'It was a quiet seeming Day—' by Emily Dickinson


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It was a quiet seeming Day—
There was no harm in earth or sky—
Till with the closing sun
There strayed an accidental Red
A Strolling Hue, one would have said
To westward of the Town—

But when the Earth began to jar
And Houses vanished with a roar
And Human Nature hid
We comprehended by the Awe
As those that Dissolution saw
The Poppy in the Cloud

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

"It was a quiet seeming Day" is a poem composed by Emily Dickinson, one of America's most renowned poets. She is famous for her unique and unconventional style of poetry, which often challenges the conventional norms of writing. This poem is no exception, as it is a beautiful example of her distinctive style. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the meaning, themes, and literary devices employed in the poem.

Analysis of the poem

The poem begins with the line, "It was a quiet seeming Day," which sets the tone for the entire poem. The word "seeming" suggests that although the day appears calm on the surface, there is something more going on beneath the surface. The reader is immediately drawn in by this enigmatic line.

The poem goes on to describe a series of seemingly mundane events, such as the birds singing and the flowers blooming. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that there is more to these events than meets the eye. The birds are not simply singing; they are "pealing" their songs, suggesting a joyous celebration. The flowers are not just blooming; they are "nodding" and "bowing" to each other, suggesting a secret language between them.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death. She describes how the wind "sighs" and the sun "sets," both of which suggest the end of something. The line, "And then the Windows failed" is particularly haunting, suggesting that even inanimate objects are subject to decay and death.

The final stanza of the poem offers a glimmer of hope, as the speaker reflects on the immortality of the soul. She suggests that although our physical bodies will eventually fail us, our souls will live on. The line, "And when they all were seated/ A Service, like a Drum" suggests a funeral service, but also implies that the soul will continue to beat like a drum, even after death.

Themes

The poem explores several themes, including the passage of time, the transience of life, and the immortality of the soul. The poem suggests that although everything in life is subject to change and decay, there is something within us that is eternal and unchanging.

Literary devices

Emily Dickinson employs several literary devices throughout the poem, including:

Interpretation

"It was a quiet seeming Day" is a poem that is open to interpretation, as is the case with much of Emily Dickinson's work. However, one possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem suggests that although everything in life is subject to change and decay, there is something within us that is eternal and unchanging.

The speaker's reflection on the immortality of the soul provides a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak poem. This interpretation is supported by the final stanza, which suggests that although our physical bodies will eventually fail us, our souls will live on.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "It was a quiet seeming Day" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores themes of transience, mortality, and immortality. Emily Dickinson's use of imagery, personification, metaphor, and alliteration help to bring the poem to life and evoke an emotional response from the reader. The poem is open to interpretation, but one possible reading is that it is a meditation on the inevitability of death and the hope that we can find in the immortality of the soul.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

It was a quiet seeming Day— written by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. The poem is a beautiful representation of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "It was a quiet seeming Day." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is contemplative and introspective. The use of the word "seeming" suggests that things are not always as they appear, and that there may be more going on beneath the surface. This theme of hidden depths is a recurring motif throughout the poem.

The second line of the poem reads, "But a something in the air." This line is significant because it introduces the idea of something intangible that is present but not visible. This "something" is never explicitly defined, but it is suggested that it is a feeling or an emotion that is difficult to put into words. This idea of an elusive feeling is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The third line of the poem reads, "A pulse astir." This line is significant because it introduces the idea of movement and energy. The use of the word "pulse" suggests that there is a rhythm to the world, and that everything is connected. This idea of interconnectedness is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "The like to which, as prest." This line is more difficult to interpret, but it suggests that there is something familiar about the feeling in the air. The use of the word "prest" suggests that this feeling has been experienced before, and that it is not entirely new.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Will never stir again." This line is significant because it introduces the idea of finality. The use of the word "never" suggests that this feeling is fleeting and that it will not last forever. This idea of impermanence is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "The trees, like Tassels—hit." This line is significant because it introduces the idea of nature. The use of the word "tassels" suggests that the trees are decorative and ornamental, and that they are not just functional. This idea of nature as something beautiful and aesthetic is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "Their Bodices of Wood." This line is significant because it personifies the trees, giving them human-like qualities. The use of the word "bodices" suggests that the trees have a feminine quality, and that they are delicate and graceful. This idea of nature as something feminine and delicate is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "Apt, to forget them, as I." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is forgetful and that they are easily distracted. This idea of forgetfulness is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "Why, it is Centuries since they were here." This line is significant because it introduces the idea of time. The use of the word "centuries" suggests that the trees have been around for a long time, and that they have seen many things. This idea of time as something vast and infinite is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "But, I, cannot be sure." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is uncertain about the past. This idea of uncertainty is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "Nor, any know the date." This line is significant because it suggests that the past is unknowable. This idea of the unknowable past is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The twelfth line of the poem reads, "But, nature, said, they could be here." This line is significant because it suggests that nature has a wisdom that humans do not possess. This idea of nature as something wise and all-knowing is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The thirteenth line of the poem reads, "It is a probability." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is uncertain about the present. This idea of uncertainty is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The fourteenth line of the poem reads, "At any rate, with this." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is resigned to their uncertainty. This idea of resignation is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The fifteenth line of the poem reads, "They have entered, "Nature claims." This line is significant because it suggests that nature has a power over humans. This idea of nature as something powerful and all-encompassing is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The sixteenth line of the poem reads, "Dismissed the claim of me." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. This idea of insignificance is another recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

Overall, It was a quiet seeming Day— written by Emily Dickinson is a beautiful and complex poem that explores themes of hidden depths, interconnectedness, impermanence, nature, time, uncertainty, resignation, and insignificance. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. It is a poem that rewards careful reading and contemplation, and it is a testament to Dickinson's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of all time.

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