Who are you, little i? Summary

Who Are You, Little i? is a short and thoughtful poem written by E. E. Cummings in the twentieth century. In this poem, the poet reflects on the difference between childhood and adulthood. He looks back at his childhood days and compares them with his present adult life.

The speaker remembers his childhood as a carefree and joyful time. As a child, he enjoyed nature and simple pleasures without any worries. He loved watching natural scenes and found happiness in small things. These childhood memories remain fresh in his mind even when he grows older.

In the poem, the speaker stands by a window and looks outside. While watching the sunset, he suddenly feels a connection with his younger self and asks, “Who are you, little i?” This moment makes him realize that he has not felt such innocence and wonder for a long time. The setting sun reminds him of his childhood, when he saw the sun as something golden and magical.

The poem also talks about the reality of adult life. As an adult, the speaker faces suffering, responsibilities, and worries. His days turning into night suggest that he is moving towards old age and death. Unlike childhood, adulthood does not allow him to enjoy life freely. He understands that suffering is a natural part of human life and accepts it calmly.

Overall, the poem expresses nostalgia for lost childhood happiness. It shows how growing up brings maturity but also distance from joy and innocence. The poem highlights the poet’s deep love for nature and shows how memories of childhood continue to influence a person throughout life.

Who are you, little i? Exercise

Understanding the Text

Answer the following questions.

a. Who can be the speaker of this poem?
The speaker of this poem is the poet himself. In the poem, he presents himself as a grown-up person who is recalling his childhood experiences connected with nature and innocent joy.

b. What is “little i” doing?
“Little i” is standing by a window and watching the beautiful golden scene of the sunset. He is feeling happy while seeing the smooth and beautiful change of day into night.

c. What can be the relationship between “little i” and the speaker of the poem?
The “little i” represents the childhood self of the speaker, while the speaker is the same person in his adult stage. Therefore, “little i” is the child version of the speaker himself.

d. What is the speaker remembering from his childhood days in the poem?
The speaker is remembering a very beautiful natural scene from his childhood days. He recalls how, as a little boy, he used to enjoy watching the golden sunset and its transformation from day to night.

e. What attitude does the speaker seem to have toward the child in the poem?
The speaker has a positive and nostalgic attitude toward the child. He feels that the childlike innocence and joy are still present inside him and inspire him to enjoy nature even in adulthood.

Reference to the Context

a. Why do you think Cummings has placed a semicolon between the words window and at?
Cummings uses a semicolon to create a pause in the sentence while keeping the thought connected. It works more strongly than a comma and helps slow down the reading, matching the calm and reflective mood of the poem.

b. If the speaker is the child grown up, why does he ask, “who are you”?
Although the speaker is the grown-up child, he asks this question because he feels surprised to discover his forgotten childhood innocence again. It also shows his struggle to recognize the joyful and carefree self that still exists within him.

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)”
These lines describe the child’s feeling while watching the sunset. Symbolically, the change from day to night suggests the movement from life to death. The theme shows that even an unwelcome change like death can be gentle and beautiful if accepted peacefully.

d. What is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
The rhyme scheme used in the poem is ABAB and CDCD, which gives the poem a smooth and balanced flow.

e. Explain the pun in “little i” that is related to what he is doing.
The pun in “little i” refers both to the poet’s childhood self and to the “eye” that sees the world with wonder. It shows the innocent way a child observes nature and finds beauty in simple things.

f. How does Cummings’s use of lowercase letters affect your understanding of the poem? Explain.
Cummings uses lowercase letters to show humility and simplicity. The lowercase “i” suggests a small, innocent self and highlights how the speaker’s adult worries have reduced the joy he once felt as a child.

Reference Beyond the Text

a. How does nature inspire the speaker in “Who Are You, Little i?” Explain.
Nature inspires the speaker by taking him back to his childhood memories. Watching the sunset reminds him of the time when he was a carefree child who enjoyed nature deeply. This natural scene helps him reconnect with his lost innocence.

b. Recall a childhood moment when you felt closely connected with nature. Describe the time, place, and your feelings.
During a long vacation, I visited my native village for the first time. Unlike the busy city, the village was peaceful and green. I enjoyed the sound of birds, open fields, fresh air, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. It made me feel calm, happy, and closely connected with nature.

c. Interpret the poem in any way you like.
The poem is a dramatic monologue in which the speaker talks to his own childhood self. While watching the sunset, he becomes nostalgic and remembers his innocent past. The poem shows that although adulthood brings worries and suffering, the joy of childhood still lives within us. It also suggests that life naturally moves toward death, but this change can be beautiful if accepted calmly. The use of “little i” reduces the importance of the self and highlights the power of time.