'I'm saying every day' by Emily Dickinson


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I'm saying every day
"If I should be a Queen, tomorrow"-
I'd do this way-
And so I deck, a little,If it be, I wake a Bourbon,
None on me, bend supercilious-
With "This was she-
Begged in the Market place-
Yesterday."Court is a stately place-
I've heard men say-
So I loop my apron, against the Majesty
With bright Pins of Buttercup-
That not too plain-
Rank-overtake me-And perch my Tongue
On Twigs of singing-rather high-
But this, might be my brief Term
To qualify-Put from my simple speech all plain word-
Take other accents, as such I heard
Though but for the Cricket-just,
And but for the Bee-
Not in all the Meadow-
One accost me-Better to be ready-
Than did next morn
Meet me in Aragon-
My old Gown-on-And the surprised Air
Rustics-wear-
Summoned-unexpectedly-
To Exeter-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"I'm saying every day" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson, a great American poet of the 19th century, wrote "I'm saying every day" as a reflection on daily life and the passing of time. With its simple yet powerful language, this poem has captured the hearts of many readers and has become one of Dickinson's most popular works. In this literary criticism, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of "I'm saying every day" and analyze its significance in the larger context of Dickinson's poetic legacy.

Background Information

Before delving into the poem, it is important to provide some background information about Emily Dickinson and her poetic style. Born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, Dickinson lived a reclusive life and rarely left her family's estate. Despite her isolation, she wrote over 1,800 poems, many of which were published posthumously. Her writing style is characterized by its unconventional punctuation, use of dashes, and erratic capitalization. Dickinson's poetry often explores themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition, and her unique writing style emphasizes the individuality and complexity of her ideas.

Themes

"I'm saying every day" is a poem about the passage of time and the routine of daily life. The speaker of the poem reflects on the monotony of their existence and the inevitability of change. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses repetition to emphasize the cyclical nature of daily life, highlighting the fact that each day is no different than the one before it. The poem also explores the themes of mortality and impermanence, suggesting that even though life may seem repetitive and mundane, it is fleeting and will eventually come to an end.

Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "I'm saying every day" is its vivid imagery. Dickinson uses concrete, sensory details to bring the poem to life, creating a vivid picture of the speaker's daily routine. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes the "Scarlet Tuft" of a bird as it flies by. This image is specific and tangible, creating a sense of immediacy and realism. Similarly, in the third stanza, the speaker describes the "buzzing fly" that interrupts their routine, adding an element of unpredictability to an otherwise mundane scene. These images serve to ground the poem in reality and create a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader.

Symbolism

In addition to its vivid imagery, "I'm saying every day" also contains several symbols that add depth and complexity to the poem. One of the most prominent symbols is that of the clock. Throughout the poem, the speaker references the "ticking clock" and the passage of time. This symbol serves to underscore the poem's themes of mortality and impermanence, suggesting that time is constantly ticking away and that life is fleeting. The clock also represents the monotony of daily life, emphasizing the repetitive nature of the speaker's existence.

Another important symbol in the poem is that of the bird. The "Scarlet Tuft" that the speaker sees in the first stanza represents the fleeting beauty of the natural world. The bird's bright colors and graceful flight serve as a contrast to the drudgery of the speaker's daily routine, emphasizing the beauty and wonder that can be found in the world around us.

Interpretation

Overall, "I'm saying every day" is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the monotony of daily life. Through its vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, the poem captures the complexity and beauty of the human experience. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the importance of finding meaning in the present moment.

One possible interpretation of the poem is that it serves as a reminder to appreciate the small things in life. Despite its repetitive nature, the speaker's routine is punctuated by moments of beauty and wonder, such as the sight of the bird or the buzzing fly. By drawing attention to these small moments, the poem suggests that even in the midst of monotony, there is beauty to be found.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it serves as a commentary on the human condition. The clock and the bird can be seen as metaphors for the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. The poem suggests that even though life may seem repetitive and mundane, it is ultimately finite and precious. By acknowledging the inevitability of change and the importance of living in the present moment, the poem encourages readers to savor every moment of their lives.

