'Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music' by Emily Dickinson


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Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music-
Bulb after Bulb, in Silver rolled-
Scantilly dealt to the Summer Morning
Saved for your Ear when Lutes be old.Loose the Flood-you shall find it patent-
Gush after Gush, reserved for you-
Scarlet Experiment! Sceptic Thomas!
Now, do you doubt that your Bird was true?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson, one of the most prominent American poets of the 19th century, is known for her unconventional style and themes that challenge the norms of her time. Her poem, "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music," is no exception. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem, exploring its themes, literary devices, and cultural context.

The Poem

First, let's take a look at the poem itself:

Split the Lark—and you'll find the Music—
Bulb after Bulb, in Silver rolled—
Scantily dealt to the Summer Morning
Saved for your Ear when Lutes be old.

Loose the Flood—you shall find it patent—
Gush after Gush, reserved for you—
Scarlet Experiment! Sceptic Thomas!
Now, do you doubt that your Bird was true?

At first glance, the poem seems to be a playful and whimsical description of the beauty and mystery of music. Dickinson uses vivid imagery to convey the idea that music is hidden in unexpected places, waiting to be discovered. However, upon closer examination, we can see that the poem has deeper layers of meaning that touch upon themes such as creativity, spirituality, and the human condition.

Themes

One of the primary themes of "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music" is creativity. Dickinson suggests that music, like creativity, is not easily visible or tangible, but rather something that must be sought out and discovered. She compares music to bulbs that are "scantily dealt to the Summer Morning," implying that it is something rare and precious, not to be taken for granted.

Furthermore, Dickinson uses the image of a "Scarlet Experiment" to convey the idea that creativity is often met with skepticism and doubt. The "Sceptic Thomas" in the final line represents those who question and challenge the validity of art and creativity. By addressing this skeptic directly, Dickinson challenges the idea that creativity is something that can be easily explained or rationalized.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is spirituality. Dickinson often wrote about her spiritual beliefs and her search for meaning in a world that can be chaotic and confusing. In "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music," she suggests that music is not just a physical phenomenon, but something that has a spiritual dimension as well. The image of the "Flood" that is "patent" and "reserved for you" implies that music is something that is meant to be experienced personally and intimately, almost as if it were a gift from a higher power.

Finally, the poem touches upon the human condition and the universal search for meaning and purpose. By using the image of a hidden music waiting to be discovered, Dickinson suggests that there is something mysterious and profound about the human experience. We may not always understand what we are searching for or why we are here, but there is something within us that drives us to seek out beauty and meaning in the world around us.

Literary Devices

Dickinson's poetry is known for its unconventional use of language and literary devices. "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music" is no exception. One of the most notable literary devices in the poem is Dickinson's use of imagery. She uses vivid, sensory language to create a rich and detailed picture of the world she is describing. For example, the "Bulb after Bulb, in Silver rolled" creates a visual image of something precious and fragile, while the "Gush after Gush" of the Flood suggests something powerful and overwhelming.

Another literary device that Dickinson uses is repetition. The phrase "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music" is repeated twice in the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis. This repetition also serves to reinforce the central message of the poem: that music is something that must be sought out and discovered.

Finally, Dickinson uses allusion in the poem by referencing the story of Doubting Thomas from the New Testament. By addressing "Sceptic Thomas" directly, Dickinson is drawing a parallel between the skepticism that Thomas feels towards the resurrection of Jesus and the skepticism that some people feel towards the value of art and creativity. This allusion serves to add depth and complexity to the poem, as well as to connect it to broader cultural and historical themes.

Cultural Context

To fully understand the significance of "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music," it is important to consider the cultural context in which it was written. Dickinson lived in a time of great social and political change, including the Civil War and the rise of industrialization. This period also saw a shift in religious and philosophical beliefs, as people began to question traditional ways of thinking and exploring new ideas about spirituality and the human condition.

Dickinson herself was deeply affected by these cultural shifts, and her poetry reflects this. By using unconventional language and imagery, she sought to challenge the norms of her time and explore new ways of thinking about the world. "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music" can be seen as a reflection of this desire to break free from conventional thinking and explore the unknown.

Conclusion

In "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music," Emily Dickinson uses vivid imagery, repetition, and allusion to explore themes of creativity, spirituality, and the human condition. By suggesting that music is something that must be sought out and discovered, she challenges the idea that art and creativity can be easily explained or rationalized. Furthermore, by drawing on cultural and historical context, she connects her poem to broader themes of social and political change.

Ultimately, "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that invites us to explore the mystery and beauty of the world around us. Whether we are searching for meaning or simply seeking to experience the wonder of existence, Dickinson's words remind us that there is always something waiting to be discovered, something that can transform our lives and our understanding of the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music" is a true masterpiece. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by its brevity, its use of unconventional punctuation, and its focus on themes such as death, nature, and spirituality. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail, exploring its meaning, its structure, and its significance in the context of Dickinson's body of work.

