next to of course god america i by E.E. Cummings Poetry Analysis

The title of this poem shows the order of importance of faith, patriotism, and himself in the "land of the pilgrims" (line 2).  The poem quotes the national anthem to represent the patriotism he has for his country, yet does not capitalize any line or word in the poem.  This shows how unimportant he believes grammar is when compared to god, america, and himself.  He uses alliteration of a "g" sound when saying words "jingo, gee, gosh, gum, and glorious" which shows made up words, for which he does not care to use.  In lines 9 and 10, he talks about a person who can be no more happy than one who has died for his country.  In lines 14, he talks of "he" which may represent the man who is talking about all fo this death and patriotic dying, yet has not died himself. It seems as if the author is mocking the man speaking, for he really does not know truly what he himself is talking about, but only speaks to look good.  He uses alliteration again in lines 9 when saying heroic happy dead.  Its like a play on words because it shows the order of someone can do something heroic and be happy, but then those decisions usally lead to death.  The last line shows how the poem was written through a second person and how he was so nervous and excited after finishing his speech, that he needed a drink of water to calm down.