Educational Notes

a. Who can be the speaker of this poem?

Ans: The speaker is most likely the adult version of the child referred to as "little i," who is reflecting on a quiet moment from his childhood with wonder and nostalgia.

b. What is “little i” doing?

Ans: “Little i” is looking out of a window at the beautiful sky during sunset in November, experiencing a sense of awe and appreciation for nature.

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

Ans: The speaker is the grown-up version of “little i.” He is recalling a childhood memory, suggesting a deep personal connection between his present self and his younger self.

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

Ans: The speaker remembers a peaceful moment as a child, quietly watching the sunset in November and feeling that the transformation from day to night was beautiful.

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

Ans: The speaker shows tenderness, affection, and admiration toward the child. He seems to be in awe of the child’s innocent and pure perception of nature’s beauty.

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

Ans: The semicolon slows the reader down, creating a pause to emphasize the transition from setting the scene (window) to the child’s action (looking at the sky). It adds rhythm and poetic impact to the line.

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

Ans: The speaker is marveling at the innocence and sensitivity of his younger self, which feels distant and unfamiliar now. It reflects how we sometimes lose touch with our childhood wonder as we grow up.

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)”?

Ans: These lines suggest the theme of accepting change, especially the transition from light to darkness or from life to death, with grace and beauty. It symbolizes the peaceful acceptance of nature’s cycles.

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

Ans: The poem is written in free verse and does not follow a fixed rhyme scheme. This reflects the spontaneous and natural flow of thought and emotion.

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

Ans: The term “little i” is a pun. It represents both the pronoun “I” (the self) and the child’s smallness and humility. It also visually resembles a person looking or observing—a small 'i' with a dot resembles an eye.

f. How does Cummings’s use of lowercase letters affect your understanding of the poem? Explain.

Ans: The lowercase usage reflects humility, innocence, and childlike simplicity. It de-emphasizes ego and draws attention to the smallness and quietness of the moment being described.

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

Ans: Nature inspires the speaker by evoking a powerful memory from childhood, full of calmness and beauty. The peaceful sunset stirs deep emotions and awe, showing how nature can influence and soothe human thoughts.

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

Ans: I remember sitting under a mango tree during the monsoon when I was around seven. The smell of wet soil, chirping birds, and soft drizzle made me feel like I was part of nature. I felt peaceful, joyful, and curious, watching the leaves dance in the wind and raindrops splash on the ground.

c. Interpret the poem in any way you like.

Ans: The poem is a gentle reflection on how children see the world with wonder and simplicity. The speaker, now grown up, revisits this memory to reconnect with that purity and reminds us of the beauty in small, fleeting moments. It’s about memory, growth, and the awe of nature.