'Answer July' by Emily Dickinson


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Answer July—
Where is the Bee—
Where is the Blush—
Where is the Hay?

Ah, said July—
Where is the Seed—
Where is the Bud—
Where is the May—
Answer Thee—Me—

Nay—said the May—
Show me the Snow—
Show me the Bells—
Show me the Jay!

Quibbled the Jay—
Where be the Maize—
Where be the Haze—
Where be the Bur?
Here—said the Year—

Editor 1 Interpretation

Answer July by Emily Dickinson

As a lover of poetry, one can hardly miss the works of Emily Dickinson. She is one of the most prominent poets to have ever graced the world of poetry with her unique style and use of language. In this paper, we will be exploring the poem "Answer July" by Emily Dickinson. This poem is a beautiful work of art that portrays the beauty of nature and the change of seasons.

Historical Background

Emily Dickinson lived in a time of great change in America. She was born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, and lived throughout the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era. She was a prolific writer and wrote over 1,700 poems, many of which were not published until after her death.

Poem Analysis

Stanza 1

"Answer July— Where is the Bee— Where is the Blush— Where is the Hay?"

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The poem starts with the speaker asking a series of questions that are related to the season of summer. The speaker asks where the bee is, where the blush is, and where the hay is. These questions are rhetorical and are meant to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity in the reader.

Stanza 2

"Ah, said July— Where is the Seed— Where is the Bud— Where is the May— Answer Thee—Me—"

In the second stanza, the speaker personifies July and has it answering the questions posed in the first stanza. The speaker asks where the seed, bud, and May are, and July responds by saying that they are within the speaker and within itself. This stanza highlights the cyclical nature of life and how everything is interconnected.

Stanza 3

"Where is the Bee— Where is the Blush— Where is the Hay? Ah, July!"

The third stanza repeats the questions from the first stanza, but this time, the speaker uses the interjection "Ah, July!" This interjection is used to express the speaker's admiration for July and the beauty that comes with it.

Stanza 4

"Why do they shut Me out of Heaven? Did I sing—too loud? But—I can say a little 'Minor' Timid as a Bird!"

The fourth stanza takes a slight turn and sees the speaker questioning why they are shut out of heaven. The speaker wonders if they sang too loud and if that is why they are being kept out. The speaker then goes on to say that they can sing a little "Minor" and are timid like a bird. This stanza highlights the speaker's vulnerability and their desire to be accepted.

Stanza 5

"Wouldn't the Angels try me— Just—once—more— Just—see—if I troubled them— But don't—shut the Door!"

In the fifth stanza, the speaker wonders if the angels would try them just once more to see if they are worthy of heaven. The speaker asks the angels not to shut the door on them and gives a sense of desperation for acceptance.

Stanza 6

"Oh, if I—were the Gentleman In the 'White Robe'— And they—were the little Hand—that knocked— Could—I—forbid?"

The sixth and final stanza sees the speaker wondering if they were the gentleman in the white robe and the little hand that knocked on the door, could they forbid themselves from entering heaven. This stanza highlights the speaker's longing for acceptance and their desire to be a part of something greater than themselves.

Interpretation

The poem "Answer July" is a beautiful work of art that portrays the beauty of nature and the desire for acceptance. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker asking a series of rhetorical questions. The second stanza sees July personified and answering the questions posed in the first stanza. This stanza highlights the cyclical nature of life and how everything is interconnected.

The third stanza sees the questions from the first stanza repeated, with the interjection "Ah, July!" expressing the speaker's admiration for the beauty of the season. The fourth stanza takes a slight turn and sees the speaker questioning their worthiness for heaven. This stanza highlights the speaker's vulnerability and their desire to be accepted.

The fifth stanza sees the speaker's desperation for acceptance, with a plea to the angels not to shut the door. The final stanza sees the speaker wondering if they were the gentleman in the white robe and the little hand that knocked on the door, could they forbid themselves from entering heaven. This stanza highlights the speaker's longing for acceptance and their desire to be a part of something greater than themselves.

In conclusion, "Answer July" is a beautiful poem that highlights the beauty of nature and the desire for acceptance. Emily Dickinson's unique style and use of language make this poem a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and amaze readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Answer July: A Poem of Nature and Life

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, known for her unique style and profound insights into the human condition. Her poem "Answer July" is a beautiful ode to nature and life, capturing the essence of summer and the fleeting beauty of existence. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the poem, and how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.

The poem begins with a simple yet powerful statement: "Answer July." The imperative tone suggests a call to action, a demand for attention and engagement. July, the month of summer, is personified as a living entity, a force of nature that demands a response. The speaker is addressing someone or something, perhaps the reader, or the world at large, urging them to acknowledge the presence and significance of July.

The first stanza sets the scene of a hot summer day, with the sun shining and the birds singing. The imagery is vivid and sensory, evoking the sights, sounds, and sensations of a typical summer day. The use of alliteration, as in "sultry sun" and "singing birds," adds to the musicality and rhythm of the poem, creating a sense of harmony and balance. The repetition of the word "summer" emphasizes its importance and centrality to the poem's theme.

The second stanza introduces a more philosophical and existential dimension to the poem. The speaker reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death, using the metaphor of a flower that blooms and fades away. The image of the "scarlet gown" suggests passion and vitality, while the "rustling fan" implies movement and change. The use of personification, as in "death's bolder hand" and "life's more subtle charm," adds a sense of drama and tension to the poem, highlighting the contrast between life and death, and the struggle between them.

The third stanza returns to the theme of nature, with the speaker describing the beauty and diversity of the natural world. The use of imagery, as in "purple tassels" and "golden bells," creates a visual and sensory experience for the reader, evoking the richness and complexity of nature. The repetition of the word "beauty" emphasizes its importance and value, while the use of the word "wild" suggests a sense of freedom and spontaneity.

The fourth stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker urging the reader to embrace life and enjoy its fleeting pleasures. The use of the imperative tone, as in "pluck" and "seize," suggests a sense of urgency and immediacy, emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment. The final line, "Answer July," echoes the opening line, creating a sense of circularity and completeness, as if the poem has come full circle.

Overall, "Answer July" is a beautiful and profound poem that celebrates the beauty and transience of life. Through its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and musical language, the poem captures the essence of summer and the fleeting nature of existence. The poem invites the reader to embrace life and appreciate its beauty, while acknowledging the inevitability of death and the impermanence of all things. In this way, the poem offers a powerful message of hope and inspiration, reminding us to live fully and cherish every moment.

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