Susie Asado by Gertrude Stein

Sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet tea.

       Susie Asado.

Sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet tea.

       Susie Asado.

Susie Asado which is a told tray sure.

A lean on the shoe this means slips slips hers.

When the ancient light grey is clean it is yellow, it is a silver seller.

This is a please this is a please there are the saids to jelly. These are the wets these say the sets to leave a crown to Incy.

Incy is short for incubus.

A pot. A pot is a beginning of a rare bit of trees. Trees tremble, the old vats are in bobbles, bobbles which shade and shove and render clean, render clean must.   

       Drink pups.   

Drink pups drink pups lease a sash hold, see it shine and a bobolink has pins. It shows a nail.

What is a nail. A nail is unison.

Sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet tea.

Title and Author Information:
The poem “Susie Asado” was written by renowned American avant-garde writer Gertrude Stein, who revolutionized modernist literature. Born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, in 1874, Stein spent a large portion of her life in Paris, where she became well-known in the expatriate literary community. She regularly challenges conventional forms and meanings with her use of repetition, abstract imagery, and a focus on rhythm and sound. In “Susie Asado,” Stein’s unique writing style is evident, showcasing her creative word choice.

Susie Asado by Gertrude Stein Summary

Stanza 1:
By repeating the poem’s first phrase, “sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet tea,” a melodic and rhythmic ambiance is produced. This repetition, which also expresses sentiments of comfort, delight, or pleasure, emphasizes the idea of sweetness. The sentence also has a playful tone that encourages the reader to appreciate the sound of the words. The introduction of “Susie Asado” as the protagonist gives it a more intimate feel and creates a humorous yet recognizable bond. The simplicity of the statement, which emphasizes how repetition may evoke sentiments of warmth and emotion, reflects Stein’s emphasis on the sensory experience of words.

Stanza 2:
The statement “Susie Asado which is a told tray sure” includes more abstract imagery. “Told tray” may refer to a shared or presented object, implying narrative or communication. This sentence, which employs the word “sure,” plays with the idea of certainty in contrast to the lighthearted ambiguity that characterizes the majority of Stein’s writing. The line “A lean on the shoe this means slips slips hers” is another illustration of Stein’s fragmented writing style, in which the message is delayed. Instead, it evokes a sense of movement and interaction, encouraging readers to engage with the text in novel ways. The playful tone endures, inspiring readers to explore language’s possibilities free from the limitations of traditional syntax and grammar.

Stanza 3:
This stanza by Stein explores perception and transformation, as evidenced by the line “when the ancient light grey is clean it is yellow.” This suggests that everything that seems dull or lifeless at first glance may actually be bright and vibrant when examined more closely. This idea might represent broader ideas of renewal and change, emphasizing how our perspectives can change.

Two examples of natural imagery, “Trees tremble” and “the old vats are in bobbles,” produce a lively environment in which objects have their own life and movement. The term “bobbles” adds a whimsical and playful quality that enhances the poem’s typically cheerful tone. This verse encourages readers to find beauty in the everyday by highlighting the unexpected pleasures that can be found in familiar surroundings.

Stanza 4:
The phrase “Drink pups” breaks the poem’s established pattern by bringing in a humorous absurdity. This sentence seems to be an invitation to participate in an enjoyable group activity and emphasizes the joy of being together.

A reference to a “bobolink”—a bird known for its lively song—increases the poem’s overall sense of happiness and vitality. The reference to “pins” may suggest something glossy or seductive, which would reinforce the notion that happiness and beauty can be found in the small things. This poem captures the spirit of childish wonder and celebrates the spontaneity and joy that words may evoke. Stein’s humorous writings inspire readers to embrace the absurd and find delight in the small things.

Stanza 5:
The poem by Stein ends with the contemplative lines, “What is a nail?” In unison is a nail. This statement asks readers to carefully consider connections and unity, which contrasts with the stanzas’ playful tone. Even in the middle of lighthearted absurdity, the word “unison” suggests a basic connection between ideas and experiences by evoking a sense of harmony and unity.

When the line “sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet tea” is repeated at the end of the poem, it completes a circle by echoing the opening words and restating the themes of sweetness and comfort. This cyclical rhythm emphasizes the enduring nature of joy and simplicity, leaving readers with a lingering sense of enjoyment.

Susie Asado by Gertrude Stein Analysis

Gertrude Stein’s poem “Susie Asado” is a perfect example of her unique writing style and creative use of words. By focusing on melody, rhythm, and fantastical imagery, the poetry provides readers with a joyful and delightful experience. Stein urges us to explore the beauty of language itself through abstraction and repetition rather than adhering to traditional meanings.

One of the poem’s most striking features is its melody, which is demonstrated by the phrase “sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet tea.” This repetition emphasizes the reader’s sense of sweetness by producing a cadence that almost sounds like a chant. This line introduces “Susie Asado,” a character who is crucial to the poem’s exploration of joy and comfort. By repeating the word “sweet,” Stein creates a sense of familiarity and coziness, suggesting that both Susie and the tea are representations of happiness and contentment.

Abstract imagery is used by Stein in the second verse, “Susie Asado which is a told tray sure.” Susie Asado’s character may include a story element, as the term “told tray” implies. The word “sure” conveys assurance in contrast to the poem’s general funny ambiguity. This harmony of humor and confidence encourages readers to engage with the text in novel ways, allowing them to deduce meanings from the text.

