She Being Brand
By E.E. Cummings (Attributed)
she being Brand
new;and you
know consequently a
little stiff i was
careful of her and (havingthoroughly oiled the universal
joint tested my gas felt of
her radiator made sure her springs were O.i went right to it flooded the carburetor cranked her
up, slipped the
clutch (and then somehow got into reverse she
kicked what
the hell) next
minute i was back in neutral tried andagain slowly; barely nudging (my
lever Right
oh and her gears being in
A 1 shape passed
from low through
second in to high like
greased lightning) just as we turned the corner of Divinityavenue i touched the accelerator and give
her the juice, good
(it
was the first ride and believe i was
happy to see how nice she acted right up to
the last minute coming back down by the Public
Gardens i slammed onthe
internal expanding
&
external contracting
brakes both at once andbrought all of her trembling
to a head.stand
Still)
Unlocking “She Being Brand”: A Comprehensive Guide
Welcome to an exploration of “she being Brand,” a truly distinctive and often discussed poem. While not found in E.E. Cummings’s major published collections and sometimes debated in its attribution, this work undeniably bears the hallmarks of his experimental style. Its unconventional structure and provocative imagery invite readers into a unique literary experience, making “she being Brand” a fascinating subject for analysis and discussion. This guide aims to provide a thorough understanding of this intriguing poem, delving into its central ideas, literary craftsmanship, and enduring impact.
A Concise Summary of “She Being Brand”
“She being Brand” presents a vivid and somewhat unsettling narrative of a first intimate encounter, masterfully conveyed through an extended metaphor. The poem’s speaker describes “driving” a new car, which serves as a powerful symbol for a woman experiencing a new relationship or sexual encounter. The narrative details the speaker’s meticulous preparations, his cautious yet eager maneuvering, and the dynamic interplay of control and unexpected reactions during this “first ride.”
The central idea of “she being Brand” revolves around the complexities of new intimacy, exploring themes of vulnerability, control, and the mechanical aspects of human connection. The speaker’s actions, from “thoroughly oiled the universal joint” to “slammed on the internal expanding & external contracting brakes,” highlight a blend of anticipation, anxiety, and a desire to manage the experience. The poem’s unconventional typography and fragmented syntax are noteworthy, contributing significantly to its meaning and impact, mirroring the jerky, uncertain nature of the encounter it describes. It is a piece that challenges conventional notions of romance, offering a raw and almost clinical perspective on a deeply personal experience.
In-Depth Analysis of “She Being Brand”
To truly appreciate “she being Brand,” a closer examination of its literary and poetic devices is essential. This poem is a rich tapestry of metaphor, unconventional structure, and evocative language, all working in concert to convey its complex themes.
The Extended Metaphor: Woman as Machine
The most striking feature of “she being Brand” is its sustained metaphor, equating a woman with a brand new automobile. This comparison is not presented romantically; instead, it adopts a mechanical, almost clinical tone. Consider the opening lines:
she being Brand
new;and you
know consequently a
little stiff i was
Here, “Brand new” immediately establishes the car metaphor, but “a little stiff i was” cleverly applies to both the newness of the vehicle and the speaker’s own apprehension or awkwardness. The subsequent lines detailing the speaker’s preparations further solidify this mechanical lens:
thoroughly oiled the universal
joint tested my gas felt of
her radiator made sure her springs were O.
These actions, typically associated with car maintenance, are transformed into a representation of the speaker’s careful, almost methodical approach to a new intimate encounter. This extended metaphor serves to explore themes of objectification, control, and the often impersonal nature that can sometimes accompany new experiences. It allows for a detached observation of a deeply personal event, highlighting the speaker’s anxieties and his attempt to manage the situation.
Literary Devices in “She Being Brand”
The poem’s power is amplified by its masterful use of various literary devices, each contributing to its unique voice and thematic depth.
Enjambment and Fragmentation
A hallmark of the poem’s style is its pervasive use of enjambment, where sentences or phrases carry over from one line to the next without punctuation. This technique, combined with fragmented syntax, creates a sense of disruption and uncertainty, mirroring the speaker’s experience. Observe this passage:
up, slipped the
clutch (and then somehow got into reverse she
kicked what
the hell) next
minute i was back in neutral tried and
The abrupt line breaks and the parenthetical interjection “(and then somehow got into reverse she kicked what the hell)” vividly convey the unexpected turns and momentary loss of control during the “ride.” This fragmentation is not merely stylistic; it is integral to the poem’s meaning, reflecting the speaker’s internal state and the unpredictable nature of the encounter.
