The-emperor-of-ice-cream.doc

Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more.------------------------------------------author------------------------------------------dateThe-emperor-of-ice-creamThe Emperor Of Ice Cream is one of the most difficult poems by Wallace Stevens. Its theme expresses the com- SymbolismThe poet uses several symbols in the poem.He points out that the knobs on the dresser are missing. This detail would indicate that the lady who died had little money.  The mention of the embroidery portrays someone who once loved pretty things and decorated them with aspects of nature.  This cover is appropriately used to cover the corpse.Take from the dresser of deal,Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheetOn which she embroidered fantails3onceAnd spread it so as to cover her face.Ice cream brings to mind pleasure and often merriment.   However, here the fact that ice cream must be frozen to enjoy it relates to the state of the corpse. The fact that the ice cream must be enjoyed at the moment and in the present denotes the theme of seizing the day.  Eat it while one can.ThemeThe theme of the poem could be summarized in “Carpe Diem.” Seize the opportunity to enjoy life before it is taken from the person. The people who knew the dead woman are going to have a party more for fun than to commemorate her life. The emperor of Ice Cream will preside at the party and give out the scoops of the luscious ice cream. Life must go on seems to be the attitude of the poet.SummaryThe first stanza talks about the activities in the kitchen preparing for the wake of the dead woman. The second setting in stanza two occurs in the bedroom with the corpse.The speaker is calling together people to come to the wake of a woman who has died.  He wants the men who make cigars to come.  The ice cream will be made in different flavors in the kitchen. The women will come in dresses and stand around talking. The men will bring flowers wrapped up in newspaper bought on the corner.  This is the finale for the woman who has died.In the bedroom dresser, there is a sheet embroidered by the woman. Place it on her to cover her face.  The sheet does not cover the woman’s feet. The poet describes the woman’s feet as horny implying that she has long toenails and has not been taking care of herself.  The feet will turn blue to indicate how long she has been dead.  She cannot speak and he uses an older word “dumb.” The lamp will shine, and life will go on.--------------------------------------------------。