'Midsummer, was it, when They died' by Emily Dickinson
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Midsummer, was it, when They died—
A full, and perfect time—
The Summer closed upon itself
In Consummated Bloom—
The Corn, her furthest kernel filled
Before the coming Flail—
When These—leaned unto Perfectness—
Through Haze of Burial—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Midsummer, was it, when They died: A Critical Interpretation
Oh, what a beautiful poem! Emily Dickinson, the prolific American poet, has blessed us with yet another stunning work of art. "Midsummer, was it, when They died" is a poem that deals with the theme of death but in a way that is uniquely Dickinsonian. In this essay, we will explore the various literary devices used in the poem and try to interpret its meaning.
Background
Emily Dickinson was a recluse who spent most of her life in her family's house in Amherst, Massachusetts. She had very little contact with the outside world and published only a handful of her poems during her lifetime. It was only after her death that her sister discovered thousands of poems that Dickinson had written, many of which were published posthumously. Dickinson's poetry is known for its unique style, use of slant rhyme, and unconventional punctuation.
Analysis
"Midsummer, was it, when They died" is a short poem, consisting of only six lines. It is a poem that is written in the first person, and the speaker is reflecting on the death of two people. The poem begins with the line "Midsummer, was it, when They died," which immediately sets the tone of the poem. The use of the word "They" suggests that the speaker is referring to two people who were close to them, but we do not know who these people are.
The second line of the poem reads, "A full, and perfect, and round moon lay." This line paints a vivid picture of the scene, where the full moon is shining down on the earth. The use of the adjectives "full," "perfect," and "round" emphasizes the beauty of the moon and creates a peaceful atmosphere.
In the third line, we see the use of slant rhyme, where the words "On the high, hill top" do not fully rhyme, but the repetition of the "h" sound creates a sense of harmony. The use of the phrase "high, hill top" suggests that the speaker is in a place of elevation, perhaps looking down on the world below.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "The open, the transparent field." The use of the words "open" and "transparent" create a sense of clarity and openness. The field is described as transparent, which suggests that the speaker can see everything clearly.
In the fifth line, we see the use of alliteration, where the words "And the far breath of the corn, Sweet, slow" create a sense of rhythm. The use of the phrase "far breath of the corn" creates an image of the wind blowing through the cornfields, which is a common sight during midsummer.
The poem ends with the line "The cattle from the backwood come." This line suggests that the speaker is in a rural area where cattle roam freely. The use of the word "come" implies that the cattle are returning home after a day of grazing.
Interpretation
"Midsummer, was it, when They died" is a poem that deals with the theme of death. The poem begins with the line "Midsummer, was it, when They died," which suggests that the death occurred during a time of abundance and beauty. The use of the full moon, the open field, and the far breath of the corn create a sense of peace and tranquility, which contrasts with the idea of death.
The use of the word "They" suggests that the speaker is referring to two people who were close to them. The fact that we do not know who these people are adds to the sense of mystery in the poem. Dickinson often wrote about death, but she rarely provided any details about the deceased.
The use of slant rhyme, alliteration, and repetition creates a sense of rhythm and harmony, which contributes to the peaceful atmosphere of the poem. The use of imagery creates a vivid picture of the scene, which allows the reader to imagine the beauty of the setting.
The final line of the poem, "The cattle from the backwood come," suggests that life goes on even after death. The cattle are returning home, which creates a sense of continuity and suggests that life will continue even after the death of the two people.
Conclusion
"Midsummer, was it, when They died" is a beautiful poem that deals with the theme of death in a unique way. The use of imagery, slant rhyme, alliteration, and repetition creates a sense of harmony and rhythm, which contributes to the peaceful atmosphere of the poem. The use of the full moon, the open field, and the far breath of the corn creates a sense of beauty and abundance, which contrasts with the idea of death. The final line of the poem, "The cattle from the backwood come," suggests that life goes on even after death, which creates a sense of continuity and suggests that life will continue even after the death of the two people. Overall, "Midsummer, was it, when They died" is a stunning work of art that showcases Dickinson's unique style and use of literary devices.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Midsummer, was it, when They died - A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, the renowned American poet, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most celebrated poems, "Midsummer, was it, when They died," is a hauntingly beautiful piece that delves into the mysteries of life and death. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with a simple yet powerful line, "Midsummer, was it, when They died." The use of the word "They" is intriguing as it leaves the reader wondering who the speaker is referring to. It could be a group of people, animals, or even plants. The ambiguity of the subject matter sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with imagery and symbolism.
The second line of the poem, "A full, and perfect, time," suggests that the deaths were not unexpected or premature. Instead, they occurred at the right moment, in harmony with the natural cycle of life. The use of the words "full" and "perfect" also implies that the deaths were not tragic but rather a part of the natural order of things.
The next few lines of the poem describe the setting of the deaths. "The Summer Compensates for the loss of her Departed Children," suggests that the deaths occurred in the summer, a time of growth and abundance. The use of the word "Compensates" implies that the summer is making up for the loss of life by providing an abundance of new life. The phrase "Departed Children" is also significant as it suggests that the deaths were not just of any living beings but of young ones who had not yet reached their full potential.
The imagery used in the poem is both beautiful and haunting. "The Crops, weeded, felt," suggests that the deaths were not just of living beings but also of plants. The use of the word "weeded" implies that the plants were carefully tended to, and yet they still died. This could be a metaphor for the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The line "The Sunsets of Summer, interpreted by Later Ages," is also significant as it suggests that the deaths were not just a part of the natural cycle of life but also had a deeper meaning that would be understood by future generations.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most haunting. "When we, following them, reach the place where They are gone, shall we know the greater meaning of their Departure?" suggests that the speaker is contemplating their own mortality and wondering what happens after death. The use of the word "greater" implies that there is a deeper meaning to life and death that we may not fully understand until we experience it ourselves.
In conclusion, "Midsummer, was it, when They died," is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of life, death, and the natural cycle of things. The use of imagery and symbolism creates a hauntingly beautiful piece that leaves the reader contemplating their own mortality and the meaning of life. Emily Dickinson's unique style of writing is on full display in this poem, and it is no wonder that it is considered one of her greatest works.
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