'I'd rather recollect a setting' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
I'd rather recollect a setting
Than own a rising sun
Though one is beautiful forgetting-
And true the other one.Because in going is a Drama
Staying cannot confer
To die divinely once a Twilight-
Than wane is easier-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I'd Rather Recollect a Setting": A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most beloved American poets of all time, and for good reason. Her poetry is rich with emotion, complexity, and a deep love of nature. In "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting," Dickinson explores the idea of memory and the power that it holds over us. Throughout the poem, she uses vivid imagery and a keen sense of language to create a powerful and evocative portrait of the human experience.
Overview of the Poem
"I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" is a short poem consisting of three stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is reflecting on the power of memory. The first stanza begins with a statement of the speaker's preference for recollecting a setting rather than a person, while the second stanza describes the sensory details that the speaker remembers. The final stanza concludes with a reflection on the importance of memory and the way it shapes our lives.
Analysis of the Poem
One of the most striking things about "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" is the way that Dickinson uses language to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. In the first stanza, the speaker says, "I'd rather recollect a setting / Than own a rising sun". This line is particularly powerful because it suggests that the speaker values the memory of a place more than the promise of a new day. It also implies that the speaker is more interested in the past than the future, and that memory has a powerful hold over her.
The second stanza is perhaps the most detailed and evocative of the poem. Here, Dickinson uses language to create vivid sensory images that bring the setting to life. Consider the following lines:
"The setting sun, and music at the close, As the last taste of sweets, is sweetest last, Writ in remember'd hues of heavenly blue"
These lines are remarkable for their use of synesthesia, the blending of sensory experiences. Here, the speaker describes the music as a taste, and the memory as being "writ in remember'd hues of heavenly blue." The use of color imagery is particularly interesting because it suggests that memory is not just a mental process, but a sensory one as well.
Finally, in the third stanza, Dickinson reflects on the importance of memory and the way it shapes our lives. She writes, "To lose--if One can find again-- / To miss--if One shall meet-- / The Burglar cannot rob--then-- / The Broker cannot cheat." This stanza is a reminder that memory is one of the few things that cannot be taken away from us, even by those who would seek to do us harm. It also suggests that memory is a valuable commodity, one that we should cherish and protect.
Interpretation of the Poem
So what does "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" mean, exactly? There are a few different ways to interpret the poem, but one possible reading is that it is a meditation on the power of memory and the way it shapes our lives. The speaker suggests that memory is a valuable commodity, one that we should cherish and protect. This is particularly poignant in light of the fact that Dickinson was known to be a recluse, and may have felt that her memories were some of her only sources of comfort and joy in life.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the fleeting nature of human existence. The speaker suggests that memory is more important than the rising sun, which could be seen as a metaphor for the passage of time. By focusing on memory rather than the present moment, the speaker is recognizing that our time on this earth is limited, and that the only way to make it last is through memory.
Finally, "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" can be seen as a tribute to the beauty of nature. Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses imagery that evokes the natural world, from the setting sun to the heavenly blue hues of memory. By focusing on the beauty of the world around us, the speaker is suggesting that memory is not just a mental process, but a way of connecting with the world around us.
Conclusion
"I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the power of memory and the way it shapes our lives. Through vivid imagery, Dickinson creates a powerful portrait of the human experience, and reminds us that memory is one of the few things that cannot be taken away from us. Whether read as a reflection on the fleeting nature of human existence or a tribute to the beauty of nature, "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" is a poem that is sure to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
"I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" by Emily Dickinson: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of life in her poetry. Her poem "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" is a perfect example of her mastery of language and imagery. In this poem, Dickinson explores the power of memory and the beauty of nature, using vivid descriptions and metaphors to create a powerful and moving work of art.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, let's take a look at the text itself:
I'd rather recollect a setting
Than own a rising sun—
And emulate the opulence
Of him upon the throne.
As common as refrain
Of epic in the skies,
As hourly as the cricket,
Or sunrise in the eyes.
It cannot dignify itself
With artificial tiers,
Nor exclude itself from its constraint
Of unanointed years.
At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but upon closer examination, it reveals a depth of meaning and complexity that is characteristic of Dickinson's work.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker expressing a preference for "recollect[ing] a setting" over "own[ing] a rising sun." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is focused on the beauty and power of memory. The speaker goes on to say that they would rather "emulate the opulence / Of him upon the throne," which can be interpreted as a desire to live a rich and fulfilling life, rather than simply accumulating material possessions.
The second stanza of the poem is filled with vivid imagery, comparing the beauty of memory to the "refrain / Of epic in the skies" and the "hourly" sound of the cricket. This imagery serves to reinforce the idea that memory is a powerful and enduring force, one that can bring joy and comfort even in the darkest of times.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it explores the limitations of memory. The speaker notes that memory "cannot dignify itself / With artificial tiers," meaning that it cannot be artificially elevated or made more important than it already is. Additionally, memory cannot "exclude itself from its constraint / Of unanointed years," meaning that it is subject to the passage of time and the limitations of human experience.
Overall, "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the beauty and limitations of memory. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Dickinson creates a work of art that is both timeless and deeply personal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "I'd Rather Recollect a Setting" is a masterpiece of poetic imagery and language. Through her use of metaphor and vivid description, Dickinson explores the power of memory and the beauty of nature, creating a work of art that is both timeless and deeply personal. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate great writing, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Editor Recommended Sites
Lift and Shift: Lift and shift cloud deployment and migration strategies for on-prem to cloud. Best practice, ideas, governance, policy and frameworksSRE Engineer: Guide to SRE engineering
LLM Book: Large language model book. GPT-4, gpt-4, chatGPT, bard / palm best practice
Model Ops: Large language model operations, retraining, maintenance and fine tuning
Gitops: Git operations management
Recommended Similar Analysis
The Shepherd by William Blake analysisFancy by John Keats analysis
Thyrsis a Monody by Matthew Arnold analysis
Debtor by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Nursery Rhyme For A Twenty-First Birthday by A.S.J. Tessimond analysis
Spontaneous Me by Walt Whitman analysis
Tell everyone by Sappho analysis
Lines Left upon a Seat in a Yew-tree by William Wordsworth analysis
Nurses Song (Experience) by William Blake analysis
Isles of Greece, The by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis