'I send Two Sunsets' by Emily Dickinson


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I send Two Sunsets—
Day and I—in competition ran—
I finished Two—and several Stars—
While He—was making One—

His own was ampler—but as I
Was saying to a friend—
Mine—is the more convenient
To Carry in the Hand—

Editor 1 Interpretation

I Send Two Sunsets: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson

Oh, Emily Dickinson! The renowned poetess who has swept the world with her captivating verses. Her poems are like a breath of fresh air, a glimpse into the soul of a woman who understood the intricacies of life like no other.

Among the many poems she penned, "I Send Two Sunsets" stands out as a masterpiece. It’s a poem that touches the heart and stirs the soul. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the meaning of the poem and explore its various themes, devices, and symbols.

The Poem: "I Send Two Sunsets"

I send two sunsets, Day and I in competition ran, I finished two and several stars, While He was making one.

His own was ampler gloria, But, mine, is tenderer, Ourselves should meet ere long, God witness for a stranger.

The Analysis

The Theme of Competition

From the very beginning of the poem, we see the theme of competition. The speaker in the poem says, "Day and I in competition ran." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It’s a competition between the speaker and God, between two different ways of looking at the world.

The competition is not one of hostility or animosity, but rather of two different perspectives. The speaker is trying to show that her way of looking at the world is just as valid as God's way.

The Symbolism of Sunsets

The sunsets in the poem are symbolic. They represent the end of the day, the end of a journey, the end of life. The speaker is saying that she has finished two sunsets while God was making one.

This can be interpreted in many ways. One way is that the speaker has lived two full lives while God has only lived one. Another interpretation is that the speaker has experienced two significant events in her life while God has only created one.

The symbolism of sunsets is a powerful tool that Dickinson uses to convey her message. It’s a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it.

The Theme of Glory

Glory is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. In "I Send Two Sunsets," the speaker says that God's sunset was "ampler gloria." This means that God's sunset was more magnificent than the speaker's. However, the speaker's sunset was "tenderer."

This suggests that the speaker values tenderness over magnificence. Glory is not the most important thing to her. Rather, she prefers the small moments in life that make it worth living.

The Theme of Meeting

The final stanza of the poem is about meeting. The speaker says that "ourselves should meet ere long." This line suggests that the speaker and God will eventually meet.

It’s unclear whether this meeting will be in this life or the next. However, the speaker is confident that they will meet. The line "God witness for a stranger" reinforces this idea. The stranger is the speaker, and God is the witness.

The Use of Language

Dickinson was a master of language. She used it to convey complex ideas in simple, yet powerful ways. In "I Send Two Sunsets," she uses language to great effect.

For example, the use of the word "gloria" is a nod to the Catholic Mass. It’s a powerful word that conveys the idea of divine light and glory. The use of this word adds to the spiritual nature of the poem.

The Structure of the Poem

The structure of "I Send Two Sunsets" is simple. It consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The first two stanzas are about the competition between the speaker and God. The final stanza is about meeting.

The simplicity of the structure mirrors the simplicity of the language. Dickinson did not need complex structures or language to convey her ideas. She was able to do so with ease.

The Tone of the Poem

The tone of "I Send Two Sunsets" is one of admiration and respect. The speaker is not angry or bitter towards God. Rather, she admires him and his creations.

The tone is also one of humility. The speaker recognizes that God's sunset was more magnificent than hers. However, she is still proud of what she has accomplished.

The Title of the Poem

The title of the poem is significant. It suggests that the speaker is sending something to God. The two sunsets are a gift, a way of saying thank you.

The title also suggests that the speaker is in control. She is the one sending the sunsets, not God. This reinforces the theme of competition.

Conclusion

"I Send Two Sunsets" is a powerful poem that explores themes of competition, glory, and meeting. It’s a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it. Dickinson uses language and structure to convey her ideas in a simple yet powerful way.

Overall, "I Send Two Sunsets" is a masterpiece of Emily Dickinson's poetry. It’s a poem that will continue to inspire and awe readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

I Send Two Sunsets: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

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, death, and spirituality. One of her most famous poems, "I Send Two Sunsets," is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that captures the essence of her poetic genius.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unknown recipient, saying "I send two sunsets." The use of the word "send" suggests that the speaker is not physically present with the recipient, but is sending something to them as a gift or a message. The choice of "two sunsets" as the gift is significant, as it is a natural phenomenon that is both beautiful and fleeting. The sunset is a symbol of the passage of time and the impermanence of life, which are recurring themes in Dickinson's poetry.

The speaker goes on to describe the sunsets in vivid detail, using rich imagery and sensory language to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The first sunset is described as "a splendor in the grass," which is a reference to William Wordsworth's poem "Ode: Intimations of Immortality." This allusion suggests that the speaker is not only appreciating the beauty of the sunset, but also reflecting on the deeper meaning of life and mortality.

The second sunset is described as "a glory in the flower," which is another reference to Wordsworth's poem. This line suggests that the speaker is not only observing the beauty of nature, but also contemplating the cycle of life and death. The use of the word "glory" suggests that the sunset is not just a beautiful sight, but also a symbol of something greater and more profound.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker declares that the sunsets are "yours" and "mine." This suggests that the beauty of nature is something that we all share and can appreciate together, regardless of our differences. It also suggests that the speaker is not just sending a gift, but also sharing a moment of beauty and connection with the recipient.

Overall, "I Send Two Sunsets" is a beautiful and profound poem that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's poetic genius. Through her use of rich imagery, allusions, and sensory language, she creates a vivid picture of the beauty of nature and the deeper meaning of life. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and connect us, and a reminder that even in the midst of darkness and uncertainty, there is always beauty and hope to be found.

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