'I watched the Moon around the House' by Emily Dickinson


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I watched the Moon around the House
Until upon a Pane—
She stopped—a Traveller's privilege—for Rest—
And there upon

I gazed—as at a stranger—
The Lady in the Town
Doth think no incivility
To lift her Glass—upon—

But never Stranger justified
The Curiosity
Like Mine—for not a Foot—nor Hand—
Nor Formula—had she—

But like a Head—a Guillotine
Slid carelessly away—
Did independent, Amber—
Sustain her in the sky—

Or like a Stemless Flower—
Upheld in rolling Air
By finer Gravitations—
Than bind Philosopher—

No Hunger—had she—nor an Inn—
Her Toilette—to suffice—
Nor Avocation—nor Concern
For little Mysteries

As harass us—like Life—and Death—
And Afterwards—or Nay—
But seemed engrossed to Absolute—
With shining—and the Sky—

The privilege to scrutinize
Was scarce upon my Eyes
When, with a Silver practise—
She vaulted out of Gaze—

And next—I met her on a Cloud—
Myself too far below
To follow her superior Road—
Or its advantage—Blue—

Editor 1 Interpretation

I Watched the Moon around the House: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's poem, "I watched the Moon around the House," is a hauntingly beautiful work that captures the essence of the moon's ethereal presence in the night sky. In this 24-line poem, Dickinson takes us on a journey through the night, as she watches the moon move slowly around her house and illuminates the darkness around her.

Context and Background

Emily Dickinson was born in 1830 in Massachusetts and is considered one of the greatest American poets of all time. She was reclusive and never published any of her poems during her lifetime. It wasn't until after her death in 1886 that her sister discovered nearly 1,800 of her poems and began publishing them.

"I watched the Moon around the House" was written in the mid-1860s, during a period of intense creativity for Dickinson. This was a time when she was writing some of her most famous poems, such as "Because I could not stop for Death" and "I heard a Fly buzz - when I died."

Literary Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker watching the moon as it moves around her house. The first four lines set the scene and establish the tone of the poem:

I watched the Moon around the House Until upon a Pane -- She stopped -- a Traveller's privilege -- for Rest -- And there upon

The speaker is watching the moon move slowly around her house, and she is mesmerized by its beauty. The moon comes to a stop on one of the windows, as if taking a break from its journey. The use of the word "Traveller's privilege" suggests that the moon is on a journey and has stopped to rest for a while.

The next four lines describe the moon's reflection in the window:

I thought the Poor Old Thing was spent, And now to rest abroad Her tattered Homeless Figure Propped against the Cloud --

The speaker sees the moon's reflection in the window, and she is struck by how tired and worn out it looks. The use of the words "Poor Old Thing" and "tattered Homeless Figure" suggest that the moon is old and worn out, and has been traveling for a long time. The moon's reflection is "propped against the Cloud," as if it is holding on for dear life.

The next four lines describe the moon's movements:

The Winds -- wandered -- as Tune -- And He -- followed -- with them to the West -- Or like a Tone of living Bronze --

The speaker watches as the wind moves around her house, and the moon follows it to the west. The moon's movements are compared to a "Tone of living Bronze," which suggests that it is a powerful, majestic force.

The next four lines describe the moon's effect on the world:

Then -- fled -- like Flakes of snow -- Or Bees -- unbarred -- the Windows -- and entered -- and then

The moon suddenly disappears, and the speaker compares it to snowflakes or bees. The moon's disappearance is sudden and unexpected, and it leaves the world feeling empty and alone.

The next four lines describe the speaker's reaction to the moon's disappearance:

The doors -- closed softly -- The Stars -- went out one by one -- The Days -- went out like Puffs of Down -- And then --

The speaker closes the doors softly, as if she doesn't want to disturb the silence that has settled over the world. The stars disappear one by one, and the days seem to disappear like puffs of down. The use of the word "Puffs" suggests that the days are fleeting and insubstantial, like a puff of smoke.

