'Her little Parasol to lift' by Emily Dickinson
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Her little Parasol to lift
And once to let it down
Her whole Responsibility-
To imitate be Mine.A Summer further I must wear,
Content if Nature's Drawer
Present me from sepulchral Crease
As blemishless, as Her.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's Her Little Parasol to Lift: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, is known for her unconventional style of writing and the depth of her themes. Her poem "Her Little Parasol to Lift" is a perfect example of her talent for creating powerful imagery and complex emotions in just a few lines. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various aspects of the poem that make it a masterpiece in its own right.
Overview of the Poem
"Her Little Parasol to Lift" is a poem about the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The speaker of the poem describes a young girl who is playing with her parasol on a sunny day. She lifts the parasol and the light shines through it, creating a beautiful pattern on the ground. However, the speaker knows that this moment of joy and beauty is fleeting, and that the girl will soon grow old and die. The poem thus explores the theme of mortality, using the image of the parasol as a symbol for the transience of life.
Analysis of the Poem
Language and Imagery
One of the most striking features of "Her Little Parasol to Lift" is the vivid imagery that Dickinson creates through her use of language. The opening lines, for instance, paint a picture of a beautiful summer day:
Her little parasol to lift And once to let it down Her whole responsibility To imitate be done
The words "little parasol" and "lift" create a sense of lightness and playfulness, while the word "responsibility" suggests that the girl is taking her play seriously. The repetition of the word "her" emphasizes the girl's individuality and her particular joy in this moment.
The next lines shift the focus to the visual image of the parasol:
A chance to meet the sun She walks as brisk as ball Comes tripping back again
The use of the word "chance" implies that the girl is taking advantage of a fleeting opportunity, while the phrase "brisk as ball" emphasizes her energy and vitality. The image of the parasol "coming tripping back again" creates a sense of playfulness and lightness.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Here, the speaker reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death:
The woods decay, the woods decay and fall, The vapours weep their burthen to the ground, Man comes and tills the field and lies beneath, And after many a summer dies the swan.
The repetition of the phrase "the woods decay" creates a sense of inevitability, while the image of the vapours weeping emphasizes the sadness and grief that accompanies death. The line "Man comes and tills the field and lies beneath" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even those who work hard and achieve great things will eventually succumb to death. The final line, "And after many a summer dies the swan," creates a sense of melancholy and loss.
Structure and Tone
The structure of "Her Little Parasol to Lift" is simple and straightforward, with three stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme is also regular, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. However, despite this simplicity, the poem has a powerful emotional impact. The tone is melancholy and reflective, with the speaker contemplating the transience of life and the inevitability of death. However, there is also a sense of acceptance and even beauty in the poem, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting joy and beauty of the girl's play.
Symbolism
One of the most important aspects of "Her Little Parasol to Lift" is the use of the parasol as a symbol for the transience of life. The parasol is a fragile and temporary object, much like life itself. The girl's play with the parasol is a moment of joy and beauty, but it is also fleeting and will soon be over. The speaker of the poem sees this moment as a microcosm of life itself, with all its joys and sorrows.
Themes
The central theme of "Her Little Parasol to Lift" is the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of happiness and the need to appreciate and cherish the beauty of life while it lasts. The image of the parasol serves as a reminder of the fragility and impermanence of life, and the speaker's contemplation of death creates a sense of melancholy and sadness.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the importance of play and joy in life. The girl's play with the parasol is a moment of pure joy and happiness, and the speaker seems to recognize the importance of such moments in life. The poem thus suggests that while life is short and fragile, it is also full of beauty and joy, and it is up to us to appreciate and cherish these moments while they last.
Conclusion
In "Her Little Parasol to Lift," Emily Dickinson creates a powerful image of the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Through her use of vivid imagery, simple language, and a melancholy tone, she creates a sense of beauty and sadness that lingers long after the poem is over. The parasol serves as a symbol for the fragility and impermanence of life, while the girl's play with it reminds us of the importance of joy and happiness in the face of mortality. This poem is a masterpiece of Dickinson's unique style, and a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complex emotions of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Her little Parasol to lift" is a shining example of her unique style and poetic genius. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this classic poem, and delve into the deeper meanings and interpretations that can be drawn from it.
Firstly, let us examine the title of the poem: "Her little Parasol to lift". The word "parasol" immediately conjures up images of a delicate, ornate object used to shield oneself from the sun. The fact that it is "little" suggests that it is not a practical item, but rather a decorative one. The word "lift" implies movement, and suggests that the subject of the poem is about to embark on a journey or adventure of some kind. Already, we can see that the title sets the tone for the poem, hinting at themes of femininity, beauty, and exploration.
Moving on to the first stanza, we are introduced to the subject of the poem: a young girl, described as "fair" and "slender". The use of these adjectives immediately creates a sense of delicacy and fragility, and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The girl is holding her parasol, which is described as "frail", further emphasizing the theme of fragility and delicacy. The phrase "to lift" is repeated, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement, as if the girl is about to embark on a grand adventure.
In the second stanza, we are given more details about the girl's appearance and surroundings. She is described as wearing a "gossamer gown", which is a thin, delicate fabric often associated with fairy tales and fantasy. The use of this word creates a dreamlike atmosphere, as if the girl is not quite real, but rather a figment of the imagination. The mention of the "dew" and the "butterfly" further emphasizes this sense of otherworldliness, as if the girl is part of a magical, enchanted world.
The third stanza is where the poem really begins to take on a deeper meaning. The girl is described as "lifting" her parasol, and the imagery used here is particularly striking. The parasol is compared to a "wing", and the girl is described as "fluttering" it. This creates a sense of movement and freedom, as if the girl is about to take flight and soar into the sky. The use of the word "fluttering" also creates a sense of excitement and anticipation, as if the girl is on the cusp of something great.
In the fourth stanza, we are given more details about the girl's surroundings. She is described as being in a "garden", which is often associated with beauty, tranquility, and growth. The use of this word creates a sense of peace and serenity, as if the girl is in a safe and nurturing environment. The mention of the "bees" and the "blossoms" further emphasizes this sense of growth and vitality, as if the girl is surrounded by life and energy.
The fifth stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The girl is described as "pausing" and "looking back", as if she is hesitant to leave her current surroundings. The use of the word "pausing" creates a sense of hesitation and uncertainty, as if the girl is unsure of what lies ahead. The mention of the "shadow" also creates a sense of foreboding, as if something ominous is lurking just out of sight.
In the final stanza, we are given a sense of resolution. The girl is described as "lifting" her parasol once again, and the imagery used here is particularly powerful. The parasol is compared to a "bird", and the girl is described as "flying" it. This creates a sense of freedom and liberation, as if the girl has overcome her fears and is now ready to take flight. The use of the word "flying" also creates a sense of movement and momentum, as if the girl is now moving forward with purpose and determination.
So what does all of this mean? At its core, "Her little Parasol to lift" is a poem about femininity, beauty, and the power of imagination. The girl in the poem represents the feminine ideal, delicate and fragile yet full of potential and possibility. The parasol represents the power of imagination, the ability to lift oneself up and soar above the mundane and the ordinary. The garden represents the nurturing environment that allows this potential to grow and flourish, while the shadow represents the fears and doubts that can hold us back.
Ultimately, "Her little Parasol to lift" is a poem about the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and achieve greatness. It is a celebration of the feminine ideal, and a reminder that even the most delicate and fragile among us can achieve great things if we have the courage to lift ourselves up and take flight. Emily Dickinson's unique style and poetic genius shine through in this classic poem, and it remains a timeless reminder of the power of the human spirit to transcend the ordinary and achieve the extraordinary.
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