'There's a certain Slant of light' by Emily Dickinson
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There's a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons—
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes—
Heavenly Hurt, it gives us—
We can find no scar,
But internal difference,
Where the Meanings, are—
None may teach it—Any—
'Tis the Seal Despair—
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air—
When it comes, the Landscape listens—
Shadows—hold their breath—
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance
On the look of Death—
Editor 1 Interpretation
There's a certain Slant of light by Emily Dickinson: An Enigmatic Masterpiece
When it comes to poetry, Emily Dickinson is one of the most intriguing and enigmatic figures in American literature. Her poems, characterized by their brevity, unconventional punctuation, and unconventional use of language, are a testament to her creativity and genius.
Among her many poems, "There's a certain Slant of light" is perhaps one of her most famous and critically acclaimed works. Written in 1861, the poem is a reflection on the nature of suffering, mortality, and spirituality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Dickinson to create this enigmatic masterpiece.
The Poem
Before we dive into the interpretation of the poem, let's take a moment to read it in its entirety:
There's a certain Slant of light, Winter Afternoons - That oppresses, like the Heft Of Cathedral Tunes -
Heavenly Hurt, it gives us - We can find no scar, But internal difference, Where the Meanings, are -
None may teach it - Any - 'Tis the seal Despair - An imperial affliction Sent us of the Air -
When it comes, the Landscape listens - Shadows - hold their breath - When it goes, 'tis like the Distance On the look of Death -
Interpretation
At first glance, "There's a certain Slant of light" may seem like a simple description of a winter afternoon. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to see that Dickinson is using this image as a metaphor for something much more profound.
The first line of the poem, "There's a certain Slant of light," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "certain" suggests that this slant of light is unique and specific, while the word "slant" implies that it is not a direct or straightforward light. This use of language is typical of Dickinson, who often employs unconventional phrasing to create a sense of ambiguity and mystery.
The second line, "Winter Afternoons," provides a specific context for the poem. Winter is often associated with coldness and death, while afternoons suggest the passing of time. This idea of transience and mortality is a recurring theme in Dickinson's work.
The following lines, "That oppresses, like the Heft / Of Cathedral Tunes," further emphasize the heaviness of the atmosphere. The comparison to cathedral tunes suggests a sense of awe and reverence, as well as a feeling of being overwhelmed by something greater than oneself. This image of oppression is further reinforced by the use of the word "Heft," which implies a weightiness that is difficult to bear.
The next two lines, "Heavenly Hurt, it gives us - / We can find no scar," introduce a paradoxical idea. How can something be heavenly and hurtful at the same time? The use of the word "heavenly" suggests a connection to spirituality or transcendence, while the word "hurt" implies a sense of pain or suffering. This dual nature of the slant of light is one of the central themes of the poem.
The following line, "But internal difference, / Where the Meanings, are -," is perhaps one of the most enigmatic in the poem. What does Dickinson mean by "internal difference"? And what are the "Meanings" she refers to? One interpretation is that the slant of light creates a sense of internal conflict or tension, a feeling of being caught between two opposing forces. The "Meanings" could refer to the deeper truths or insights that this conflict brings to light.
The next two lines, "None may teach it - Any - / 'Tis the seal Despair -," suggest that this sense of conflict or tension is deeply personal and cannot be easily explained or understood by others. The use of the word "seal" implies a sense of closure or finality, as if this experience has permanently marked the speaker in some way.
The final two lines, "When it comes, the Landscape listens - / Shadows - hold their breath -," create a sense of anticipation and foreboding. The idea that the landscape itself is listening suggests a sense of heightened awareness or sensitivity, while the idea of shadows holding their breath implies a sense of stillness or tension. The final line, "When it goes, 'tis like the Distance / On the look of Death -," reinforces the idea of mortality and transience, as well as the idea that the slant of light represents something profound and meaningful, yet fleeting and elusive.
