by E. E. Cummings

NOT "e. e. cummings"
Read this short essay by Cummings scholar Norman Friedman that attempts to clear up the confusion over capitalizing E. E. Cummings's name. In a letter to his editor, Friedman writes, "I think that Cummings could do what he wanted to do about capitals, but that we should follow standard forms, since we are not poets in this." He also remarks that Cummings himself once wrote to his mother, "I am a small eye poet." What distinctions is he making here? Write your answer in the Web Links Activity Log.

E. E. Cummings (1894-1962)
This site includes biographical information, comments from Cummings himself, and critical reviews of some of the author's work. The biography states that "Cummings's critical reputation has never matched his popularity." Why might this be so? Why do you think he is so popular, especially with young readers? Discuss with your classmates.

History of Greenwich Village
Visit this site to read about the history of Greenwich Village and to read about some of the artists, musicians and writers who congregated and lived there, including some of E. E. Cummings's contemporaries. Then choose a period in Greenwich Village history and write the opening descriptive paragraph of a short story set during that time.