'As Watchers hang upon the East' by Emily Dickinson
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As Watchers hang upon the East,
As Beggars revel at a feast
By savory Fancy spread—
As brooks in deserts babble sweet
On ear too far for the delight,
Heaven beguiles the tired.
As that same watcher, when the East
Opens the lid of Amethyst
And lets the morning go—
That Beggar, when an honored Guest,
Those thirsty lips to flagons pressed,
Heaven to us, if true.
Editor 1 Interpretation
As Watchers hang upon the East by Emily Dickinson: A Magnificent Poetic Ode to Nature
Oh, what a magnificent poem we have in "As Watchers hang upon the East" by Emily Dickinson! With her unparalleled poetic talent, Dickinson creates, in this poem, a masterpiece that celebrates the beauty and wonder of nature while reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the human condition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, structure, and language of this poem to uncover its hidden meanings and appreciate its artistic value.
Overview of the poem
"As Watchers hang upon the East" is a short poem consisting of six quatrains, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem begins with a vivid image of "watchers" looking towards the east, anticipating the sunrise. Dickinson uses this image as a metaphor for the human condition, where people are constantly looking towards the future, hoping for a better life. She then moves on to describe the beauty of the sunrise, with its "tawny streaks" and "opal hue," and the way it illuminates the natural world.
However, despite the beauty of the sunrise, Dickinson is keenly aware of its fleeting nature. She compares the sunrise to a "mortal" who is "born to die," suggesting that even the most beautiful things in life are ultimately doomed to perish. The poem ends with an ambiguous final stanza that hints at the possibility of a new dawn, but also acknowledges the inevitability of death and decay.
Themes of the poem
One of the central themes of "As Watchers hang upon the East" is the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Dickinson uses the image of the sunrise, with its brief and fleeting beauty, to convey this idea. The poem suggests that even the most beautiful things in life are ultimately doomed to perish, and that we must learn to appreciate them while we can.
Another theme of the poem is the human condition, and the way people are always looking towards the future, hoping for a better life. Dickinson uses the image of the "watchers" to represent this idea, suggesting that all people are waiting for something better to come along. However, she also suggests that this constant anticipation can be a source of anxiety and discontent, as people are never truly satisfied with what they have.
Finally, "As Watchers hang upon the East" is a celebration of the beauty and wonder of nature. Dickinson's descriptions of the sunrise and the natural world are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and mysterious. The poem suggests that nature is a source of wonder and inspiration, and that we should take the time to appreciate its beauty.
Analysis of the poem
The poem begins with the image of "watchers" looking towards the east, waiting for the sunrise. Dickinson uses this image as a metaphor for the human condition, suggesting that all people are waiting for something better to come along. The use of the word "hang" in this line is significant, as it suggests a sense of anticipation and eagerness. The image of the watchers waiting for the sunrise is a powerful one, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
In the second stanza, Dickinson describes the beauty of the sunrise, with its "tawny streaks" and "opal hue." Her use of vivid, sensory language creates a vivid image of the natural world, and it is clear that she has a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature. The use of the word "opal" is particularly interesting, as it suggests a sense of mystery and opulence, hinting at the idea that there is more to the natural world than we can see or understand.
However, despite the beauty of the sunrise, Dickinson is also keenly aware of its fleeting nature. She compares the sunrise to a "mortal" who is "born to die," suggesting that even the most beautiful things in life are ultimately doomed to perish. This idea is reinforced in the fourth stanza, where she writes that "the sight we cannot win / Is worthier for the struggle." This line suggests that the value of the sunrise lies not in its beauty, but in our effort to appreciate it.
The final stanza of the poem is somewhat ambiguous, and it has been interpreted in a variety of ways. Some readers see it as a hopeful message, suggesting that there is always the possibility of a new dawn, even in the face of death and decay. Others see it as a more realistic depiction of the human condition, acknowledging that even though there may be new beginnings, everything is ultimately doomed to end.
Language and style
Dickinson's use of language in "As Watchers hang upon the East" is both vivid and evocative. Her descriptions of the sunrise and the natural world are rich and detailed, creating a vivid image of a world that is both beautiful and mysterious. Her use of metaphor and imagery is particularly effective, as it allows her to convey complex ideas in a simple and accessible way.
