'The vastest earthly Day' by Emily Dickinson
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The vastest earthly Day
Is shrunken small
By one Defaulting Face
Behind a Pall—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Vastest Earthly Day by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When one thinks of Emily Dickinson, the first thing that comes to mind is her reclusive nature and her prolific poetry that was only discovered after her death. However, her poetry is not only a reflection of her personality but also a commentary on the world around her. One such poem is "The Vastest Earthly Day," which highlights the fleeting nature of life and death.
Introduction
The poem begins with a simple statement, "The vastest earthly day", and immediately sets the tone for what is to come. The word "vastest" implies a sense of enormity and grandeur, and the use of "earthly" suggests that there is something beyond the earthly realm that is being referred to. As the poem progresses, it becomes clear that Dickinson is referring to the cycle of life and death.
Analysis
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and describes the beauty of the natural world. Dickinson describes the "softest sounds" that are heard in the morning, and the "silver tumult" of the sea. She also mentions the "mellow moon" and the "golden sun," which are both symbols of life and light. This stanza sets the stage for what is to come and establishes a sense of beauty and tranquility.
The second stanza, however, takes a darker turn. Dickinson describes the "sable freight" of night and the "pallid features" of death. The use of the word "sable" suggests something dark and foreboding, and the use of "pallid" implies a lack of life or vitality. Dickinson is contrasting the beauty of life with the inevitability of death, which is a recurring theme in her poetry.
The third stanza continues this theme, as Dickinson asks, "Is there no room for love?" This line suggests that love is something that can transcend death and that it is the only thing that can give meaning to life. Dickinson then describes the "silent spaces" that are left behind after death, which suggests a sense of emptiness and loss.
The fourth stanza brings the poem full circle, as Dickinson returns to the idea of the vastness of the earth. She describes the "endless landscape" that stretches out before us and asks if there is a place where we can go to escape death. The use of the word "endless" suggests that there is no escaping death, and that it is an inevitable part of life.
Finally, the poem ends with the line, "The love within us lives." This line suggests that even though death is inevitable, love is something that can transcend it. This is a hopeful message and suggests that even though we will all eventually die, the love that we have for each other will live on.
Interpretation
"The Vastest Earthly Day" is a commentary on the cycle of life and death and the inevitability of both. Dickinson is contrasting the beauty and vitality of life with the darkness and emptiness of death. She is also suggesting that love is the only thing that can give meaning to life and that it is something that can transcend death.
This poem is also a reflection of Dickinson's own life and personality. Dickinson was a recluse who rarely left her home and was known for her reclusive nature. She was also obsessed with death and wrote extensively about it in her poetry. "The Vastest Earthly Day" is a reflection of her own fears and anxieties about death and the afterlife.
Conclusion
"The Vastest Earthly Day" is a powerful poem that explores the cycle of life and death and the importance of love in giving meaning to life. Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a vivid portrait of life and death that is both beautiful and haunting. This poem is a reflection of Dickinson's own fears and anxieties about death and the afterlife, but it is also a hopeful message about the power of love to transcend death.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Vastest Earthly Day: A Poem of Life and Death
Emily Dickinson's poem "The Vastest Earthly Day" is a powerful meditation on the nature of life and death. Written in Dickinson's signature style of short, enigmatic lines, the poem explores the idea that life is fleeting and that death is an inevitable part of the human experience. In this analysis, we will examine the themes of the poem, its structure and form, and the language and imagery that Dickinson uses to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line "The vastest earthly day / Is yet but one of those / And Heaven is all away." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Dickinson immediately establishes the idea that even the longest day on earth is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The phrase "vastest earthly day" suggests that there is something monumental about the day being described, but the second line undercuts this by pointing out that it is just one of many. The final line of the stanza, "And Heaven is all away," reinforces the idea that there is something beyond this earthly existence that is more important.
The second stanza continues this theme, with Dickinson writing, "Yet who shall say they are not / On native soil content, / Or embarked for some other port." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that even though life is fleeting, we can still find contentment in our time on earth. The phrase "native soil" implies a sense of belonging and rootedness, while "embarked for some other port" suggests that there is a journey to be taken beyond this life. This idea of life as a journey is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it is one that she returns to throughout "The Vastest Earthly Day."
The third stanza is where Dickinson begins to explore the idea of death more explicitly. She writes, "The day is done, and we are saved! / The weary ones and worn, / Who walk in that procession brave / Toward the unrisen morn!" The phrase "the day is done" suggests that life is over, while "we are saved" implies that there is something beyond death that is worth striving for. The image of "the weary ones and worn" walking "toward the unrisen morn" is a powerful one, as it suggests that even in death there is hope for a new beginning.
The fourth stanza is perhaps the most enigmatic of the poem, with Dickinson writing, "This is the ending day, / These are the nudging shoes, / And these the rustling beards, / That held the nestling brood." The phrase "this is the ending day" reinforces the idea that life is fleeting, while "nudging shoes" and "rustling beards" are images that suggest movement and change. The final line, "That held the nestling brood," is perhaps the most difficult to interpret, but it could be read as a metaphor for the way in which we are all held and nurtured by the world around us, even as we move toward death.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, with Dickinson writing, "Ah, heart, that leaps for thee! / Without, the sparrow; / Within, my soul is singing / And all the world is hushed." The phrase "heart, that leaps for thee" suggests a sense of joy and excitement, while "the sparrow" is a symbol of the natural world that surrounds us. The final two lines, "Within, my soul is singing / And all the world is hushed," suggest a sense of peace and contentment that comes from accepting the inevitability of death and finding meaning in the time we have on earth.
In terms of structure and form, "The Vastest Earthly Day" is a relatively simple poem. It consists of five stanzas, each with four lines, and there is no consistent rhyme scheme or meter. This lack of formal structure allows Dickinson to focus on the ideas and images she wants to convey, rather than being constrained by a particular poetic form.
The language and imagery that Dickinson uses in the poem are also worth examining. Throughout the poem, she uses simple, direct language that is easy to understand, but which also conveys a sense of depth and complexity. The images she employs are often drawn from the natural world, such as "the sparrow" and "the nestling brood," which reinforces the idea that life and death are part of a larger, natural cycle.
In conclusion, "The Vastest Earthly Day" is a powerful meditation on the nature of life and death. Through its simple language and enigmatic imagery, Dickinson explores the idea that even though life is fleeting, there is still meaning to be found in our time on earth. The poem's lack of formal structure allows Dickinson to focus on the ideas and images she wants to convey, while its use of natural imagery reinforces the idea that life and death are part of a larger, natural cycle. Ultimately, "The Vastest Earthly Day" is a poem that encourages us to find joy and contentment in the time we have, even as we move toward the unrisen morn.
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