'The Sun kept setting-setting-still' by Emily Dickinson
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The Sun kept setting-setting-still
No Hue of Afternoon-
Upon the Village I perceived
From House to House 'twas Noon-The Dusk kept dropping-dropping-still
No Dew upon the Grass-
But only on my Forehead stopped-
And wandered in my Face-My Feet kept drowsing-drowsing-still
My fingers were awake-
Yet why so little sound-Myself
Unto my Seeming-make?How well I knew the Light before-
I could see it now-
'Tis Dying-I am doing-but
I'm not afraid to know-
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Sun Kept Setting-Setting-Still: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned American poets of the 19th century, known for her unique style and themes. Her poem "The Sun Kept Setting-Setting-Still" is a prime example of her exceptional poetry. In this work, Dickinson employs her characteristic use of dashes and vivid imagery to convey her message about the passing of time and the inevitability of death.
The Setting Sun
The poem begins with the title, "The Sun Kept Setting-Setting-Still." The repetition of the word "setting" emphasizes the notion of movement and change. Dickinson uses this repetition to highlight the cyclical nature of time and the inevitability of the sunset. The "still" at the end of the title seems to contradict the word "setting," indicating a sense of paradox or ambiguity. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea of time standing still even as it continues to pass.
The first stanza begins with a description of the sun "painting" the landscape with its colors. Dickinson writes, "The Sun kept setting – setting – still / No hue of afternoon / Upon the village I perceived – / From house to house ’twas noon." The imagery is vivid, with the sun appearing to be painting the landscape with its colors. The contrast between the setting sun and the noonday light in the village is striking, suggesting a sense of disconnect or isolation.
The Passing of Time
The second stanza explores the theme of the passing of time. Dickinson writes, "The dusk kept dropping – drooping – still / No dew upon the grass / But only on my forehead stopped / And wandered in my face." The repetition of the word "still" once again emphasizes the sense of motionlessness even as time continues to pass. Dickinson's use of the words "dropping" and "drooping" creates a sense of heaviness and weariness, conveying the weight of time passing.
The image of the dew on the grass is a common symbol for the fleeting nature of life. Dickinson subverts this symbol by having the dew only on the speaker's forehead, suggesting that time is a personal experience that affects each individual differently. The dew "wander[ing] in [the speaker's] face" conveys a sense of intimacy and closeness, as if time is a living entity that is intimately connected to the speaker.
The Inevitability of Death
The final stanza of the poem explores the theme of death. Dickinson writes, "But when a little 'adieu' / He silent takes the sky / There is a beautiful, loud hush / In which it would be glory to die." The use of the word "adieu" suggests a final departure, as if the sun is saying goodbye before it sets completely. The idea of the sunset being "silent" emphasizes the sense of finality and inevitability.
The phrase "beautiful, loud hush" is paradoxical, suggesting a sense of glory or beauty in death. The use of the word "glory" is significant, as it suggests a sense of triumph or victory. This contradicts the common perception of death as a defeat or loss. The idea of a "loud hush" is also paradoxical, suggesting a sense of noise in silence. This emphasizes the sense of ambiguity and paradox that runs throughout the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "The Sun Kept Setting-Setting-Still" is a powerful exploration of the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Dickinson's use of repetition, vivid imagery, and paradoxical language creates a sense of ambiguity and mystery that invites further interpretation. The poem suggests that while time may be relentless and death may be inevitable, there is a sense of beauty and glory in both. Dickinson's unique style and themes continue to resonate with readers today, making her one of the most enduring poets of her time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Sun Kept Setting-Setting-Still: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound themes. One of her most famous poems is "The Sun Kept Setting-Setting-Still," which explores the concept of time and its impact on human life. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices to gain a deeper understanding of Dickinson's masterpiece.
The poem opens with the line, "The Sun kept setting-setting-still," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The repetition of the word "setting" emphasizes the idea of time passing, while the word "still" creates a sense of stagnation or immobility. This paradoxical statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the complex relationship between time and human existence.
The second stanza continues with the theme of time, as Dickinson writes, "No hue of afternoon/ Upon the village I perceived." Here, she describes the absence of color or vibrancy in the village, suggesting that time has drained the life out of it. The use of the word "perceived" implies that the speaker is actively searching for signs of life, but cannot find any. This creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, as if the speaker is the only one left in a world that has been consumed by time.
The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem: the speaker's own mortality. Dickinson writes, "It was not death, for I stood up,/ And all the dead lie down." This line suggests that the speaker is still alive, but aware of their own mortality. The image of the dead lying down emphasizes the finality of death, and the fact that it is an inevitable part of the human experience. This realization adds a sense of urgency to the poem, as the speaker becomes acutely aware of the limited time they have left.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of time, as Dickinson writes, "The noon was not the noon before,/ But only difference was." Here, she suggests that time has distorted the speaker's perception of reality, making it difficult to distinguish between past and present. The use of the word "difference" implies that time has created a rift between the speaker and the world around them, further emphasizing their isolation.
The fifth stanza introduces a new image: that of the "distant hills." Dickinson writes, "As if the feet were firm on neptune's/ Leading regions." This line suggests that the speaker is standing on a distant planet, looking out at the hills from a great distance. This image creates a sense of detachment from the world, as if the speaker is observing it from a removed perspective. This reinforces the idea of isolation and loneliness, as the speaker is unable to connect with the world around them.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, as Dickinson writes, "No notice gave she, but a change,/ No message, but a sigh." Here, she personifies time as a woman who is indifferent to the speaker's plight. The use of the word "sigh" suggests that time is lamenting the passing of another human life, but is powerless to stop it. This creates a sense of resignation and acceptance, as the speaker comes to terms with their own mortality and the inevitability of time.
In terms of structure, "The Sun Kept Setting-Setting-Still" is composed of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABCB, with the second and fourth lines rhyming. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which contrasts with the chaotic and unpredictable nature of time. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next, creates a sense of fluidity and movement, which reinforces the theme of time passing.
In terms of literary devices, Dickinson employs several techniques to convey the poem's meaning. The repetition of the word "setting" creates a sense of time passing, while the use of paradoxical statements, such as "setting-setting-still," creates a sense of ambiguity and complexity. The personification of time as a woman adds a sense of depth and emotion to the poem, while the use of imagery, such as the distant hills and the dead lying down, creates vivid and memorable images in the reader's mind.
In conclusion, "The Sun Kept Setting-Setting-Still" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex relationship between time and human existence. Through its use of repetition, paradox, personification, and imagery, Dickinson creates a vivid and memorable portrait of a world consumed by time. The poem's structure and literary devices reinforce its themes, creating a cohesive and impactful work of art. As one of Dickinson's most famous poems, "The Sun Kept Setting-Setting-Still" continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.
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