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'Let Us play Yesterday' by Emily Dickinson


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Let Us play Yesterday—
I—the Girl at school—
You—and Eternity—the
Untold Tale—

Easing my famine
At my Lexicon—
Logarithm—had I—for Drink—
'Twas a dry Wine—

Somewhat different—must be—
Dreams tint the Sleep—
Cunning Reds of Morning
Make the Blind—leap—

Still at the Egg-life—
Chafing the Shell—
When you troubled the Ellipse—
And the Bird fell—

Manacles be dim—they say—
To the new Free—
Liberty—Commoner—
Never could—to me—

'Twas my last gratitude
When I slept—at night—
'Twas the first Miracle
Let in—with Light—

Can the Lark resume the Shell—
Easier—for the Sky—
Wouldn't Bonds hurt more
Than Yesterday?

Wouldn't Dungeons sorer frate
On the Man—free—
Just long enough to taste—
Then—doomed new—

God of the Manacle
As of the Free—
Take not my Liberty
Away from Me—

Editor 1 Interpretation

Let Us Play Yesterday: A Journey into the Mind of Emily Dickinson

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were inside the mind of the poet? That's how I felt when I read Emily Dickinson's "Let Us Play Yesterday." This poem is a masterpiece of introspection that captures the essence of nostalgia, regret, and the human longing to recapture lost time. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will take you on a journey through the mind of Emily Dickinson and explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem.

A Brief Introduction to Emily Dickinson

Before we dive into the poem, let's take a moment to appreciate the genius of the woman who wrote it. Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) is one of the most enigmatic and celebrated poets in American literature. She lived most of her life in seclusion, rarely leaving her family's home in Amherst, Massachusetts. Despite this, she wrote over 1,800 poems, many of which were discovered after her death and published posthumously.

Dickinson's poetry is known for its unconventional style, which includes irregular meter, dashes, and unconventional capitalization. Her poems often explore themes of death, nature, and spirituality, and are characterized by their vivid imagery and intense emotional depth. Dickinson's unique voice and style have made her one of the most beloved and studied poets in American literature.

An Overview of "Let Us Play Yesterday"

"Let Us Play Yesterday" is a short poem consisting of three stanzas of four lines each. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a jaunty, playful rhythm. The poem's title sets the theme of the poem, which is nostalgia and the desire to recapture the past. The first stanza introduces the idea of playing with the past, while the second and third stanzas explore the emotions that come with this desire.

Here is the complete text of the poem:

Let us play Yesterday!
I—the Girl at school—
You—of the pensive brow—
We—have each a solitaire—

Show me yours—said I—
Yesterday—
Mine—was little—like the baby's toys—
And show you—yours—
It will recall yours, to mind—

Forgive me If I say
These were my own—
Perhaps you guessed
Why I played Solitaire!

Analysis and Interpretation

Now let's dive into the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and language.

Theme: Nostalgia and the Desire to Recapture the Past

The central theme of "Let Us Play Yesterday" is nostalgia and the human desire to recapture the past. The poem's title sets the tone for this theme, inviting the reader to imagine playing with the past as if it were a toy. The first stanza introduces the idea of playing with the past, with the speaker and her companion each having a solitaire (a type of card game) to share. The second and third stanzas explore the emotions that come with this desire to recapture the past.

The second stanza begins with the speaker showing her solitaire to her companion, asking to see theirs in return. The reference to "yours" in this stanza is ambiguous, as it could refer to either the solitaire or the person's memories. This ambiguity serves to emphasize the idea that memories are personal and subjective, and that each person's experience of the past is unique.

The third stanza provides the emotional climax of the poem, with the speaker asking for forgiveness for playing solitaire. This line suggests that the desire to recapture the past is tinged with guilt or regret, as if the speaker knows that it is impossible to truly go back in time. The final two lines of the poem provide a possible explanation for this guilt, as the speaker suggests that her solitaire cards represent something personal and private. The final line, "Why I played Solitaire!" could be read as a cry of frustration or despair at the impossibility of recapturing the past.

