'Alter! When the Hills do' by Emily Dickinson
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Alter! When the Hills do—
Falter! When the Sun
Question if His Glory
Be the Perfect One—
Surfeit! When the Daffodil
Doth of the Dew—
Even as Herself—Sir—
I will—of You—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Alter! When the Hills do
Emily Dickinson's "Alter! When the Hills do" is a testament to the power of nature and the inevitability of change. The poem's title is an invocation to alter, to change, and to transform, a theme that is central to the poem's message. The poem is a meditation on the transience of human life in the face of immutable natural cycles.
Context
Emily Dickinson wrote "Alter! When the Hills do" in 1866, during a time of great change in American society. The country was still reeling from the effects of the Civil War, and the Reconstruction Era was just beginning. It was a time of great upheaval and uncertainty, and Dickinson's poem reflects this sense of turmoil.
Dickinson was known for her reclusive nature and her fascination with the natural world. She spent most of her adult life in her family's home in Amherst, Massachusetts, rarely venturing out into the wider world. Her poetry often reflects her intense connection to nature, and "Alter! When the Hills do" is no exception.
Analysis
The poem opens with an invocation to alter, to change. The speaker implores the hills to "alter" themselves, to "rearrange" themselves, to "wear a different guise." This sense of urgency is repeated throughout the poem, as the speaker implores the hills to change with the passing of the seasons, to "exchange their emerald for gold" and to "doff their tawny plumes."
The hills are a metaphor for the natural world, which is in a constant state of flux. The changing of the seasons, the rising and setting of the sun, the ebb and flow of the tides - all of these are natural cycles that are beyond our control. The speaker of the poem acknowledges this fact, and seems to find comfort in it. She does not rail against the inevitability of change, but rather embraces it.
At the same time, however, the poem is imbued with a sense of melancholy. The repeated calls to alter, to change, to transform, suggest a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction. The speaker seems to be searching for something, but she is not sure what. She longs for the hills to "rise and disappear," to "shift their velvet head," to do something, anything, to break the monotony of their existence.
The poem's final lines suggest that the speaker is wrestling with her own mortality. She implores the hills to "rise and disappear" not just for her own sake, but for the sake of all humans who are "mortal." The phrase "We are the same" suggests a sense of kinship between the speaker and the natural world. The hills, like humans, are subject to the same cycles of birth, growth, decay, and death. The speaker seems to be searching for a way to come to terms with this fact, to find comfort in the knowledge that she is a part of something larger than herself.
Interpretation
"Alter! When the Hills do" is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. At its core, however, the poem is a meditation on the transience of human life and the inevitability of change. The speaker implores the hills to alter themselves, to transform, to break free from the monotony of their existence. At the same time, however, she acknowledges that this search for change is ultimately futile. The hills will continue to exist, and they will continue to change, with or without our intervention.
This sense of acceptance is central to the poem's message. The speaker seems to be wrestling with her own mortality, and she is searching for a way to come to terms with the fact that she, like the hills, is subject to the same cycles of birth, growth, decay, and death. By invoking the hills, she is reminding herself that she is a part of something larger than herself, something timeless and immutable.
At the same time, however, the poem is imbued with a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction. The repeated calls for alteration suggest that the speaker is searching for something, but she is not sure what. This search for meaning is a central theme of Dickinson's poetry, and it is reflected in many of her other works.
In "Alter! When the Hills do," Dickinson seems to be suggesting that the search for meaning is ultimately a futile endeavor. The hills will continue to exist, and they will continue to change, regardless of our desires or intentions. Our task, then, is not to try to alter the hills, but rather to accept them as they are, and to find meaning in the knowledge that we are a part of something larger than ourselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Alter! When the Hills do" is a powerful meditation on the transience of human life and the inevitability of change. The poem's central message is one of acceptance, as the speaker implores the hills to alter themselves, to transform, and to break free from the monotony of their existence. At the same time, however, the poem is imbued with a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction, as the speaker searches for meaning in a world that is constantly changing.
Ultimately, "Alter! When the Hills do" is a testament to the power of nature and the human spirit. By invoking the hills, Dickinson is reminding us that we are a part of something larger than ourselves, something timeless and immutable. We may not be able to alter the hills, but we can find meaning in the knowledge that we, like the hills, are subject to the same cycles of birth, growth, decay, and death. Dickinson's poetry continues to resonate with readers today, more than a century after her death, precisely because of its timeless themes and its ability to speak to the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her poem "Alter! When the Hills do" is a classic example of her unique style and poetic genius. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of change, nature, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of this poem and explore the various literary devices and techniques used by Dickinson to convey her message.
The poem "Alter! When the Hills do" is a short but powerful piece that consists of only four stanzas. The poem begins with the line "Alter! When the Hills do," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "alter" suggests change, and the fact that it is used in the imperative form indicates that the speaker is commanding someone or something to change. The use of the word "hills" is also significant, as it suggests the natural world and the passage of time.
The first stanza of the poem continues with the line "Falter! When the Sun," which further emphasizes the theme of change and the passage of time. The word "falter" suggests a slowing down or hesitation, which is in contrast to the previous line's command to change. The use of the word "sun" is also significant, as it represents the cyclical nature of time and the passing of days.
The second stanza of the poem continues with the line "Leave! When the Bells do," which further emphasizes the theme of change and the passage of time. The word "leave" suggests a departure or ending, which is in contrast to the previous line's command to slow down. The use of the word "bells" is also significant, as it represents the passing of time and the marking of important events.
The third stanza of the poem continues with the line "Silent! When Boats do," which further emphasizes the theme of change and the passage of time. The word "silent" suggests a stillness or quietness, which is in contrast to the previous line's command to leave. The use of the word "boats" is also significant, as it represents the journey of life and the passing of time.
The final stanza of the poem concludes with the line "Cease! When the Spirit do," which further emphasizes the theme of change and the passage of time. The word "cease" suggests an ending or completion, which is in contrast to the previous line's command to be still. The use of the word "spirit" is also significant, as it represents the essence of life and the passing of time.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses various literary devices and techniques to convey her message. One of the most prominent devices used in the poem is repetition. The repetition of the words "alter," "falter," "leave," "silent," and "cease" emphasizes the theme of change and the passage of time. The repetition of the words "hills," "sun," "bells," "boats," and "spirit" emphasizes the natural world and the cyclical nature of time.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Dickinson uses vivid and descriptive language to create powerful images in the reader's mind. For example, the line "Alter! When the Hills do" creates an image of the hills changing and shifting over time. The line "Leave! When the Bells do" creates an image of the bells ringing and marking the passage of time. The line "Silent! When Boats do" creates an image of boats sailing silently through the water. The line "Cease! When the Spirit do" creates an image of the spirit departing and the end of life.
The poem also uses symbolism to convey its message. The hills, sun, bells, boats, and spirit all represent different aspects of the natural world and the passage of time. The hills represent the changing landscape, the sun represents the passing of days, the bells represent important events, the boats represent the journey of life, and the spirit represents the essence of life.
In conclusion, "Alter! When the Hills do" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of change, nature, and the passage of time. Through the use of repetition, imagery, and symbolism, Emily Dickinson creates a powerful and evocative piece that resonates with readers to this day. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's poetic genius and her ability to capture the essence of life in just a few short lines.
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