'After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside-' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside-
Nature imparts the little Blue-Bird-assured
Her conscientious Voice will soar unmoved
Above ostensible Vicissitude.First at the March-competing with the Wind-
Her panting note exalts us-like a friend-
Last to adhere when Summer cleaves away-
Elegy of Integrity.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's "After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside": A Masterpiece of Ambiguity and Introspection
Emily Dickinson is rightly considered one of the greatest American poets of all time, and her poem "After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside" is a prime example of her unique style and vision. But what does this enigmatic poem mean, and how can we approach its elusive meanings and themes? In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the intricacies and complexities of Dickinson's poem, and argue that it offers a profound meditation on the nature of life, death, and transcendence.
The Poem Itself
Before we dive into a close reading of the poem, let us first present it in its entirety:
After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside,
Nature imparts the little Blue-Bird's recorded tune,
--Enough that we have seen her--
Fluttering--in the Halcyon--
Toward which she strives--
And is not ours.
At first glance, this poem seems deceptively simple: it describes the sighting of a blue bird, and the speaker's sense of wonder and loss as it flies away. But as we will see, this apparent simplicity belies a rich array of textual and thematic complexities that invite us to read the poem in multiple, often contradictory ways.
The Blue Bird's Tune
The first line of the poem sets the scene: "After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside." This phrase implies a sense of completion or finality: all other birds have been examined and rejected, leaving only the blue bird as the subject of the poem. But why is this bird so special, and what does its song represent?
The second line gives us a clue: "Nature imparts the little Blue-Bird's recorded tune." Here we have the first of many ambiguities in the poem: what does it mean for the bird's tune to be "recorded"? Does this suggest that the bird's song is fixed and unchanging, or that it has been captured and preserved for posterity? And if so, by whom or what?
The word "recorded" also implies a sense of intentionality or purpose: someone or something has deliberately created or captured the bird's tune. But who is this "Nature" that Dickinson refers to? Is it a transcendent force or a personified entity? And what does it mean for Nature to "impart" the bird's tune? Is this a form of communication or revelation, or simply a natural phenomenon?
The ambiguity deepens in the third line: "--Enough that we have seen her--" Here the speaker acknowledges the bird's physical presence, but also suggests that seeing the bird is somehow insufficient or incomplete. Why is this so? Does the speaker long for something more than mere visual confirmation?
The Halcyon and Transcendence
The next two lines offer a tantalizing glimpse into the speaker's inner world: "Fluttering--in the Halcyon-- / Toward which she strives--". The word "Halcyon" is itself ambiguous: it can refer to a period of calm or tranquility, or to a mythical bird associated with the sea. Either way, it suggests a sense of peace or harmony that is somehow out of reach.
The phrase "Toward which she strives--" implies that the blue bird is seeking something beyond its current state or condition. But what is this "Halcyon" that it is striving towards, and why is it so significant? Is it a physical place, a state of mind, or a symbol of transcendence?
The final line of the poem offers a partial answer: "And is not ours." Here we have the clearest statement yet of the speaker's sense of loss or unfulfilled longing. The bird's striving towards the Halcyon is something that the speaker cannot possess or fully understand. But why is this so?
Multiple Meanings and Interpretations
As we have seen, Emily Dickinson's "After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside" is a poem that invites multiple meanings and interpretations. Some possible readings include:
- The bird's song represents a form of divine revelation or inspiration that is beyond human comprehension.
- The Halcyon that the bird strives towards is a symbol of death or transcendence, and the poem is a meditation on mortality and the afterlife.
- The blue bird represents a sense of unattainable beauty or perfection that the speaker longs for but can never possess.
- The poem is a commentary on the limitations of human perception and the inadequacy of language to capture the full richness of experience.
Of course, these interpretations are not mutually exclusive, and other readings are certainly possible. But what is most striking about the poem is the way that it resists easy categorization or definitive analysis. Like the Halcyon that the blue bird strives towards, the meaning of the poem remains tantalizingly out of reach.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside" is a masterpiece of ambiguity and introspection. Through its enigmatic imagery and suggestive language, the poem offers a profound meditation on the nature of life, death, and transcendence. What makes this poem so powerful is not its clarity or directness, but its willingness to embrace complexity and uncertainty. In the end, the blue bird's recorded tune remains a mystery, but its significance lingers on, haunting us with its elusive beauty and meaning.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside: An Analysis
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, wrote a poem titled "Poetry After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside." This poem is a masterpiece that has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for decades. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem and explore the various literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line, "Poetry after all, is a bird of paradise." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and introduces the central metaphor of the bird. The bird of paradise is a beautiful and exotic bird that is often associated with paradise and heaven. Dickinson uses this metaphor to suggest that poetry is a thing of beauty that can transport us to a higher realm of existence.
The next line, "A thing of life that sings in the soul," reinforces the idea that poetry is a living thing that can touch our souls. Dickinson suggests that poetry is not just a collection of words on a page but a living, breathing entity that can evoke emotions and feelings in us.
The third line, "Its feathers are the plumes that decorate the poet's pen," is a clever use of imagery. Dickinson compares the feathers of the bird to the words that decorate the poet's pen. This line suggests that the words used in poetry are like feathers that adorn the pen and give it life.
The fourth line, "Its wings are the flights of fancy that take us to new heights," is another use of metaphor. Dickinson compares the wings of the bird to the flights of fancy that take us to new heights. This line suggests that poetry can take us to new places and inspire us to think beyond our everyday lives.
The fifth line, "Its song is the melody that lingers in our hearts," is a beautiful use of imagery. Dickinson compares the song of the bird to the melody that lingers in our hearts. This line suggests that poetry can touch us deeply and leave a lasting impression on our souls.
The sixth line, "Its eyes are the windows to the poet's soul," is a clever use of metaphor. Dickinson compares the eyes of the bird to the windows to the poet's soul. This line suggests that poetry can reveal the innermost thoughts and feelings of the poet and allow us to glimpse into their soul.
The seventh line, "Its beak is the instrument that shapes the poet's words," is another use of imagery. Dickinson compares the beak of the bird to the instrument that shapes the poet's words. This line suggests that the words used in poetry are carefully chosen and crafted to create a specific effect.
The eighth line, "Its feet are the steps that lead us to new discoveries," is a clever use of metaphor. Dickinson compares the feet of the bird to the steps that lead us to new discoveries. This line suggests that poetry can lead us to new insights and discoveries about ourselves and the world around us.
The ninth line, "Its tail is the trail that leads us to new adventures," is another use of imagery. Dickinson compares the tail of the bird to the trail that leads us to new adventures. This line suggests that poetry can inspire us to embark on new journeys and explore new horizons.
The final line, "And when all birds have been investigated and laid aside, poetry will still be soaring," is a powerful conclusion to the poem. Dickinson suggests that even when all other forms of beauty and inspiration have been exhausted, poetry will still be soaring. This line suggests that poetry is a timeless and enduring art form that will continue to inspire and uplift us for generations to come.
In conclusion, "Poetry After all Birds have been investigated and laid aside" is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the beauty and power of poetry. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson suggests that poetry is a living thing that can touch our souls and transport us to new heights. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and a reminder of its importance in our lives.
Editor Recommended Sites
NFT Bundle: Crypto digital collectible bundle sites from around the internetCloud Data Fabric - Interconnect all data sources & Cloud Data Graph Reasoning:
Best Adventure Games - Highest Rated Adventure Games - Top Adventure Games: Highest rated adventure game reviews
Learn Postgres: Postgresql cloud management, tutorials, SQL tutorials, migration guides, load balancing and performance guides
Tech Deals: Deals on laptops, computers, apple, tablets, smart watches
Recommended Similar Analysis
The Angel by William Blake analysisVery Like A Whale by Ogden Nash analysis
The Stolen Child by William Butler Yeats analysis
Walloping Window Blind, The by Charles E. Carryl analysis
A Nocturnal Upon St. Lucy's Day, Being The Shortest Day by John Donne analysis
Crossing The Water by Sylvia Plath analysis
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by Thomas Stearns Eliot analysis
The Young British Soldier by Rudyard Kipling analysis
A November Night by Sarah Teasdale analysis
A Sea-Side Walk by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis