'How know it from a Summer's Day?' by Emily Dickinson


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How know it from a Summer's Day?
Its Fervors are as firm-
And nothing in the Countenance
But scintillates the same-
Yet Birds examine it and flee-
And Vans without a name
Inspect the Admonition
And sunder as they came-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"How know it from a Summer's Day?" by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Poet's Mind

When we think of Emily Dickinson, we often picture a reclusive woman in a white dress, scribbling away in her room. But beyond the myth of the "Belle of Amherst," there is a fiercely intelligent and imaginative writer who explored the depths of the human experience in her poetry. "How know it from a Summer's Day?" is a prime example of her talent for blending the mundane and the metaphysical, the tangible and the intangible.

The Poem

Let's start with the poem itself:

How know it from a Summer's Day? Its Fervours are as firm— It's Agitations not so forceful And it tumbles, with a calm.

Compared to Venus, or the East, And morning, to itself— It's little wonder, that the stir So little means with us.

We shiver in December now, And turn the Winter fleece— To tighter round our aching frames The Summers, in the breeze—

Emily Dickinson often wrote about nature, but not in the way we might expect. Instead of simply describing the beauty or serenity of the natural world, she used it as a metaphor for the human condition. In "How know it from a Summer's Day?", she asks how we can tell the difference between the fervours and agitations of a summer's day and those of something else, something deeper.

The first two lines set up the question, but it's the third and fourth lines that really catch our attention. Dickinson suggests that whatever is being compared to a summer's day has "agitations" that are not as forceful, and yet it "tumbles" with a calm. This paradoxical statement creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, making us wonder what exactly she is referring to.

The second stanza provides some clues. Dickinson uses the familiar images of Venus and the East, and morning itself, to contrast with whatever she is describing. The fact that it's "little wonder" that we're not stirred by this unknown thing suggests that it's something we might overlook or take for granted.

The final stanza brings us back to the present moment. We're shivering in December, trying to keep warm, and dreaming of the summers that seem so far away. But even as we long for the warmth and comfort of summer, we're reminded that it's fleeting and temporary. The "tighter" we wrap ourselves in our winter clothes, the more we realize that we can't escape the cold reality of our mortality.

Interpretation

So what is Dickinson referring to in this poem? As with much of her work, there is no definitive answer. However, there are a few possible interpretations that make sense in the context of her other poems and letters.

One possibility is that she is referring to the soul or spirit of a person. Just as a summer's day can be full of fervour and agitation, so too can the inner life of a human be full of passion and turmoil. But unlike the external world, the inner world is not always visible or easily understood. Dickinson may be suggesting that we often miss the depth and complexity of others because we are too focused on surface-level appearances.

Another possibility is that she is referring to the divine. Dickinson was famously ambivalent about religion, but she often wrote about the transcendent and the spiritual. In this poem, she may be suggesting that the divine is all around us, but we're too distracted or preoccupied to notice it. The fact that she uses familiar images like Venus and morning could be a way of pointing out that we often overlook the sacred in the everyday.

Finally, it's worth noting that Dickinson was no stranger to pain and suffering. She lived through a time of great upheaval and change, both personally and globally. It's possible that this poem is a reflection on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. Just as we cling to the warmth of summer, we cling to life, even as it slips away from us.

Conclusion

In "How know it from a Summer's Day?", Emily Dickinson invites us to contemplate the mysteries of life and the world around us. Whether she is referring to the soul, the divine, or simply the impermanence of existence, the poem speaks to something deep and essential in the human experience. We may never fully understand what Dickinson was trying to convey, but that's part of the beauty of her poetry. In her words, we find a glimpse of the ineffable, a reminder that there is always more to discover and explore.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

How do we know it's summer? Is it the warmth of the sun on our skin, the sound of children playing outside, or the sweet scent of blooming flowers? Emily Dickinson's classic poem, "How know it from a Summer's Day?" explores this question in a beautiful and thought-provoking way.

The poem begins with the speaker asking how one can tell that it is summer. She lists several possible indicators, such as the "bees" and "butterflies" that are "out" and the "birds" that are "abroad." However, she quickly dismisses these as unreliable, noting that these things can also be present in other seasons.

Instead, the speaker suggests that the true sign of summer is something more intangible: a feeling of "ease" and "bliss" that permeates the air. She describes this feeling as a "certain slant of light," which she says "oppresses" her in a way that is both "heavenly" and "despairing."

This description of the summer light is one of the most striking and memorable parts of the poem. Dickinson's use of the word "oppresses" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the speaker is overwhelmed by the intensity of the light. At the same time, however, the use of the word "heavenly" suggests that the experience is also one of transcendence and beauty.

The poem goes on to explore this feeling of transcendence in more detail. The speaker describes how the summer light seems to "seal" her "senses" and transport her to a different realm. She says that she feels as though she is "in the midst of Centuries" and that she is "instantly" aware of "Eternity."

This sense of timelessness and eternity is another key theme of the poem. Dickinson suggests that the experience of summer is not just a fleeting moment in time, but rather a glimpse of something eternal and infinite. This is reflected in the poem's use of language, which is often grand and expansive. For example, the speaker describes the summer light as a "Seal Despair" and a "Heavenly Hurt."

The poem's final lines are perhaps the most enigmatic and thought-provoking. The speaker says that the feeling of summer is "an imperial affliction" that cannot be explained or understood. She suggests that it is something that is beyond human comprehension, and that it is both a blessing and a curse.

This idea of the "imperial affliction" is a fascinating one, as it suggests that the experience of summer is both powerful and overwhelming. It is something that cannot be controlled or tamed, but rather something that must be accepted and embraced.

Overall, "How know it from a Summer's Day?" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the nature of summer in a unique and thought-provoking way. Through its use of language and imagery, it captures the essence of this season and invites us to reflect on its deeper meanings and implications. Whether we are experiencing the warmth of the sun on our skin or simply enjoying the beauty of a summer day, this poem reminds us that there is something magical and transcendent about this time of year.

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