The Emperor of Ice-Cream
by Wallace Stevens
Call the dead to the feast,
for the food is sweet.
Call the dead to the feast,
for the dead are only in the present.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice‑cream.
Summary of “The Emperor of Ice‑Cream”
Wallace Stevens’ poem “The Emperor of Ice‑Cream” is a brief meditation on the juxtaposition of death and sensuality. It opens with an invitation to the dead to join a feast, emphasizing that the food—ice‑cream—is sweet and the dead exist only in the present moment. The poem concludes with the refrain, “The only emperor is the emperor of ice‑cream,” suggesting that fleeting pleasures are the true rulers of our experience. The work encourages readers to embrace life’s sensory moments even as they confront mortality.
Analysis of “The Emperor of Ice‑Cream”
Stevens’ poem, though short, is dense with meaning. It invites a close reading of its imagery, symbolism, and rhythmic structure.
Imagery and Sensory Detail
The poem centers on the sensory experience of eating ice‑cream. The sweetness of the food is described directly, creating an immediate and visceral image that contrasts with the abstract concept of death. By focusing on taste and texture, Stevens transforms the abstract idea of mortality into a concrete, almost indulgent act.
Symbolism
- Ice‑cream: A symbol of the fleeting nature of pleasure. It melts quickly, mirroring the brevity of life.
- Feast: Represents communal gathering and celebration, even in the presence of the dead.
- Dead in the present: Suggests that death is a momentary event, not a distant reality.
- Refrain “the only emperor”:** Indicates that the most powerful force in our lives is not mortality but the immediate, sensory experiences we cherish.
Repetition and Rhythm
Stevens repeats the phrase “Call the dead to the feast,” creating a hypnotic rhythm that underscores the inevitability of death and the constancy of sensory pleasure. The refrain at the end serves as a musical cadence, reinforcing the poem’s thematic focus.
Consonance and Assonance
The poem uses subtle sonic devices. The repeated “e” sound in “the dead are only in the present” and the “i” in “ice‑cream” contribute to a gentle, melodic quality that balances the poem’s darker subject matter.
Theme: Life’s Sweetness Amidst Death
Stevens’ central message is that life’s sweetness—the pleasures we savor—is the true “emperor” ruling our experience. Death is present, but it is not the ruler of our days. Instead, the fleeting delight of ice‑cream reminds us to cherish each moment.
Conclusion
In “The Emperor of Ice‑Cream,” Wallace Stevens deftly merges the profound theme of mortality with the immediate delight of sensory pleasure. Through concise language and repeated refrain, he reminds readers that the most potent force in our lives is the sweetness we choose to savor, even as we confront the inevitability of death.