'A Spider sewed at Night' by Emily Dickinson
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A Spider sewed at Night
Without a Light
Upon an Arc of White.
If Ruff it was of Dame
Or Shroud of Gnome
Himself himself inform.
Of Immortality
His Strategy
Was Physiognomy.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Spider Sewed at Night: A Closer Look at Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is known for her profound and enigmatic poems, and her masterpiece, "A Spider Sewed at Night," is no exception. The poem is a short but powerful piece that captures the essence of Dickinson's style and her preoccupation with the themes of mortality, nature, and the unknown.
The Poem in Context
Before we dive deep into the poem's meaning and interpretation, it's essential to contextualize it. "A Spider Sewed at Night" was written in the 1860s, during a time when Dickinson was already a reclusive and eccentric figure. She spent most of her life in isolation, writing poetry that was often cryptic and elusive.
The poem was part of a collection of poems that Dickinson sent to her friend, Thomas Higginson, in 1862. It was published posthumously in 1890, along with other poems that Dickinson had left behind.
The Poem
Here is the full text of "A Spider Sewed at Night:"
A spider sewed at night Without a light Upon an arc of white. If ruff it was of dame Or shroud of gnome, Himself himself inform. Of immortality His strategy Was physiognomy.
At first glance, the poem seems straightforward, but as we delve deeper, we realize that it is anything but. The poem is composed of three stanzas with varying line lengths and a rhyme scheme that is not immediately obvious.
Interpretation
The poem's central theme is mortality, and the spider represents the fragility of life. The spider sews without light, indicating that it is working in the dark, a metaphor for the unknown and the uncertain. The arc of white is a symbol of the spider's web, which is a trap for its prey. In this context, the spider's web is a metaphor for life, which is unpredictable and full of surprises.
The second stanza is even more cryptic, with the mention of the ruff of dame and shroud of gnome. The words 'ruff' and 'shroud' are both associated with death and funerals. A ruff is a collar worn in the 16th and 17th centuries, and it is often associated with portraits of the dead. The shroud is a garment that is used to wrap the dead, and it is also a symbol of death and mourning.
The use of 'dame' and 'gnome' is intriguing. A dame is a title given to a woman of rank or authority, but it can also mean an old woman. A gnome is a mythical creature often associated with earth and the underworld. In this context, Dickinson's use of the words suggests a sense of mystery and foreboding.
The last stanza introduces the concept of immortality, and the spider's strategy is physiognomy, the art of reading character and fate from the face. The spider's physiognomy is a metaphor for the inevitability of death and the fact that it is written on our faces. The spider represents death, and its web is a trap, a metaphor for the transient nature of life.
The Rhyme Scheme
The rhyme scheme of the poem is not immediately obvious. The first line rhymes with the third line, and the second line is unrhymed. The second stanza follows the same pattern, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second line unrhymed. The last stanza has a different rhyme pattern, with the first and third lines rhyming, and the second line rhyming with the first and third lines of the second stanza.
The irregular rhyme scheme and the varying line lengths create a sense of unease and uncertainty, mirroring the poem's theme.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson's "A Spider Sewed at Night" is a masterpiece of enigmatic poetry. The poem's cryptic language and irregular rhyme scheme create a sense of unease and uncertainty that mirrors its theme of mortality and the unknown. The spider represents the fragility of life, and its web is a trap, a metaphor for the transient nature of life.
The poem is a testament to Dickinson's talent as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of life's mysteries in a few short lines. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is beauty to be found in the unknown.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Spider Sewed at Night: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of life in her poetry. Her poem "A Spider Sewed at Night" is a classic example of her work, and it has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its meaning, symbolism, and significance.
The poem begins with the line "A spider sewed at night," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The image of a spider sewing is an unusual one, and it immediately captures the reader's attention. The fact that the spider is sewing at night adds an element of mystery and intrigue to the poem, as if the spider is working in secret, hidden from view.
As the poem continues, we learn more about the spider's work. The second line reads, "Without a light." This line is significant because it emphasizes the spider's ability to work in the dark, without any external help or guidance. It also suggests that the spider is self-sufficient and independent, able to accomplish its task without any assistance.
The third line of the poem reads, "Upon an arc of white." This line is particularly interesting because it introduces the idea of an arc, which is a curved line. The fact that the arc is white suggests that it is a blank canvas, waiting to be filled with the spider's work. This line also introduces the idea of contrast, as the white arc stands out against the darkness of the night.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "A crescent moon hung in the sky." This line is significant because it adds to the contrast between light and dark. The crescent moon is a symbol of light, and it stands in opposition to the darkness of the night. It also suggests that the spider's work is being illuminated by the moon, adding to the mystery and intrigue of the poem.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "And spied a silver strand." This line is significant because it introduces the idea of a silver strand, which is a symbol of the spider's work. The fact that the strand is silver suggests that it is valuable and precious, and it adds to the idea of the spider's work being secret and hidden.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "And fastened round the frame." This line is significant because it suggests that the spider's work is being framed, as if it is a work of art. It also adds to the idea of the spider's work being valuable and precious, as if it is something to be admired and appreciated.
The seventh and final line of the poem reads, "What heartache passed with thee, Sweet, when I abjured the dame." This line is significant because it adds a new layer of meaning to the poem. The fact that the speaker is addressing someone, presumably a lover, suggests that the poem is not just about a spider sewing at night, but about the speaker's own emotions and experiences. The line also suggests that the speaker has experienced heartache, and that the spider's work is somehow connected to this experience.
So what does all of this mean? At its core, "A Spider Sewed at Night" is a poem about the creative process. The spider represents the artist, working in secret and in the dark, creating something valuable and precious. The arc of white represents the canvas, waiting to be filled with the artist's work. The crescent moon represents the illumination that comes with creativity, and the silver strand represents the finished product, something to be admired and appreciated.
But the poem is also about more than just creativity. The final line suggests that the speaker has experienced heartache, and that the spider's work is somehow connected to this experience. This adds a layer of complexity to the poem, suggesting that creativity can be a way of processing and dealing with difficult emotions.
In conclusion, "A Spider Sewed at Night" is a classic poem that explores the creative process and the connection between art and emotion. Through its use of symbolism and imagery, the poem captures the essence of what it means to be an artist, and it reminds us of the power of creativity to heal and transform.
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