Summary
Summary Nobody loses all the time IEB Poem
- Course
- English Home Language
- Institution
- 12th Grade
In depth line by line analysis of Nobody loses all the time by Cummings for Grade 12 IEB
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Nobody loses all the time - Cummingsnobody loses all the time
i had an uncle named
Sol who was a born failure and
nearly everybody said he should have gone
into vaudeville perhaps because my Uncle Sol could
sing McCann He Was A Diver on Xmas Eve like Hell itself which
nay or may not account for the fact that my Uncle
Sol indulged in that possibly most inexcusable
of all to use a highfalootin phrase
luxuries that is or to
wit farming and be
it needlessly
added
my Uncle Sol's farm
failed because the chickens
ate the vegetables so
my Uncle Sol had a
chicken farm till the
skunks ate the chickens when
my Uncle Sol
had a skunk farm but
the skunks caught cold and
died and so
my Uncle Sol imitated the
skunks in a subtle manner
or by drowning himself in the watertank
but somebody who'd given my Uncle Sol a Victor
Victrola and records while he lived presented to
him upon the auspicious occasion of his decease a
scrumptious not to mention splendiferous funeral with
tall boys in black gloves and flowers and
everything and i remember we all cried like the Missouri
when my Uncle Sol's coffin lurched because
somebody pressed a button
(and down went
my Uncle
Sol
and started a worm farm)
, Analysis
As indicated by its title, "nobody loses all the time," the poem appears to convey a
message about the significance of persistence and how today's setbacks can
ultimately lead to future achievements. The speaker in the poem recounts the life of
their uncle, Sol, who is characterized as a 'born failure' (line 3). Sol's true calling should
have been in entertainment, but he ventured into farming, resulting in darkly comedic
outcomes. The speaker elaborates on each farming endeavor Sol attempted, all of
which ended in unfortunate failure. However, the narrative concludes with a
sympathetic portrayal of Sol's splendid funeral (line 30) and the profound sadness of
the mourners. The poem ends with a morbid punchline, highlighting Sol's ultimate success
in 'farming' the worms that would consume his remains.
Structure
In "nobody loses all the time," Cummings employs the free verse commonly associated
with Modernism, which means he does not adhere to any specific rhyme scheme or
rhythm. Despite this, the poem's structure exhibits some noteworthy characteristics.
Following the initial line that echoes the title, the poem consists of four sestets, each
composed of six lines.
The poem's typography also deserves attention. In the first sestet, the lines
progressively lengthen, while in the second sestet, they gradually shorten. This creates
a rhythmic rise and fall in the verse. In contrast, the third and fourth sestets feature
short lines of no more than five words, imparting a brisk and staccato quality to these
stanzas.
The concluding stanza of the poem comprises 13 lines that fluctuate in length, mirroring
the buildup and eventual conclusion of a funeral service. Strikingly, the poem culminates
in the single word, 'Sol,' delivering its final punchline.
Cummings deviates from conventional English syntax, notably by eschewing
capitalization and employing unorthodox punctuation, word order, spelling (often
phonetic), and even creating new words (neologisms).
Collectively, these structural and linguistic choices produce a distinct effect. Through
the use of enjambment, typography, and unconventional orthography, the poem reads
swiftly and may emulate the rapid speech of someone enthusiastically recounting a
humorous story. It might also mirror the pace and pattern of informal conversation.
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