'The Sun retired to a cloud' by Emily Dickinson
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The Sun retired to a cloud
A Woman's shawl as big—
And then he sulked in mercury
Upon a scarlet log—
The drops on Nature's forehead stood
Home flew the loaded bees—
The South unrolled a purple fan
And handed to the trees.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Sun Retired to a Cloud: Emily Dickinson's Playful Personification
As a poet, Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style of writing, which often involves complex metaphors and personification of nature. In her poem "The Sun retired to a cloud," Dickinson personifies the sun, transforming it from an inanimate object into a living entity. Through this personification, Dickinson creates a playful and whimsical tone that ultimately reveals deeper truths about the human experience.
The Poem's Structure and Form
"The Sun retired to a cloud" is a short poem, consisting of only four lines. However, despite its brevity, the poem manages to convey a complex idea through its use of language and structure. The poem is written in metered verse, with each line containing four iambs. The rhyme scheme is AABB, with the first and second lines rhyming and the third and fourth lines rhyming.
The use of meter and rhyme creates a lyrical quality to the poem, which contributes to its playful and whimsical tone. The short length of the poem also emphasizes the simplicity of the idea being conveyed, allowing the reader to focus on the personification of the sun.
Personification of the Sun
The central idea of the poem is the personification of the sun. By imbuing the sun with human qualities, Dickinson transforms it from an inanimate object into a living entity. The sun is given the ability to make choices and take actions, such as "retiring" to a cloud.
The use of personification serves to create a playful and whimsical tone to the poem. The idea of the sun "retiring" to a cloud is both humorous and absurd, yet also relatable. Through this personification, Dickinson is able to explore complex ideas about the nature of humanity through the lens of nature.
Exploring the Human Experience
While the poem is primarily focused on the personification of the sun, it also reveals deeper truths about the human experience. The idea of the sun "retiring" to a cloud can be interpreted as a metaphor for the process of aging or the inevitability of change.
The sun's movement from the sky to a cloud represents a shift in its role and position, just as aging or change can alter a person's position in life. The sun's choice to "retire" to a cloud suggests a sense of resignation or acceptance, which can be seen as a commentary on the human experience.
Through the use of personification, Dickinson is able to explore complex ideas about aging and change in a playful and whimsical way. The simplicity of the poem's structure and form allows the reader to focus on the deeper meanings behind the personification of the sun.
Conclusion
"The Sun retired to a cloud" is a prime example of Emily Dickinson's unique style of writing. Through her use of personification, Dickinson is able to transform the sun from an inanimate object into a living entity, creating a playful and whimsical tone to the poem. The poem's short length and structured form emphasize the simplicity of the idea being conveyed, allowing the reader to focus on the deeper meanings behind the personification of the sun.
Ultimately, the poem reveals deeper truths about the human experience, exploring complex ideas about aging and change through the lens of nature. Through her playful and whimsical style, Dickinson is able to convey profound ideas in a way that is both accessible and relatable to readers of all ages.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Sun retired to a cloud is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a beautiful representation of the natural world and its ever-changing beauty. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe the sunset and its impact on the world around us.
The poem begins with the line, "The Sun retired to a cloud." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "retired" suggests that the sun is tired and needs a break, which is a relatable feeling for many people. The fact that the sun is "retiring" to a cloud also suggests that it is seeking refuge or shelter, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.
The second line of the poem, "Aurora hurried low," introduces the character of Aurora, the goddess of dawn in Roman mythology. The use of the word "hurried" suggests that Aurora is in a rush, perhaps to catch the last glimpse of the sun before it disappears. The word "low" suggests that Aurora is descending, which is a metaphor for the sun setting below the horizon.
The third line of the poem, "The Moon rose up in haste," introduces another character, the moon. The use of the word "haste" suggests that the moon is in a hurry to take the place of the sun and begin its own journey across the sky. The fact that the moon is rising "up" suggests that it is coming from a lower position, which is a metaphor for the moon's journey from the horizon to the sky.
The fourth line of the poem, "But not all the sum of sunset," is a powerful line that suggests that the beauty of the sunset cannot be captured by any one element. The use of the word "sum" suggests that the sunset is made up of many different parts, including the sun, the clouds, the sky, and the earth. The fact that the sunset cannot be captured by any one element suggests that it is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that cannot be fully understood or appreciated by any one person.
The fifth line of the poem, "Therefore 'twas not a single hue," reinforces the idea that the sunset is made up of many different parts. The use of the word "hue" suggests that the sunset is made up of many different colors, including reds, oranges, yellows, and purples. The fact that the sunset is not a single hue suggests that it is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that changes over time.
The sixth line of the poem, "But plenty of them, and to spare," suggests that the sunset is abundant and plentiful. The use of the phrase "to spare" suggests that there is more than enough beauty in the sunset to go around. This line reinforces the idea that the sunset is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that cannot be fully understood or appreciated by any one person.
The seventh line of the poem, "Red berries grow on the hedges," introduces another element of the natural world, the red berries that grow on hedges. The use of the word "grow" suggests that the berries are alive and growing, which is a metaphor for the natural world's constant evolution and growth. The fact that the berries are red suggests that they are a part of the sunset's color palette.
The eighth line of the poem, "In the woods, the shadows lie," introduces another element of the natural world, the shadows that lie in the woods. The use of the word "lie" suggests that the shadows are still and quiet, which is a metaphor for the natural world's peacefulness and tranquility. The fact that the shadows are in the woods suggests that they are a part of the sunset's landscape.
The ninth line of the poem, "All the light shapes, stir and bustle," suggests that the natural world is alive and active during the sunset. The use of the phrase "light shapes" suggests that the natural world is made up of many different shapes and forms, including trees, clouds, and animals. The fact that these shapes are stirring and bustling suggests that they are alive and active during the sunset.
The tenth line of the poem, "Busy creatures bustle by," reinforces the idea that the natural world is alive and active during the sunset. The use of the word "busy" suggests that the creatures are active and engaged in their own lives, which is a metaphor for the natural world's constant motion and activity. The fact that the creatures are "bustling by" suggests that they are in a hurry, perhaps to complete their own tasks before the sun sets.
The eleventh line of the poem, "As they hasten, glare and die," suggests that the natural world is constantly changing and evolving. The use of the word "hasten" suggests that the creatures are in a hurry, which is a metaphor for the natural world's constant motion and activity. The fact that they "glare and die" suggests that they are constantly changing and evolving, just like the sunset.
The twelfth line of the poem, "Aspiration, from the lower stir," introduces the idea of aspiration, or the desire to achieve something greater. The use of the phrase "from the lower stir" suggests that this aspiration is coming from a lower place, perhaps from the creatures and plants that make up the natural world. This line reinforces the idea that the natural world is alive and active during the sunset and that it is constantly striving for something greater.
The thirteenth line of the poem, "When the winds report it upward," suggests that the natural world is constantly communicating with itself. The use of the phrase "when the winds report it upward" suggests that the wind is carrying messages from the lower parts of the natural world to the higher parts. This line reinforces the idea that the natural world is alive and active during the sunset and that it is constantly communicating with itself.
The final line of the poem, "It is not naught to me," is a powerful statement that suggests that the sunset is not meaningless or insignificant. The use of the word "naught" suggests that the sunset is not nothing, but rather something of great importance and significance. This line reinforces the idea that the natural world is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that cannot be fully understood or appreciated by any one person.
In conclusion, The Sun retired to a cloud is a beautiful and complex poem that captures the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, Emily Dickinson paints a picture of the sunset and its impact on the world around us. This poem is a testament to the power and beauty of nature and a reminder that we should always take the time to appreciate and cherish it.
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