Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Buffalo Bill's / defunct" is a poem by E.E. Cummings that was first published in 1920. The poem is divided into two parts and explores themes of mortality, fame, and the role of violence in American culture. Cummings' use of language is playful and ironic, subverting the heroic image of William "Buffalo Bill" Cody and calling attention to the violence and brutality of his legacy.

Explanation:

The first part of the poem describes the heroics of Buffalo Bill and his Wild West show, presenting a vivid picture of the cowboy's triumphs and exploits. However, Cummings' use of language is ironic, with phrases like "killed him a many / a man" and "straddled the mountains" subverting the heroic image of Buffalo Bill and calling attention to the violence and brutality of his legacy. In the second part of the poem, Cummings shifts his focus to Buffalo Bill's death and the decline of his legacy. The language becomes more somber, with descriptions of the cowboy's "defunct" body and the decay of his once-great show. However, Cummings still maintains a sense of playfulness and irony, with the final lines of the poem referring to Buffalo Bill's "defunct / anyany buffalo's."

Poetic Elements:

Form:

• The poem is written in free verse, with irregular line lengths and stanzas. This lack of formal structure emphasizes the poem's themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of fame.
• Themes: The poem explores themes of mortality, fame, and the role of violence in American culture. Cummings presents a complex and multi-layered image of Buffalo Bill, highlighting the contradictions and complexities of his legacy.
• Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid and imaginative imagery, such as the descriptions of Buffalo Bill's heroics and the decay of his legacy. Cummings also uses language that is both playful and ironic, subverting the heroic image of Buffalo Bill and calling attention to the violence and brutality of his legacy.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is both celebratory and mournful, with Cummings celebrating Buffalo Bill's legacy while also acknowledging the violence and brutality that it represents.
• Sound: The poem makes use of internal rhyme, as well as repetition of certain phrases and sounds. These poetic devices add a musical quality to the poem and emphasize its themes of mortality and decay.
• Language: The poem's language is playful and ironic, subverting the heroic image of Buffalo Bill and highlighting the contradictions and complexities of his legacy. Cummings uses vivid imagery and poetic devices such as alliteration and assonance to create a sense of irony and subversion.
• Figurative Language: The poem makes use of a variety of figurative language devices, such as metaphors, personification, and hyperbole. These devices add depth and complexity to the poem, highlighting the contradictions and complexities of Buffalo Bill's legacy.
• Structure: The poem's irregular structure reflects the sense of mortality and decay conveyed by its themes. The first part of the poem presents a vivid image of Buffalo Bill's heroics, while the second part presents a more somber image of his decline and death.
• Symbolism: The poem makes use of symbolic imagery to convey its themes, such as the image of Buffalo Bill's "defunct" body and the decay of his once-great show. These symbols emphasize the fleeting nature of fame and the inevitability of mortality.
• Emotion: The poem conveys a sense of both celebration and mourning, as Cummings grapples with the contradictions and complexities of Buffalo Bill's legacy. The poem's playful and ironic language adds a sense of whimsy and playfulness to the somber themes of mortality and decay.

Conclusion:

Overall, "Buffalo Bill's / defunct" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of mortality, fame, and the role of violence in American culture. Cummings' use of playful language and irony adds depth and complexity to the poem, highlighting the contradictions and complexities of Buffalo Bill's legacy.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...