'If you were coming in the Fall' by Emily Dickinson
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If you were coming in the Fall,
I'd brush the Summer by
With half a smile, and half a spurn,
As Housewives do, a Fly.If I could see you in a year,
I'd wind the months in balls-
And put them each in separate Drawers,
For fear the numbers fuse-If only Centuries, delayed,
I'd count them on my Hand,
Subtracting, till my fingers dropped
Into Van Dieman's Land.If certain, when this life was out-
That yours and mine, should be
I'd toss it yonder, like a Rind,
And take Eternity-But, now, uncertain of the length
Of this, that is between,
It goads me, like the Goblin Bee-
That will not state-its sting.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"If you were coming in the Fall" by Emily Dickinson: A Masterpiece of Love Poetry
The work of Emily Dickinson is a treasure trove of complex and layered poetry that explores the depths of the human experience. Among her many masterpieces, "If you were coming in the Fall" stands out as a stunning example of love poetry that captures the longing, the uncertainty, and the hope that comes with waiting for someone dear. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and language used by Dickinson to create a timeless piece of art that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever loved and waited.
The Poem: A Brief Overview
Before we dive into the analysis, let's first take a look at the poem itself. "If you were coming in the Fall" is a short lyric poem composed of three stanzas, each with four lines. Here is the full text:
If you were coming in the Fall,
I'd brush the Summer by
With half a smile, and half a spurn,
As Housewives do, a Fly.
If I could see you in a year,
I'd wind the months in balls—
And put them each in separate Drawers,
For fear the numbers fuse—
If only Centuries, delayed,
I'd count them on my Hand,
Subtracting, till my fingers dropped
Into Van Dieman's Land,
If certain, when this life was out—
That yours and mine, should be
I'd toss it yonder, like a Rind,
And take Eternity—
But, now, uncertain of the length
Of this, that is between,
It goads me, like the Goblin Bee—
That will not state—its sting.
At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward: a speaker is expressing their longing for someone to come back, and the uncertainty and frustration that comes with waiting. However, as we will see, there is much more going on beneath the surface.
The Themes: Love, Time, and Uncertainty
One of the most striking themes of "If you were coming in the Fall" is love, specifically the kind of intense, all-consuming love that can make waiting for someone feel like an eternity. The speaker's longing for the absent beloved is palpable in every line, from the opening invitation of the first stanza ("If you were coming in the Fall") to the final image of the "Goblin Bee" that "goads" the speaker with its sting. This is a love that knows no bounds, that transcends time and distance, that can make even the prospect of eternity seem bearable if it means being reunited with the beloved.
At the same time, however, the poem is also about time and uncertainty. Dickinson brilliantly captures the feeling of waiting for someone without knowing when or if they will come back. The speaker imagines different scenarios - a fall arrival, a year's absence, even centuries - and tries to make sense of them by measuring time in different ways, from "brushing the Summer by" to "counting on my Hand." Yet, no matter how hard they try, they cannot escape the uncertainty that gnaws at them like a "Goblin Bee." This is a love that is both powerful and fragile, that can withstand the test of time but cannot escape its grasp.
The Symbols: Seasons, Drawers, and Van Dieman's Land
Like many of Dickinson's poems, "If you were coming in the Fall" is rich in symbolism that adds depth and resonance to the themes. One of the most prominent symbols is that of the seasons, which the speaker uses to mark the passage of time and the changing moods of love. The arrival of the beloved in the fall would "brush the Summer by" and signal a new beginning, while the absence of the beloved would make the speaker "wind the months in balls" and separate them into "Drawers" like a housewife. The changing seasons also reflect the changing emotions of the speaker, from the hopeful anticipation of fall to the bleak uncertainty of winter.
Another powerful symbol in the poem is that of Van Dieman's Land, a remote and mysterious island off the coast of Australia that was known for its harsh climate and penal colony. The speaker uses this symbol to convey the desperation and isolation they feel in the absence of the beloved. The idea of counting centuries on their hand and then subtracting them until their fingers drop into Van Dieman's Land is a vivid image that captures the speaker's sense of being lost and adrift in time.
