“The Emperor of Ice-Cream” is a poem written by American modernist poet Wallace Stevens. It was first published in 1922 as part of his poetry collection titled “Harmonium.” The poem is known for its vivid imagery, enigmatic language, and thematic exploration of life and death. While “The Emperor of Ice-Cream” does not have a traditional plot in the narrative sense, it conveys a powerful message through its imagery and themes.

The poem’s domestic setting shows a typical family getting ready for a funeral. The opening stanza introduces the scene in which the speaker describes a group of people getting ready for a funeral in a modest room, most likely the kitchen. “Let be be finale of seem” emphasises the reality of mortality by implying a matter-of-fact acceptance of death.

The emphasis is shifted to a group of boys in the second stanza who are carrying “floral sheets” and “dresser of deal.” To the deceased person’s room or the room where the body is laid out, the boys appear to be bringing flowers and other items. “Coarse hands” implies that the boys are working-class, emphasising the funeral’s modest and commonplace nature.

The idea of pleasure and death are introduced in the third stanza. The phrase “Her horny feet” refers to a prostitute’s or a woman’s feet who is involved in sexual activity. The idea of life and death coexisting is furthered by the contrast of the sensual and the solemn.

Returning to the funeral scene, the speaker describes the “wenches” who are preparing the body for burial in the fourth stanza. “And rolled their bodies tight” alludes to the solemnity and ritualistic nature of preparing the body for its final resting place.

Returning to the image of the boys, the fifth stanza refers to them as “strapping boys” and “boys in brocade.” The contrast between the young and the old, the living and the dead, is emphasised by the way these boys are portrayed as being strong and self-assured.

The idea of impermanence and the transient nature of life are the main themes of the sixth stanza. The proverb “Let the lamp affix its beam” alludes to the transient and fleeting nature of life, much like a lamp’s flickering.

Returning to the funeral scene, the speaker in the seventh stanza describes the “wenches” as they “weave the winding sheet.” To further emphasise the theme of death and mortality, the winding sheet is the shroud used to wrap the body for burial.

The poem ends with the stirring and mysterious line, “The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.” According to various interpretations, this line implies that life’s pleasures and experiences are fleeting in the face of mortality and that death is the ultimate ruler.

In conclusion, “The Emperor of Ice-Cream” by Wallace Stevens is a thought-provoking poem that explores themes of life, death, and the transient nature of human existence. Through vivid imagery and enigmatic language, Stevens invites readers to contemplate the coexistence of life’s pleasures and sorrows and the inevitable reality of mortality. The poem’s depth and ambiguity contribute to its lasting appeal and significance in modern poetry.