'Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird' by Emily Dickinson
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Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird
And crossed a thousand Trees
Before a Fence without a Fare
His Fantasy did please
And then he lifted up his Throat
And squandered such a Note
A Universe that overheard
Is stricken by it yet—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Wow, where do I begin with this poem? Emily Dickinson has always been one of my favorite poets, and "Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird" is definitely one of her most intriguing works. At first glance, the poem seems simple enough – a bird lands on a man's saddle – but as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that there is so much more going on here. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Dickinson to convey a deeper meaning in this poem.
The Surface-level Interpretation
Let's start with the surface-level interpretation of the poem. The poem is only four lines long, so it won't take long to go through it:
Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird
And crossed a thousand Trees
Before a Fence without a Fare
His weary wings did close
At first glance, the poem seems to be a simple description of a bird landing on a man's saddle and then flying off again. However, even on this level, there is something intriguing about the poem. The use of the word "sprung" in the first line suggests that the bird suddenly appeared on the saddle, as if out of nowhere. The fact that the bird "crossed a thousand Trees" before reaching a fence without a fare suggests that it has traveled a great distance, and that its landing on the saddle is not simply a coincidence. Finally, the fact that the bird's wings are "weary" suggests that it has been flying for a long time, and that its landing on the saddle is a moment of rest.
The Symbolism of the Bird
Now, let's move beyond the surface-level interpretation of the poem and look at some of the symbols that Dickinson uses to convey a deeper meaning. The most obvious symbol in the poem is the bird itself. Birds are often associated with freedom, flight, and transcendence. In many cultures, birds are seen as messengers of the gods, and their appearance is often seen as a sign of divine intervention. In this poem, the bird's sudden appearance on the man's saddle suggests that it is a symbol of something transcendent or divine that has interrupted the man's journey.
The fact that the bird "crossed a thousand Trees" also suggests that it has traveled a great distance, perhaps even from the heavens. In many religious traditions, trees are seen as a symbol of the earthly realm, while the heavens are associated with the sky or the stars. The fact that the bird has crossed a thousand trees before reaching the fence suggests that it has traveled from the heavens to the earthly realm.
Finally, the fact that the bird's wings are "weary" suggests that it has been on a long journey. The weariness of the bird's wings also creates a sense of vulnerability, as if the bird is in need of protection or help. This vulnerability may be a symbol of the human condition and our need for transcendence or divine intervention.
The Fence without a Fare
Another symbol in the poem is the fence without a fare. The fact that the fence has no gate or entrance suggests that it is a barrier, a boundary that separates one area from another. In this context, the fence may be a symbol of the boundary between the earthly realm and the heavens. The fact that the fence has no fare or toll suggests that there is no way to cross this boundary through human means. The only way to cross the boundary is through divine intervention, which the appearance of the bird may represent.
The Use of Enjambment
Now, let's look at some of the literary devices that Dickinson uses in the poem to create meaning. One of the most striking features of the poem is the use of enjambment. Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next, without a pause. In this poem, every line except the last one is enjambed. This creates a sense of forward momentum, as if the poem is in motion, just like the bird that appears on the saddle. The lack of punctuation also creates a sense of ambiguity, as if the boundaries between the different elements of the poem are blurred or porous.
The Use of Alliteration
Another literary device that Dickinson uses in the poem is alliteration. Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. In this poem, the alliteration creates a sense of musicality and rhythm, as if the words are dancing together. The alliteration also creates a sense of unity, as if the different elements of the poem are connected by a common sound. For example, the repetition of the "s" sound in "sprung," "saddle," and "sprung" creates a sense of continuity between the bird and the saddle.
The Use of Caesura
Finally, let's look at the use of caesura in the poem. Caesura is a pause or break in the middle of a line of poetry. In this poem, Dickinson uses the caesura to create a sense of tension and suspense. For example, the caesura in the second line, after the word "Trees," creates a sense of anticipation, as if we are waiting for the bird to arrive. The caesura in the third line, after the word "Fence," creates a sense of finality, as if the bird's journey has come to an end.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird" by Emily Dickinson is a deceptively simple poem that contains multiple layers of meaning. On the surface, the poem describes a bird landing on a man's saddle and then flying off again. However, through the use of symbols, literary devices, and ambiguity, Dickinson creates a sense of transcendence and divine intervention. The bird may be seen as a messenger from the heavens, while the fence without a fare may represent the boundary between the earthly realm and the heavens. The use of enjambment, alliteration, and caesura creates a sense of musicality and rhythm, while also creating a sense of tension and suspense. Overall, "Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird" is a beautiful and complex poem that invites multiple interpretations and readings.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound themes. One of her most famous poems is "Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird," which is a short but powerful piece that captures the essence of life and death. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line, "Upon his saddle sprung a bird," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The image of a bird suddenly appearing on a horse's saddle is unexpected and intriguing. The use of the word "sprung" suggests a sudden and unexpected movement, which adds to the sense of surprise and wonder. The bird is a symbol of freedom and flight, which contrasts with the horse's groundedness and stability. This contrast sets up the central theme of the poem, which is the tension between life and death.
The second line of the poem reads, "He stirred his wings as if to fly." This line reinforces the image of the bird as a symbol of freedom and flight. The use of the word "stirred" suggests a sense of restlessness and anticipation, as if the bird is eager to take flight. The horse, on the other hand, is a symbol of stability and groundedness. The juxtaposition of these two symbols creates a sense of tension and conflict, which is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.
The third line of the poem reads, "That bird to me a symbol flew." This line reveals the speaker's interpretation of the bird's appearance. The use of the word "symbol" suggests that the bird has a deeper meaning beyond its physical presence. The speaker sees the bird as a symbol of something greater, perhaps of life or of the soul. The word "flew" suggests that the bird is not just a static symbol, but an active force that is constantly in motion.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "It is not bird, it has no name." This line is a departure from the previous three lines, which were focused on the bird's appearance and symbolism. This line suggests that the bird is not just a physical entity, but something more abstract and intangible. The use of the word "name" suggests that the bird is not easily defined or categorized. This line also reinforces the theme of tension and conflict, as the speaker struggles to define and understand the bird's presence.
The fifth and final line of the poem reads, "But I shall know it when it comes." This line is a powerful conclusion to the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is waiting for something significant to happen. The use of the word "shall" suggests a sense of inevitability, as if the speaker knows that something important is about to occur. The phrase "when it comes" suggests that the speaker is anticipating a moment of clarity or understanding. This line also reinforces the theme of tension and conflict, as the speaker is struggling to understand the bird's presence and its significance.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of a single stanza with five lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four stressed syllables. This gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow, which adds to its musicality. The poem also has a rhyme scheme of ABCCB, which creates a sense of unity and coherence.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is rich in symbolism and imagery. The bird is a powerful symbol of freedom and flight, while the horse is a symbol of stability and groundedness. The use of the word "sprung" suggests a sudden and unexpected movement, while the use of the word "stirred" suggests a sense of restlessness and anticipation. The use of the word "symbol" suggests that the bird has a deeper meaning beyond its physical presence, while the use of the word "name" suggests that the bird is not easily defined or categorized.
In conclusion, "Upon his Saddle sprung a Bird" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of life and death. The poem explores the tension between freedom and stability, and the struggle to understand the significance of the bird's presence. The poem's structure and literary devices add to its musicality and depth, making it a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and profound themes.
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