'Where every bird is bold to go' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
1758
Where every bird is bold to go
And bees abashless play,
The foreigner before he knocks
Must thrust the tears away.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Boldness of Life: A Critique of Emily Dickinson's "Where every bird is bold to go"
Emily Dickinson once said, "If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry." Her own poetry was often described as enigmatic and difficult to interpret. Yet, her work remains a celebrated treasure in American literature, with countless interpretations and critiques.
One of her most intriguing works is "Where every bird is bold to go", a poem that captures the essence of life and the human experience. It speaks of courage, freedom, and the inherent boldness that resides in every living creature. In this critique, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, symbolism, and literary devices, to unravel the beauty and complexity of this masterpiece.
Context and Background
Before we dive into the poem, it is essential to understand the context and background of the poet herself. Emily Dickinson was born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, into a prominent family. She led a reclusive lifestyle, rarely venturing out of her house, and spent most of her time writing poetry. Her works were not published during her lifetime, and it was only after her death in 1886 that her poems were discovered and published.
"Where every bird is bold to go" was written sometime in the 1870s, during a period of intense creativity for Dickinson. It is one of her longer poems, with six stanzas and a total of twenty-four lines. The poem is characterized by its use of nature imagery and metaphors, which are typical of Dickinson's style of writing.
Interpretation
The poem begins with the line, "Where every bird is bold to go", which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "bold" immediately suggests courage and fearlessness, which are qualities associated with birds. The next line, "And bees abashless play", further emphasizes this idea of fearlessness. Bees are known for their industriousness and their willingness to defend their hive, even at the cost of their own lives. The use of the word "abashless" suggests that they are unafraid, which is a quality that humans can learn from.
The second stanza continues with the theme of boldness, with the lines, "The foreigner before he knocks / Must thrust the tears aside". This suggests that the foreigner must be brave enough to face rejection and disappointment, and not let it deter him from his goal. The use of the word "tears" suggests that rejection can be a painful experience, but it is necessary to endure it to achieve one's dreams. The line "And press the stubborn latch" adds to this idea of persistence and determination, which are essential qualities for success.
The third stanza introduces the idea of freedom, with the lines, "The traveller before he asks / Must know the cranny well". This suggests that the traveller must be intimately familiar with his surroundings, and understand the nuances of the environment. The use of the word "cranny" suggests that the traveller must be aware of every detail, and not take anything for granted. The next line, "For where the whistling swallow rests / No other dare intrude", further emphasizes the idea of freedom. The swallow is free to rest wherever it pleases, and no other bird can intrude on its space. This suggests that true freedom comes from being able to live life on one's own terms, without interference from others.
The fourth stanza continues with the theme of freedom, with the lines, "The brave householder - feeble brow - / To it is liberty". This suggests that even someone who is physically weak can experience freedom, simply by being brave enough to assert their independence. The use of the word "householder" suggests that this person is a homeowner, which further emphasizes the idea of independence. The line "Behind its fragrant walls / No clawing enemy", suggests that this person has created a safe and secure space for themselves, where they can be free from harm.
The fifth stanza introduces the idea of mortality, with the lines, "The rose is crowded by the thorn / And when the frosts are dim / The gentle sleep between the storms". This suggests that life is full of challenges and obstacles, which can make it difficult to enjoy its beauty. The use of the word "frosts" suggests that life can be cold and unforgiving, while the phrase "the storms" suggests that there are moments of turmoil and upheaval. The line "The gentle sleep" suggests that life is fleeting and temporary, and that we must make the most of the time we have.
The final stanza emphasizes the theme of mortality, with the line, "The dying amber on the roof / Is never quite decayed". This suggests that even in death, there is a lingering beauty that remains. The use of the word "amber" suggests that this beauty is preserved over time, and is not easily forgotten. The final line, "The lingering red / Becomes the morning star", suggests that even in death, there is the promise of a new day, and that life continues beyond the physical realm.
Literary Devices
The beauty of "Where every bird is bold to go" lies in its masterful use of literary devices. Dickinson employs a variety of techniques to convey her ideas, including metaphors, symbolism, and repetition.
Metaphors are used throughout the poem to compare different aspects of life to the natural world. For example, the line "The brave householder - feeble brow - / To it is liberty", compares the householder to a bird, suggesting that both are free to live life on their own terms.
Symbolism is also used extensively in the poem, particularly with regards to nature imagery. The bee, for example, is a symbol of industriousness and hard work, while the swallow represents freedom and independence. The rose and thorn are also used as symbols of the beauty and challenges of life, respectively.
