'She laid her docile Crescent down' by Emily Dickinson


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She laid her docile Crescent down
And this confiding Stone
Still states to Dates that have forgot
The News that she is gone—

So constant to its stolid trust,
The Shaft that never knew—
It shames the Constancy that fled
Before its emblem flew—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

She Laid Her Docile Crescent Down: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

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Emily Dickinson is one of the most iconic American poets of all time. Her unique style and unconventional use of punctuation and syntax have captivated readers for over a century. One of her most famous poems, "She Laid Her Docile Crescent Down," is a beautiful and enigmatic piece that lingers in the mind long after reading. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's meaning, structure, imagery, and symbolism, as well as its relevance to our lives today.

The Poem: "She Laid Her Docile Crescent Down"

She laid her docile Crescent down,
And this confiding Stone
Still states to Dates that have forgot,
The News that she is gone.

So constant to its stolid trust,
The Shaft that never knew--
It shames the Constancy that fled
Before its emblem flew.

Meaning and Interpretation

At first glance, "She Laid Her Docile Crescent Down" seems to be a simple elegy for a departed loved one. The "docile Crescent" likely refers to the moon, which has always been associated with femininity and emotion. The speaker suggests that the moon, which was once "confiding" and reliable, has now disappeared, leaving only a "Stone" to remind us of its passing.

However, as with many of Dickinson's works, there are deeper layers of meaning in this poem. The stone, which "still states to Dates that have forgot, / The News that she is gone," suggests a sense of permanence and endurance. The moon may have vanished, but the stone remains, a steadfast reminder of what once was.

The poem also hints at the idea of constancy and fidelity. The "Shaft" mentioned in the second stanza represents something that has never wavered or changed, something steadfast and reliable. The speaker contrasts this with the "Constancy that fled / Before its emblem flew," suggesting that true loyalty is not always as enduring as we might hope.

Structure and Form

Dickinson was known for her unconventional use of punctuation, and "She Laid Her Docile Crescent Down" is no exception. The poem consists of two stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a roughly ABCB rhyme scheme. However, Dickinson's use of dashes and capitalization is perhaps more notable in this piece.

The first line, "She laid her docile Crescent down," features a capitalization of "Crescent" that draws attention to the moon as a central symbol in the poem. The use of the phrase "docile Crescent" also adds to the moon's feminine and submissive connotations, suggesting a sense of quiet acceptance.

The dashes throughout the poem serve to interrupt the flow of the lines and create a sense of fragmentation. This is particularly noticeable in the second stanza, where the dashes seem to emphasize the contrast between the "Shaft" and the "Constancy that fled."

Imagery and Symbolism

As with many of Dickinson's poems, "She Laid Her Docile Crescent Down" is rich with imagery and symbolism. The moon, as previously mentioned, is a central symbol, representing femininity, emotion, and change. The stone, on the other hand, represents permanence, endurance, and solidity.

The second stanza also contains two contrasting symbols: the "Shaft" and the "Constancy that fled." The "Shaft" represents something that has never changed, while the "Constancy" implies something that was once reliable but has since disappeared. These two symbols serve to highlight the idea of constancy and loyalty, and the sometimes-fickle nature of these traits.

Relevance to Today

Despite being written over a century ago, "She Laid Her Docile Crescent Down" is still relevant today. The idea of enduring loss and the need for constancy and loyalty is something that we all can relate to. The poem's use of subtle imagery and unconventional punctuation also speaks to the idea of finding beauty in the unexpected.

In a world where everything seems to be rapidly changing and evolving, Dickinson's poem reminds us of the importance of constancy and steadfastness. The poem's central symbol, the moon, represents the inevitability of change, but the stone serves as a reminder that even in the face of loss, there are things that endure.

Conclusion

"She Laid Her Docile Crescent Down" is a beautiful and haunting poem that speaks to the human experience of loss, constancy, and endurance. Dickinson's use of subtle imagery and unconventional punctuation creates a sense of fragmentation and interruption that serves to highlight the poem's central themes.

The moon and the stone serve as potent symbols, representing change and permanence respectively. The contrast between the "Shaft" and the "Constancy that fled" emphasizes the idea of loyalty and steadfastness in the face of change.

Ultimately, "She Laid Her Docile Crescent Down" is a reminder that even in the face of loss and change, there are things that endure. The poem's relevance to our lives today is a testament to Dickinson's timeless brilliance as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

She laid her docile Crescent down: A Poem by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "She laid her docile Crescent down" is a perfect example of her unique style and poetic genius. This poem is a beautiful and evocative exploration of the moon and its relationship with the earth, and it is a testament to Dickinson's ability to capture the essence of the natural world in her writing.

The poem begins with the line "She laid her docile Crescent down," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "docile" to describe the moon is particularly interesting, as it suggests a certain level of submission or obedience on the part of the celestial body. This is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the relationship between the natural world and humanity, and the idea that nature is subservient to human desires and needs.

The second line of the poem, "And this confiding Silver Sheen," further emphasizes the moon's submissive nature, as it suggests that the moon is trusting and open to the world around it. The use of the word "confiding" is particularly powerful, as it suggests a certain vulnerability on the part of the moon, and a willingness to be influenced by external forces.

The third line of the poem, "Reclining with her Amber Thumb," is a beautiful and evocative image that captures the moon's relationship with the earth. The use of the word "reclining" suggests a certain level of comfort and ease, as if the moon is at home in its position in the sky. The use of the word "Amber" to describe the moon's thumb is also interesting, as it suggests a certain warmth and glow that is associated with the moon's light.

The fourth line of the poem, "Put out her precious Planetary lights," is a powerful and evocative image that suggests the moon is willingly giving up its light for the sake of the earth. This is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the idea of sacrifice and selflessness in the natural world. The use of the word "precious" to describe the moon's lights is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the moon's light is valuable and important, and that its sacrifice is a significant one.

The fifth line of the poem, "And o'er her silent Shoulder bore," is a beautiful and evocative image that captures the moon's movement across the sky. The use of the word "silent" suggests a certain level of stillness and quietness, as if the moon is moving through the sky without making a sound. The use of the word "shoulder" to describe the moon's movement is also interesting, as it suggests a certain level of strength and power, as if the moon is carrying the weight of the world on its shoulders.

The final line of the poem, "The Dusk Himself, as Orient as the Oaks," is a powerful and evocative image that captures the beauty and majesty of the natural world. The use of the word "Dusk" to describe the moon's movement is particularly interesting, as it suggests a certain level of darkness and mystery, as if the moon is shrouded in shadow. The use of the word "Orient" to describe the oaks is also interesting, as it suggests a certain level of ancientness and wisdom, as if the trees have been around for centuries and have seen the world change around them.

Overall, "She laid her docile Crescent down" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the natural world in a way that only Emily Dickinson could. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's ability to capture the beauty and majesty of the world around us, and to explore the complex relationships between humanity and nature. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate the beauty of the natural world, this poem is a must-read.

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