'September's Baccalaureate' by Emily Dickinson
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September's Baccalaureate
A combination is
Of Crickets—Crows—and Retrospects
And a dissembling Breeze
That hints without assuming—
An Innuendo sear
That makes the Heart put up its Fun
And turn Philosopher.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson’s September’s Baccalaureate
Emily Dickinson’s poetry has captivated readers for more than a century. Her unique style, characterized by unconventional punctuation and capitalization, and her use of metaphors and symbols, make her poems challenging to interpret. Her poem September’s Baccalaureate is no exception. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes, symbols, and literary techniques used in this poem to understand its deeper meanings.
Background Information
Before diving into the poem, it is essential to understand the context in which Dickinson wrote it. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830. She was a private person who rarely left her home and lived an isolated life. Dickinson wrote more than 1,800 poems, most of which were discovered after her death in 1886. September’s Baccalaureate was written in the late 1850s, a time when Dickinson was in her late twenties and early thirties.
The Poem
September’s Baccalaureate is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with two lines. Here is the poem in its entirety:
"The Hills of Rye -
Beautiful town -
I believe a Vane I spied -
And a person, in the sun
And the windy pomp of Autumn,
Their fellows less adorn,
Save by the magic of their
Singer, the Embryo Tune."
Themes
At first glance, September’s Baccalaureate seems to be a simple poem about a small town and its surroundings. However, upon closer examination, deeper themes emerge, such as the transient nature of life, the beauty of simplicity, and the power of imagination.
Transience of Life
One of the primary themes in September’s Baccalaureate is the transience of life. Dickinson uses the changing of the seasons as a metaphor for the passing of time. The poem is set in September, a month that marks the transition from summer to autumn. The speaker observes the beauty of the town and its surroundings, but also notes that the beauty is fleeting. The hills of Rye, which are beautiful in the sun, will soon be covered in the “windy pomp of Autumn.” The speaker acknowledges that the beauty of the town and its surroundings is temporary, and in a few short months, it will be gone.
Beauty of Simplicity
Another theme in September’s Baccalaureate is the beauty of simplicity. The speaker observes the town and its surroundings, noting that they are beautiful despite being simple. The hills of Rye are not grand or majestic, but they are still beautiful. The person and vane that the speaker sees are not significant or important, but they add to the beauty of the town. The poem suggests that beauty can be found in simplicity, and that one does not need grand or elaborate things to appreciate the world around them.
Power of Imagination
Finally, September’s Baccalaureate explores the power of imagination. The speaker notes that the beauty of the town and its surroundings is enhanced by the “magic” of their “singer, the Embryo Tune.” This line suggests that the speaker is using their imagination to create a melody or tune that enhances the beauty of the town. The poem suggests that imagination can transform the world and make it more beautiful.
Symbols
Symbols are an essential part of Emily Dickinson’s poetry, and September’s Baccalaureate is no exception. In this poem, Dickinson uses several symbols to convey deeper meanings.
September
September is a crucial symbol in this poem. As mentioned earlier, September marks the transition from summer to autumn. In September, the days get shorter, the weather gets cooler, and the leaves start to change color. The changing of the seasons is a natural symbol of the passing of time, and Dickinson uses it to convey the idea that life is transient.
Hills of Rye
The hills of Rye are another important symbol in this poem. The hills represent the beauty of simplicity. They are not grand or majestic, but they are still beautiful. The hills also represent the transience of life. The beauty of the hills is temporary and will soon be covered by the “windy pomp of Autumn.”
Vane
The vane is a minor symbol in this poem, but it adds to the imagery of the town. A vane is a device that is used to show the direction of the wind. In this poem, the vane represents the changing of the seasons. The vane also represents the passing of time and the transience of life.
Person in the Sun
The person in the sun is another minor symbol in this poem. The person represents the beauty of simplicity. They are not significant or important, but they add to the beauty of the town. The person also represents the transience of life. The beauty of the person is temporary and will soon be covered by the “windy pomp of Autumn.”
