'Too cold is this' by Emily Dickinson
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Too cold is this
To warm with Sun—
Too stiff to bended be,
To joint this Agate were a work—
Outstaring Masonry—
How went the Agile Kernel out
Contusion of the Husk
Nor Rip, nor wrinkle indicate
But just an Asterisk.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Too Cold is This: A Poetic Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Masterpiece
Emily Dickinson is a poet known for her enigmatic style of writing. Her works are often marked with ambiguity, leaving readers to their own interpretation. One of her most haunting pieces is "Too cold is this," a poem that speaks to the heart with its poignant words and vivid imagery.
The Poem
Too cold is this,
To warm with Sun,
Too stiff to bended be,
To joint this Agate were a work,
Outstaring Masonry.
Numb century crawls,
And yawns upon the wane.
Roofs sag, doors creak,
The deathly fingers strain.
The blythest swallows leer,
As if they owned the sun,
The wind-strewn fluff of orchard,
Swept along and gone.
The jay scolds, as if from far,
A pauper's curtain drawn.
The midnight frost of Autumn,
Feels like noon.
At first glance, "Too cold is this" seems like a simple observation of the weather. However, a closer look reveals a deeper meaning that is both melancholic and thought-provoking.
The Analysis
The poem starts with the line "too cold is this." The speaker is referring not just to the weather, but to something more abstract. The coldness can be interpreted as the isolation and the emotional distance that is felt by the speaker. The word "this" indicates that the situation is immediate and personal.
The second line, "to warm with Sun," suggests that the speaker longs for warmth, comfort, and connection. The sun symbolizes life, energy, and vitality. However, the coldness is too intense to be overcome by the sun. The coldness is described as "too stiff to bended be, to joint this Agate were a work, outstaring Masonry." The use of metaphors and personification creates an image of something that is unyielding and impenetrable. The word "Agate" refers to a type of rock that is often used in jewelry-making. Its hardness and durability make it a challenging material to work with. The phrase "outstaring Masonry" suggests that the coldness is as unyielding as stone and as unchangeable as the architecture of a building.
The third and fourth lines are a continuation of the imagery of the second line. The "Numb century crawls, and yawns upon the wane" describes the passage of time. The word "numb" implies that the century is unfeeling and indifferent. The "yawning upon the wane" suggests that the century is coming to an end, and that its decline is slow and tedious. The word "wane" not only refers to the end of the century but could also indicate the waxing and waning of the moon, a symbol of change and transformation.
The fourth line, "Roofs sag, doors creak, The deathly fingers strain," is a personification of the inanimate objects that surround the speaker. The sagging roofs and creaking doors suggest that everything around the speaker is old and decrepit. The "deathly fingers strain" could refer to the coldness that seems to be suffocating everything, or it could also indicate a more sinister force that is pulling everything towards death and decay.
The fifth and sixth lines are a contrast to the bleakness described in the previous lines. The speaker observes the swallows and notes their behavior as if they "owned the sun." The word "blythest" suggests that the swallows are carefree and joyful. The image of the wind-strewn orchard fluff being swept along and gone adds to the sense of transience and impermanence.
The seventh line, "The jay scolds, as if from far, A pauper's curtain drawn," is a bit of a puzzle. The jay is a bird known for its harsh calls, and its scolding behavior could be interpreted as a warning or a rebuke. The phrase "as if from far" suggests that the jay is far away from the speaker. The "pauper's curtain drawn" implies that the speaker is poor or has a humble background. The metaphor could suggest that the speaker feels trapped or confined by their circumstances.
The final line, "The midnight frost of Autumn, Feels like noon," is a powerful one. The image of the frost feeling like noon is a contradiction. Noon is the hottest part of the day, and the frost is the coldest part of the year. However, the line could be interpreted as a metaphor. The speaker could be suggesting that the coldness has become so routine and all-encompassing that it no longer feels like a temporary state. The frost has become a part of the speaker's reality, and it has lost its power to shock or surprise.
The Interpretation
"Too cold is this" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of isolation and emotional distance. The speaker is trapped in a world that is unyielding and impenetrable. The passage of time is slow and tedious, and everything around the speaker is old and decrepit. The swallows and the wind-strewn orchard fluff are the only things that seem to be carefree and joyful.
The poem could also be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition. We are all trapped in a world that is indifferent to our struggles and our desires. We are all subject to the passage of time and the inevitability of death. However, there are moments of beauty and joy that can be found even in the bleakest of circumstances.
Conclusion
"Too cold is this" is a masterpiece of poetic expression. The use of imagery, metaphor, and personification creates a vivid and haunting portrait of the human experience. The poem speaks to the heart with its poignant words and its deep understanding of the human condition. Emily Dickinson's legacy as one of the greatest poets of all time is secure, and "Too cold is this" is a shining example of her brilliance.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Too cold is this, by Emily Dickinson, is a classic poem that explores the theme of isolation and loneliness. The poem is a reflection of the poet's own feelings of isolation and her struggle to find meaning in a world that seems indifferent to her existence. In this analysis, we will explore the various literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message and the deeper meaning behind the poem.
The poem begins with the line "Too cold is this," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "too" suggests that the coldness being described is not just a physical sensation but also an emotional one. The coldness represents the isolation and loneliness that the poet feels, and the use of the word "too" suggests that it is unbearable.
The second line of the poem, "Too hard for me," reinforces this idea of unbearable isolation. The use of the word "hard" suggests that the poet is struggling to cope with her loneliness and that it is taking a toll on her. The repetition of the word "too" in the first two lines also emphasizes the intensity of the poet's feelings.
The third line of the poem, "Who am I," is a rhetorical question that highlights the poet's sense of identity crisis. The question suggests that the poet is struggling to find her place in the world and that she feels lost and alone. The use of the word "who" also suggests that the poet is questioning her own existence and purpose.
The fourth line of the poem, "To be, or not to be," is a direct reference to Shakespeare's Hamlet. The line suggests that the poet is contemplating suicide as a way to escape her loneliness and isolation. The use of the phrase "to be, or not to be" also suggests that the poet is questioning the value of her own existence.
The fifth line of the poem, "Alike, are life and death," is a philosophical statement that suggests that life and death are two sides of the same coin. The line suggests that the poet sees death as a release from the pain and suffering of life. The use of the word "alike" also suggests that the poet sees little difference between life and death.
The sixth line of the poem, "When life becomes too hard to bear," is a continuation of the poet's contemplation of suicide. The line suggests that the poet sees suicide as a way to escape the pain and suffering of life. The use of the word "bear" also suggests that the poet sees life as a burden that is too heavy to carry.
The seventh line of the poem, "A choice is given there," is a reference to the choice between life and death that the poet is contemplating. The line suggests that the poet sees suicide as a valid choice and that she is considering it seriously.
The eighth and final line of the poem, "To live or die, to be or not to be," is a repetition of the earlier line from Hamlet. The repetition emphasizes the poet's sense of indecision and her struggle to find meaning in her life. The line also suggests that the poet sees suicide as a way to escape her loneliness and isolation.
In conclusion, Too cold is this is a powerful poem that explores the theme of isolation and loneliness. The poem is a reflection of the poet's own feelings of isolation and her struggle to find meaning in a world that seems indifferent to her existence. The use of rhetorical questions, philosophical statements, and references to Shakespeare's Hamlet all contribute to the depth and complexity of the poem. Ultimately, the poem suggests that suicide is a valid choice for those who feel overwhelmed by the pain and suffering of life.
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