anyone lived in a pretty how town

anyone lived in a pretty how town Themes

Tradition and conformity

If "anyone lived in a pretty how town" is meant to describe an American town, it seems to call attention to the monotonous conformity of the citizens and the dullness into which they fall. Those who are different in the poem—anyone and noone—are at least lightly ostracized. In this way, this poem may be critiquing the sameness of actual small American towns as well as even the idea of an idyllic American town in which the American dream can be achieved.

The cyclicality of life

In this poem, life is depicted as being cyclical. In this quaint town, people are born, follow a very set path with clear milestones, and die. After this, the cycle begins again. They sow and reap their field over and over.

This cyclical element in the poem is emphasized by the references to the cycle of the seasons and the skies, as well as reoccurring meteorological events such as snow and rain. The references to cycles reinforce the monotony of this town. Overall, the references to cycles reinforce the monotonous nature of the town.

Love

The society Cummings describes in this poem is marked by a lack of warmth and true compassion. Everyone is so concerned with their own lives that they don't care about anyone else. This being said, anyone and noone find a sense of connection with each other, and seem to truly love one another. Here, the enduring power of love is able to thrive even within a self-interested society.