For Prodigal Read Generous | Edward Estlin Cummings | Summary | Generations | Grade XII
Short summary:
The
poet asks the reader to read one set of words and to understand something else for
each word. Finally, the reader is asked to close the eyes, probably with
satisfaction that is obviously false. To close the eyes is also not to pay
attention to something, not to take notice of it, to ignore it. Thus concepts
change from generation to generation. Notice the absence of capital letters.
Summary
The
poem For Prodigal Read Generous poet asks the reader to be generous if she or
he wants to understand what is prodigal. Only an unselfish person could be
generous. In the same way, age will tell one the value of youth. The old person
reminds the reader that he too was young and his youth had already passed and
that youth is very short. If the reader knows what mere surprise is, he will
understand what a sheer wonder is. Sheer wonder is the intense form of
surprise. After this, the reader is asked to study other aspects of life
quoting then turn the page.
If the
reader knows what satisfaction is, he will experience what pure joy is. A
satisfied person is very happy. The dullness of prose will show how lively a
poem is, as poem is vast than the prose to understand. If the reader is careful
and attentive enough to avoid danger he or she should be curious. Otherwise his
curiosity will lead to destruction. After this he is asked not to pay attention
to anything. The whole poem has concluded in eight lines without caring proper
grammar rules, it is also called poetic license.
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