The Emperor of Ice-cream Poem Summary - Wallace Stevens (October 2, 1879 – August 2, 1955) was an American modernist poet and one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century. He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a cultured and educated family. Stevens attended Harvard University, where he studied English literature and was an editor for the Harvard Advocate.
After completing his studies, Stevens pursued a career in
law, which he practiced for several years while also writing poetry. In 1916,
he joined the Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company, where he worked as an
executive for the rest of his life. Stevens is known for the unique combination
of his successful career in insurance and his profound contributions to
modernist poetry. The Emperor of Ice-cream Poem Summary
Stevens's poetry is characterized by its philosophical depth,
intellectual complexity, and exquisite imagery. He explored a wide range of
themes, including the nature of reality, the imagination, the role of the
artist, the human condition, and the interplay of language and perception. His
work often explores the tension between the material world and the world of the
mind.
Throughout his career, Stevens published several collections
of poetry, including "Harmonium" (1923), "Ideas of Order"
(1936), "Owl's Clover" (1936), "The Man with the Blue
Guitar" (1937), and "Notes Towards a Supreme Fiction" (1942),
among others. He received widespread acclaim for his poems, but it wasn't until
later in life that his work gained more significant recognition and influence.
In 1955, Wallace Stevens won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry
for his collection "Collected Poems," which was published shortly
before his death. His contributions to poetry earned him a prominent place in
American literature, and he is often associated with the Modernist movement,
alongside other influential poets like T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound.
Stevens's poetry continues to be admired and studied for its imaginative power, intricate language, and thought-provoking themes. His impact on American literature remains significant, and he is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.
The Emperor of Ice-Cream" is a poem written by American
modernist poet Wallace Stevens, first published in 1922. The poem consists of
two stanzas, each containing eight lines, and it has a unique and enigmatic
style.
Summary: The poem presents a juxtaposition of two seemingly
unrelated scenes: a wake or funeral and a gathering of people enjoying ice
cream.
In the first stanza, the speaker describes a scene in a room
where a wake or funeral is taking place. The deceased person lies on the bed,
covered with a sheet. There are onlookers and mourners present, and the room is
filled with a sense of solemnity. The phrase "Let be be finale of
seem" suggests that the reality of death is final, and there's no escaping
it. The mourners and participants accept the truth of the situation, and
there's a sense of inevitability to life's end.
In the second stanza, the focus shifts to a group of people
outside the house, who are indulging in the pleasure of eating ice cream. They
are enjoying life, and the ice cream is a symbol of simple, earthly delights
and happiness. The presence of "wenches" also hints at a more
carefree and joyous atmosphere.
The poem's title, "The Emperor of Ice-Cream,"
refers to the juxtaposition of these two scenes. The contrast between the
solemnity of the funeral and the joyful celebration of life with ice cream
serves to emphasize the transient nature of life and the acceptance of its
impermanence. It encourages readers to embrace life's pleasures while
acknowledging the inevitability of death.
"The Emperor of Ice-Cream" is a thought-provoking
poem that explores themes of life, death, acceptance, and the fleeting nature
of human existence. The language and imagery in the poem invite readers to
contemplate the complexities of life and the delicate balance between joy and
sorrow.
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