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What is an example of syntax in "Somewhere I Have Never Traveled, Gladly Beyond" by E.E. Cummings?

Syntax refers to word order in a sentence or clause or phrase.  Cummings is famous for his variations on “normal” syntax.  Every language has its own “rules” or “habits” of syntax; for example, in English an adjective usually goes before the noun it modifies (white wine), but in French the modifier follows the noun (vin blanc).  The same is true of adverbs and verbs – “normative” syntax puts the adverb after the verb (“moves gracefully”). ...

Syntax refers to word order in a sentence or clause or phrase.  Cummings is famous for his variations on “normal” syntax.  Every language has its own “rules” or “habits” of syntax; for example, in English an adjective usually goes before the noun it modifies (white wine), but in French the modifier follows the noun (vin blanc).  The same is true of adverbs and verbs – “normative” syntax puts the adverb after the verb (“moves gracefully”).  In Cummings’ poem, an example of “normative” syntax might be “small hands,” while Cummings’ variation of syntax might be “open always” (adverb before verb).  Beyond these small variations, Cummings also uses unusual sentence syntax, as in:


   you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens   (touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose


These variations offer freshness to his texts, causing the reader to read more carefully and to savor his metaphors.  Add to this his unique use of punctuation and spacing, and his poetic signature is evident everywhere in this beautiful love poem.

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