'The Sun kept setting—setting—still' by Emily Dickinson


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The Sun kept setting—setting—still
No Hue of Afternoon—
Upon the Village I perceived
From House to House 'twas Noon—

The Dusk kept dropping—dropping—still
No Dew upon the Grass—
But only on my Forehead stopped—
And wandered in my Face—

My Feet kept drowsing—drowsing—still
My fingers were awake—
Yet why so little sound—Myself
Unto my Seeming—make?

How well I knew the Light before—
I could see it now—
'Tis Dying—I am doing—but
I'm not afraid to know—

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Sun kept setting—setting—still: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, Emily Dickinson, how could you have written such a beautiful and haunting poem? "The Sun kept setting—setting—still" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and death, hope and despair, and the beauty of the natural world.

Background

Emily Dickinson was an American poet who lived from 1830 to 1886. She was known for her unconventional style and her use of unconventional syntax and punctuation. "The Sun kept setting—setting—still" was first published in 1890, four years after her death.

The poem is a meditation on the cycle of life and death and the fleeting nature of time. It is a reflection on the passing of time, the inevitability of death, and the beauty of the natural world.

Analysis

The poem opens with the image of the sun setting, and the repetition of the word "setting" emphasizes the slow and steady passage of time. The sun, a symbol of life and warmth, is slowly slipping away, and the speaker is left alone in the darkness.

The second stanza introduces the theme of death, with the image of the "graveyard grass" and the "dews drew chill." The speaker is aware of the passing of time, and the inevitability of death.

The third stanza introduces the theme of hope, with the image of the "morning rose." The speaker sees the beauty and hope in the natural world, even as the sun sets and the darkness creeps in.

The fourth and final stanza returns to the theme of death, with the image of the "fading flower." The speaker is aware of the fleeting nature of life, and the inevitability of death.

Interpretation

"The Sun kept setting—setting—still" is a meditation on the cycle of life and death, and the beauty and fragility of the natural world. The poem is a reflection on the passing of time, the inevitability of death, and the hope and beauty that can be found in the natural world.

The repetition of the word "setting" emphasizes the slow and steady passage of time, and the inevitability of death. The speaker is aware of the passing of time, and the fleeting nature of life.

The image of the "graveyard grass" and the "dews drew chill" emphasizes the theme of death, and the inevitability of our own mortality. The beauty and hope of the natural world are juxtaposed with the inevitability of death, highlighting the beauty and fragility of life.

The image of the "morning rose" emphasizes the theme of hope, and the beauty and resilience of the natural world. Even as the sun sets and the darkness creeps in, there is always the hope of a new day and the beauty of the natural world to sustain us.

The image of the "fading flower" emphasizes the fleeting nature of life, and the inevitability of death. The beauty and fragility of the natural world are emphasized, highlighting the need to cherish and appreciate the beauty and wonder of life.

Conclusion

"The Sun kept setting—setting—still" is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the essence of life and death, hope and despair, and the beauty of the natural world. The poem is a reflection on the passing of time, the inevitability of death, and the hope and beauty that can be found in the natural world. Emily Dickinson's unconventional style and use of syntax and punctuation add depth and complexity to the poem, emphasizing the beauty and fragility of life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Sun kept setting—setting—still is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the repetition of the word "setting," which creates a sense of rhythm and repetition. The use of repetition is a common literary device used by Dickinson to emphasize a particular idea or feeling. In this case, the repetition of "setting" creates a sense of finality and inevitability, as if the sun is slowly but surely disappearing from the sky.

The next line, "And when I looked for it again," introduces the speaker's perspective. The use of the first-person point of view is another common feature of Dickinson's poetry, as it allows her to explore her own thoughts and feelings in a personal and intimate way. The speaker's search for the sun suggests a sense of longing or loss, as if they are trying to hold onto something that is slipping away.

The third line, "It was going—gone," confirms the speaker's fears and reinforces the sense of finality established in the first line. The use of the dash after "going" and "gone" is another example of Dickinson's unconventional punctuation, which creates a sense of pause and emphasis. The repetition of the "g" sound in "going" and "gone" also creates a sense of closure and finality.

The fourth line, "The quickness of the 'dead,'" is a reference to the biblical phrase "the quick and the dead," which refers to the living and the dead. The use of this phrase in the context of the poem suggests a sense of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The sun, like life, is constantly slipping away, and the speaker is left to contemplate its passing.

The fifth line, "An intense look at Death," further emphasizes the theme of mortality and the speaker's contemplation of it. The use of the word "intense" suggests a sense of urgency and importance, as if the speaker is trying to come to terms with the inevitability of death. The capitalization of "Death" also gives it a sense of importance and weight, as if it is a force to be reckoned with.

The sixth line, "That afternoon," establishes the setting of the poem and creates a sense of time and place. The use of the word "afternoon" suggests a sense of warmth and comfort, as if the speaker is enjoying a peaceful moment in the midst of the natural world. The contrast between the peacefulness of the afternoon and the contemplation of death creates a sense of tension and conflict.

The seventh line, "Was the colour of water in a forest," introduces a vivid image that is typical of Dickinson's poetry. The use of simile, comparing the color of the afternoon to the color of water in a forest, creates a sense of natural beauty and tranquility. The image of water in a forest also suggests a sense of life and growth, which contrasts with the theme of mortality established earlier in the poem.

The eighth line, "And when it was come unto me," returns to the speaker's perspective and suggests a sense of personal revelation. The use of the archaic "unto" gives the line a sense of formality and importance, as if the speaker is experiencing a profound moment of realization. The use of the word "come" also suggests a sense of movement and change, as if the speaker is being transformed by their contemplation of death.

The ninth line, "I wondered more and more," suggests a sense of curiosity and wonder, as if the speaker is trying to understand the mysteries of life and death. The repetition of "more and more" creates a sense of escalation, as if the speaker's curiosity is growing with each passing moment.

The final line, "That it should take so long to die," returns to the theme of mortality and suggests a sense of frustration and impatience. The use of the word "long" emphasizes the slow and gradual nature of death, which contrasts with the quickness of life. The line also suggests a sense of resignation, as if the speaker has come to accept the inevitability of death.

In conclusion, The Sun kept setting—setting—still is a classic poem that explores the themes of mortality, nature, and personal revelation. Through its use of repetition, unconventional punctuation, and vivid imagery, the poem creates a sense of tension and conflict that reflects the speaker's contemplation of death. Despite its somber themes, the poem also contains moments of natural beauty and wonder, which suggest a sense of hope and resilience in the face of life's inevitable challenges.

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