'Of this is Day composed' by Emily Dickinson


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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1675Of this is Day composed
A morning and a noon
A Revelry unspeakable
And then a gay unknown
Whose Pomps allure and spurn
And dower and deprive
And penury for Glory
Remedilessly leave.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Of this is Day Composed": An Exploration of Emily Dickinson's Poetic Style

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her poetry has inspired generations of readers, from the early 20th century to the present day. "Of this is Day Composed" is one of her most famous poems, known for its vivid imagery and unique style. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the ways in which Dickinson's poetic style is exemplified in this poem, and how readers can interpret its meaning.

Form and Structure

"Of this is Day Composed" is a short poem consisting of only four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme, with each stanza ending in a rhyming couplet. The form and structure of the poem are simple, but this simplicity allows Dickinson to focus on the content of the poem.

The use of a consistent rhyme scheme and short stanzas creates a musical quality to the poem. The rhyme scheme also provides a sense of closure, as each stanza concludes with a couplet that ties together the ideas presented in the preceding lines.

Imagery

The imagery in "Of this is Day Composed" is striking and memorable. In the first stanza, Dickinson describes the sky as a "sapphire-spangled" dome. This image creates a sense of beauty and wonder, as if the sky is a sparkling jewel. The juxtaposition of the hard, cold sapphire with the soft, warm dome of the sky creates an interesting tension in the image.

In the second stanza, Dickinson describes the sun as a "spark" that "sips" the morning dew. This image is delicate and graceful, creating a sense of movement and lightness. The use of the word "sips" suggests that the sun is gentle, almost playful in its interaction with the world.

The third stanza presents an image of the wind as a "butterfly," flitting from flower to flower. This image is whimsical, and suggests that the wind is not a powerful force, but rather a delicate and fleeting one. The use of the word "butterfly" also creates a sense of beauty and grace.

Finally, in the fourth stanza, Dickinson describes the day itself as a "precious mould," suggesting that each day is unique and valuable. The use of the word "mould" creates an interesting contrast with the previous images of sapphire, spark, and butterfly. While those images suggest a sense of lightness and grace, the image of the "mould" is more substantial and earthy.

Themes and Interpretation

The themes in "Of this is Day Composed" are centered on nature and the beauty of the world around us. The poem suggests that even the most ordinary aspects of nature – the sky, the sun, the wind – can be sources of wonder and beauty. The poem also suggests that each day is unique and valuable, and that we should cherish each moment.

One interesting aspect of the poem is the juxtaposition of beauty and fragility. The images of the sapphire-spangled sky, the delicate spark of the sun, and the fluttering butterfly all suggest a sense of beauty and grace. However, these images are also fragile and fleeting. The wind can change direction at any moment, the sun can be obscured by clouds, and the butterfly can be caught by a gust of wind. This fragility creates a sense of urgency in the poem, suggesting that we must appreciate the beauty of the world around us while we still can.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is the use of personification. The sun "sips" the morning dew, and the wind flits like a butterfly. These personifications create a sense of intimacy between the natural world and the human world. They suggest that the natural world is not a distant and unknowable entity, but rather a part of our daily lives.

Conclusion

"Of this is Day Composed" is a beautiful poem that exemplifies Emily Dickinson's unique poetic style. The use of vivid imagery, consistent rhyme scheme, and short stanzas creates a musical quality to the poem. The themes of nature, beauty, and fragility are explored through the use of striking and memorable images. The poem suggests that even the most ordinary aspects of nature can be sources of wonder and beauty, and that we should cherish each moment. As readers, we are invited to appreciate the beauty of the world around us, and to recognize the fragility of life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her poem "This is my letter to the world" is a classic example of her unique style and perspective. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores themes of isolation, communication, and the power of the written word.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the world as if it were a person, saying "This is my letter to the world, / That never wrote to me." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker establishes a sense of distance and separation between herself and the world. She is reaching out to the world, but it has never reached out to her.

The second line of the poem is equally striking: "The simple news that Nature told, / With tender majesty." Here, Dickinson is emphasizing the power of nature to communicate with us in a way that is both simple and profound. The phrase "tender majesty" suggests that nature's message is both gentle and awe-inspiring.

The third and fourth lines of the poem introduce the idea of the written word: "Her message is committed / To hands I cannot see." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that nature's message is not something she can physically touch or see, but rather something that is conveyed through the written word. This is an important theme throughout the poem, as Dickinson explores the idea of communication through writing.

In the fifth and sixth lines of the poem, the speaker reflects on her own isolation: "For love of her, sweet countrymen, / Judge tenderly of me!" Here, she is asking her readers to be understanding of her own isolation and loneliness. She is reaching out to them, just as she is reaching out to the world, and asking for their compassion.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful: "I have no wit, no words, no tears; / My heart within me like a stone." Here, the speaker is acknowledging her own limitations when it comes to communication. She feels as though she has nothing to offer the world in terms of wit, words, or tears. Her heart is heavy and unyielding, like a stone.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem introduce the idea of the written word once again: "Lest you should think me trifling, / Or harsh, or cold, or vain." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that her words may be misunderstood or misinterpreted. She is asking her readers to give her the benefit of the doubt, and to understand that her words are coming from a place of sincerity and honesty.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem are perhaps the most hopeful: "If I can stop one heart from breaking, / I shall not live in vain." Here, the speaker is expressing her desire to make a difference in the world, even if it is just a small one. She believes that if she can help even one person, her life will have been worthwhile.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem bring the poem full circle: "If I can ease one life the aching, / Or cool one pain, / Or help one fainting robin / Unto his nest again." Here, the speaker is expanding on the idea of making a difference in the world. She believes that even the smallest act of kindness can have a profound impact on someone's life.

Overall, "This is my letter to the world" is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of isolation, communication, and the power of the written word. Emily Dickinson's unique style and perspective make this poem a classic example of her work, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

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