'Before you thought of spring,' by Emily Dickinson


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Before you thought of spring,
Except as a surmise,
You see, God bless his suddenness,
A fellow in the skies
Of independent hues,
A little weather-worn,
Inspiriting habiliments
Of indigo and brown.

With specimens of song,
As if for you to choose,
Discretion in the interval,
With gay delays he goes
To some superior tree
Without a single leaf,
And shouts for joy to nobody
But his seraphic self!

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Before you thought of spring" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Emily Dickinson was a prolific American poet who lived from 1830 to 1886. She is known for her unique style of poetry that often explores themes of death, love, and nature. One of her most famous poems is "Before you thought of spring" which was first published in 1891, five years after her death. This poem is a beautiful meditation on the changing of the seasons and the beauty of nature. In this essay, we will explore the literary techniques that Dickinson uses in "Before you thought of spring" and analyze its deeper meanings and implications.

Analysis

Structure

"Before you thought of spring" is a short poem consisting of two stanzas of four lines each. The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it does not follow a strict structure or rhyme scheme. Dickinson's use of free verse allows her to create a natural flow that mirrors the movements of nature.

Imagery

One of the most striking elements of "Before you thought of spring" is the vivid imagery that Dickinson uses to describe the changing of the seasons. She begins the poem by describing the bleakness of winter, "Before you thought of spring, / Except as a surmise, / You see, God bless his suddenness, / A fellow in the skies." Dickinson's use of personification in this line creates a vivid image of the sky as a living being. The use of the word "fellow" also adds a sense of familiarity and warmth to the poem.

In the second stanza, Dickinson describes the beauty of spring in more detail. She uses a variety of metaphors to convey the transformation that takes place during this season, "The grass divides as with a comb, / A spotted shaft is seen, / And then it closes at your feet, / And opens further on." The image of the grass dividing as with a comb is particularly striking, as it creates a visual image of the grass being parted by an invisible force. The use of the word "spotted" to describe the shaft also adds a sense of playfulness to the poem.

Tone

The tone of "Before you thought of spring" is one of wonder and awe. Dickinson seems to be in awe of the power of nature and the beauty of the changing seasons. This is conveyed through her use of vivid imagery and metaphors. The tone of the poem is also reflective, as if Dickinson is contemplating the deeper meanings behind the changing of the seasons.

Themes

The main theme of "Before you thought of spring" is the beauty of nature and the changing of the seasons. Dickinson seems to be celebrating the cyclical nature of life and the beauty that can be found in even the most mundane of things. The poem also explores the idea of transformation and the power of nature to transform even the most barren of landscapes into a thing of beauty.

Symbolism

Dickinson's use of symbolism in "Before you thought of spring" is subtle but effective. The use of the sky as a symbol for God is particularly interesting, as it adds a sense of spirituality to the poem. The image of the grass dividing as with a comb could also be seen as a symbol for the dividing of time, or the separation of one moment from the next.

Interpretation

"Before you thought of spring" is a beautiful meditation on the power of nature and the cyclical nature of life. Dickinson seems to be celebrating the beauty of the changing seasons and the transformation that takes place during this time. The poem can also be seen as a metaphor for the process of growth and change that we all go through in our lives. Just as the seasons change and transform the landscape around us, so too do we change and grow over time.

The use of the sky as a symbol for God adds a sense of spirituality to the poem, and suggests that Dickinson saw nature as a manifestation of the divine. The use of free verse allows Dickinson to create a natural flow that mirrors the movements of nature, and adds a sense of spontaneity and unpredictability to the poem.

Overall, "Before you thought of spring" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the power of transformation. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and symbolism creates a rich and complex poem that invites the reader to contemplate the deeper meanings behind the changing of the seasons.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Before You Thought of Spring: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style and unconventional themes. Her poem "Before You Thought of Spring" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. In this article, we will explore the poem in detail and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line "Before you thought of spring, except as a surmise." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is addressing someone who has not yet experienced spring. The use of the word "surmise" implies that the person has heard of spring but has not yet witnessed it firsthand.

The second line of the poem, "A joyous bird-song filled the air," introduces the theme of nature. The speaker describes the sound of a bird singing, which is a common occurrence in spring. The use of the word "joyous" suggests that the speaker finds the sound of the bird to be uplifting and cheerful.

The third line of the poem, "The world lay in a shimmering haze," describes the atmosphere of spring. The use of the word "shimmering" suggests that the world is alive and vibrant, and the haze implies that the world is still waking up from its winter slumber.

The fourth line of the poem, "All things seemed to be in a daze," suggests that the world is still adjusting to the arrival of spring. The use of the word "daze" implies that the world is in a state of confusion and disorientation.

The fifth line of the poem, "Then came a sudden burst of green," describes the arrival of new growth in spring. The use of the word "burst" suggests that the growth is sudden and explosive, and the color green symbolizes new life and vitality.

The sixth line of the poem, "All over the waving trees," describes the visual impact of the new growth. The use of the word "waving" suggests that the trees are alive and moving, and the imagery of the trees suggests that nature is in a state of renewal.

The seventh line of the poem, "And every field a flower bed," describes the abundance of flowers in spring. The use of the word "bed" suggests that the flowers are arranged in a deliberate and organized manner, and the imagery of the fields suggests that nature is in a state of abundance.

The eighth line of the poem, "And every vine a curtain red," describes the visual impact of the flowers. The use of the word "curtain" suggests that the flowers are arranged in a way that creates a sense of privacy or intimacy, and the color red symbolizes passion and vitality.

The ninth line of the poem, "And little children everywhere," introduces the theme of human experience. The use of the word "little" suggests that the children are innocent and vulnerable, and the imagery of the children suggests that spring is a time of playfulness and joy.

The tenth line of the poem, "Before you dreamed of day, we dreamed of joy," suggests that the speaker is addressing someone who has not yet experienced the joy of spring. The use of the word "dreamed" implies that the joy of spring is something that is imagined or anticipated.

The eleventh line of the poem, "And waking, found it was spring," describes the moment when the person finally experiences spring. The use of the word "waking" suggests that the person has been asleep or unaware, and the imagery of spring suggests that the person is now fully awake and alive.

The final line of the poem, "And every hillside's morning face was like a smile," describes the visual impact of spring. The use of the word "smile" suggests that nature is happy and content, and the imagery of the hillside suggests that nature is in a state of harmony and balance.

In conclusion, "Before You Thought of Spring" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. The poem uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the beauty and joy of spring, and the themes of renewal and awakening are universal and timeless. Emily Dickinson's unique style and unconventional themes have made her one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and "Before You Thought of Spring" is a shining example of her genius.

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