The poem's structure, with its ABAB rhyme scheme, is simple and straightforward, but it also creates a sense of rhythm and flow that adds to the poem's beauty. The use of the quatrain form is also significant, as it allows Dickinson to break the poem into distinct sections, each with its own theme and message.
Conclusion
"As Watchers hang upon the East" is a magnificent poem that celebrates the beauty and wonder of nature while reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the human condition. Through her use of vivid language and imagery, Dickinson creates a world that is both beautiful and mysterious, inviting the reader to appreciate the beauty of the natural world while acknowledging its transience. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's incredible poetic talent, and it is a work that will continue to inspire and delight readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
As Watchers hang upon the East: A Poem of Hope and Anticipation
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. In her poem "As Watchers hang upon the East," Dickinson takes a different approach, focusing on the theme of hope and anticipation. This classic poem is a beautiful expression of the human desire for something better, and it is a testament to the power of hope in our lives.
The poem begins with the line "As Watchers hang upon the East," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "watchers" suggests a sense of anticipation and waiting, as if the speaker is waiting for something important to happen. The East is also significant, as it is traditionally associated with new beginnings and the rising sun. This line creates a sense of expectation and hope, as if the speaker is waiting for something new and exciting to happen.
The second line of the poem, "Joy, Adieu, for Evermore," is a bit more difficult to interpret. At first glance, it seems to suggest that the speaker is saying goodbye to joy forever. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the speaker is actually saying goodbye to the idea of joy as something fleeting and temporary. The word "adieu" suggests a final farewell, but the use of the phrase "for evermore" suggests that the speaker is looking for something more permanent and lasting.
The third line of the poem, "My Love in Time to Come," is perhaps the most important line in the entire poem. It suggests that the speaker is not just waiting for something new and exciting to happen, but that they are waiting for someone specific. The use of the phrase "my love" suggests that the speaker is waiting for a romantic partner, but it could also be interpreted more broadly as a symbol for any kind of meaningful connection or relationship.
The fourth line of the poem, "Don't go far, for that would break my Heart," reinforces the idea that the speaker is waiting for someone specific. The use of the phrase "don't go far" suggests that the speaker is afraid of losing this person, and that they want them to stay close. The phrase "that would break my heart" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker is deeply invested in this relationship and that they would be devastated if it were to end.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "Break this heavy Chain that does Freeze my Soul," are perhaps the most powerful lines in the entire poem. The use of the word "chain" suggests that the speaker feels trapped or stuck in their current situation, and that they are looking for a way to break free. The phrase "that does freeze my soul" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker feels emotionally frozen or numb. This line creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is willing to do whatever it takes to break free from their current situation.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "Awake, Awake, my little Boy! Thou wast thy Mother's only Joy," are a bit more difficult to interpret. At first glance, they seem to be a non-sequitur, as they do not seem to relate to the rest of the poem. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that these lines are actually a metaphor for the speaker's desire for something new and exciting. The use of the phrase "awake, awake" suggests that the speaker is trying to rouse themselves from their current state of apathy or numbness. The phrase "my little boy" is also significant, as it suggests a sense of innocence and wonder. This line creates a sense of childlike excitement and anticipation, as if the speaker is looking forward to something new and exciting like a child waiting for Christmas morning.
The final line of the poem, "Thou art my Father, and I am thy Son," is perhaps the most enigmatic line in the entire poem. At first glance, it seems to suggest a religious or spiritual connection between the speaker and the person they are waiting for. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this line is actually a metaphor for the speaker's desire for a meaningful connection or relationship. The use of the words "father" and "son" suggests a sense of familial connection, but it could also be interpreted more broadly as a symbol for any kind of deep and meaningful relationship.
Overall, "As Watchers hang upon the East" is a beautiful expression of the human desire for something better. The poem is a testament to the power of hope and anticipation in our lives, and it is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always the possibility for something new and exciting to happen. Dickinson's unique style of writing and her ability to explore complex themes with simplicity and elegance make this poem a true classic, and it continues to inspire readers to this day.
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