Imagery and Sensory Detail
The poem is rich with automotive imagery, engaging the reader’s senses and grounding the abstract experience in tangible details. The reader can almost “feel” the mechanics at play:
thoroughly oiled the universal
joint tested my gas felt of
her radiator made sure her springs were O.
This tactile imagery emphasizes the physical and mechanical aspects of the encounter. Later, the line “from low through second in to high like greased lightning” provides a striking simile. “Greased lightning” suggests a sudden, exhilarating burst of speed and fluidity, yet it also carries connotations of something fast, perhaps uncontrollable, and potentially dangerous. This blend of mechanical precision and raw sensation is crucial to the poem’s impact.
Symbolism and Meaning
Beyond the overarching car metaphor, several elements in “she being Brand” carry symbolic weight. The journey itself, particularly the mention of “Divinity avenue,” introduces a layer of symbolic meaning:
just as we turned the corner of Divinity
avenue i touched the accelerator and give
her the juice, good
“Divinity avenue” could symbolize a moment of profound connection, a search for something transcendent, or perhaps a hint of the sacred within the profane. The final, abrupt stop is also highly symbolic:
i slammed on
the
internal expanding
&
external contracting
brakes both at once andbrought all of her trembling
to a head.stand
Still)
The sudden application of “internal expanding & external contracting brakes” suggests a decisive, perhaps premature, halt to the experience. This action, bringing “all of her trembling to a head,” is ambiguous. It could signify a protective gesture, preventing further vulnerability, or an assertion of control, ending the encounter on the speaker’s terms. The final, isolated command “stand Still)” reinforces this sense of abrupt cessation and control.
Poetic Devices in “She Being Brand”
The poem’s unique structure and word choices are central to its expressive power, making it a prime example of experimental poetry.
Diction and Tone
The diction in “she being Brand” is a deliberate mix of technical automotive jargon and informal, colloquial language. Words like “carburetor,” “radiator,” and “clutch” are juxtaposed with phrases such as “what the hell.” This blend creates a distinctive tone: one that is simultaneously detached and vulnerable. The speaker attempts to maintain a cool, objective stance through the mechanical language, but the interjections and fragmented lines betray an underlying anxiety and emotional engagement.
Free Verse and Typographical Experimentation
“She being Brand” is a quintessential example of free verse, eschewing traditional rhyme schemes and regular meter. This allows the poem’s rhythm and structure to follow the natural cadences of speech and thought. However, it is E.E. Cummings’s characteristic typographical experimentation that truly sets this poem apart. The unusual capitalization, lack of conventional spacing, and fragmented lines are not arbitrary. They are carefully crafted to visually represent the poem’s themes:
she being Brand
new;and you
know consequently a
little stiff i was
The visual arrangement forces the reader to slow down, to consider each word and its placement, mimicking the speaker’s cautious and sometimes hesitant actions. This fragmentation visually reinforces the emotional and physical disjointedness of the experience being described.
Key Lines for Deeper Analysis
Certain lines within “she being Brand” particularly encapsulate its themes and stylistic brilliance, offering rich opportunities for further discussion:
-
“she being Brand / new;and you / know consequently a / little stiff i was”
This opening not only establishes the central metaphor but also immediately introduces the speaker’s cautious and somewhat awkward approach to the newness of the encounter.
-
“from low through second in to high like greased lightning”
This line vividly portrays a moment of exhilarating speed and smooth transition, yet the simile “greased lightning” subtly hints at a potentially reckless or uncontrollable surge of energy.
-
“brought all of her trembling to a head.”
The poem’s concluding image is powerfully ambiguous. It suggests both the culmination of an intense experience and a forceful, perhaps protective, act of bringing something to a definitive halt, leaving the reader to ponder the speaker’s true intentions and the nature of the “trembling.”
Conclusion: The Enduring Impact of “She Being Brand”
“She being Brand” stands as a testament to the power of unconventional poetic expression. Through its audacious extended metaphor, innovative use of literary devices such as enjambment and vivid imagery, and distinctive typographical style, the poem offers a compelling exploration of first intimacy, control, and vulnerability. It challenges readers to look beyond traditional poetic forms and to engage with a narrative that is both mechanically precise and emotionally complex. This poem continues to provoke thought and discussion, solidifying its place as a significant and memorable work in the landscape of modern poetry.