'The Sun in reigning to the West' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
1636
The Sun in reigning to the West
Makes not as much of sound
As Cart of man in road below
Adroitly turning round
That Whiffletree of Amethyst
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Sun in reigning to the West: An Interpretation and Literary Critique
Emily Dickinson is often considered as one of the greatest poets in American literature, and her poem "The Sun in reigning to the West" is a masterpiece that showcases her poetic prowess. In this 12-line poem, Dickinson describes the beauty of a sunset and the emotions it evokes in her. However, as with many Dickinson poems, there is much more to it than meets the eye. In this literary critique, we will explore the deeper meanings behind the poem and evaluate its literary merit.
The Surface Meaning
To fully appreciate the poem, let's begin by examining it line by line:
The Sun in reigning to the West, Makes not as much ado As we—men—tell—alack— To him—whose ear the Whooping Jay And Cuckoo—address—...
The first line sets the stage for the poem, as it describes the sun setting in the west. The second line seems to suggest that the sun's setting is not as significant as humans make it out to be. In the third line, Dickinson laments the fact that humans often make a commotion about minor events. The fourth and fifth lines describe the birds that call out to the sun as it sets.
Singing for Joy of Light withdrawn When they have failed in Day— Chamber—and Threshhold— And the Orchard—for a play...
The sixth and seventh lines suggest that the birds are singing because they are happy that the light is gone and they can rest. The final four lines describe various places where the sun's setting can be observed, including a chamber, a threshold, and an orchard, which Dickinson refers to as a "play."
On the surface, "The Sun in reigning to the West" appears to be a simple poem about a beautiful sunset and the birds that sing as the sun disappears. However, as we will see, there is much more going on beneath the surface.
The Deeper Meaning
Like many of Emily Dickinson's poems, "The Sun in reigning to the West" is full of hidden meanings and symbolism. One of the most significant themes in this poem is the contrast between humans and nature. Dickinson suggests that humans often make a big deal out of minor events, while nature simply goes about its business without drawing attention to itself.
The poem also explores the idea of death and the cycle of life. The setting sun can be seen as a metaphor for death, as it marks the end of the day and the beginning of the night. The birds that sing at sunset may represent the souls of the dead, who are happy to be released from the burdens of life. The fact that the birds are singing in a chamber, threshold, and orchard suggests that these are places where death is present or imminent.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is an allegory for the passage of time. The sun setting in the west represents the end of a day, while the birds singing represent the passing of time. The fact that the birds are singing in various locations suggests that time is passing everywhere, not just in one specific place.
Overall, "The Sun in reigning to the West" is a poem that explores some of the biggest themes in literature, including life, death, nature, and time. Despite its brevity, it is a rich and complex work that rewards close analysis.
Literary Critique
In terms of literary merit, "The Sun in reigning to the West" is a masterful work of poetry. The poem's brevity is one of its greatest strengths, as Dickinson is able to pack a lot of meaning into just 12 lines. The poem's use of imagery and symbolism is also impressive, as Dickinson is able to convey complex ideas through the use of simple images.
One of the things that sets Dickinson apart as a poet is her unconventional use of language. In "The Sun in reigning to the West," she uses words and phrases that are not commonly used in everyday speech. For example, the line "Makes not as much ado" is an archaic expression that gives the poem a timeless quality.
Another strength of the poem is its use of sound. The repetition of the "w" sound in the phrase "whose ear the Whooping Jay" creates a musical effect that adds to the poem's beauty. The use of alliteration in the phrase "Chamber and Threshhold" also adds to the poem's musicality.
One possible weakness of the poem is its ambiguity. While the poem's ambiguity is part of its strength, it may also be a weakness for readers who prefer more straightforward poetry. Some readers may find the poem's hidden meanings and symbolism confusing or frustrating.
Conclusion
"The Sun in reigning to the West" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores some of the biggest themes in literature. Through its use of imagery, symbolism, and unconventional language, the poem conveys complex ideas in just 12 lines. While its ambiguity may be a weakness for some readers, it is ultimately a strength that adds to the poem's depth and richness. Overall, "The Sun in reigning to the West" is a masterful work of poetry and a testament to Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Sun in reigning to the West: A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with her unique style and profound insights. Her poem, "The Sun in reigning to the West," is a perfect example of her genius, as it captures the essence of life and death in a few simple lines.
The poem begins with the image of the sun setting in the west, a common sight that we have all witnessed at some point in our lives. However, Dickinson's description of the sun as "reigning" adds a sense of majesty and power to the scene, as if the sun is a king or queen ruling over the world.
As the sun sets, the poem takes a darker turn, with Dickinson describing the "dying day" and the "dying embers" of the sun. This imagery is a metaphor for the end of life, as the sun represents the cycle of birth, growth, and death that we all experience.
However, Dickinson does not dwell on the sadness of death for long, as she quickly shifts the focus to the beauty of the night sky. She describes the stars as "gems" and the moon as a "crescent" that "floats" in the sky. This imagery is a reminder that even in the darkest moments of life, there is still beauty to be found.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as Dickinson writes, "Farewell, life! My senses swim, / And all the world is dim." This is a poignant reminder that death is inevitable, and that we must all eventually say goodbye to life. However, the use of the word "swim" suggests that there is a sense of freedom and release in death, as if the speaker is finally able to let go of the burdens of life and float away into the unknown.
Overall, "The Sun in reigning to the West" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of life and death in just a few lines. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of majesty and beauty, even in the face of death. This poem is a testament to her genius as a poet, and a reminder of the power of language to capture the most profound aspects of the human experience.
Editor Recommended Sites
Data Migration: Data Migration resources for data transfer across databases and across cloudsHaskell Community: Haskell Programming community websites. Discuss haskell best practice and get help
Event Trigger: Everything related to lambda cloud functions, trigger cloud event handlers, cloud event callbacks, database cdc streaming, cloud event rules engines
Deploy Multi Cloud: Multicloud deployment using various cloud tools. How to manage infrastructure across clouds
Local Meet-up Group App: Meetup alternative, local meetup groups in DFW
Recommended Similar Analysis
Lines Written in Kensington Gardens by Matthew Arnold analysisA Charm invests a face by Emily Dickinson analysis
The Sorrow of Love by William Butler Yeats analysis
My Pretty Rose Tree by William Blake analysis
Love Is Not All by Edna St. Vincent Millay analysis
Trees by Joyce Kilmer analysis
O Me! O Life! by Walt Whitman analysis
Homage To A Government by Philip Larkin analysis
DREAMS by Robert Herrick analysis
Buried Love by Sarah Teasdale analysis