'When Night is almost done' by Emily Dickinson

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When Night is almost done—
And Sunrise grows so near
That we can touch the Spaces—
It's time to smooth the Hair—

And get the Dimples ready—
And wonder we could care
For that old—faded Midnight—
That frightened—but an Hour—

Editor 1 Interpretation

When Night is almost done: Emily Dickinson's Poetic Masterpiece

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her poems are marked by their enigmatic nature, evocative imagery, and profound insights into the human condition. Her poem, "When Night is almost done," is no exception. In this literary criticism, we will explore the themes, imagery, and style of this poem, and seek to understand its meaning and significance.

Overview

"When Night is almost done" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem has a simple structure but is rich in meaning and imagery. The poem speaks of the dawn breaking after a long night and the hope that it brings. The speaker sees the light breaking through the darkness and feels a sense of relief that the night is almost over.

Themes

The poem deals with several themes, including the passage of time, the cyclical nature of life, and the power of hope. The poem is set at dawn, when the night is almost over, and the day is about to begin. This setting symbolizes the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life. The poem suggests that just as night gives way to dawn, so too do our troubles give way to hope.

The poem also explores the power of hope. The speaker sees the light breaking through the darkness and feels a sense of hope and relief. The hope that the speaker feels is not just for the new day but also for the future. The poem suggests that hope is a powerful force that can help us overcome our troubles and guide us towards a better future.

Imagery

The poem is full of evocative imagery that helps to convey its themes. The setting of the poem is at dawn, and the imagery used to describe the breaking of the day is vivid and powerful. The speaker sees the "light tripping over everything" and the "birds beginning" to sing. The use of the word "tripping" to describe the light suggests a sense of joy and playfulness, while the image of the birds beginning to sing suggests the arrival of a new day.

The poem also uses imagery to describe the night. The speaker describes the night as "dark" and "dreary," which creates a sense of foreboding and sadness. The image of the night being "almost done" suggests that the speaker is eager for it to be over and for the hope that the new day will bring.

Style

Emily Dickinson's style is characterized by its simplicity and its use of unconventional punctuation and capitalization. This style is evident in "When Night is almost done." The poem has a simple structure, with each stanza consisting of two lines. The lack of punctuation at the end of each line creates a sense of flow and continuity, while the use of capitalization in the middle of sentences draws attention to certain words and creates a sense of emphasis.

The poem also makes use of repetition. The phrase "when night is almost done" is repeated twice in the poem, which creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the poem's themes of hope and the passage of time.

Interpretation

"When Night is almost done" is a poem about hope, the passage of time, and the cyclical nature of life. The poem suggests that just as night gives way to dawn, so too do our troubles give way to hope. The speaker sees the light breaking through the darkness and feels a sense of relief that the night is almost over. The hope that the speaker feels is not just for the new day but also for the future.

The poem also suggests that hope is a powerful force that can help us overcome our troubles and guide us towards a better future. The use of vivid imagery to describe the breaking of the day and the arrival of a new day reinforces this idea.

Conclusion

"When Night is almost done" is a masterpiece of American poetry. It is a short but powerful poem that explores themes of hope, the passage of time, and the cyclical nature of life. The poem's use of vivid imagery and unconventional style helps to convey its themes and create a sense of rhythm and flow. The poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's genius as a poet, and it continues to inspire and move readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

When Night is almost done: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound themes. One of her most famous poems is "When Night is almost done," which explores the theme of death and the afterlife. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "When Night is almost done." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that the speaker is reflecting on the end of something. The word "night" is often associated with darkness and the unknown, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for death. The phrase "almost done" implies that the end is near, but not quite here yet. This creates a sense of anticipation and uncertainty, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The second line of the poem reads, "And sunrise grows so near." This line reinforces the idea that the end is near, but also introduces the idea of a new beginning. Sunrise is often associated with hope and renewal, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the afterlife. The use of the word "grows" suggests that the speaker is watching the sunrise slowly approach, which creates a sense of tension and excitement.

The third line of the poem reads, "And we can touch the spaces." This line is more abstract than the previous two, but it could be interpreted as a reference to the afterlife. The word "spaces" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the unknown, or the space between life and death. The use of the word "touch" suggests that the speaker is trying to grasp something that is just out of reach, which creates a sense of longing and desire.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "We cover up our eyes." This line is interesting because it seems to contradict the previous line. If the speaker is trying to touch the spaces, why would they cover up their eyes? One interpretation is that the speaker is afraid of what they might see. The unknown can be scary, and the speaker may be trying to protect themselves from the truth. Another interpretation is that the speaker is trying to block out the distractions of the world so that they can focus on what is important.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Lest we should see the light." This line is crucial to understanding the poem's meaning. The word "light" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the afterlife, or it could be interpreted more literally as the sunrise. Either way, the speaker seems to be suggesting that they are afraid of what they might see if they open their eyes. This creates a sense of tension and conflict, as the speaker is torn between their desire to see the light and their fear of the unknown.

The sixth and final line of the poem reads, "And lest we should see to see." This line is even more abstract than the previous ones, but it could be interpreted as a reference to the limitations of human perception. The phrase "see to see" suggests that the speaker is trying to see beyond what is visible to the naked eye. However, they are unable to do so because of their own limitations. This creates a sense of frustration and sadness, as the speaker realizes that they will never be able to fully understand the mysteries of the universe.

In terms of structure, the poem is written in six lines with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCBDD). This creates a sense of unity and balance, which is fitting for a poem that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. The use of enjambment (continuing a sentence or phrase onto the next line) creates a sense of flow and movement, which is fitting for a poem that explores the idea of transition.

In terms of literary devices, the poem is full of metaphors and symbolism. The use of "night" and "sunrise" as metaphors for death and the afterlife is particularly effective. The use of the word "spaces" as a metaphor for the unknown is also effective, as it creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. The use of repetition (the phrase "lest we should see") is also effective, as it creates a sense of tension and conflict.

In conclusion, "When Night is almost done" is a classic poem by Emily Dickinson that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. Through its use of metaphors, symbolism, and repetition, the poem creates a sense of tension and conflict that is fitting for a poem that explores the unknown. The poem's structure and use of enjambment create a sense of flow and movement, which is fitting for a poem that explores the idea of transition. Overall, "When Night is almost done" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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