The Language: Metaphors, Allusions, and Personification
Finally, we come to the language of the poem, which is perhaps the most striking and memorable aspect of Dickinson's work. From the opening line, with its conditional "If you were coming in the Fall," to the final image of the "Goblin Bee," Dickinson's use of metaphor, allusion, and personification elevates the poem to a level of artistry that few poets can match.
One of the most powerful metaphors in the poem is that of the "Housewives" who "brush the Summer by" and "spurn" flies like the speaker would spurn the passing of time if it meant being reunited with the beloved. This metaphor not only captures the domestic and mundane aspects of waiting, but also suggests a kind of defiance and determination that is necessary to endure the uncertainty of love.
The allusions to Van Dieman's Land and Eternity also add depth and resonance to the poem by tapping into cultural and historical references that would have been familiar to Dickinson's readers. The mention of Eternity in particular echoes the religious and philosophical beliefs of the time and suggests a kind of spiritual transcendence that love can bring.
Finally, Dickinson's use of personification, particularly in the image of the "Goblin Bee," creates a sense of unease and menace that perfectly captures the uncertainty and anxiety of waiting for someone. The bee is not just a metaphor for time or fate, but a living, breathing creature that can sting and torment the speaker with its unpredictable movements.
Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Love Poetry
In conclusion, "If you were coming in the Fall" is a masterpiece of love poetry that explores the themes of love, time, and uncertainty with depth and complexity. Through the use of symbolism, language, and metaphor, Emily Dickinson creates a poem that is both intensely personal and universally relatable. Whether we have waited for someone we love or not, we can all feel the power and beauty of Dickinson's words and the depth of emotion they convey. In this way, "If you were coming in the Fall" transcends its historical and cultural context to become a timeless work of art that speaks to the heart of human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
If you were coming in the Fall, by Emily Dickinson, is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for decades. This poem is a beautiful expression of love and longing, and it captures the essence of the human experience in a way that is both profound and relatable.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a hypothetical person who may be coming to visit in the fall. The speaker expresses their excitement at the prospect of this person's arrival, and they describe the preparations that they have made in anticipation of their visit. The speaker says that they have "brushed the Summer by" and "barred the Windows and the Doors" in order to make their home ready for their guest.
The imagery in this opening stanza is rich and evocative. The idea of "brushing the Summer by" suggests that the speaker has put aside all of the distractions and pleasures of the season in order to focus on the arrival of their guest. The act of "barring the Windows and the Doors" creates a sense of intimacy and privacy, as if the speaker is preparing a sanctuary for their beloved.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the emotions that they are experiencing as they wait for their guest to arrive. They say that they are "nervous" and "shy" and that they are "glad the Curtain on the Porch is numb." This line is particularly interesting because it suggests that the speaker is afraid of revealing their true emotions to their guest. The "numb" curtain acts as a barrier between the speaker and the outside world, allowing them to hide their vulnerability and maintain a sense of control.
The third stanza is perhaps the most poignant in the entire poem. The speaker says that they are "not sure of the House" and that they are "not sure it is not a Dream." This line captures the uncertainty and anxiety that often accompanies love and longing. The speaker is so consumed by their desire for their guest that they are unsure of what is real and what is imagined. The line "And it may be we passed the Time / When the Days were lonesome" suggests that the speaker has been waiting for their guest for a long time, and that their absence has left them feeling lonely and disconnected from the world.
The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of hope and optimism. The speaker says that they will "gladly take [their] share of the Summer's warmth" and that they will "linger round the House." This line suggests that the speaker is willing to embrace the present moment and enjoy the simple pleasures of life, even if their guest does not arrive. The final line of the poem, "If You were coming in the Fall, / I'd brush the Summer by," is a powerful statement of love and devotion. The speaker is willing to put aside everything else in their life in order to make room for their beloved.
Overall, If you were coming in the Fall is a beautiful and deeply moving poem that captures the essence of human longing and desire. Emily Dickinson's use of imagery and language is masterful, and her ability to convey complex emotions in a few short lines is truly remarkable. This poem is a testament to the power of love and the human spirit, and it will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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