Literary Devices
Dickinson's use of language and literary devices is a key aspect of her poetry. In "There's a certain Slant of light," she employs several techniques to create a sense of ambiguity and mystery.
One of the most notable devices is her use of dashes. Dickinson uses dashes to create pauses and breaks in the flow of the poem, which allows for multiple interpretations and emphasizes certain words or phrases. For example, in the line "Heavenly Hurt, it gives us -," the dash creates a pause between "gives us" and the rest of the line, emphasizing the paradoxical nature of the phrase.
Another technique Dickinson uses is enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without punctuation. This creates a sense of fluidity and movement, as well as a sense of ambiguity and open-endedness. For example, in the line "But internal difference, / Where the Meanings, are -," the lack of punctuation at the end of the first line creates a sense of anticipation and tension, as if the sentence is not yet complete.
Dickinson also employs metaphor and symbolism throughout the poem. The slant of light is a metaphor for something deeper and more profound, while the winter afternoon symbolizes mortality and transience. The use of cathedral tunes and heavenly hurt suggests a connection to spirituality or transcendence, while the idea of shadows holding their breath creates a sense of stillness and anticipation.
Conclusion
"There's a certain Slant of light" is a complex and enigmatic poem that defies easy interpretation. Dickinson's use of language, literary devices, and symbolism create a sense of ambiguity and mystery, while the themes of mortality, spirituality, and internal conflict add a depth and complexity to the poem that rewards close reading and analysis.
In the end, the poem invites us to contemplate the nature of suffering and transcendence, as well as the fleeting and elusive nature of profound experiences. It is a testament to Dickinson's creativity and genius, and a reminder of why she remains one of the most celebrated poets in American literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
There's a certain Slant of light is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century. This poem is a masterpiece of Dickinson's literary works, and it has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and readers alike for its deep and complex themes.
The poem begins with the line "There's a certain Slant of light," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "certain" implies that this light is not just any light, but a specific kind of light that has a particular significance. The word "Slant" suggests that the light is not straight or direct, but rather angled or oblique, which creates a sense of unease or discomfort.
The second line of the poem reads, "Winter Afternoons – That oppresses, like the Heft." Here, Dickinson is describing the feeling of heaviness or oppression that comes with the winter afternoons. The word "Heft" suggests a weight or burden that is difficult to bear, which is a common feeling during the long, dark days of winter.
The third line of the poem reads, "Of Cathedral Tunes –" which introduces the idea of music or hymns. The word "Cathedral" suggests a grand and majestic space, which is often associated with religious music. The use of the word "Tunes" suggests that the music is not just noise, but rather a structured and organized form of sound.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Heavenly Hurt, it gives us –" which is a paradoxical statement. The idea of a "Heavenly Hurt" suggests that the pain or discomfort that comes with the slant of light is somehow divine or spiritual. This line also suggests that the pain is not physical, but rather emotional or psychological.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "We can find no scar," which suggests that the pain is not visible or tangible. The word "scar" implies a physical mark or injury, but the pain caused by the slant of light is not something that can be seen or touched.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "But internal difference –" which suggests that the pain is internal or emotional. The word "difference" implies a change or shift in something, which suggests that the pain caused by the slant of light is not just a passing feeling, but rather a profound and lasting change.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Where the Meanings, are –" which suggests that the pain caused by the slant of light is related to the deeper meanings of life. The word "Meanings" implies a sense of purpose or significance, which suggests that the pain caused by the slant of light is not random or meaningless, but rather connected to something greater.
The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "None may teach it – Any –" which suggests that the pain caused by the slant of light is something that cannot be taught or explained. The word "Any" implies that no one, not even the speaker of the poem, can fully understand or explain the pain caused by the slant of light.
Overall, There's a certain Slant of light is a complex and deeply emotional poem that explores the themes of pain, spirituality, and the deeper meanings of life. Dickinson's use of paradox, imagery, and symbolism creates a sense of mystery and ambiguity that invites readers to interpret the poem in their own way. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few lines of verse.
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