving mind of sun will stand, so strictly (over utmost him so hugely) stood my father’s dream his flesh was flesh his blood was blood: no hungry man but wished him food; | The father’s dream is depicted as something vast and all-encompassing, standing as firmly as the sun. Despite his deep spirituality and idealism, the father is still human—his “flesh was flesh, his blood was blood.” This stanza emphasizes his generosity and empathy, suggesting that no one who encountered him could remain untouched by his kindness. The hungry desired food from him, reflecting his willingness to provide for others in a material and spiritual sense. |
| no cripple wouldn’t creep one mile uphill to only see him smile. Scorning the Pomp of must and shall my father moved through dooms of feel; his anger was as right as rain his pity was as green as grain | The father’s smile is so powerful that even the crippled would climb uphill to witness it. This reflects his immense charisma and emotional influence. He rejects societal expectations (the “Pomp of must and shall”) and instead follows his own emotional compass. His anger and pity are natural, inevitable, and righteous, compared to “rain” and “grain,” emphasizing that his emotions are not destructive but necessary parts of life. |
| septembering arms of year extend less humbly wealth to foe and friend than he to foolish and to wise offered immeasurable is proudly and (by octobering flame beckoned) as earth will downward climb, so naked for immortal work his shoulders marched against the dark | The passage of time is compared to the father’s humility and generosity. He gives freely, without distinction between the “foolish” and the “wise.” His shoulders, “naked for immortal work,” suggest that he is vulnerable yet unyielding in his confrontation with challenges (“marched against the dark”). The “octobering flame” may symbolize the fading of life, yet he continues with purpose, suggesting endurance and commitment to higher principles. |
| his sorrow was as true as bread: no liar looked him in the head; if every friend became his foe he’d laugh and build a world with snow. | The father’s sorrow is described as fundamental and nourishing, like bread. He is portrayed as a figure of integrity—liars could not meet his gaze, and even if all his friends turned against him, he would respond with resilience, symbolized by “building a world with snow.” This implies that he could create something beautiful and pure even from cold and desolate conditions, reflecting his unwavering positivity and creativity in the face of adversity. |
| My father moved through theys of we, singing each new leaf out of each tree (and every child was sure that spring danced when she heard my father sing) | The father is again shown as a life-giving force, bringing forth new growth (“new leaf”) and joy, as every child believes that spring dances to his singing. This stanza emphasizes the father’s connection to nature and renewal, as well as his ability to inspire joy and hope in others. He moves beyond individual identity (“theys of we”), indicating a broad, inclusive spirit. |
| then let men kill which cannot share, let blood and flesh be mud and mire, scheming imagine, passion willed, freedom a drug that’s bought and sold giving to steal and cruel kind, a heart to fear, to doubt a mind, to differ a disease of same, conform the pinnacle of am | In this stanza, cummings critiques a world filled with violence, greed, and conformity. The father stands apart from this, rejecting a society where freedom is commodified, kindness is cruel, and individuality is seen as a disease. This stanza emphasizes the father’s moral and philosophical opposition to a corrupted world that values conformity and materialism over love and truth. |
| though dull were all we taste as bright, bitter all utterly things sweet, maggoty minus and dumb death all we inherit, all bequeath and nothing quite so least as truth —i say though hate were why men breathe— because my Father lived his soul love is the whole and more than all | The poem concludes with a meditation on the bleakness of human existence—everything bright is dull, everything sweet is bitter, and death is inevitable. Despite this, the father’s existence stands as a testament to the power of love, which is presented as “the whole and more than all.” The final lines affirm that, even in a world driven by hate, the father’s soul proves that love transcends everything. Love is the ultimate truth and surpasses all else. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “my father moved through dooms of love” by e e cummings
| Literary Device | Definition | Example from Poem | Explanation |
| Alliteration | Repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words. | “moved through dooms of love” | The repeated ‘m’ and ‘d’ sounds create rhythm and emphasize key words, adding musicality to the poem. |
| Anaphora | Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines. | “my father moved” (repeated throughout) | This repetition emphasizes the actions and qualities of the father, highlighting his movement through different experiences. |
| Antithesis | Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in parallel structures. | “griefs of joy” | Contrasting ideas of grief and joy are placed together to reflect the father’s ability to navigate opposites gracefully. |
| Assonance | Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. | “vainly no smallest voice might cry” | The repetition of the long ‘a’ sound in “vainly” and “smallest” creates internal rhyme, enhancing the poem’s flow. |
| Consonance | Repetition of consonant sounds, typically at the end of words. | “flesh was flesh his blood was blood” | The repetition of ‘sh’ and ‘d’ sounds creates harmony and reinforces the parallelism of the father’s humanity. |
| Enjambment | Continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break. | “my father moved through depths of height / this motionless forgetful where” | The sentence runs over from one line to the next, creating a sense of motion and fluidity that mirrors the father’s actions. |