Imagery: Childhood Toys and Games

One of the most striking aspects of "Let Us Play Yesterday" is its use of childhood toys and games as imagery. The reference to solitaire in the first stanza is the most obvious example of this, but the poem is also full of references to childhood toys and games. The speaker describes her solitaire as "little—like the baby's toys," and the poem's title invites the reader to imagine playing with the past as if it were a toy.

This use of childhood imagery serves to emphasize the theme of nostalgia and the desire to recapture the past. Childhood is often seen as a time of innocence and simplicity, and the toys and games of childhood are associated with a sense of playfulness and joy. By using these images, Dickinson evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia for a time when life was simpler and more carefree.

Language: Iambic Tetrameter and Unconventional Capitalization

Finally, let's take a moment to appreciate the language of "Let Us Play Yesterday." The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a jaunty, playful rhythm. The iambic meter also serves to emphasize the theme of playfulness and the use of childhood toys and games as imagery.

In addition to its meter, the poem also features Dickinson's unconventional capitalization. The capitalization in this poem is sparse and idiosyncratic, with words like "Girl" and "Yesterday" capitalized seemingly at random. This use of unconventional capitalization is characteristic of Dickinson's style and serves to emphasize the individuality and subjectivity of the speaker's experience.

Conclusion

"Let Us Play Yesterday" is a masterpiece of introspection that captures the essence of nostalgia, regret, and the human longing to recapture lost time. Through its use of childhood toys and games as imagery, iambic tetrameter, and unconventional capitalization, the poem invites the reader to imagine playing with the past as if it were a toy. The final line, "Why I played Solitaire!" serves as a poignant reminder of the impossibility of truly going back in time, and the bittersweet emotions that come with the desire to do so.

As I finish this literary criticism and interpretation, I am struck by the power and beauty of Emily Dickinson's poetry. "Let Us Play Yesterday" is a perfect example of her unique voice and style, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complex emotions of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Let Us Play Yesterday: 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, Let Us Play Yesterday, is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing the moments we have.

At its core, Let Us Play Yesterday is a meditation on the concept of nostalgia. The poem begins with the speaker inviting the reader to join her in a game of sorts, a game in which they will play at being children once again. The speaker implores the reader to forget about the present and the future, to forget about the worries and responsibilities of adulthood, and to instead focus on the joys of the past.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker urging the reader to "forget the future" and "forget the past." This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that the only moment that truly matters is the present. The speaker is asking the reader to let go of their anxieties and regrets, and to instead embrace the moment they are in.

The second stanza continues this theme, with the speaker describing the game they will play as a way of escaping the pressures of the world. The speaker invites the reader to "play at being children," to forget about the responsibilities of adulthood and to instead revel in the freedom and innocence of childhood. This is a powerful message, as it suggests that the only way to truly escape the pressures of the world is to embrace the simplicity and joy of childhood.

The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful of the poem, as it describes the beauty and wonder of childhood. The speaker describes the "golden days" of childhood, when everything was new and exciting, and the world was full of endless possibilities. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the world is only as magical as we make it. If we approach life with a sense of wonder and curiosity, then even the most mundane experiences can be transformed into something beautiful and extraordinary.

The fourth stanza is a reflection on the fleeting nature of time. The speaker acknowledges that childhood is a fleeting moment in time, and that it is impossible to recapture the magic of those golden days. However, the speaker also suggests that there is a way to hold onto the memories of childhood, and that is through the power of imagination. By playing at being children once again, the speaker suggests that we can recapture some of the magic of our youth, and hold onto it for a little while longer.

The final stanza is a call to action, as the speaker implores the reader to join her in the game of playing at being children. The speaker suggests that by doing so, we can recapture some of the magic of our youth, and hold onto it for a little while longer. This is a powerful message, as it suggests that the only way to truly appreciate the present is to embrace the past.

In conclusion, Let Us Play Yesterday is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing the moments we have. The poem is a powerful reminder that the only moment that truly matters is the present, and that the only way to truly appreciate the present is to embrace the past. By playing at being children once again, we can recapture some of the magic of our youth, and hold onto it for a little while longer. Emily Dickinson's timeless poem continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day, and its message is as relevant now as it was when it was first written.

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