Year 12 IB Extended Essays 2017

“the/ goat-footed/ balloonMan”, further emphasising the underlying symbolism of the

character by breaking the reading. Although in many pieces of literature, Pan is represented as

a lecherous creature, cummings chooses the much gentler symbol of a balloonman (Landles

2014, p.2). The balloons he distributes can suggest the end of childhood – albeit a positive

reference that celebrates this change rather than mourning it. The balloon suggests that

adulthood is a gift that one carries and the fact that it is given to the child implies that the

remnants of childlike ideals are retained even when transitioning into adulthood. Through the

representation of Spring, growth and innocence, cummings is then able to highlight the effect

of childlike innocence on one’s perspective of the world.

Cummings is able to capture the feeling of youthful ambition during Spring in when faces

called flowers float out of the ground 7 . Spring is an unmatched time of rejuvenation that

celebrates life and potential – the emphasis on life in - “alive; we’re alive, dear:it’s (kiss me

now)spring!” directly ties together Spring and a passion for life. The conviction and repetition

cements the idea that Spring is a time of growth, just like youth, where possibilities are endless.

The poem is non-linear and breaks thoughts mid-line with interjectory parenthesis, reminiscent

of our minds jumping around with thought – a technique he learnt from James Joyce’s Ulysses;

where Joyce presents a stream of consciousness similar to the workings of the mind.

Cummings’ signature disregard for technical correctness in favor of lyrical phrasing is

embodied in the lines “breathing is wishing and wishing is having” “and having is giving and

giving is living.” The use of assonance and repetition gives the lines a living energy that

captures the essence of Spring. In Spring, the embodiment of youthful spirit, breathing is not

just living. It is wishing and having and giving all rolled into one, as in Spring, you appreciate

every single breath you take. Cummings even delves into the depth of life in Spring, from the

“heart of the sky” to the “mind of the sea”. The heart and mind are the spiritual and emotional

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