| Epizeuxis | Repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession. | “so now and now so yes” | The repeated “now” and “so” intensifies the feeling of the immediacy and purity of the father’s joy. |
| Hyperbole | Exaggeration for emphasis or effect. | “he could feel the mountains grow” | This exaggeration highlights the father’s extraordinary ability to sense and perceive the world beyond ordinary human limits. |
| Imagery | Descriptive language that appeals to the senses. | “woke dreamers to their ghostly roots” | The use of “ghostly roots” evokes vivid visual and emotional imagery, suggesting a deep connection to one’s origin or past. |
| Irony | Expression of meaning using language that normally signifies the opposite, often for emphasis or humor. | “freedom a drug that’s bought and sold” | The statement reflects the irony that freedom, which should be innate, has been commercialized in society. |
| Juxtaposition | Placement of two things side by side to highlight contrasts. | “giving to steal and cruel kind” | The juxtaposition of “giving” and “steal” or “cruel” and “kind” highlights the contradictory nature of society. |
| Metaphor | Direct comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.” | “a heart of star by him could steer” | The metaphor suggests that the father’s pure joy has the power to guide, like a star leading a traveler. |
| Oxymoron | A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. | “dooms of love” | “Dooms” and “love” are contradictory, creating tension between destruction and affection, reflecting the father’s life. |
| Paradox | A statement that appears contradictory but reveals a deeper truth. | “griefs of joy” | This paradox suggests that joy and grief are intertwined in the father’s emotional experience, revealing life’s complexity. |
| Personification | Attributing human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. | “the wrists of twilight would rejoice” | Twilight is given human qualities like wrists and the ability to rejoice, enhancing the poetic imagery of the father’s joy. |
| Repetition | Repeated use of words or phrases for emphasis. | “my father moved” (multiple times) | Repetition emphasizes the father’s constant and impactful movement through life’s different aspects. |
| Simile | A comparison using “like” or “as.” | “his anger was as right as rain” | The simile compares the father’s anger to rain, suggesting that it is natural, necessary, and balanced. |
| Symbolism | Use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities beyond the literal meaning. | “forehead called the moon” | The moon symbolizes guidance and beauty, representing the father’s ability to inspire and lead. |
| Synecdoche | A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole. | “his shoulders marched against the dark” | “Shoulders” stand for the father’s whole being, emphasizing his strength and determination. |
| Tone | The attitude or mood conveyed by the poem. | Overall tone: Reverent, Celebratory | The tone throughout the poem reveres the father’s virtues, celebrating his moral strength and impact on the world. |
Themes: “my father moved through dooms of love” by e e cummings
1. Love as a Transformative Force
The central theme of the poem is love’s transformative power, which transcends all limitations and contradictions. The father moves through “dooms of love,” a paradox that emphasizes love’s ability to exist even in the face of adversity and hardship. His love is portrayed as something that can bring life and vitality where there was none, as seen in the line, “his april touch drove sleeping selves to swarm their fates.” This suggests that the father’s love awakens people to their true potential. Moreover, love is described as “the whole and more than all,” affirming that it surpasses all other human experiences and remains the ultimate guiding principle in life.
2. Joy and Optimism in the Face of Adversity
The poem portrays the father as a figure who embraces joy and remains optimistic despite life’s inevitable struggles. Cummings writes, “joy was his song and joy so pure / a heart of star by him could steer,” suggesting that the father’s joyful nature is both pure and powerful, capable of guiding others. His resilience is further emphasized when the poem states, “if every friend became his foe / he’d laugh and build a world with snow,” indicating that he responds to opposition with creativity and positivity. Even in the darkest moments, the father radiates hope and joy, showing that optimism can endure through challenges.
3. The Conflict Between Individuality and Conformity
Cummings explores the tension between individuality and societal conformity throughout the poem. The father rejects the “Pomp of must and shall,” a critique of the rigid expectations society places on individuals. He moves through life with his own set of values, free from the constraints of conformity. The poem later critiques the societal norms of a world where “freedom [is] a drug that’s bought and sold” and “to differ a disease of same.” The father stands as a figure who resists these norms, suggesting that true freedom and individuality lie outside of society’s materialistic and conformist structures.
4. Nature and Human Connection
Nature plays a significant role in the poem, with the father portrayed as being deeply connected to natural forces. His presence is linked to elements like “mountains,” “valleys of the sea,” and the “forehead called the moon.” These natural images suggest that the father possesses an intrinsic bond with the earth, which reinforces his strength and wisdom. His ability to “feel the mountains grow” and his association with seasonal imagery, such as his “april touch,” reflect the cyclical and regenerative nature of life. This connection to nature underscores the father’s ability to bring renewal and growth, both physically and spiritually, to those around him.
Literary Theories and “my father moved through dooms of love” by e e cummings
| Literary Theory | Application to the Poem | References from the Poem |
| New Criticism | New Criticism focuses on close reading, analyzing the text itself, its language, structure, and literary devices. This approach emphasizes the poem’s internal coherence, including its paradoxes, symbolism, and form. | In “my father moved through dooms of love,” the poem is rich in paradoxes such as “dooms of love” and “griefs of joy,” which reveal the tension between contrasting emotions and ideas. The poem’s structure—marked by enjambment, alliteration, and symbolism like “a heart of star”—creates layers of meaning that reflect the father’s larger-than-life influence. New Criticism would analyze these elements to uncover the poem’s deeper coherence. |
| Psychoanalytic Criticism | Psychoanalytic theory, particularly Freudian analysis, would focus on the father figure’s symbolic significance and explore themes of authority, identity, and unconscious desires. The father can be seen as an idealized figure, representing a strong moral and emotional guide in the speaker’s psychological landscape. | The father in the poem is described with a blend of awe and reverence, as seen in “no cripple wouldn’t creep one mile / uphill to only see him smile.” This idealized view of the father figure could reflect the speaker’s unconscious yearning for security, authority, and moral guidance. The line “because my Father lived his soul” could also suggest the father as an embodiment of the speaker’s superego, a model of moral perfection. |
| Postmodernism | A postmodernist reading would explore the poem’s resistance to traditional binaries and its critique of societal structures. It would also highlight how the poem defies conventional forms of expression through its unconventional syntax and grammar. | The rejection of societal norms and binaries, such as in “freedom a drug that’s bought and sold” and “to differ a disease of same,” reflects postmodern critiques of conformity, commodification, and the loss of individuality. The poem’s fragmented syntax, evident in lines like “his shoulders marched against the dark,” further supports a postmodern reading by breaking away from traditional poetic forms and embracing ambiguity and multiplicity. |
Critical Questions about “my father moved through dooms of love” by e e cummings
· How does cummings portray the father figure as both a human and an almost mythical presence?
- In “my father moved through dooms of love,” e.e. cummings presents the father as both grounded in human reality and elevated to an almost mythological stature. On one hand, the father is described in simple, earthly terms: “his flesh was flesh, his blood was blood,” grounding him in the physical and mortal realm. However, cummings also imbues the father with extraordinary qualities, such as the ability to “feel the mountains grow” and “lift the valleys of the sea.” These lines suggest that the father possesses a near-supernatural connection with nature, positioning him as more than just a man, but a transcendent figure capable of altering the world around him. This duality raises the question of how we can reconcile these two portrayals — a father both humanly tangible and divinely powerful.
· How does the poem explore the conflict between societal norms and individual freedom?
- The poem critiques societal norms and emphasizes the father’s resistance to conformity, prompting readers to question the cost of societal expectations on personal freedom. In the lines “Scorning the Pomp of must and shall,” cummings reveals the father’s rejection of rigid social rules, celebrating his individualism. The later critique of society is even sharper: “freedom a drug that’s bought and sold,” “to differ a disease of same,” showing how conformity and materialism corrupt true freedom. These critiques suggest that society’s values are often restrictive and commodified, forcing individuals to conform rather than celebrating uniqueness. The father, however, moves through life freely, embracing love and emotional truth, a stark contrast to the limitations society imposes.
· What role does nature play in symbolizing the father’s influence and power?
- Nature plays a vital symbolic role in representing the father’s strength, wisdom, and connection to the world in “my father moved through dooms of love.” The poem is rich in natural imagery, portraying the father’s influence through references to the earth, sea, and sky. Lines like “he could feel the mountains grow” and “lifting the valleys of the sea” position the father as a figure deeply intertwined with the natural world. His “april touch” brings to mind the regenerative power of spring, symbolizing his ability to awaken others to their potential. This connection to nature suggests that the father’s power is both elemental and life-giving, reinforcing his role as a nurturing, guiding presence in the speaker’s life and beyond.
· How does the poem balance the personal and the universal in its portrayal of the father?
- While the poem is clearly a personal tribute to the speaker’s father, its themes resonate on a universal level, raising the question of how cummings manages to balance these two dimensions. The personal nature of the poem is evident in the repeated use of “my father,” emphasizing the intimate relationship between the speaker and the subject. Yet, the father is described in grand, almost universal terms: “a heart of star by him could steer” and “my father moved through griefs of joy,” suggesting that his qualities extend beyond the individual and apply to broader human experiences. The father embodies values like love, joy, and resilience, making him a symbol of idealized humanity. In this way, cummings transforms the personal figure of his father into a universal representation of love’s power and human potential.