The final four lines describe the speaker's final thoughts:

I heard the Hoar Frost stirred -- The Grass -- like Keys Adjusted to their locks -- The Keyless Door --

The speaker hears the hoar frost stirring outside, and she imagines that the grass is like keys being adjusted to their locks. The final line, "The Keyless Door," suggests that the speaker's world is now closed off and locked away, as if the moon's disappearance has closed the door on her life.

Interpretation

"I watched the Moon around the House" is a poem that explores the idea of transience and the fleeting nature of life. The moon's journey around the house is a metaphor for the journey of life, and the moon's sudden disappearance is a reminder that life is short and fleeting.

The moon's tired and worn out appearance suggests that life can be a struggle, and that we all have to face challenges and obstacles along the way. The moon's movements are compared to a "Tone of living Bronze," which suggests that life can also be powerful and majestic.

The sudden disappearance of the moon is a reminder that life can be unpredictable and unexpected. The closing of the doors and the disappearance of the stars and days suggest that we can never truly be prepared for the end of our journey, and that we must learn to appreciate every moment of our lives.

The hoar frost stirring outside and the grass being adjusted to their locks suggest that there is still life and movement in the world, even after the moon has disappeared. The final line, "The Keyless Door," suggests that life goes on, even after the door has been closed and locked.

Conclusion

"I watched the Moon around the House" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of life's journey. Dickinson's use of metaphor and imagery creates a powerful and moving work that speaks to the transience of life and the importance of living in the moment. As readers, we are reminded that life is short and fleeting, and that we must learn to appreciate every moment before the keyless door is closed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

I Watched the Moon around the House: A Poem Analysis

Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her works have been studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike. One of her most famous poems, "I Watched the Moon around the House," is a beautiful and haunting piece that captures the essence of the night sky and the mysteries that lie within it. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices to better understand the genius of Emily Dickinson.

The poem begins with the speaker watching the moon as it moves around the house. The moon is described as "slowly" moving, which creates a sense of calmness and tranquility. The speaker is observing the moon from inside the house, which suggests that they are safe and protected from the outside world. This feeling of safety is reinforced by the use of the word "nestled" to describe the house. The speaker is in a state of awe as they watch the moon, and this is evident in the line "I watched the moon, so large and white." The moon is described as "large" and "white," which emphasizes its beauty and purity.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's focus shifts from the moon to the stars. The stars are described as "bright" and "clear," which suggests that they are shining with a sense of purpose. The speaker is fascinated by the stars and their movements, and this is evident in the line "And I, with my childish wonder, / Sat and watched them shine." The use of the word "childish" suggests that the speaker is experiencing a sense of innocence and wonder, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is also consistent, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. This creates a sense of rhythm and flow, which adds to the poem's overall beauty. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, also adds to the poem's flow and creates a sense of movement.

One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is personification. The moon and stars are both given human-like qualities, which creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the natural world. The moon is described as "slowly" moving, which suggests that it is taking its time and enjoying the night sky. The stars are described as "bright" and "clear," which suggests that they are shining with a sense of purpose. This use of personification creates a sense of connection between the speaker and the natural world, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The moon and stars are both described in vivid detail, which creates a sense of visual beauty. The moon is described as "large" and "white," which emphasizes its beauty and purity. The stars are described as "bright" and "clear," which suggests that they are shining with a sense of purpose. This use of imagery creates a sense of wonder and awe, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The poem's theme is the beauty and mystery of the natural world. The speaker is in awe of the moon and stars, and this is evident in the line "And I, with my childish wonder, / Sat and watched them shine." The use of the word "childish" suggests that the speaker is experiencing a sense of innocence and wonder, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. The poem also suggests that the natural world is a source of comfort and protection, as the speaker is watching the moon from inside the house.

In conclusion, "I Watched the Moon around the House" is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the essence of the night sky and the mysteries that lie within it. The poem's structure, literary devices, and themes all contribute to its overall beauty and power. Emily Dickinson was a master of poetry, and this poem is a testament to her genius.

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