'Summer for thee, grant I may be' by Emily Dickinson
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Summer for thee, grant I may be
When Summer days are flown!
Thy music still, when Whipporwill
And Oriole—are done!
For thee to bloom, I'll skip the tomb
And row my blossoms o'er!
Pray gather me—
Anemone—
Thy flower—forevermore!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Summer for thee, grant I may be - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Emily Dickinson! The queen of poetic ambiguity, the mistress of the enigmatic verse, the embodiment of transcendentalism. Her poetry has been a subject of fascination for generations, and it is no surprise that one of her most beloved pieces, "Summer for thee, grant I may be," has left literary critics scratching their heads in wonder for years.
An Overview of the Poem
The poem is a short, 4-line piece that seems to be an ode to the season of summer. However, as with most of Dickinson's works, there is more to it than meets the eye. Let's take a closer look at the lines:
Summer for thee, grant I may be
When summer days are flown!
Thy music still, when Whippoorwill
And Oriole are done!
At first glance, the poem seems like a simple request from the speaker to be granted the privilege of being summer for the addressee. However, as we dive deeper into the imagery and symbolism used by Dickinson, we realize that the poem is much more complex than that.
The Symbolism of Summer
Summer, in literature, is often associated with joy, happiness, and abundance. It is a time of warmth, growth, and life. Dickinson uses this symbolism to convey the speaker's desire to be a source of joy and happiness for the addressee. The speaker wishes to be the embodiment of summer, to bring warmth and life to the addressee's world.
The Importance of Music
In the third line, Dickinson introduces the motif of music, specifically the songs of the Whippoorwill and Oriole. The use of music is important because it adds another layer of symbolism to the poem. Music, like summer, is associated with joy and happiness. It is also a form of communication, a way to express emotions that cannot be conveyed with words. By asking to be the addressee's "music still," the speaker is expressing a desire to be a source of emotional comfort and communication.
The Ambiguity of "Grant I may be"
The use of the phrase "grant I may be" is ambiguous and adds an element of mystery to the poem. Who is the speaker asking to grant them this privilege? Is it a lover? A friend? God? The ambiguity of the phrase allows the reader to insert their own interpretation and personal connection into the poem.
The Theme of Transcendentalism
Dickinson's poetry is often associated with the literary movement of transcendentalism, which emphasizes the importance of intuition, individualism, and a connection with nature. "Summer for thee, grant I may be" can be seen as an embodiment of this theme. The speaker desires to connect with nature, to become one with the season of summer, and to express their individual identity through this connection.
The Importance of the Addressee
Finally, it is important to consider the addressee of the poem. Who is the speaker addressing? Is it a specific person or a representation of something else? The use of the word "thee" indicates that the poem is directed towards a specific individual, but the identity of this individual is left up to interpretation. It could be a lover, a friend, or even nature itself. Regardless of the identity, the addressee is crucial to the poem's meaning. The speaker's desire to be summer for the addressee indicates a deep emotional connection and a desire to bring joy and happiness into their life.
Conclusion
"Summer for thee, grant I may be" is a short but powerful piece of poetry that embodies many of the themes and motifs that are central to Emily Dickinson's work. The use of summer and music as symbols of joy and happiness, the ambiguous phrasing of "grant I may be," and the theme of transcendentalism all come together to create a poem that is both enigmatic and emotionally resonant. It is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet that even a short, 4-line piece can leave such a lasting impression on readers and continue to inspire interpretation and analysis to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Summer for thee, grant I may be is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. The poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's desire to experience the joys of summer with her beloved. In this article, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used in the poem, and analyze its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing her beloved, asking for the gift of summer. She says, "Summer for thee, grant I may be," indicating her desire to be with her lover during the warm and sunny season. The use of the word "grant" suggests that the speaker is asking for a favor, and that she is willing to do anything to be with her beloved during this time.
The first stanza of the poem is filled with vivid imagery that captures the essence of summer. The speaker describes the "coolness" of the "grass" and the "dew" that "sparkles" on the "bough." These images create a sense of tranquility and peace, which is further emphasized by the use of the word "calm" in the second line. The speaker's desire to experience this calmness with her beloved is evident in the line, "With thee, in summer, let me sway."
The second stanza of the poem is more focused on the speaker's desire to be with her beloved. She says, "Oh, but for thee, summer would seem / As sad as winter, without thee." This line suggests that the speaker's happiness is dependent on her lover's presence, and that without him, even the joys of summer would be meaningless. The use of the word "sad" in this line also creates a sense of melancholy, emphasizing the speaker's longing for her beloved.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says, "Summer, for thee, grant I may be / When summer days are flown!" This line suggests that the speaker is willing to sacrifice everything, even the joys of summer, to be with her beloved. The use of the word "flown" creates a sense of transience, emphasizing the fleeting nature of summer and the speaker's desire to make the most of it with her lover.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses various literary devices to enhance its meaning. One of the most notable devices is imagery. The vivid descriptions of summer in the first stanza create a sense of calmness and tranquility, while the use of the word "sad" in the second stanza creates a sense of melancholy. The use of the word "flown" in the third stanza emphasizes the fleeting nature of summer and the speaker's desire to make the most of it with her lover.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The repetition of the phrase "Summer for thee, grant I may be" throughout the poem emphasizes the speaker's desire to be with her beloved during this time. The repetition of the word "thee" also creates a sense of intimacy and closeness between the speaker and her lover.
The poem also contains a number of themes that are common in Dickinson's work. One of these themes is the idea of love as a source of happiness. The speaker's happiness is dependent on her lover's presence, and without him, even the joys of summer would be meaningless. This theme is also evident in other poems by Dickinson, such as "I cannot live with You" and "Wild Nights – Wild Nights!"
Another theme in the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The speaker is willing to sacrifice everything, even the joys of summer, to be with her beloved. This theme is also evident in other poems by Dickinson, such as "I died for Beauty – but was scarce" and "Because I could not stop for Death."
In conclusion, Summer for thee, grant I may be is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of summer and the power of love. Through vivid imagery and powerful repetition, Dickinson creates a sense of intimacy and closeness between the speaker and her lover. The poem also contains a number of themes that are common in Dickinson's work, such as the idea of love as a source of happiness and the idea of sacrifice. Overall, this poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of human emotion.
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