Literary Works Similar to “my father moved through dooms of love” by e e cummings
- “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden
This poem reflects on a father’s quiet, unacknowledged sacrifices and hard work for his family. Similar to cummings’ portrayal, Hayden’s father is a figure of strength and love, but his actions go unnoticed by the speaker until later in life. - “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas
Thomas’ villanelle is a plea for his father to fight against death, emphasizing the intensity of love and emotion tied to the parent-child relationship. Like cummings’ poem, it combines reverence for the father with themes of resilience and strength. - “Digging” by Seamus Heaney
This poem reflects on Heaney’s relationship with his father and grandfather, focusing on their work ethic and connection to the land. It shares themes of legacy, familial love, and the passing of values across generations, much like cummings’ tribute to his father. - “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke
Roethke’s poem explores the complex emotions tied to a father-son relationship, using vivid imagery to depict an affectionate yet rough interaction. It reflects similar themes of admiration and emotional depth in the portrayal of fathers. - “Father” by Edgar Albert Guest
Guest’s poem is a tribute to the father figure, celebrating his wisdom, sacrifice, and strength. It shares the same reverential tone found in cummings’ poem, with a focus on the father as an emotional and moral pillar in the family.
Representative Quotations of “my father moved through dooms of love” by e e cummings
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “my father moved through dooms of love” | The opening line establishes the central paradox of the poem, portraying the father as navigating both love and hardship. | New Criticism – Focuses on the juxtaposition of “dooms” and “love,” highlighting the complexity of human emotions. |
| “his flesh was flesh his blood was blood” | This line emphasizes the father’s humanity, grounding his character in physical reality. | Humanism – Examines the father as an embodiment of human experience, emphasizing physicality and mortality. |
| “he could feel the mountains grow” | The father is depicted as having an extraordinary connection with nature, symbolizing his strength and sensitivity. | Ecocriticism – Explores the deep bond between the father and the natural world, suggesting harmony between humans and nature. |
| “if every friend became his foe he’d laugh and build a world with snow” | The father’s resilience is highlighted as he turns conflict into creative action, even if all around him turn against him. | Psychoanalytic Criticism – Reflects on the father as a symbol of inner strength, possibly representing the ego or superego. |
| “joy was his song and joy so pure a heart of star by him could steer” | The father’s joy is portrayed as a guiding force for others, akin to a star steering travelers. | Romanticism – Elevates the father as a transcendent, joyful figure who inspires and leads others. |
| “freedom a drug that’s bought and sold” | This line critiques the commodification of freedom in society, implying that it has lost its true value. | Postmodernism – Critiques the commercialization of abstract concepts like freedom, reflecting on societal corruption. |
| “his shoulders marched against the dark” | The father is shown as confronting adversity head-on, moving forward despite obstacles. | Existentialism – Emphasizes the father’s individual struggle and determination to create meaning in the face of darkness. |
| “woke dreamers to their ghostly roots” | The father’s influence awakens others to their past and potential, emphasizing his role as a guide and catalyst. | Psychoanalytic Criticism – Symbolizes the father as a figure who helps others access their unconscious or hidden potential. |
| “Scorning the Pomp of must and shall” | The father rejects societal rules and expectations, moving through life on his own terms. | Marxism – Critiques the rigid structures of authority and societal expectations, emphasizing individual agency. |
| “love is the whole and more than all” | The poem’s closing line affirms the father’s essence as being rooted in love, which transcends all. | New Criticism – Focuses on the centrality of love as a thematic resolution, reinforcing the poem’s unity and coherence. |
Suggested Readings: “my father moved through dooms of love” by e e cummings
- TRIEM, EVE. “E. E. Cummings.” E.E. Cummings – American Writers 87: University of Minnesota Pamphlets on American Writers, NED-New edition, University of Minnesota Press, 1969, pp. 5–44. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttth5r.2. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
- Terblanche, Etienne. “E. E. Cummings’ Fluid ‘Objectivity’ : A Deep Ecological Response to Michael Webster’s ‘The New Nature Poetry and the Old.’” Spring, no. 13, 2004, pp. 128–42. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43915248. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
- TRIEM, EVE. “E. E. Cummings.” Six American Poets from Emily Dickinson to the Present: An Introduction, edited by ALLEN TATE, NED-New edition, University of Minnesota Press, 1969, pp. 159–94. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttssmh.8. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
- FORREST, DAVID V. “A FIRST LOOK AT THE DREAMS OF E. E. CUMMINGS: The Preconscious of A Synesthetic Genius.” Spring, no. 2, 1993, pp. 8–19. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43913132. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
- Johnson, Sabina Thorne. “Remedial English: The Anglocentric Albatross?” College English, vol. 33, no. 6, 1972, pp. 670–85. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/374798. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.