'The Robin's my Criterion for Tune' by Emily Dickinson


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The Robin's my Criterion for Tune—
Because I grow—where Robins do—
But, were I Cuckoo born—
I'd swear by him—
The ode familiar—rules the Noon—
The Buttercup's, my Whim for Bloom—
Because, we're Orchard sprung—
But, were I Britain born,
I'd Daisies spurn—
None but the Nut—October fit—
Because, through dropping it,
The Seasons flit—I'm taught—
Without the Snow's Tableau
Winter, were lie—to me—
Because I see—New Englandly—
The Queen, discerns like me—
Provincially—

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Robin's my Criterion for Tune: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

It is hard to overstate the impact that Emily Dickinson has had on American literature. Her poetry is admired for its unique style, its depth of feeling, and its exploration of life's great questions. One of her most beloved poems is "The Robin's my Criterion for Tune," which explores the beauty and complexity of the natural world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and examine its themes, structure, and meaning.

Background and Historical Context

Emily Dickinson was born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts. She was the middle child of a prominent family and grew up surrounded by books and intellectual conversation. Despite her privileged upbringing, Dickinson was a shy and introverted person who rarely left her family's home. She began writing poetry at a young age and continued to do so throughout her life, producing a body of work that is both groundbreaking and deeply personal.

"The Robin's my Criterion for Tune" was likely written in the 1860s, during a period of intense creative output for Dickinson. This was also a time of great social and political upheaval in the United States, as the country was embroiled in the Civil War. Dickinson's poetry often reflects these broader societal changes, as well as her own personal struggles with love, loss, and mortality.

Analysis

Structure and Form

"The Robin's my Criterion for Tune" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem does not follow a specific rhyme scheme, but there is a consistent rhythm and cadence to the lines. This gives the poem a sense of musicality and reinforces the theme of the natural world as a rich source of inspiration.

The first and third lines of each stanza are longer than the second and fourth lines, creating a sense of balance and symmetry that is typical of Dickinson's poetry. This structure also allows for a certain amount of repetition and variation in the poem, as each stanza begins with the same phrase ("The Robin's my Criterion for Tune") but ends with a slightly different thought or image.

Language and Imagery

One of the most striking things about "The Robin's my Criterion for Tune" is its use of vivid, sensory language. Dickinson is known for her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world in her poetry, and this poem is no exception. Throughout the poem, we are presented with a series of images that evoke the sights, sounds, and sensations of springtime:

These images are rich and detailed, painting a picture of a world that is alive with color and sound. The use of specific details, such as the "Reddest Breast" of the robin, helps to ground the poem in a particular time and place, while also giving us a sense of the speaker's personal experience.

Themes and Meaning

At its core, "The Robin's my Criterion for Tune" is a celebration of the natural world and its ability to inspire us. The robin, in particular, serves as a symbol of the beauty and complexity of the natural world. The speaker of the poem is deeply attuned to the world around her, and she finds in the robin's song a kind of spiritual sustenance:

"The Robin's my Criterion for Tune – Because I grow – where Robins do – But were I Cuckoo born – I'd swear by him –"

Through this image, Dickinson suggests that our experiences and surroundings shape our perception of the world. The speaker feels a deep connection to the robin because she lives in a world where robins are present. If she had been born in a different place or time, she might feel the same way about another bird or animal.

The poem also explores the idea of beauty and its relationship to nature. The speaker describes the robin's song as "Its Blossom, at the best," suggesting that the bird's voice is as beautiful and ephemeral as a flower. This comparison highlights the idea that beauty is not something that can be captured or possessed, but rather something that must be experienced and appreciated in the moment.

Interpretation

"The Robin's my Criterion for Tune" is a poem that invites us to reflect on our relationship to the natural world. In a world that is increasingly dominated by technology and human activity, it can be easy to forget the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Dickinson's poem reminds us that nature is a source of endless inspiration and wonder, and that we can find joy and meaning in even the smallest things.

At the same time, the poem also suggests that our perception of beauty is shaped by our experiences and surroundings. The speaker feels a deep connection to the robin because she lives in a world where the bird is present. This idea challenges us to think about the ways in which our own experiences and perspectives shape our understanding of the world around us.

Finally, the poem also speaks to the idea that beauty is fleeting and ephemeral. Like a flower, the robin's song is something that must be appreciated in the moment, as it may not last forever. This idea reminds us to be present and attentive to the world around us, and to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day.

Conclusion

"The Robin's my Criterion for Tune" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Through its vivid language and imagery, the poem invites us to reflect on our relationship to nature and on the ways in which our own experiences shape our understanding of the world. Ultimately, the poem reminds us of the importance of being present and attentive to the beauty that surrounds us, as it may not last forever. As such, it remains a timeless and inspiring work of American literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Robin's my Criterion for Tune: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "The Robin's my Criterion for Tune," a beautiful and evocative piece that explores the beauty of nature and the power of music. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem begins with the speaker declaring that the robin is her "criterion for tune." This statement immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the robin is the standard by which the speaker judges all other forms of music. The use of the word "criterion" is particularly interesting, as it implies a sense of objectivity and impartiality. The speaker is not simply saying that she likes the robin's song, but that it is objectively superior to all other forms of music.

The next few lines of the poem describe the robin's song in vivid detail. The speaker notes that the robin's song is "not in the morning heard," suggesting that it is a rare and special occurrence. She goes on to describe the song as "when the orchards stop their tune," which creates a sense of contrast between the natural sounds of the orchard and the robin's song. The use of the word "stop" also implies that the robin's song is so powerful that it can silence all other sounds.

The speaker then describes the robin's song as "heavenly hurt," which is a particularly interesting phrase. The use of the word "heavenly" suggests that the song is divine or otherworldly, while the word "hurt" implies a sense of pain or longing. This creates a sense of tension within the poem, as the beauty of the robin's song is juxtaposed with a sense of sadness or loss.

The next few lines of the poem describe the effect that the robin's song has on the speaker. She notes that it "grieves" her, but also "soothes" her. This creates a sense of ambiguity, as the speaker's emotions are not easily defined. The use of the word "grieve" suggests that the robin's song brings up painful memories or emotions, while the word "soothe" implies that it has a calming or healing effect.

The final lines of the poem describe the speaker's reaction to the robin's song. She notes that it "makes me think of prairie that I left behind," which creates a sense of nostalgia and longing. The use of the word "left" implies that the speaker has moved on from the prairie, but still feels a deep connection to it. The poem ends with the speaker declaring that the robin's song is "better than bagpipes," which reinforces the idea that the robin's song is the standard by which all other forms of music should be judged.

Overall, "The Robin's my Criterion for Tune" is a beautiful and evocative poem that explores the beauty of nature and the power of music. The use of vivid imagery and language creates a sense of tension and ambiguity, as the speaker's emotions are not easily defined. The poem also raises interesting questions about the nature of beauty and the role that music plays in our lives. In the end, the robin's song serves as a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and the power that music has to move and inspire us.

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