The third verse introduces the idea of perception with the line, “when the ancient light grey is clean it is yellow.” Here, Stein argues that things might alter because of how we see them. What initially appears dull (the “light grey”) may turn vibrant (the “yellow”) when viewed from a different perspective. Readers are encouraged by this transformation to look past outward manifestations and discover beauty in the ordinary. “The old vats are in bobbles” and “Trees tremble” are two examples of natural imagery that depict a lively, colorful cosmos. The usage of the word “bobbles” highlights the humorous tone and communicates the sense that life is interesting and full of surprises.

In the fourth verse, Stein continues the humorous absurdity with the line, “Drink pups.” It appears that this statement is an invitation to participate in a joyful occasion. The mention of a “bobolink”—a contented songbird—increases the sense of happiness and vitality. Following “It shows a nail” follows the contemplative statement, “What is a nail?” In unison is a nail. This connection to “unison” emphasizes harmony and unity, suggesting that even in humorous situations, everything is more deeply interconnected.

The poem concludes by restating the opening line: “sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet tea.” This circular pattern reinforces the sense of continuity and delight. By taking readers back to the beginning, Stein gives them a sense of contentment and comfort, much like the sweetness associated with Susie and her tea.

All things considered, “Susie Asado” reflects Stein’s belief that words may evoke emotions and convey meaning. The playful use of sound, repetition, and abstract imagery encourages readers to savor the thrill of words. Stein’s innovative approach challenges conventional frameworks by emphasizing how language’s own tone and rhythm may express meaning. She celebrates the beauty of expression and exhorts us to enjoy life’s little pleasures in her poem.

Line-by-Line Explanation of Susie Asado

“Sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet tea.”

• Device: Repetition and Alliteration
  The poem opens with the repetition of “sweet” and the alliteration of the ‘s’ sound, creating a musical rhythm. This establishes a joyful tone and emphasizes the sensory experience of sweetness associated with tea.

“Susie Asado.”

• Device: Proper Noun
  Introducing “Susie Asado” personalizes the poem. The name is unique and playful, inviting curiosity about the character and suggesting a sense of familiarity and warmth.

“Sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet tea.”

• Device: Repetition
  The repetition here reinforces the central theme of sweetness and creates a rhythmic continuity, enhancing the poem’s musical quality.

“Susie Asado which is a told tray sure.”

• Device: Enjambment and Abstract Imagery
  The line employs enjambment, allowing the thought to flow into the next line. “Told tray” suggests storytelling, indicating that Susie embodies a narrative quality. The phrase “sure” provides a sense of certainty amidst the abstractness.

“A lean on the shoe this means slips slips hers.”

• Device: Imagery and Repetition
  This line conjures a playful image of movement (“lean on the shoe”) and uses repetition with “slips,” enhancing the whimsical tone. The phrase suggests a light-heartedness and spontaneity in Susie’s actions.

“When the ancient light grey is clean it is yellow.”

• Device: Contrast and Color Imagery
  This line contrasts “light grey” with “yellow,” using color imagery to explore transformation. It suggests that perceptions can change, turning something dull into something bright and lively.

“It is a silver seller.”

• Device: Metaphor
  The phrase “silver seller” serves as a metaphor, implying value and brightness. It suggests that the transformation from grey to yellow has intrinsic worth and beauty.

“This is a please this is a please there are the saids to jelly.”

• Device: Repetition and Alliteration
  The repetition of “this is a please” emphasizes pleasure and satisfaction. The phrase “the saids to jelly” introduces playful language, suggesting fluidity in expression and meaning.

“These are the wets these say the sets to leave a crown to Incy.”

• Device: Playful Language and Personification
  “The wets” suggests liveliness, while “say the sets” implies communication. The mention of a “crown” elevates Incy to a position of importance, and personification lends character to abstract ideas.

“Incy is short for incubus.”

• Device: Definition
  This line clarifies the character of Incy, introducing a fantastical element. An incubus suggests a playful, dream-like quality, enhancing the poem’s whimsical nature.

“A pot.”

• Device: Symbolism
  The mention of “a pot” symbolizes potential and beginnings. It serves as a tangible object that suggests growth and nourishment, echoing the theme of transformation.

“A pot is a beginning of a rare bit of trees.”

• Device: Metaphor and Nature Imagery
  Here, “a rare bit of trees” suggests something precious in nature. This metaphor connects the idea of growth and potential to the natural world, emphasizing beauty in simplicity.

“Trees tremble, the old vats are in bobbles, bobbles which shade and shove and render clean, render clean must.”

• Device: Personification and Repetition
  The personification of trees (“tremble”) creates a sense of movement and life. The repetition of “render clean” emphasizes renewal, suggesting a cleansing or transformation process.

“Drink pups.”

• Device: Imperative and Absurdity
  This line uses an imperative form, inviting action. The phrase “Drink pups” introduces a playful absurdity, contributing to the whimsical tone.

“Drink pups drink pups lease a sash hold, see it shine and a bobolink has pins.”

• Device: Repetition and Nature Imagery
  The repetition of “drink pups” reinforces the playful spirit. The phrase “lease a sash hold” suggests holding onto beauty, while “a bobolink” (a cheerful songbird) adds vibrant nature imagery, enhancing the joyful atmosphere.

“It shows a nail.”

• Device: Symbolism
  This line introduces the “nail” as a symbol of connection or unity, suggesting that all elements within the poem are interconnected.

“What is a nail. A nail is unison.”

• Device: Rhetorical Question and Definition
  The rhetorical question invites contemplation about the meaning of a “nail.” Defining it as “unison” emphasizes harmony and connection, reinforcing the idea that all parts of life are intertwined.

“Sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet tea.”

• Device: Repetition and Circular Structure
  The poem ends with the repetition of “sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet tea,” mirroring the opening lines. This circular structure reinforces themes of continuity and joy, leaving the reader with a lasting sense of comfort and pleasure.