'They talk as slow as Legends grow' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1697They talk as slow as Legends grow
No mushroom is their mind
But foliage of sterility
Too stolid for the wind-They laugh as wise as Plots of Wit
Predestined to unfold
The point with bland prevision
Portentously untold.
Editor 1 Interpretation
They talk as slow as Legends grow by Emily Dickinson: A Deeper Look
Are you a fan of Emily Dickinson's poetry? Then, you're in for a treat! We're about to dive into one of her most interesting poems, They talk as slow as Legends grow. This piece is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style and her mastery of creating vivid imagery through words.
In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this poem. Buckle up, because this is going to be an exciting ride!
Overview of the Poem
Before we jump into the analysis, let's have a quick overview of the poem. They talk as slow as Legends grow consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's tone is mysterious and somewhat eerie. It's as if the speaker is describing a scene from a dark, gothic novel.
Here's the full text of the poem:
They talk as slow as Legends grow No mushroom is their mind But foliage of sterility Too stolid for the wind
No knot of heart of oak is theirs To hold the wind at bay What liberty A loosened mind That's willing to obey
A melancholy of a waning summer Distracts the human eye The longer gaze upon her face The smaller by and by
Analysis of the Poem
Theme: Decay and Mortality
One of the central themes of They talk as slow as Legends grow is decay and mortality. The poem is set in a landscape that's devoid of life - there are no mushrooms, no foliage, and no heart of oak. Instead, there's sterility and stolidity.
The phrase "They talk as slow as Legends grow" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the passage of time. Legends are stories that are passed down through generations, and as they are told and retold, they become slower and slower, as if time itself is slowing down. In the same way, the speakers in the poem are talking slowly, as if time is standing still.
The second stanza of the poem reinforces the theme of mortality. The "knot of heart of oak" is a symbol of strength and immortality, but the speakers have no such knot. They are unable to hold the wind at bay, which could be seen as a metaphor for the passage of time, and the inevitability of death.
Symbolism
Emily Dickinson is known for her use of symbolism, and They talk as slow as Legends grow is no exception. Let's take a closer look at some of the symbols in the poem.
Mushroom
In the first stanza, the speaker says "No mushroom is their mind." Mushrooms are often associated with decay and death, as they grow in dark, damp places and feed on decaying matter. In this context, the mushroom could be a symbol of the speakers' minds, which are unable to grow or change.
Foliage
The second line of the first stanza says "But foliage of sterility." Foliage is usually associated with growth and life, but in this case, it's a symbol of sterility and decay. The speakers' minds are like foliage that's unable to grow, and as a result, they're stolid and unable to move with the wind.
Heart of Oak
The second stanza of the poem mentions "the knot of heart of oak." Oak trees are strong and long-lasting, and their wood is often used to build ships and other structures that need to withstand the test of time. In this context, the heart of oak could be a symbol of the human spirit, which is strong and enduring. The fact that the speakers have no such knot suggests that they are weak and unable to stand up to the winds of time.
Literary Devices
Emily Dickinson is also known for her use of literary devices, and They talk as slow as Legends grow is full of them. Let's take a look at some of the most prominent ones.
Metaphor
The line "They talk as slow as Legends grow" is a metaphor for the passage of time. The slowing down of legends as they are retold is a metaphor for the slowing down of time itself.
Personification
The speakers in the poem are personified, as they are given human characteristics. They talk, they have minds, and they are capable of obeying.
Alliteration
The phrase "foliage of sterility" is an example of alliteration. The repeated "f" sound creates a sense of harshness and sterility, which is appropriate for the image of foliage that's unable to grow.
Assonance
The line "What liberty A loosened mind" is an example of assonance, as the repeated "o" sound creates a sense of openness and freedom.
Tone and Mood
The tone of the poem is mysterious and eerie. The landscape described is one of sterility and decay, and the speakers are almost ghost-like in their slow, deliberate movements. The mood of the poem is somber and melancholy. The phrase "A melancholy of a waning summer" creates a sense of sadness and loss, as if the summer is slowly fading away and taking everything with it.
Conclusion
They talk as slow as Legends grow is a fascinating poem that's full of symbolism and literary devices. The themes of decay and mortality are woven throughout the poem, creating a sense of somberness and melancholy. The speakers are personified and given human characteristics, which adds to the eerie tone of the poem.
Overall, this is a great example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and mastery of language. If you're a fan of her work, then you're sure to enjoy this poem.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, has left behind a legacy of beautiful and thought-provoking poems. One such poem is "They talk as slow as Legends grow," which is a masterpiece in its own right.
The poem is a short one, consisting of only four lines. However, the brevity of the poem does not diminish its impact. In fact, it is precisely because of its conciseness that the poem is so powerful. The poem reads:
"They talk as slow as Legends grow No mushroom is their mind But foliage of sterility Too stolid for the wind"
At first glance, the poem may seem cryptic and difficult to understand. However, upon closer inspection, the poem reveals itself to be a commentary on the nature of language and communication.
The first line of the poem, "They talk as slow as Legends grow," is a metaphor for the slow pace of communication. Legends are stories that are passed down from generation to generation, and they often take on a life of their own. Similarly, the act of communication can be slow and deliberate, as people carefully choose their words and try to convey their thoughts and feelings.
The second line of the poem, "No mushroom is their mind," is a metaphor for the lack of creativity and originality in their thoughts. Mushrooms are often associated with growth and new beginnings, but in this context, they represent the opposite. The people being described in the poem have minds that are stagnant and unchanging, with no new ideas or perspectives.
The third line of the poem, "But foliage of sterility," is a continuation of the metaphor of stagnation. Foliage is a symbol of growth and life, but in this case, it represents the opposite. The people being described have minds that are barren and unproductive, with no new ideas or insights.
The final line of the poem, "Too stolid for the wind," is a metaphor for the inability of these people to adapt to change. The wind is a symbol of change and transformation, but the people being described are too rigid and inflexible to embrace new ideas or perspectives.
Taken together, the poem is a commentary on the limitations of language and communication. Despite our best efforts, we are often unable to convey our thoughts and feelings in a way that truly captures their essence. Moreover, our minds can become stagnant and unproductive, with no new ideas or perspectives to offer.
However, the poem is not entirely pessimistic. It suggests that there is hope for growth and change, even in the face of these limitations. The wind may be too strong for some, but others may be able to adapt and thrive in the face of change.
In conclusion, "They talk as slow as Legends grow" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that offers a commentary on the nature of language and communication. It reminds us that our minds can become stagnant and unproductive, but also suggests that there is hope for growth and change. Emily Dickinson's mastery of language and metaphor is on full display in this poem, making it a true classic of the genre.
Editor Recommended Sites
XAI: Explainable AI: Explainable AI for use cases in medical, insurance and auditing. Explain large language model reasoning and deep generative neural networksGames Like ...: Games similar to your favorite games you liek
Explainable AI: AI and ML explanability. Large language model LLMs explanability and handling
Roleplay Community: Wiki and discussion board for all who love roleplaying
Learn with Socratic LLMs: Large language model LLM socratic method of discovering and learning. Learn from first principles, and ELI5, parables, and roleplaying
Recommended Similar Analysis
Paradise Lost: Book 05 by John Milton analysisFarewell Love and All Thy Laws Forever by Sir Thomas Wyatt analysis
Seven Sisters, The by William Wordsworth analysis
She Walks In Beauty by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
A nearness to Tremendousness by Emily Dickinson analysis
Words by William Butler Yeats analysis
Bait , The by John Donne analysis
Choices by Carl Sandburg analysis
Exposure by Wilfred Owen analysis
To His Mistress Going to Bed by John Donne analysis