'Their Barricade against the Sky' by Emily Dickinson
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Their Barricade against the Sky
The martial Trees withdraw
And with a Flag at every turn
Their Armies are no more.What Russet Halts in Nature's March
They indicate or cause
An inference of Mexico
Effaces the Surmise-Recurrent to the After Mind
That Massacre of Air-
The Wound that was not Wound nor Scar
But Holidays of War
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Their Barricade against the Sky by Emily Dickinson: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever felt like poetry is a barricade against the sky? That it shields you from the overwhelming vastness of the universe and provides you with a safe haven to contemplate the mysteries of life? Emily Dickinson certainly did. In her poem "Poetry, Their Barricade against the Sky," she explores the power of poetry to protect us from the unknown and to connect us with the divine.
Context and Background
Emily Dickinson was a prolific American poet who lived in the mid-19th century. She was born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, and spent most of her life in the same town. Despite being a recluse and rarely leaving her home, Dickinson wrote over 1,800 poems, most of which were discovered after her death in 1886. Dickinson's poetry is known for its unconventional style, its themes of death, love, and nature, and its use of slant rhyme and dashes.
"Poetry, Their Barricade against the Sky" was written in the 1860s, during a period of Dickinson's life when she was experiencing intense spiritual and emotional turmoil. This poem is part of a larger series of poems that explore the role of poetry in human life and in the universe.
Analysis
The poem begins with the line "Poetry, their courage and their creed," which immediately establishes the importance of poetry as a guiding force for those who practice it. The use of the word "courage" suggests that poetry is not just a passive activity, but an active one that requires bravery and conviction. The phrase "their creed" also implies that poetry is a form of religion or belief system, which is fitting given Dickinson's preoccupation with the spiritual realm.
The second line, "Poetry, their preceptor and their law," reinforces the idea that poetry is a guiding force. The use of the word "preceptor" implies that poetry is a teacher or mentor, while "law" suggests that it is a set of rules or principles that must be followed. Again, the language here suggests that poetry is not just a leisurely pursuit, but a serious one that requires discipline and respect.
The third and fourth lines of the poem, "Poetry, their chastity and their reward / Forbearance, their arsenals and their arms," introduce two new ideas. The first is the idea that poetry is a form of chastity, which suggests that it is pure and untainted by worldly concerns. The second idea is that poetry is a weapon, with "arsenals" and "arms" suggesting that it is a tool for protection and defense. Taken together, these lines suggest that poetry is a powerful force that can both protect and elevate those who practice it.
The fifth line, "Surmising, their divinity sustained," introduces a more mystical element to the poem. The use of the word "divinity" suggests that poetry is not just a human creation, but something that comes from a higher power. This line also hints at the idea that poetry can connect us with the divine, suggesting that it has a spiritual purpose.
The final line of the poem, "Theirs, the first tribute to the earliest morn," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The use of the word "tribute" suggests that poetry is a form of gratitude or respect, while "earliest morn" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the beginning of life or the dawn of consciousness. Taken together, these lines suggest that poetry is a way of paying homage to the origins of life and to the mysteries of existence.
Interpretation
So what does all of this mean? How are we meant to interpret this poem, and what can we learn from it? At its core, "Poetry, Their Barricade against the Sky" is about the power of poetry to protect us from the unknown and to connect us with the divine. Dickinson sees poetry as a form of courage, chastity, and discipline that can shield us from the overwhelming vastness of the universe and provide us with a safe space to explore the mysteries of existence.
But Dickinson also sees poetry as a way of connecting with something greater than ourselves. By surmising that poetry is sustained by divinity, she suggests that it has a spiritual purpose beyond mere human expression. This idea is reinforced by the final line of the poem, which suggests that poetry is a way of paying tribute to the origins of life and to the mysteries of existence.