Embryo Tune
The Embryo Tune is the most significant symbol in this poem. The Embryo Tune represents the power of imagination. The speaker uses their imagination to create a melody or tune that enhances the beauty of the town. The Embryo Tune also represents the beauty of simplicity. The tune is not grand or elaborate, but it adds to the beauty of the town.
Literary Techniques
In addition to themes and symbols, September’s Baccalaureate also uses several literary techniques to convey its deeper meanings.
Metaphor
Dickinson uses metaphor extensively in this poem. The changing of the seasons is a metaphor for the passing of time. The hills of Rye are a metaphor for the beauty of simplicity. The Embryo Tune is a metaphor for the power of imagination. These metaphors add depth and complexity to the poem.
Personification
In the fourth line of the poem, Dickinson personifies the sun by saying “And a person, in the sun.” This personification adds life and vitality to the poem, and it also reinforces the idea that the beauty of the town and its surroundings is temporary.
Alliteration
Dickinson uses alliteration in several places in this poem. For example, in the third line, she writes “I believe a Vane I spied,” and in the fourth line, she writes “And a person, in the sun.” These alliterations add rhythm and musicality to the poem, and they also reinforce the beauty of the town and its surroundings.
Conclusion
September’s Baccalaureate is a short but powerful poem that explores important themes such as the transience of life, the beauty of simplicity, and the power of imagination. Dickinson uses symbols such as September, the hills of Rye, and the Embryo Tune to convey deeper meanings. She also uses literary techniques such as metaphor, personification, and alliteration to add depth and complexity to the poem. Despite its brevity, September’s Baccalaureate is a rich and rewarding poem that rewards close and careful reading.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
September's Baccalaureate: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, has left behind a legacy of poems that continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional themes, and profound insights into the human condition. One such poem that stands out for its beauty and depth is "September's Baccalaureate." In this article, we will take a closer look at this masterpiece and explore its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "We don't cry, Tim and I," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. It suggests a sense of stoicism and resilience in the face of adversity, which is a recurring theme in Dickinson's works. The speaker, who is presumably Tim's sister, goes on to describe the scene around her. She talks about the "goldenrod" and the "asters" that are in bloom, which are both flowers that are associated with autumn. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of change.
The next stanza is where the poem really starts to shine. The speaker says, "We sit indoors and talk of the cold, / And sing our favorite hymns." This line is significant because it shows how the speaker and Tim are coping with the changing seasons. They are not lamenting the end of summer, but rather embracing the coming of winter. They are finding comfort in each other's company and in the familiar rituals of their daily lives. The fact that they are singing hymns also suggests a religious aspect to their lives, which is another common theme in Dickinson's works.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker says, "And then we go to bed." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker and Tim are preparing for something. The fact that they are going to bed early suggests that they are anticipating a long and difficult journey ahead. The next line, "With 'God bless you' on your lips," reinforces this idea. It suggests that the speaker and Tim are saying goodbye to someone, perhaps a loved one who is leaving for a long time. The fact that they are saying "God bless you" also suggests that they are seeking divine protection and guidance.
The fourth stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The speaker says, "Lest I should be old-fashioned, / I'll put a trinket on." This line is significant because it shows how the speaker is trying to hold on to her youth and vitality. She is acknowledging the passing of time and the inevitability of aging, but she is also trying to resist it. The fact that she is putting on a trinket suggests that she is trying to hold on to something that is fleeting and ephemeral. This is a common theme in Dickinson's works, where she often explores the tension between the desire for immortality and the inevitability of death.
The final stanza is where the poem comes full circle. The speaker says, "Though boughs may bow and fall, / So close to the fire is my home, / My hearth the end of all." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker has found a sense of peace and contentment in her life. She is not afraid of the passing of time or the inevitability of change because she has found a sense of stability and security in her home. The fact that she is so close to the fire also suggests a sense of warmth and comfort, which is a recurring theme in Dickinson's works.
In conclusion, "September's Baccalaureate" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of time, change, and resilience. It is a reflection on the passing of seasons and the inevitability of aging, but it is also a celebration of life and the human spirit. Through her unique style and profound insights, Emily Dickinson has created a work of art that continues to inspire and captivate readers even today.
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