'The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings—' by Emily Dickinson


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The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings—
Like fallow Article—
And not a song pervade his Lips—
Or none perceptible.

His small Umbrella quaintly halved
Describing in the Air
An Arc alike inscrutable
Elate Philosopher.

Deputed from what Firmament—
Of what Astute Abode—
Empowered with what Malignity
Auspiciously withheld—

To his adroit Creator
Acribe no less the praise—
Beneficent, believe me,
His Eccentricities—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Bat Is Dun, with Wrinkled Wings: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson

As a literary genius of the 19th century, Emily Dickinson was a poet whose works were ahead of their time. Her poems, though less appreciated during her lifetime, later became popular for their unique style, unconventional syntax, and profound themes. One of her notable works, "The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings," is a short but powerful poem that speaks of the irony of life, the beauty of death, and the inevitability of change. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, language, and imagery to uncover its underlying message.

The Poem

Let's first take a look at the poem itself:

The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings—
Like fallow Article—
And not a song pervades his Lips—
Or none perceptible.

His small Umbrella, quaintly halved,
Describing in the Air
An Arc alike inscrutable—
Elate philosopher!

Deputed, with what Peremptoriness—
What cool tranquility—
Is he, to neighbor Grass
Stating his gravity.

At first glance, the poem seems to be a simple description of a bat. However, upon closer inspection, we can see that it encompasses deeper themes of life, death, and nature's cycles. The poem consists of four quatrains, with a rhyme scheme of AABB. The meter is not consistent, but there are some iambic feet throughout the poem, which gives it a rhythmic flow. The poem's simplicity and brevity add to its impact, as every word seems to be carefully chosen and placed to convey the poet's message.

The Bat as a Symbol

The central figure of the poem is the bat, but it can also be interpreted as a symbol for something larger. Bats are nocturnal creatures that are often associated with death and darkness, which is reflected in the poem's somber tone. However, the bat is also a symbol of rebirth and transformation, as it sheds its skin and undergoes metamorphosis. This duality of the bat's nature represents the cyclical nature of life and death, which is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The bat's appearance is described as "dun, with wrinkled wings," which creates an image of a tired and worn-out creature. The use of the word "dun" is interesting because it also means gray-brown, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the dullness of life. The "wrinkled wings" further emphasize the bat's age and fragility, which can be seen as a metaphor for the inevitability of death. However, despite its physical state, the bat is still able to fly and move through the air, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the soul's transcendence beyond the physical body.

The Irony of Life

The second stanza of the poem describes the bat's "small umbrella, quaintly halved," which creates an image of a strange and mysterious creature. The "arc alike inscrutable" adds to the bat's enigmatic nature, as it seems to move through the air with ease and grace. The phrase "elate philosopher" is ironic because it juxtaposes the bat's physical appearance with its intellectual prowess. The bat is portrayed as a philosopher who is able to comprehend the mysteries of the universe, despite its physical limitations.

The third stanza of the poem describes the bat's delegated role in nature, as it "stating his gravity" to the neighbor grass. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the bat's acceptance of its place in the world, as well as its recognition of the interconnectedness of all living things. The use of the word "gravity" is interesting because it can be interpreted as a metaphor for the weight of responsibility that comes with existence. The bat's cool tranquility and peremptoriness emphasize its acceptance of its fate and its ability to embrace change.

The Beauty of Death

The final stanza of the poem contains a powerful message about the beauty of death. The phrase "none perceivable" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the bat's silence, as well as the silence that comes with death. However, the silence is also a symbol of peace and acceptance, as the bat has moved beyond the physical world and into the spiritual realm. The use of the word "deputed" emphasizes the bat's resignation to its fate, as it has been given a task that it cannot escape.

The final two lines of the poem, "And no man saw him on the night/ He went where none had gone before," are a reference to Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven." The use of this reference adds depth and complexity to the poem, as it connects Dickinson's work to other literary traditions. The final line, "He went where none had gone before," is a reference to death and the afterlife, which can be seen as a metaphor for the unknown.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings" is a masterpiece of Emily Dickinson's literary work. The poem's simplicity and brevity add to its impact, as every word seems to be carefully chosen and placed to convey the poet's message. The bat is used as a symbol for the cyclical nature of life and death, as well as the acceptance of change and transformation. The use of irony, metaphor, and allusion add depth and complexity to the poem, making it a timeless work of art. Dickinson's unique style and unconventional syntax continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of life and death, and the fleeting nature of existence. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings". This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately creates a sense of foreboding and melancholy. The use of the word "dun" to describe the bat's color is interesting, as it is not a commonly used word in modern English. However, in Dickinson's time, it was a common term used to describe a dull, grayish-brown color. This choice of words adds to the overall mood of the poem, as it creates a sense of darkness and gloom.

The second line of the poem reads, "He has crept into the Corn". This line is significant, as it suggests that the bat has entered a place of abundance and prosperity. The corn is a symbol of fertility and growth, and the fact that the bat has crept into it suggests that it has found a place of comfort and sustenance. However, this sense of comfort is short-lived, as the poem takes a darker turn in the following lines.

The third line reads, "He has withered all the Sun". This line is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the bat has somehow drained the life out of the sun. This could be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible interpretation is that the bat represents death, and its presence has caused the sun to lose its vitality and warmth. This interpretation is supported by the next line, which reads, "He has picked out his path of Night". This line suggests that the bat is a creature of the night, and that it has chosen a path that leads to darkness and death.

The final two lines of the poem read, "Envoys - of melanchoLy - / Departed - Waters - spurn". These lines are particularly interesting, as they suggest that the bat is a messenger of melancholy, and that it has come from the departed waters. This could be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible interpretation is that the bat represents the souls of the dead, and that it has come from the realm of the departed to deliver a message of sadness and despair. The fact that the bat has "spurned" the departed waters suggests that it has rejected the idea of death and is instead focused on the present moment.

In terms of structure, The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings is a short poem consisting of only five lines. However, despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and symbolism. The use of enjambment in the poem is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of continuity and fluidity between the lines. This helps to reinforce the idea that the bat is a creature that is constantly in motion, and that its presence is felt throughout the poem.

In terms of literary devices, The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings is rich in metaphor and symbolism. The bat itself is a powerful symbol, representing death, darkness, and the unknown. The use of the word "dun" to describe the bat's color is also significant, as it creates a sense of dullness and lifelessness. The corn is a symbol of abundance and growth, but its presence in the poem is overshadowed by the bat's presence. This suggests that even in the midst of abundance, death and darkness are always present.

The use of personification in the poem is also significant, as it creates a sense of empathy and connection between the reader and the bat. By describing the bat as having "wrinkled wings", Dickinson humanizes the creature and makes it more relatable. This helps to reinforce the idea that death and darkness are universal experiences that we all must face at some point in our lives.

In conclusion, The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of life and death. Through its use of metaphor, symbolism, and personification, the poem creates a sense of foreboding and melancholy that is both haunting and beautiful. Despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and offers a powerful commentary on the fleeting nature of existence. Overall, The Bat is dun, with wrinkled Wings is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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