'Summer is shorter than any one—' by Emily Dickinson


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Summer is shorter than any one—
Life is shorter than Summer—
Seventy Years is spent as quick
As an only Dollar—

Sorrow—now—is polite—and stays—
See how well we spurn him—
Equally to abhor Delight—
Equally retain him—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

Summer is shorter than any one

Introduction

Emily Dickinson, an American poetess of the nineteenth century, was known for her unique style of poetry that often dealt with themes of death, nature, and spirituality. In her poem "Summer is shorter than any one," Dickinson beautifully captures the transient nature of summer, which serves as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life itself.

In this literary criticism, we will delve deeper into the themes and motifs present in the poem, analyze its structure, and interpret its meaning.

Themes

Transience of life

The most significant theme of the poem is the transience of life. Dickinson uses the metaphor of summer, which is fleeting and short-lived, to convey how life is also transient and fleeting. The opening line, "Summer is shorter than any one," sets the tone for the entire poem. The speaker is acknowledging that summer, despite being a season that many people look forward to, is short-lived.

Nature

Another prominent theme in the poem is nature. Dickinson was known for her love for nature, and this poem is no exception. She uses imagery from nature to convey the transience of life. For example, in the lines "But as if a butterfly / On a too fine flower" the speaker compares summer to a butterfly that flits from flower to flower, never staying in one place for too long.

Impermanence

Related to the theme of transience is the idea of impermanence. The speaker acknowledges that nothing lasts forever, not even summer. The line "And yet, how nature hoards the days," conveys how nature seems to hold onto the summer days, knowing that they will soon be gone.

Structure

Meter and rhyme

The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which consists of four iambs (a metrical foot consisting of one stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable) per line. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that is pleasing to the ear.

The poem also has an ABAB rhyme scheme, which adds to its musicality. The use of end rhymes helps to tie the poem together and make it feel cohesive.

Length

At only two stanzas and eight lines long, the poem is short and to the point. This mirrors the theme of the poem, which is the transience of summer and life.

Enjambment

Dickinson uses enjambment throughout the poem to create a sense of movement and fluidity. For example, in the line "But as if a butterfly / On a too fine flower," the enjambment between the two lines creates a sense of motion, as if the butterfly is flitting from flower to flower.

Interpretation

The poem "Summer is shorter than any one" is a meditation on the impermanence of life. Dickinson uses the metaphor of summer to convey the idea that nothing lasts forever, and we should cherish the time we have.

The opening line of the poem, "Summer is shorter than any one," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It immediately establishes the idea that summer, despite being a season that many people look forward to, is short-lived.

The line "But as if a butterfly / On a too fine flower" further emphasizes the theme of impermanence. The butterfly is a symbol of the fleeting nature of life, and the too fine flower is a metaphor for the fragility of life.

The final line of the poem, "And nature, gently, will but finish, / What she began," is a reminder that nature has its own course, and everything must come to an end eventually. This line also conveys a sense of acceptance and peace with the transience of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Summer is shorter than any one" is a beautiful and poignant poem that reminds us of the impermanence of life. Emily Dickinson uses the metaphor of summer to convey the idea that nothing lasts forever and that we should cherish the time we have. The poem's structure, including its meter and rhyme scheme, adds to its musicality and reinforces its themes. Overall, this poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to convey complex ideas in a simple and elegant manner.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Summer is shorter than any one— is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 19th century. This poem is a beautiful reflection on the fleeting nature of summer and how it passes by quickly, leaving us with only memories of its warmth and beauty. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the line "Summer is shorter than any one," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is acknowledging the fact that summer is a brief season, and it passes by quickly. This line also sets up the contrast between the brevity of summer and the longevity of human life. The use of the word "any one" suggests that the speaker is comparing the length of summer to the lifespan of an individual.

The second line of the poem, "Life is shorter than summer," reinforces this comparison. The speaker is suggesting that life is even shorter than summer, which is already a brief season. This line also introduces the theme of mortality, which is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. The speaker is reminding us that life is fleeting and that we should cherish every moment.

The third line of the poem, "When we sigh for the sultry weather," is a beautiful example of Dickinson's use of imagery. The speaker is describing the feeling of longing for the warmth and beauty of summer. The use of the word "sigh" suggests a deep longing or desire, and the phrase "sultry weather" evokes the image of a hot, humid day. This line also sets up the contrast between the beauty of summer and the harshness of winter.

The fourth line of the poem, "And miss the frosty dew," continues this contrast between summer and winter. The speaker is suggesting that we often long for summer and forget about the beauty of winter. The use of the word "miss" suggests that we are overlooking the beauty of winter and focusing only on the warmth and beauty of summer.

The fifth line of the poem, "These are the days when birds come back," introduces the theme of renewal. The speaker is describing the return of birds in the spring, which is a symbol of new life and renewal. This line also suggests that the speaker is looking forward to the return of spring and the renewal that it brings.

The sixth line of the poem, "And flowers, reach, with their timid stalks," is another beautiful example of Dickinson's use of imagery. The speaker is describing the delicate nature of flowers and how they reach towards the sun. The use of the word "timid" suggests that the flowers are fragile and vulnerable, which reinforces the theme of renewal and new life.

The seventh line of the poem, "Towards the heaven of blue," is a beautiful example of Dickinson's use of language. The phrase "heaven of blue" evokes the image of a clear blue sky, which is a symbol of hope and optimism. This line also suggests that the flowers are reaching towards something greater than themselves, which reinforces the theme of renewal and new life.

The eighth line of the poem, "They sway in the breeze and they bend so soon," is a reminder of the fleeting nature of life. The speaker is suggesting that even the delicate flowers, which seem so full of life and vitality, will eventually wither and die. This line reinforces the theme of mortality and the importance of cherishing every moment.

The ninth line of the poem, "These are the days of the endless dance," introduces the theme of movement and change. The speaker is describing the constant movement and change that is a part of life. This line also suggests that the speaker is embracing this movement and change, rather than fearing it.

The tenth line of the poem, "Of summer's sweet madness and bliss," is a beautiful example of Dickinson's use of language. The phrase "summer's sweet madness and bliss" evokes the image of a carefree and joyful summer. This line also reinforces the theme of the fleeting nature of summer and the importance of cherishing every moment.

The eleventh line of the poem, "When we live, in a summer's day," is a reminder to live in the present moment. The speaker is suggesting that we should embrace the beauty and joy of summer while it lasts. This line also reinforces the theme of mortality and the importance of cherishing every moment.

The final line of the poem, "Faint as the distant surf," is a beautiful example of Dickinson's use of imagery. The speaker is describing the sound of the ocean in the distance, which is a symbol of the vastness and beauty of the natural world. This line also reinforces the theme of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.

In terms of structure, the poem consists of eleven lines, with each line containing between four and eight syllables. The poem has a simple and straightforward structure, which reinforces the theme of the fleeting nature of life. The use of short lines and simple language also gives the poem a sense of immediacy and intimacy.

In conclusion, Summer is shorter than any one— is a beautiful reflection on the fleeting nature of summer and the importance of cherishing every moment. Through her use of imagery, language, and structure, Emily Dickinson has created a poem that is both beautiful and profound. The poem reminds us of the beauty and joy of summer, while also acknowledging the brevity of life. It is a timeless reminder to live in the present moment and to cherish every moment of our lives.

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