'It struck me—every Day' by Emily Dickinson


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It struck me—every Day—
The Lightning was as new
As if the Cloud that instant slit
And let the Fire through—

It burned Me—in the Night—
It Blistered to My Dream—
It sickened fresh upon my sight—
With every Morn that came—

I though that Storm—was brief—
The Maddest—quickest by—
But Nature lost the Date of This—
And left it in the Sky—

Editor 1 Interpretation

It struck me--every Day by Emily Dickinson

Introduction

Emily Dickinson is renowned for her unique style of poetry that explores themes such as death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem It struck me--every Day is a powerful piece that delves into the complexities of the human condition. Through the use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and metaphors, Dickinson presents a compelling commentary on the nature of longing and desire.

Analysis

The poem begins with the line "It struck me--every Day--", immediately capturing the reader's attention with its stark simplicity. The repetition of the phrase "every Day" emphasizes the regularity of the speaker's experience, and the use of the verb "struck" suggests an intense emotional impact. One cannot help but wonder what exactly "it" is that is striking the speaker every day.

As the poem progresses, Dickinson begins to reveal more details about the speaker's experience. She writes:

The Lightning was as new As if the Cloud that instant slit And let the Fire through.

Here, Dickinson employs vivid imagery to illustrate the speaker's experience of longing. The lightning is described as being "new", suggesting that the speaker is constantly being struck by the same intense feeling despite its familiarity. The simile comparing the lightning to a cloud being slit open and fire being let through is a powerful metaphor for the overwhelming nature of desire.

The second stanza of the poem is equally evocative, with Dickinson writing:

It burned me in the Night It blistered in my Dream It sickened fresh upon my sight With every Morn that came.

Here, the speaker's experience of longing is likened to a physical burn, blistering and sickening them even in their dreams. The use of the word "fresh" suggests that the intensity of the feeling does not diminish over time, but rather grows stronger with each passing day.

In the final stanza of the poem, Dickinson reveals the object of the speaker's desire:

I thought that Lightning'd strike me When I was sitting there And Momentary glare of Hope The chance to clasp my Fear--

The lightning is no longer a metaphor, but a literal representation of the speaker's hope for a momentary escape from their fear. The use of the word "clasp" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is trying to hold onto something that is slipping away. The final line of the poem, "It shook me--bolts of Joy--", is a stark contrast to the beginning of the poem, with the speaker now experiencing joy rather than pain.

Interpretation

At its core, It struck me--every Day is a poem about the human experience of longing and desire. Dickinson captures the intensity of these emotions through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, painting a picture of a speaker who is constantly being struck by the same intense feeling day after day. The lightning is a powerful symbol for the overwhelming nature of desire, and the repeated use of the phrase "every Day" emphasizes the regularity of the speaker's experience.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly significant, as it reveals the object of the speaker's desire: a momentary escape from their fear. This suggests that the longing described throughout the poem is not necessarily for a specific person or thing, but rather for a feeling of safety or security.

Overall, It struck me--every Day is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of the human experience. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery and metaphor draws the reader in, and the intensity of the speaker's emotions is palpable throughout. This is a poem that speaks to the universal experience of longing and desire, and its themes are as relevant today as they were when the poem was first written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

It struck me—every Day: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems, "It struck me—every Day," is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of mortality, time, and the fleeting nature of life. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, analyzing its structure, language, and meaning to gain a deeper understanding of Dickinson's message.

Structure and Language

"It struck me—every Day" is a short poem, consisting of only two stanzas with four lines each. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, with irregular capitalization, punctuation, and line breaks. This style gives the poem a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the speaker is trying to capture a fleeting moment before it slips away.

The language of the poem is simple and direct, but it is also rich with meaning and symbolism. The first line, "It struck me—every Day," sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that the speaker is struck by something profound and meaningful on a daily basis. The use of the word "struck" also implies a sudden and unexpected realization, as if the speaker has been hit by a bolt of lightning.

The second line, "The Lightning was as new," reinforces this idea of suddenness and newness. Lightning is a powerful force of nature that can strike at any moment, and the fact that it is "new" suggests that the speaker is experiencing this realization for the first time. The use of the word "was" also implies that this moment has already passed, adding to the sense of transience and impermanence that pervades the poem.

The third line, "But every time I thought of you," introduces the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The speaker is reminded of someone or something every time they experience this sudden realization, suggesting that this person or thing is intimately connected to the idea of mortality. The use of the word "thought" also implies a mental process, as if the speaker is trying to make sense of their own mortality and the passing of time.

The final line, "It left me—feeling Blue," is a powerful and evocative conclusion to the poem. The use of the word "left" suggests that the realization has passed, and the speaker is left with a sense of sadness and melancholy. The use of the word "Blue" is also significant, as it is a color associated with sadness and depression. This final line reinforces the idea that the poem is about the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.

Meaning and Interpretation

"It struck me—every Day" is a deeply philosophical poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. At its core, the poem is about the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The sudden realization that the speaker experiences every day is a reminder of their own mortality and the passing of time. The lightning is a symbol of the suddenness and unpredictability of life, while the person or thing that the speaker thinks of is a reminder of the impermanence of all things.

The poem is also about the power of memory and the way that we remember those who have passed. The fact that the speaker thinks of someone or something every time they experience this sudden realization suggests that memory is intimately connected to the idea of mortality. The speaker is trying to make sense of their own mortality by remembering those who have gone before them.

Finally, the poem is about the power of language and the way that words can capture the fleeting moments of life. Dickinson's use of irregular capitalization, punctuation, and line breaks gives the poem a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the speaker is trying to capture a moment before it slips away. The simplicity and directness of the language also reinforces the idea that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of every moment.

Conclusion

"It struck me—every Day" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through its use of language and symbolism, the poem captures the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. It is a reminder that we must make the most of every moment and cherish the memories of those who have gone before us. Dickinson's poem is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

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