'The parasol is the umbrella's daughter' by Emily Dickinson


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1747

The parasol is the umbrella's daughter,
And associates with a fan
While her father abuts the tempest
And abridges the rain.

The former assists a siren
In her serene display;
But her father is borne and honored,
And borrowed to this day.

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, Emily Dickinson, how you never cease to amaze us with your poetic genius. The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter is one of those poems that leaves a mark in our hearts and minds. It is a poem that has been analyzed and interpreted by many, and yet, it still holds multiple meanings and complexities.

Overview

The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter is a short poem, consisting of only two stanzas, each with four lines. The poem was written in the late 19th century and was published posthumously in 1896. The poem is part of Dickinson's collection of over 1,700 poems, many of which were not published during her lifetime.

Literary Analysis

The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter is a poem that is full of symbolism and metaphors. The poem is a reflection of Dickinson's ability to create a metaphorical world that is both complex and imaginative.

Title

The title of the poem, The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter, sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The title itself is a metaphor, suggesting that a parasol is related to an umbrella in some way. The word "daughter" implies a familial relationship between the two objects, which raises the question: How can a parasol be the daughter of an umbrella?

First Stanza

The first stanza of the poem creates an image of a parasol as a delicate and fragile object, while an umbrella is portrayed as a sturdy and reliable item. The line "The umbrella's sturdy little niece" suggests that the umbrella is more substantial than the parasol. However, the line "Eagerly we follow her" implies that the parasol has a certain allure or charm that the umbrella does not possess.

The line "Gaily doth she bear herself" suggests that the parasol is not only delicate but also cheerful and happy. The use of the word "gaily" adds a sense of lightness and joy to the poem, which contrasts with the seriousness and practicality of the umbrella.

Second Stanza

The second stanza of the poem continues the metaphorical comparison between the parasol and the umbrella. The line "Spenser, her imperial parasol" suggests that the parasol is a majestic and royal object, while the line "My father, in Umbria" implies that the umbrella is more rustic and humble.

The final line of the poem, "And brother of the myrtle tree," is particularly intriguing. The myrtle tree is a symbol of love, fertility, and peace. It is also associated with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. By comparing the umbrella to the myrtle tree, Dickinson suggests that the umbrella is a protective and nurturing object, just like the myrtle tree.

Interpretation

The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter is a poem that can be interpreted in multiple ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Here are some possible interpretations:

Feminine vs. Masculine

One interpretation of the poem is that it represents the contrast between feminine and masculine objects. The parasol, with its delicate and cheerful nature, can be seen as a feminine object, while the umbrella, with its sturdy and practical nature, can be seen as a masculine object.

The use of the word "daughter" in the title creates a sense of lineage between the two objects, which implies that they are related and yet different. This interpretation suggests that the poem is a commentary on gender roles and the expectations placed on men and women in society.

Beauty vs. Functionality

Another interpretation of the poem is that it represents the contrast between beauty and functionality. The parasol, with its colorful and ornate design, can be seen as a beautiful but impractical object, while the umbrella, with its plain and utilitarian design, can be seen as a functional but unattractive object.

The line "Eagerly we follow her" suggests that the parasol has a certain charm or allure that the umbrella does not possess, which implies that beauty is more desirable than functionality. However, the line "My father, in Umbria" suggests that the umbrella is a practical and necessary object, which implies that functionality is more important than beauty.

Protection and Nurturing

A third interpretation of the poem is that it represents the contrast between protection and nurturing. The umbrella, with its large canopy, can be seen as a protective object that shields us from the rain and sun, while the parasol, with its small canopy, can be seen as a nurturing object that lets in a bit of sunshine and fresh air.

The line "And brother of the myrtle tree" suggests that the umbrella is a nurturing object, just like the myrtle tree, which is associated with love and fertility. This interpretation suggests that the poem is a commentary on the importance of protection and nurturing in our lives.

Conclusion

The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter is a poem that is open to multiple interpretations. It is a poem that requires careful analysis and reflection, which is what makes it such a timeless and powerful piece of literature. Dickinson's ability to create complex metaphors and symbols is nothing short of amazing, and this poem is a testament to her poetic genius.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter" is a true masterpiece. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style and her ability to convey complex ideas through simple language. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line "The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. At first glance, this line may seem simple and straightforward, but upon closer examination, it reveals a deeper meaning. The parasol and the umbrella are both objects used to protect oneself from the elements, but they serve different purposes. The umbrella is used to shield oneself from rain, while the parasol is used to protect oneself from the sun. The fact that the parasol is referred to as the umbrella's daughter suggests that they are related, but also different in some way.

The second line of the poem reads, "And hides her father's head while he, / Stands above them both." This line further emphasizes the relationship between the parasol and the umbrella. The parasol is positioned above the umbrella, hiding its head, which suggests that the parasol is superior to the umbrella in some way. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the relationship between parents and children, where the child eventually surpasses the parent in some way.

The third line of the poem reads, "Frail as a spider's web, / Weaving a magic of blue and gold." This line is particularly interesting because it describes the parasol as "frail," which is not a characteristic typically associated with objects used for protection. However, the use of the word "frail" in this context suggests that the parasol is delicate and beautiful, like a spider's web. The use of the words "magic of blue and gold" further emphasizes the beauty of the parasol and suggests that it has a transformative power.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "The child of the umbrella / Sings in the sunshine." This line is significant because it suggests that the parasol is not just an object, but a living thing with a voice. The use of the word "child" further emphasizes the relationship between the parasol and the umbrella, and the fact that the parasol "sings in the sunshine" suggests that it is happy and content.

The fifth and final line of the poem reads, "And dances when the rain is done." This line is particularly interesting because it suggests that the parasol is not just a passive object, but an active participant in the world. The fact that it "dances" when the rain is done suggests that it is joyful and full of life.

Overall, "The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the relationship between two objects and the transformative power of beauty. Dickinson's use of simple language and metaphors allows the reader to interpret the poem in a variety of ways, and the poem's themes are universal and timeless. Whether you interpret the poem as a metaphor for the relationship between parents and children, or as a celebration of beauty and joy, there is no denying that "The Parasol is the Umbrella's Daughter" is a true masterpiece.

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