First, let's take a look at the poem itself:

Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music - Bulb after Bulb, in Silver rolled - Scantily dealt to the Summer Morning Saved for your Ear when Lutes be old.

Loose the Flood - you shall find it patent - Gush after Gush, reserved for you - Scarlet Experiment! Sceptic Thomas! Now, do you doubt that your Bird was true?

At first glance, this poem may seem cryptic and difficult to understand. However, upon closer examination, its meaning becomes clear. The poem is essentially a meditation on the relationship between art and nature, and the idea that beauty and meaning can be found in unexpected places.

The first line of the poem, "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music," is a metaphor for the idea that music can be found in the most unlikely of places. The lark, a small bird known for its beautiful song, is not typically associated with music in the way that, say, a violin or a piano is. However, Dickinson suggests that if we were to "split" the lark open, we would find music inside. This is a powerful metaphor for the idea that beauty and meaning can be found in unexpected places, and that we should always be open to new experiences and perspectives.

The second line of the poem, "Bulb after Bulb, in Silver rolled," is a continuation of the metaphor. Dickinson suggests that the music inside the lark is like a series of bulbs, rolled up in silver. This image is both beautiful and mysterious, and it adds to the sense of wonder and magic that permeates the poem.

The third line of the poem, "Scantily dealt to the Summer Morning," is a reference to the idea that beauty is fleeting and ephemeral. The music inside the lark is only "scantily dealt" to the summer morning, meaning that it is only available for a short time before it disappears. This is a reminder that we should cherish the beauty and meaning that we find in the world, because it may not be there forever.

The fourth line of the poem, "Saved for your Ear when Lutes be old," is a reference to the idea that art and beauty can be preserved and enjoyed for generations to come. The music inside the lark may be fleeting, but it can be saved and enjoyed long after the lark itself is gone. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of art and culture in our lives, and the role that they play in preserving our shared human experience.

The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of beauty and meaning in unexpected places. The first line, "Loose the Flood - you shall find it patent," is a metaphor for the idea that if we open ourselves up to new experiences and perspectives, we will find beauty and meaning all around us. The "flood" in this line represents the overwhelming amount of information and stimuli that we are bombarded with every day. If we can learn to "loose" this flood and let it wash over us, we will find that there is beauty and meaning in even the most mundane of experiences.

The second line of the stanza, "Gush after Gush, reserved for you," is a continuation of the metaphor. Dickinson suggests that if we can learn to open ourselves up to new experiences, we will be rewarded with a "gush" of beauty and meaning. This image is both powerful and evocative, and it adds to the sense of wonder and magic that permeates the poem.

The third line of the stanza, "Scarlet Experiment! Sceptic Thomas!" is a reference to the biblical story of Doubting Thomas, who refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until he saw the wounds in his hands and side. Dickinson is suggesting that we should be like Thomas, skeptical and questioning, but also open to the possibility of beauty and meaning in unexpected places. The "Scarlet Experiment" in this line represents the idea that we should be willing to take risks and try new things in order to find beauty and meaning in the world.

The final line of the poem, "Now, do you doubt that your Bird was true?" is a powerful conclusion to the poem. Dickinson is suggesting that if we can learn to open ourselves up to new experiences and perspectives, we will find that even the most unlikely of things can be true and beautiful. The "Bird" in this line represents the idea that beauty and meaning can be found in unexpected places, and that we should always be open to new experiences and perspectives.

In terms of structure, "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music" is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style. The poem is composed of two stanzas, each with four lines. The lines are short and concise, and the punctuation is unconventional, with dashes and capitalization used to create emphasis and rhythm. This style is characteristic of Dickinson's work, and it adds to the sense of mystery and wonder that permeates the poem.

In terms of significance, "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music" is a powerful meditation on the relationship between art and nature, and the idea that beauty and meaning can be found in unexpected places. This theme is central to Dickinson's body of work, and it is one of the reasons why she is considered to be one of the greatest poets of all time. By exploring the idea that even the most unlikely of things can be true and beautiful, Dickinson encourages us to be open to new experiences and perspectives, and to cherish the beauty and meaning that we find in the world.

In conclusion, "Split the Lark-and you'll find the Music" is a true masterpiece of poetry. Its powerful metaphors, evocative imagery, and unique style make it a perfect example of Emily Dickinson's work. By exploring the theme of beauty and meaning in unexpected places, Dickinson encourages us to be open to new experiences and perspectives, and to cherish the beauty and meaning that we find in the world. This poem is a testament to the power of art and culture, and it is a reminder of the importance of preserving our shared human experience.

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