'Fairer through Fading—as the Day' by Emily Dickinson


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Fairer through Fading—as the Day
Into the Darkness dips away—
Half Her Complexion of the Sun—
Hindering—Haunting—Perishing—

Rallies Her Glow, like a dying Friend—
Teasing with glittering Amend—
Only to aggravate the Dark
Through an expiring—perfect—look—

Editor 1 Interpretation

Fairer through Fading—as the Day

Oh, Emily Dickinson! What a brilliant poet! How she manages to capture the essence of life, love, and death in her poems is truly remarkable. Her poem "Fairer through Fading—as the Day" is no exception. This poem is one of her most reflective works, exploring the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at the poem, its structure, and its meaning.

Analysis of the Poem

Let's start with the poem's structure. "Fairer through Fading—as the Day" consists of six quatrains of alternating iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter. This means that each line has either four or three metrical feet, with each foot containing an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming with each other. This consistent structure gives the poem a sense of order and balance, reflecting the idea of life progressing towards its inevitable end.

Now, let's look at the meaning of the poem. In "Fairer through Fading—as the Day," Dickinson compares human life to the passing of a day. She writes that just as the day becomes more beautiful as it fades into twilight, so too does life become more precious as it approaches its end. This is a powerful metaphor, suggesting that even though we may fear death, we can find beauty and value in the process of aging and dying.

The poem's opening lines set the tone for this exploration of mortality:

Fairer through Fading—as the Day Into the Darkness dips away— Half Her Complexion of the Sun— Hindering—Haunting—Perishing—

(lines 1-4)

Here, Dickinson describes the fading of the day into darkness, using the sun as a metaphor for life. The phrase "Half Her Complexion of the Sun" implies that life is only a partial reflection of the divine, a fleeting and temporary existence. The words "Hindering," "Haunting," and "Perishing" suggest that death is not something to be feared, but something that is part of the natural order of things.

The second stanza continues this theme:

Rallies Her Glow, like a dying Friend, Teasing with glittering Promise—then— Leaving with color of Rose— As Sumptuous as Deceitful—

(lines 5-8)

Here, Dickinson compares the fading of the day to the death of a friend. The words "Rallies Her Glow" suggest that the day is trying to hold on to its life force, just as a dying person might try to hang on to their last breath. The phrase "Teasing with glittering Promise" suggests that death can seem attractive, like a false promise of something better. But ultimately, the day (and life) must give way to darkness (and death), leaving behind only a memory of its beauty and vitality.

The final stanza of the poem brings all the themes together:

Beauty—Crowns—Grief— Honor—Falls— Faith—fairer—stands— These—are but the dying's— Signatures— In the Surgeons—hands—

(lines 19-24)

Here, Dickinson suggests that even though beauty, grief, and honor may seem important in life, they ultimately fall away at death. Only faith remains, standing out as something "fairer" and more enduring. The metaphor of the "Surgeons—hands" suggests that death is an operation that we all must undergo, and that our lives are like a surgical signature.

Interpretation of the Poem

So, what does all of this mean? What is Emily Dickinson trying to say with "Fairer through Fading—as the Day?" There are a few possible interpretations of this poem, but here are a few that stand out to me:

1. Death is a natural part of life.

The poem suggests that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather something that is part of the natural order of things. Just as the day must fade into darkness, so too must life fade into death. Dickinson seems to be saying that we should accept this inevitability, and find beauty and meaning in the process of aging and dying.

2. Life is more precious because it is fleeting.

The metaphor of the day fading into darkness suggests that life is valuable precisely because it is temporary. If life were eternal, it would lose its meaning and beauty. Dickinson seems to be saying that we should cherish every moment of our lives, and make the most of the time we have.

3. Faith is the key to transcending death.

The final stanza of the poem suggests that only faith can endure beyond death. Dickinson seems to be saying that if we have faith in something greater than ourselves, we can find solace and meaning even in the face of our own mortality.

Conclusion

"Fairer through Fading—as the Day" is a powerful and reflective poem that explores the theme of mortality in a nuanced and insightful way. By using the metaphor of the day fading into darkness, Dickinson suggests that even though death is a natural part of life, we can find beauty and value in the process of aging and dying. Whether we interpret the poem as a call to accept death, cherish life, or find faith, it is clear that Dickinson has given us a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Fairer through Fading—as the Day: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems, Fairer through Fading—as the Day, is a beautiful and poignant exploration of the fleeting nature of life and the beauty that can be found in its passing. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem begins with the line “Fairer through Fading—as the Day,” immediately setting the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word “fairer” suggests that something is becoming more beautiful or attractive, while “fading” implies that it is also becoming weaker or less vibrant. This paradoxical combination of beauty and decay is a central theme of the poem, and it is explored in depth throughout.

The first stanza continues with the lines “As the Day leans toward the Night / And the Heart toward the Sun.” Here, Dickinson is drawing a parallel between the natural cycle of day and night and the emotional cycle of life and death. The day represents life, while the night represents death, and the heart represents the human spirit. By suggesting that the heart leans toward the sun, Dickinson is implying that the human spirit is drawn to the light and warmth of life, even as it inevitably fades and dies.

The second stanza expands on this theme, with the lines “Miracles, in traffic! / Such was I, for He was mine!” Here, Dickinson is suggesting that even in the midst of the chaos and confusion of life, there are moments of beauty and wonder that can be found. The use of the exclamation mark emphasizes the excitement and joy that these moments can bring, while the phrase “He was mine” suggests a personal connection to the miracle in question.

The third stanza continues with the lines “I was mortal, but I knew / Him immortal—Whom the Dead / Carry in their Arms.” Here, Dickinson is exploring the idea of mortality and immortality, and the relationship between the living and the dead. By suggesting that she knew someone who was immortal, she is implying that there is a connection between the living and the dead, and that death is not necessarily the end of all things.

The fourth stanza returns to the theme of beauty in decay, with the lines “When I died—I died as one / Who has reached a Journey’s Goal.” Here, Dickinson is suggesting that death can be seen as a kind of achievement, a culmination of a life well-lived. The use of the phrase “Journey’s Goal” implies that life is a journey, and that death is the final destination. By suggesting that she died “as one” who had reached this goal, Dickinson is emphasizing the idea that death can be a beautiful and meaningful experience.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the lines “Going home, and not afraid / As the Day goes home.” Here, Dickinson is drawing a final parallel between the natural cycle of day and night and the cycle of life and death. By suggesting that she is “going home” and not afraid, she is implying that death is a natural and inevitable part of life, and that there is nothing to fear in its passing.

Overall, Fairer through Fading—as the Day is a beautiful and powerful exploration of the themes of life, death, beauty, and decay. Through its use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and poetic devices, it captures the essence of what it means to be human, and the beauty that can be found in even the most fleeting moments of life. As one of Emily Dickinson’s most famous works, it continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day, and is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to touch the human spirit.

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