The Emperor of Ice-cream Poem Summary

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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