Student Question
What does the term "mud-luscious" imply in the poem "in Just-"?
Quick answer:
In the poem "in Just-" by E.E. Cummings, the term "mud-luscious" evokes the joy and abundance of springtime, when melting snow and rain create mud that children delight in. This invented word combines "mud" with connotations of joyfulness and richness, similar to "delicious" or "luscious," emphasizing the playful and carefree spirit of children enjoying the thawing world. The imagery highlights children's activities like dancing and jumping in the vibrant, muddy landscape.
This poem by E.E. Cummings is set in springtime. There is an adage that "April showers bring May flowers," and that feeling of an abundance of rain is the backdrop of the setting. Suddenly, the world that was frozen and hard just a couple of months before has turned "mud-luscious." There is a connotation of this invented word of a joyfulness in mud. It is reminiscent of words like delicious and luscious. Who would find such joy in mud? Likely not adults, who are tasked with cleaning the mess it creates.
Kids.
Most kids love a deep puddle and, even better, a muddy one. These images of children running into the joy of springtime are woven throughout the poem. There are balloons, dancing, hop scotch, and jump rope for kids to enjoy.
The mud is another wonderful result of a world thawing into spring. It is mud-luscious.
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