This line is a good example of how Stein is examining language through repetition in her poetry. One meaning of the word misses refers to a woman, while the other meaning refers to the action of missing something or someone. This line could be interpreted as a woman missing someone, or as the word “misses” lacking (or missing) meaning.Stein may be doing this to demonstrate the diversity and versatility of language.
This is a painting entitled “Woman II” by William de Kooning, an early 1950’s post-war artist. In this painting, the woman is “missing.”
Source: http://blogs.artinfo.com/modernartnotes/2011/09/the-mystery-of-the-missing-de-kooning-woman/
This is a painting entitled “Woman II” by William de Kooning, an early 1950’s post-war artist. In this painting, the woman is “missing.”
Source: http://blogs.artinfo.com/modernartnotes/2011/09/the-mystery-of-the-missing-de-kooning-woman/