Ultimately, "Poetry, Their Barricade against the Sky" is a celebration of the power of poetry, both as a human creation and as a way of connecting with the divine. It is a reminder that poetry is not just a form of entertainment or leisure, but a serious pursuit that requires courage, discipline, and respect. And it is a testament to the enduring and transformative power of language to protect and elevate us in the face of the unknown.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Their Barricade against the Sky: 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 death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem "Poetry Their Barricade against the Sky" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its power to transcend the limitations of the physical world.
The poem begins with the line "Poetry is the thing with feathers," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Dickinson uses the metaphor of a bird to describe poetry, suggesting that it is something that can soar above the mundane and reach great heights. The image of a bird also suggests freedom and lightness, which are both qualities that poetry possesses.
The second line of the poem, "That perches in the soul," further emphasizes the idea that poetry is something that resides within us. It is not just a form of writing or a collection of words, but rather a part of our being that can be accessed and expressed through language. The use of the word "soul" also suggests that poetry is something that is deeply personal and spiritual.
The third line of the poem, "And sings the tune without the words," is perhaps the most powerful and evocative. Here, Dickinson suggests that poetry is something that can communicate without the need for language. It is a form of expression that transcends the limitations of words and can convey emotions and ideas that are beyond the scope of language. The image of a bird singing without words is a beautiful and poignant one, and it perfectly captures the essence of poetry.
The fourth line of the poem, "And never stops at all," suggests that poetry is something that is eternal and unending. It is not something that can be contained or limited by time or space, but rather something that exists beyond these constraints. The use of the word "never" emphasizes the idea that poetry is something that is always present and always accessible.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line "And sweetest in the gale is heard." Here, Dickinson suggests that poetry is something that is most powerful and meaningful in times of difficulty and struggle. The image of a bird singing in a storm is a powerful one, and it suggests that poetry can provide comfort and solace in times of hardship.
The second line of the stanza, "And sore must be the storm," further emphasizes the idea that poetry is something that can provide comfort in difficult times. The use of the word "sore" suggests that the storm is something that is painful and difficult to endure, but the image of the bird singing in the midst of it suggests that there is hope and beauty even in the darkest of times.
The third line of the stanza, "That could abash the little bird," suggests that even in the face of adversity, poetry is something that cannot be silenced or defeated. The use of the word "abash" suggests that the storm is something that could potentially intimidate or defeat the bird, but the fact that it continues to sing suggests that poetry is something that is resilient and enduring.
The final line of the stanza, "That kept so many warm," suggests that poetry is something that can provide comfort and warmth to those who need it most. The use of the word "kept" suggests that poetry is something that can provide ongoing comfort and support, rather than just a fleeting moment of solace.
The final stanza of the poem begins with the line "I've heard it in the chillest land." Here, Dickinson suggests that poetry is something that can be found even in the most desolate and barren of places. The use of the word "chillest" suggests that this is a place that is cold and inhospitable, but the fact that poetry can still be found there suggests that it is something that is universal and enduring.
The second line of the stanza, "And on the strangest sea," further emphasizes the idea that poetry is something that can be found in unexpected places. The use of the word "strangest" suggests that this is a place that is unfamiliar and perhaps even dangerous, but the fact that poetry can still be found there suggests that it is something that is always present, no matter where we are.
The third line of the stanza, "Yet, never, in extremity," suggests that even in the most extreme of circumstances, poetry is something that cannot be silenced or defeated. The use of the word "extremity" suggests that this is a situation that is dire and potentially life-threatening, but the fact that poetry can still be found there suggests that it is something that is always present, no matter how dire the circumstances.
The final line of the poem, "It asked a crumb of me," suggests that poetry is something that requires our attention and our engagement. The use of the word "crumb" suggests that this is something that is small and perhaps even insignificant, but the fact that it is being asked of us suggests that it is something that is important and meaningful.
In conclusion, "Poetry Their Barricade against the Sky" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its power to transcend the limitations of the physical world. Through the use of powerful metaphors and evocative imagery, Emily Dickinson has created a poem that is both beautiful and profound. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to provide comfort, solace, and hope in even the darkest of times.
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