'So much Summer' by Emily Dickinson


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So much Summer
Me for showing
Illegitimate—
Would a Smile's minute bestowing
Too exorbitant

To the Lady
With the Guinea
Look—if She should know
Crumb of Mine
A Robin's Larder
Would suffice to stow—

Editor 1 Interpretation

So Much Summer by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh my goodness! Where do I even begin with Emily Dickinson's poem "So Much Summer"? This piece is so rich with imagery, emotion, and depth that it feels like a journey through a whole season of life. Let's dive into this poem and see what we can discover.

The Text

First, let's take a look at the poem itself:

So much summer, So much winter, So much smiling, singing, skipping, So much desolation, gloom! Was there ever such a thing As a calm so deep and broad, Or a joy so infinite That could not shatter into pain If it met with human fraud?

Wow. Just reading those words feels like an experience in and of itself. But what does it all mean? Let's break it down.

The Seasons

Right away, Dickinson sets up a contrast between summer and winter. Summer is associated with smiling, singing, and skipping, while winter is linked to desolation and gloom. This contrast between warmth and coldness, lightness and darkness, is a common theme throughout literature, and it's no surprise that Dickinson uses it here.

But the way she does it is so striking. "So much summer, / So much winter" - the repetition of this phrase feels almost like a mantra, like she's trying to convince herself that one season is just as valid as the other. It's almost like she's saying, "Yes, there's a lot of summer, but there's also a lot of winter, and they're both important."

The Emotions

But this poem isn't just about the seasons. It's also about emotions. The lines "So much smiling, singing, skipping, / So much desolation, gloom!" really drive this home. Dickinson is acknowledging that there are times when we feel happy and carefree, just like we do in the summer, but there are also times when we feel sad and alone, like we do in the winter.

The way she phrases these emotions is also interesting. "Desolation" and "gloom" are such heavy, loaded words, and they really convey the weight of sadness. But "smiling, singing, skipping" are light, playful actions that suggest joy and freedom. It's almost like Dickinson is saying that our emotions are just as changeable as the seasons - we can go from lightness to darkness in the blink of an eye.

The Questions

But then Dickinson throws us a curveball: "Was there ever such a thing / As a calm so deep and broad, / Or a joy so infinite / That could not shatter into pain / If it met with human fraud?"

Whoa. These lines are packed with so much meaning. The first part seems to suggest that true calm and infinite joy are impossible to attain. But then she brings in the idea of "human fraud" - what does that even mean?

To me, it feels like Dickinson is saying that our own human nature is what keeps us from experiencing true calm and joy. We're flawed, we make mistakes, and that's what ultimately leads to pain. It's like she's asking us: can we ever really be happy if we're always getting in our own way?

The Interpretation

So what does all of this mean, ultimately? To me, "So Much Summer" is a poem about the human condition. It's about how we experience highs and lows, lightness and darkness, and how those experiences shape us.

But it's also about the idea that true joy and calmness are always just out of reach. We can chase them, we can try to find them, but ultimately, our own flaws will always get in the way.

It's a bittersweet message, but one that feels so true to life. We can find happiness and contentment, but we have to accept that it will never be a permanent state. Just like the seasons, our emotions will always change - and that's okay.

The Conclusion

There's so much more to say about "So Much Summer" - the way Dickinson uses alliteration, the way she plays with line breaks - but I'll leave those for another time. What I love about this poem is how it feels like a meditation on life itself. It's deep, it's complex, and it speaks to something universal in all of us.

Thank you, Emily Dickinson, for giving us this beautiful piece of art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

So Much Summer: A Poetic Ode to Life and Nature

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of nature, life, and death. In her poem "So much Summer," Dickinson captures the essence of summer and its beauty in a way that is both vivid and profound. This classic poem is a testament to the power of nature and the joy of living.

The poem begins with the line, "So much Summer, so much fun," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Dickinson is celebrating the season of summer and all the joy that comes with it. She goes on to describe the various sights and sounds of summer, from the "bees" buzzing in the "clover" to the "butterflies" flitting about. The imagery is so vivid that one can almost feel the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze blowing through the trees.

But Dickinson's poem is not just a celebration of nature; it is also a celebration of life. She writes, "Life's a different thing, / When the sun is out and birds are singing." Here, she is suggesting that life is more vibrant and joyful during the summer months. The sun and the birds are symbols of life and vitality, and their presence makes everything seem more alive.

The poem also touches on the theme of time and how quickly it passes. Dickinson writes, "Summer's leaving, / But the sunsets are still breathing." This line is a reminder that summer, like all good things, must come to an end. However, the beauty of the sunsets serves as a reminder that even though summer may be over, there is still beauty to be found in the world.

One of the most striking aspects of "So much Summer" is its use of repetition. Dickinson repeats the phrase "so much" throughout the poem, emphasizing the abundance of summer and all its wonders. This repetition creates a sense of excitement and joy, as if the speaker is overwhelmed by the beauty of the season.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is its use of rhyme. Dickinson employs a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, which gives the poem a sing-song quality. This adds to the overall sense of joy and celebration that permeates the piece.

Overall, "So much Summer" is a beautiful ode to life and nature. Dickinson's vivid imagery and use of repetition and rhyme create a sense of excitement and joy that is infectious. The poem reminds us to appreciate the beauty of the world around us and to cherish the moments we have. As summer comes to an end and we prepare for the colder months ahead, let us remember the beauty of the season and the joy it brings.

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