Who are you little i Complete Exercise: Class 11 English Guide

Class 11 Who are you little i Exercise

                                                                                                                                        - E .E Cummings 

Summary

In this very short poem, the speaker looks out of the window at the end of the day and remembers the happy times of his childhood when he used to enjoy the beautiful sights of nature. Even though he's all grown up now, he still feels a little bit like that joyful child inside. He wishes that life could pass by peacefully like this, and he mentions the idea of life's end, or death, in a calm and accepting way. It's like he's saying that maybe the end of life is not so bad after all.

Exercise

Understanding the text

a. Who can be the speaker of this poem?

Answer: he person talking in the poem might be a grown-up recalling their childhood. It's like remembering the time when they were a child and looking at the world with wonder.

b. What is “little I” doing?

Answer: The "little I" is gazing out of a window during sunset. They are enjoying the beauty of the setting sun.

c. What can be the relationship between the “little I” and the speaker of the poem?

Answer: The "little I" is actually the speaker's own childhood self. So, it's like the speaker is talking to their younger self, remembering those innocent days.

d. What is the speaker remembering from his childhood days in the poem?

Answer: The speaker remembers how they used to find joy in simple things like watching the sunset. They recall how beautiful it was and how it made them feel.

e. What attitude does the speaker seem to have toward the child in the poem?

Answer: The speaker seems to have a warm and positive feeling towards their younger self. It's like they're fondly looking back on those moments and feeling a connection with the child they once were.

Reference to the context

a. Why do you think Cummings has placed a semicolon between the words window and at?

Answer: The poet likely used the semicolon (;) to create a pause and give a small break in the sentence. It helps to keep the flow of thought while allowing a bit of separation.

b. If the speaker is the child grown up, why does he ask, and “Who are you”?

Answer: Despite knowing that the "little I" is actually them as a child, the grown-up speaker might be asking this question to evoke the sense of wonder and connection they once had as a child.

Or may be, it is his incredulity that there is still a youthful presence in himself enjoying the nature.

c. In this poem, an adult reflects on the childhood experience. Based on that, what might be the theme of the lines: “(and feeling: that if day / has to become night /this is a beautiful way)”?

Answer: These lines seem to touch upon the theme of transitions, especially the transition from day to night, which could symbolize the transition from life to death. The beauty in this transition reflects a peaceful acceptance of life's natural course.

d. What is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?

Answer: Sure, the rhyming scheme in the poem follows this pattern: AB ABCD EF

e. Explain the pun in “little I” that is related to what he is doing?

Answer: The play on words in "little I" cleverly suggests both the idea of the speaker's childhood self and the concept of humbleness. The lowercase 'i' in "little I" can symbolize the smallness of the child in comparison to the grown-up speaker. It also signifies humility, as if the speaker is putting themselves in a less important position.


e. How does Cumming’s use of lower case letters affect your understanding of the poem? Explain.

Answer: Cummings' use of lowercase letters makes the text seem smaller and less imposing. It's as if he's giving more importance to the world outside and the feelings associated with the memory rather than focusing on himself. This stylistic choice emphasizes the childlike perspective and humility.

Reference beyond the text.

a. How does nature inspire the speaker in “who are you, little I”? Explain.

Answer: Nature inspires the speaker by bringing back memories of their youth when they felt amazed by simple things like sunsets. It makes them feel a sense of connection to their past self and reminds them of the innocent wonder they used to have.

b. Recall a childhood moment when you felt closely connected with nature. Describe the time and place as well as the feelings and thoughts about it.

Answer: When I was a child, my family went on a vacation to the countryside. I remember waking up early in the morning and going outside to see the sunrise. I had never seen the sun rise in such a serene environment before. The cool breeze, the chirping of birds, and the sight of the sun slowly emerging made me feel so alive and connected to the world around me. It was a magical moment that stayed with me, reminding me of the beauty and simplicity of nature.