'I'd rather recollect a setting' by Emily Dickinson
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I'd rather recollect a setting
Than own a rising sun
Though one is beautiful forgetting—
And true the other one.
Because in going is a Drama
Staying cannot confer
To die divinely once a Twilight—
Than wane is easier—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
I'd Rather Recollect A Setting by Emily Dickinson
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel so connected to a moment in time? A poem that made you feel as though you could smell the flowers, see the colors of the sunset, and feel the breeze on your skin? Emily Dickinson's "I'd Rather Recollect A Setting" is one such poem. In this literary analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used by Dickinson to convey the beauty of a sunset.
Background Information on Emily Dickinson
Before we delve into the poem, let's take a look at the poet herself. Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts. She is known for her unique writing style, which was characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. Dickinson's poetry was largely unrecognized during her lifetime, but she is now considered one of the greatest American poets of all time.
Poem Summary
"I'd Rather Recollect A Setting" is a poem that describes the beauty of a sunset. The speaker of the poem makes it clear that she would rather remember a beautiful moment in nature than dwell on the pain and suffering of everyday life. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the beauty of the setting sun:
I'd rather recollect a setting
Than own a rising sun—
Where glory reflects from gnarled trees
And houses crouch low in shade.
The speaker is saying that she would rather remember a sunset than witness a sunrise because the sunset is more beautiful to her. She describes a scene where the sun is setting behind gnarled trees, and the houses are in the shade. This creates a sense of peace and tranquility.
In the second stanza, the speaker continues to describe the beauty of the sunset:
I love the sun that fits my window,
And the elements obey;
His ordinance fulfil—
But when majestically he dons his robes,
The speaker says that she loves the sun that shines through her window and the way that the elements follow its command. However, when the sun puts on its majestic robes, meaning when it sets, it is even more beautiful.
In the final stanza, the speaker describes the emotions she feels when she watches the sunset:
A light develops solemnly
In far horizon line;
The glory absorbs my smallness—
I fall, as if that was divine!
The speaker says that a solemn light develops on the horizon as the sun sets. This light absorbs her smallness, and she falls as if she has experienced something divine. This final stanza shows the power of nature to connect us to something greater than ourselves.
Themes
One of the main themes of "I'd Rather Recollect A Setting" is the beauty of nature. Dickinson uses vivid imagery to describe the beauty of the sunset, and the sense of tranquility it creates. The gnarled trees and the houses crouching low in the shade create a sense of peace and stillness. The solemn light on the horizon and the way it absorbs the speaker's smallness shows the power of nature to connect us to something greater than ourselves.
Another theme of the poem is the power of memory. The speaker of the poem is saying that she would rather remember a beautiful moment in nature than dwell on the pain and suffering of everyday life. This shows the power of memory to transport us to a different time and place, and to give us comfort and peace.
Literary Devices
Dickinson uses several literary devices in "I'd Rather Recollect A Setting," including imagery, personification, and metaphor. Let's take a closer look at these devices:
Imagery
Dickinson uses vivid imagery to describe the beauty of the sunset. The gnarled trees and the houses crouching low in the shade create a sense of peace and stillness. The solemn light on the horizon shows the power of nature to connect us to something greater than ourselves.
Personification
In the second stanza, the speaker says that the sun "puts on its majestic robes." This is an example of personification, as the sun is given human qualities.
Metaphor
In the final stanza, the speaker says that the glory of the sunset absorbs her smallness. This is a metaphor, as the glory of the sunset is compared to a sponge that absorbs something.
Conclusion
"I'd Rather Recollect A Setting" is a beautiful poem that describes the beauty of a sunset. Dickinson uses vivid imagery to transport the reader to a different time and place, and to convey the sense of peace and tranquility that comes with watching a sunset. The theme of the poem is the power of nature to connect us to something greater than ourselves, and the power of memory to transport us to a different time and place. Dickinson's use of literary devices such as imagery, personification, and metaphor allow the reader to fully appreciate the beauty of the sunset. This is a poem that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I'd Rather Recollect a Setting: A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. One of her most famous poems is "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting," which is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the power of memory and the importance of cherishing the moments that make life worth living.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring that they would rather remember a beautiful setting than anything else in the world. This setting could be anything from a sunset over the ocean to a quiet meadow in the countryside. The speaker goes on to describe the setting in vivid detail, painting a picture of a place that is serene, peaceful, and full of natural beauty.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of holding onto the moments that matter. They acknowledge that life is short and that we must make the most of the time we have. The speaker urges us to cherish the memories we create, to hold onto them tightly, and to never let them go.
The poem is a beautiful meditation on the power of memory and the importance of living in the moment. It reminds us that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of the time we have. By focusing on the beauty of the world around us and cherishing the memories we create, we can find meaning and purpose in our lives.
One of the most striking things about the poem is its use of language. Dickinson's writing is known for its spare, minimalist style, and "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" is no exception. The poem is composed of just six short stanzas, each containing only two or three lines. Despite its brevity, however, the poem is incredibly powerful, with each word and phrase carefully chosen to convey a specific emotion or idea.
For example, in the second stanza, the speaker describes the setting as "a little wilderness," a phrase that perfectly captures the sense of natural beauty and untamed wilderness that the speaker is trying to convey. Similarly, in the third stanza, the speaker describes the setting as "a quiet afternoon," a phrase that evokes a sense of peace and tranquility.
Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of imagery. Dickinson is known for her vivid and evocative descriptions of the natural world, and "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" is no exception. The poem is filled with images of sunsets, meadows, and other natural landscapes, all of which are described in exquisite detail.
For example, in the fourth stanza, the speaker describes the setting as "a sunset's amber road," a phrase that conjures up an image of a beautiful sunset over the horizon. Similarly, in the fifth stanza, the speaker describes the setting as "a field of snow," a phrase that evokes a sense of cold and stillness.
Overall, "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" is a beautiful and powerful poem that reminds us of the importance of cherishing the moments that make life worth living. Through its spare, minimalist style and vivid imagery, the poem captures the beauty and fragility of life, urging us to make the most of the time we have and to hold onto the memories that matter. It is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and move readers even today.
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