'Wild Nights! Wild Nights!' by Emily Dickinson


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Wild Nights! Wild Nights!
Were I with thee,
Wild Nights should be
Our luxury!

Futile the winds
To a heart in port, --
Done with the compass,
Done with the chart!

Rowing in Eden!
Ah! the sea!
Might I but moor
To-night in Thee!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Wild Nights! Wild Nights! by Emily Dickinson: A Sea of Passion

Emily Dickinson is one of the most influential American poets of the 19th century. Her poems are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and vivid imagery. Among her most famous works is the poem "Wild Nights! Wild Nights!" This poem is a sea of passion, filled with references to the ocean and the storms that can rock a person's heart. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will dive deep into this poem, exploring its themes, metaphors, and literary devices.

The Poem

Wild Nights! Wild Nights! Were I with thee, Wild Nights should be Our luxury!

Futile the winds To a heart in port, Done with the compass, Done with the chart.

Rowing in Eden! Ah! the sea! Might I but moor To-night in thee!

The Themes

The themes of this poem are passion, desire, and the power of love. The speaker is clearly in love with someone and longs to be with them. The title of the poem, "Wild Nights! Wild Nights!" suggests a sense of abandon and recklessness, which mirrors the intensity of the speaker's feelings.

The Metaphors

The metaphor of the ocean is central to this poem. The speaker refers to "Wild Nights" and "the sea," both of which are associated with tumultuous emotions. The sea can represent both danger and adventure, and the speaker seems to crave both. The line "Rowing in Eden!" suggests that being with the loved one is like being in paradise. However, the line "Done with the compass, / Done with the chart" suggests that the speaker is willing to give up direction and control in order to be with their beloved.

Another metaphor in this poem is the idea of being "moored." Mooring a ship means anchoring it to the shore, providing stability and safety. The speaker longs to be moored to their beloved, suggesting that their love is a source of comfort and security.

The Literary Devices

One of the most striking literary devices in this poem is the use of repetition. The phrase "Wild Nights" is repeated twice in the first two lines, emphasizing the intensity of the speaker's feelings. The repetition of "Done with the compass, / Done with the chart" suggests a sense of finality and commitment.

The poem also makes use of alliteration, with the repetition of the "w" sound in "Wild Nights" and "were I with thee." This creates a sense of musicality and rhythm, emphasizing the passion of the speaker's words.

The Interpretation

This poem is a celebration of love and passion. The speaker is consumed by their feelings for their beloved, and longs to be with them, no matter the cost. The metaphor of the ocean suggests that love can be as dangerous and unpredictable as the sea, but also as thrilling and exciting. The repetition and alliteration in the poem create a sense of urgency and intensity, reinforcing the idea that the speaker's feelings are overwhelming and all-consuming.

At the same time, there is a sense of longing and vulnerability in the poem. The speaker's desire for their beloved is so strong that they are willing to give up control and direction, suggesting a willingness to be vulnerable and open. The metaphor of being "moored" suggests a need for stability and security, even in the midst of passionate emotion.

Overall, "Wild Nights! Wild Nights!" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the intensity of love and desire. It is a testament to Emily Dickinson's unique style and skill as a poet, and remains a classic work of American literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Wild Nights! Wild Nights! by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning behind the poem and the literary devices that Dickinson uses to convey her message.

The poem begins with the line "Wild Nights! Wild Nights!" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The repetition of the word "wild" creates a sense of excitement and passion, which is further emphasized by the exclamation marks. The use of repetition is a common literary device used by Dickinson to create emphasis and to convey a sense of urgency.

The second line of the poem, "Were I with thee, Wild Nights should be our luxury!" is a declaration of love and desire. The speaker is expressing their longing to be with their lover and to experience the wild nights together. The use of the word "luxury" suggests that the speaker sees their time with their lover as a precious and valuable experience.

The third line of the poem, "Futile the winds to a heart in port," is a metaphor that compares the speaker's heart to a ship in port. The winds, which represent the distractions and obstacles of life, are futile in their attempts to sway the speaker's heart from its desired destination. The use of this metaphor is a powerful way for Dickinson to convey the strength of the speaker's love and desire.

The fourth line of the poem, "Done with the compass, done with the chart!" is a declaration of the speaker's willingness to abandon all reason and logic in pursuit of their desire. The use of the word "done" suggests that the speaker has made a decision to follow their heart, regardless of the consequences.

The fifth line of the poem, "Rowing in Eden!" is a reference to the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The use of this reference is a way for Dickinson to convey the idea of paradise and the blissful state that the speaker feels when they are with their lover.

The sixth line of the poem, "Ah! the sea!" is a way for Dickinson to convey the vastness and depth of the speaker's desire. The sea is a powerful symbol of the unknown and the infinite, which is a fitting metaphor for the speaker's love and desire.

The final line of the poem, "Might I but moor To-night in thee!" is a plea for the speaker's lover to reciprocate their feelings. The use of the word "moor" suggests that the speaker sees their lover as a safe haven, a place where they can anchor themselves and find refuge from the storms of life.

Overall, Wild Nights! Wild Nights! is a powerful and passionate poem that explores the themes of love, desire, and the pursuit of happiness. Dickinson's use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax creates a unique and memorable style that is instantly recognizable. The use of metaphors and references to biblical stories adds depth and meaning to the poem, while the repetition of certain words and phrases creates a sense of urgency and excitement.

In conclusion, Wild Nights! Wild Nights! is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers with its powerful message and unique style. Dickinson's use of literary devices and metaphors creates a vivid and memorable image of the speaker's desire and longing for their lover. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the human spirit, and it will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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