Conclusion

"I'm saying every day" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's poetic style. Through its vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, the poem explores the themes of time, routine, and impermanence. By drawing attention to the small moments of beauty and wonder that punctuate our lives, the poem encourages readers to appreciate the present moment and find meaning in even the most mundane aspects of daily life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Beauty and Complexity of Emily Dickinson's "I'm saying every day"

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "I'm saying every day," a short but powerful piece that explores the themes of mortality, faith, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will delve into the beauty and complexity of this classic poem, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The Poem

Before we begin our analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in full:

I'm saying every day "If I should be a Queen, tomorrow" I'd do this way — And so I deck, a little, If it be, I wake a Bourbon, None on me, bend supercilious — With "This was she Begged in the Marketplace!" Courtiers quaint, with frilled pockets, Cheeks as cooling as the cucumber, And tinted with vermilion, "Hang my lute upon the willow, So it sound not any more, Maunderings, 'tis useless pleasure, But I know the tears will come!"

This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by its brevity, ambiguity, and unconventional use of punctuation. At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but upon closer inspection, it reveals a wealth of meaning and complexity.

The Meaning

The poem begins with the speaker saying, "I'm saying every day / 'If I should be a Queen, tomorrow' / I'd do this way." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is essentially a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The speaker imagines herself as a queen, but instead of reveling in her power and glory, she chooses to "deck, a little," or adorn herself modestly. This suggests that the speaker is aware of the transience of life and is not interested in material possessions or worldly pleasures.

The next line, "If it be, I wake a Bourbon," is a reference to the Bourbon dynasty, which ruled France from the late 16th century until the French Revolution. This line can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible meaning is that the speaker is imagining herself as a queen of France, waking up in the palace of Versailles. However, the use of the word "Bourbon" also suggests a sense of nostalgia and longing for a bygone era, which reinforces the theme of the passage of time.

The following lines, "None on me, bend supercilious — / With 'This was she / Begged in the Marketplace!'" suggest that the speaker is aware of her own mortality and the fact that she will eventually be forgotten. The image of people in the marketplace talking about her in the past tense reinforces this idea and underscores the fleeting nature of life.

The next stanza introduces the image of courtiers, who are described as "quaint, with frilled pockets, / Cheeks as cooling as the cucumber, / And tinted with vermilion." This image is both vivid and surreal, and it suggests a sense of detachment from reality. The courtiers are not real people, but rather figments of the speaker's imagination, which reinforces the idea that the poem is a meditation on the nature of life and death.

The final lines of the poem, "Hang my lute upon the willow, / So it sound not any more, / Maunderings, 'tis useless pleasure, / But I know the tears will come!" suggest a sense of resignation and acceptance of the inevitability of death. The speaker is willing to give up her music, which is a source of pleasure and comfort, in order to prepare for her own death. However, she knows that the tears will come, suggesting that even though she is resigned to her fate, she still feels a sense of sadness and loss.

The Structure

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines, and follows an ABAB rhyme scheme. The use of rhyme gives the poem a musical quality and reinforces the theme of music and its importance in the speaker's life. The poem is also characterized by its unconventional use of punctuation, which adds to its ambiguity and complexity. For example, the use of a dash in the first line suggests a pause or interruption, which adds to the sense of uncertainty and impermanence.

The Literary Devices

Dickinson's poetry is known for its use of literary devices, and "I'm saying every day" is no exception. One of the most striking devices in the poem is the use of imagery, which creates vivid and surreal images that reinforce the theme of the passage of time. For example, the image of courtiers with frilled pockets and cheeks as cooling as the cucumber is both vivid and surreal, and it suggests a sense of detachment from reality.

Another important device in the poem is the use of repetition, which reinforces the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. The repetition of the phrase "I'm saying every day" suggests a sense of routine and repetition, which underscores the idea that life is fleeting and repetitive.

Finally, the poem is characterized by its use of ambiguity and uncertainty, which adds to its complexity and depth. For example, the use of the word "Bourbon" can be interpreted in a number of ways, and the image of courtiers with frilled pockets and tinted cheeks is both vivid and surreal. This ambiguity reinforces the idea that life is uncertain and unpredictable, and that death is inevitable.

Conclusion

"I'm saying every day" is a classic poem that explores the themes of mortality, faith, and the passage of time. Through its use of vivid imagery, repetition, and ambiguity, the poem creates a powerful meditation on the nature of life and death. Dickinson's unique style, characterized by its brevity, ambiguity, and unconventional use of punctuation, adds to the poem's complexity and depth. Overall, "I'm saying every day" is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

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