Repetition is used in the poem to emphasize certain ideas and themes. For example, the word "bold" is repeated throughout the first stanza, to emphasize the idea of courage and fearlessness. The phrase "the dying" is also repeated in the final stanza, to emphasize the idea of mortality and the fleeting nature of life.
Conclusion
"Where every bird is bold to go" is a testament to the boldness and courage of life. Dickinson's use of nature imagery and literary devices creates a rich and complex tapestry of ideas, which speak to the human experience. The poem encourages us to be bold, to be free, and to embrace the beauty and challenges of life, even in the face of mortality. It is a timeless work that continues to inspire and captivate readers across generations.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Where every bird is bold to go: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson's poem "Where every bird is bold to go" is a beautiful and evocative piece of literature that explores the themes of freedom, nature, and the human spirit. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and language, and explore what makes it a classic of American poetry.
The poem begins with the line "Where every bird is bold to go," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "bold" suggests a sense of courage and daring, and the fact that every bird is willing to go there implies that this place is one of great importance or significance. The use of the word "where" also suggests that this place is not necessarily a physical location, but rather a state of being or a way of experiencing the world.
The second line of the poem, "And bees abashless play," reinforces this idea of a place where creatures are free to be themselves and express their natural instincts without fear or shame. The word "abashless" means without embarrassment or self-consciousness, and the fact that the bees are described as playing suggests a sense of joy and freedom.
The third line of the poem, "Where every breeze is as a lute," introduces the idea of music and harmony into the poem. The comparison of the breeze to a lute suggests that even the natural elements of this place are in tune with each other, creating a sense of unity and balance.
The fourth line of the poem, "And every gust a song," continues this theme of music and suggests that even the most powerful and chaotic forces of nature are part of the harmony of this place. The use of the word "song" also implies a sense of joy and celebration.
The fifth line of the poem, "Where whosoever hath is glad," introduces the idea of abundance and suggests that this place is one of plenty. The use of the word "whosoever" implies that anyone who comes to this place will be welcomed and included in its abundance.
The sixth line of the poem, "And whosoever wants is mad," introduces a note of ambiguity and suggests that this place may not be entirely safe or predictable. The use of the word "mad" implies a sense of irrationality or unpredictability, and suggests that those who come to this place may be taking a risk.
The seventh and final line of the poem, "Where nobody is ever sad," brings the poem to a close with a sense of optimism and hope. The idea that nobody is ever sad suggests that this place is one of perfect happiness and contentment, and that those who come to it will find peace and fulfillment.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of seven lines, each of which is relatively short and simple. The use of repetition, particularly in the first two lines, creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the idea of a place where creatures are free to be themselves and express their natural instincts without fear or shame.
The use of imagery throughout the poem is also notable. The comparison of the breeze to a lute and the gust to a song creates a sense of music and harmony, while the use of the word "abashless" to describe the bees reinforces the idea of a place where creatures are free to be themselves without fear of judgment or shame.
The use of the word "mad" in the sixth line is particularly interesting, as it introduces a note of ambiguity and suggests that this place may not be entirely safe or predictable. This ambiguity creates a sense of tension and uncertainty that adds depth and complexity to the poem.
Overall, "Where every bird is bold to go" is a beautiful and evocative poem that explores the themes of freedom, nature, and the human spirit. Its use of repetition, imagery, and ambiguity creates a sense of rhythm and depth that makes it a classic of American poetry. Whether read as a celebration of nature or a meditation on the human condition, this poem is sure to inspire and delight readers for generations to come.
Editor Recommended Sites
Realtime Data: Realtime data for streaming and processingMesh Ops: Operations for cloud mesh deploymentsin AWS and GCP
DFW Community: Dallas fort worth community event calendar. Events in the DFW metroplex for parents and finding friends
Code Commit - Cloud commit tools & IAC operations: Best practice around cloud code commit git ops
Knowledge Management Community: Learn how to manage your personal and business knowledge using tools like obsidian, freeplane, roam, org-mode
Recommended Similar Analysis
These are the days when Birds come back by Emily Dickinson analysisWork by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Quicksand Years by Walt Whitman analysis
Arms and the Boy by Wilfred Owen analysis
The Span Of Life by Robert Frost analysis
Marble Stairs Grievance by Li Po analysis
A Pact by Ezra Pound analysis
Give Me The Splendid, Silent Sun by Walt Whitman analysis
Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson analysis
To A Lady by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis