'The farthest Thunder that I heard' by Emily Dickinson
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The farthest Thunder that I heard
Was nearer than the Sky
And rumbles still, though torrid Noons
Have lain their missiles by—
The Lightning that preceded it
Struck no one but myself—
But I would not exchange the Bolt
For all the rest of Life—
Indebtedness to Oxygen
The Happy may repay,
But not the obligation
To Electricity—
It founds the Homes and decks the Days
And every clamor bright
Is but the gleam concomitant
Of that waylaying Light—
The Thought is quiet as a Flake—
A Crash without a Sound,
How Life's reverberation
Its Explanation found—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Farthest Thunder That I Heard: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest poets of all times, wrote a plethora of masterpieces that have been celebrated and studied for generations. Among her many works, "The farthest Thunder That I Heard" stands out as a testament to her brilliance and her ability to convey complex emotions in a few lines. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the poem's themes, its structure, and its language, to understand its meaning and its significance in the world of poetry.
A Summary of the Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let us first read the poem and get a sense of its content and its tone:
The farthest Thunder that I heard
Was nearer than the Sky
And rumbles still, though torrid Noons
Have lain their missiles by,
The Lightning that preceded it
Struck no one but myself,
But I would not exchange the Bolt
For all the rest of Life.
Indebtedness to Oxygen
The Happy may repay,
But not the obligation
To Electricity.
It founds the Homes and decks the Days,
And every clamor bright
Is but the gleam concomitant
Of that waylaying Light.
The thought is quiet as a Flake,
A Crash without a sound;
How Life's reverberation
Its Explanation found.
The poem begins with the speaker recalling the farthest thunder that she has ever heard, which was "nearer than the Sky." She notes that even though it has been a while since she heard it, it still rumbles in her memory, even though "torrid Noons have lain their missiles by." She then goes on to describe the lightning that preceded the thunder, which struck no one but herself, and yet she wouldn't exchange the experience for "all the rest of Life."
The speaker then muses on the indebtedness of humans to oxygen, which we can repay by being happy, but we cannot repay our obligation to electricity. She notes that electricity founds homes and decks our days, and every bright sound is a concomitant of that waylaying light. Finally, she concludes the poem by saying that the thought of the farthest thunder is quiet as a flake, and yet it reverberates through life and finds its explanation.
The Themes of the Poem
Now that we have a general sense of the poem's content, let us explore some of its themes. One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the sublime and the awe-inspiring power of nature. The speaker is clearly mesmerized by the farthest thunder that she has ever heard, and she describes it as being "nearer than the Sky." This description not only highlights the thunder's colossal scale, but it also suggests that the speaker feels a sense of oneness with the natural world. She is not merely a passive observer of the thunder but rather a participant in its power.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of indebtedness and obligation. The speaker notes that we can repay our debt to oxygen by being happy, but we cannot repay our obligation to electricity. This distinction suggests that we are more indebted to certain forces in the world than to others, and that some debts cannot be repaid. The notion of obligation also suggests that we are not merely passive recipients of the forces of nature but rather active participants in them.
Finally, the poem touches on the idea of the interconnectivity of all things. The speaker notes that electricity founds homes and decks our days, and every bright sound is a concomitant of that waylaying light. This statement suggests that everything in the world is connected and that nothing exists in isolation. The speaker's musings on the nature of thunder and lightning are not limited to these forces alone but rather extend to the entire fabric of existence.
The Structure of the Poem
Emily Dickinson is known for her unique poetic style, which is characterized by its brevity and its unconventional punctuation. The structure of "The farthest Thunder That I Heard" is no exception to this rule. The poem is composed of three stanzas, with each stanza containing four lines. The first and second stanzas follow an ABAB rhyme scheme, while the third stanza has an AABB rhyme scheme.
The poem's structure, therefore, creates a sense of symmetry and balance, with each stanza building on the themes and ideas of the previous one. The use of rhyme and meter also contributes to the poem's musicality and its sense of rhythm.
The Language of the Poem
The language of "The farthest Thunder That I Heard" is notable for its simplicity and its clarity. Emily Dickinson eschews elaborate metaphors and flowery language in favor of simple, direct statements that convey the poem's themes and ideas.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem's language is its use of paradoxes and contradictions. For example, the thunder is said to be "nearer than the Sky," even though it is a force of nature that is far beyond human comprehension. Similarly, the lightning that preceded the thunder is said to have struck no one but the speaker, even though thunder and lightning are traditionally seen as indiscriminate forces of nature. These paradoxes and contradictions highlight the poem's themes of the sublime and the interconnectedness of all things.
Conclusion
"The farthest Thunder That I Heard" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of the sublime, indebtedness, and interconnectedness. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all contribute to its power and its ability to convey complex emotions and ideas. As one of Emily Dickinson's most celebrated works, it stands as a testament to her genius and her enduring legacy as one of the most important poets in the world of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Farthest Thunder That I Heard: A Poetic Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of nature, death, and spirituality. Her poem, "The Farthest Thunder That I Heard," is a prime example of her exceptional poetic talent. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line, "The farthest Thunder that I heard," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "farthest" suggests that the speaker is listening intently, perhaps even straining to hear the sound. This creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, as if the speaker is waiting for something important to happen.
As the poem continues, the speaker describes the thunder as "gentle" and "low." This is an interesting contrast to the typical image of thunder as loud and powerful. However, this description fits with the overall tone of the poem, which is one of quiet contemplation rather than dramatic action.
The next line, "An ear can break a human word," is a fascinating one. It suggests that the sound of the thunder is so powerful that it can drown out even the most important human communication. This could be interpreted in a number of ways. Perhaps the speaker is suggesting that nature is more important than human communication, or that the power of nature is greater than anything humans can create.
The following lines, "As light but Ourselves -- could hear / The distant strains of triumph / Burst agonized and clear!" are some of the most powerful in the poem. Here, the speaker is describing the sound of the thunder as a "strain of triumph." This suggests that the thunder is a symbol of something greater than itself, perhaps a divine force or a natural power that is beyond human understanding.
The use of the word "agonized" is also interesting. It suggests that the power of the thunder is so great that it is almost painful to hear. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the power of nature, which can be both beautiful and terrifying.
The final lines of the poem, "It's Nature is Attained / By Occasional Glimpses / Of Protectors -- Or its own," are somewhat enigmatic. However, they can be interpreted as a statement about the power of nature and the importance of protecting it. The idea that nature can be "attained" suggests that it is something that can be reached or achieved, but only through occasional glimpses. This could be interpreted as a call to appreciate and protect nature, as it is something that is both powerful and fragile.
Overall, "The Farthest Thunder That I Heard" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of nature, power, and spirituality. Through her use of language and imagery, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of awe and wonder that is both beautiful and terrifying. This poem is a testament to her exceptional poetic talent and her ability to capture the essence of the natural world in her writing.
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