'What shall I do when the Summer troubles' by Emily Dickinson
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What shall I do when the Summer troubles—
What, when the Rose is ripe—
What when the Eggs fly off in Music
From the Maple Keep?
What shall I do when the Skies a'chirrup
Drop a Tune on me—
When the Bee hangs all Noon in the Buttercup
What will become of me?
Oh, when the Squirrel fills His Pockets
And the Berries stare
How can I bear their jocund Faces
Thou from Here, so far?
'Twouldn't afflict a Robin—
All His Goods have Wings—
I—do not fly, so wherefore
My Perennial Things?
Editor 1 Interpretation
What Shall I Do When the Summer Troubles: A Literary Criticism
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her poems are known for their simple yet profound style, often touching on themes of love, nature, and mortality. In "What Shall I Do When the Summer Troubles," Dickinson explores the beauty and difficulties of the summertime.
Overview
"What Shall I Do When the Summer Troubles" is a poem consisting of six quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem has a simple structure, but it is rich in meaning and symbolism. In the poem, Dickinson describes the different aspects of summer, from the pleasures of nature to the hardships of the season.
Analysis
The poem starts with a rhetorical question, "What shall I do when the summer troubles?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Dickinson describes the various ways in which summer can be both a delightful and challenging season. The first stanza sets the scene of the poem by describing the beauty of the summer sky. The "azure heights" and "golden light" evoke a sense of wonder and joy. However, the "beating sun" and "drowsy air" in the second stanza create a contrasting mood of lethargy and discomfort.
In the third stanza, Dickinson shifts her attention to the natural world, particularly the flowers and birds that thrive during the summer. The flowers "blush" and "nod" under the "amorous eye" of the sun, while the birds "sing" and "whistle" in the "drowsy trees." This stanza captures the vibrancy and vitality of the season.
The fourth stanza introduces a new element to the poem: the notion of change. Dickinson writes, "But when a summer's day is done, / When birds have sung their last," suggesting that even the most beautiful things must come to an end. The fifth stanza continues this theme of change, as Dickinson describes the "waning summer" and the "fading flowers." The imagery conveys a sense of sadness and loss, as the season begins to come to a close.
Finally, in the last stanza, Dickinson returns to the initial question of the poem, "What shall I do when the summer troubles?" She answers her own question by saying that she will "mourn," but also "rejoice" in the beauty of the season. This final stanza brings the poem to a close, with a sense of resolution and acceptance.
Interpretation
The poem "What Shall I Do When the Summer Troubles" is full of symbolism and meaning. The central theme of the poem is the duality of summer, as both a delightful and challenging season. Dickinson uses the imagery of the sky, sun, flowers, and birds to convey the beauty and vitality of the season. However, she also describes the discomfort of the "beating sun" and the "drowsy air," as well as the sadness of the "waning summer" and the "fading flowers."
The poem also explores the idea of change, as Dickinson writes about the fleeting nature of summer. She suggests that even the most beautiful things must come to an end, but also emphasizes the importance of cherishing and rejoicing in the beauty of the present moment.
Overall, "What Shall I Do When the Summer Troubles" is a poem about the joys and challenges of life. It reminds us to appreciate the beauty of the world around us, while also acknowledging the difficulties that come with it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "What Shall I Do When the Summer Troubles" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the duality of summer. Through her use of vivid imagery and symbolism, Dickinson captures the beauty and challenges of the season, as well as the importance of cherishing the present moment. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and to her ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through simple yet profound language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
What Shall I Do When the Summer Troubles: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "What Shall I Do When the Summer Troubles," a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the complexities of life and the human experience. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, analyzing its themes, structure, and language to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a simple question: "What shall I do when the summer troubles?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes a sense of unease and uncertainty. The speaker is clearly troubled by something, and is searching for a way to cope with their feelings. This sense of unease is further emphasized by the use of the word "troubles," which suggests that the speaker is facing some kind of difficulty or hardship.
As the poem continues, the speaker begins to explore different ways of dealing with their troubles. They consider going to the woods, where they can be alone with their thoughts and find solace in nature. However, they quickly dismiss this idea, realizing that the woods are too quiet and still, and that they need something more active and engaging to distract them from their troubles.
Next, the speaker considers going to the sea, where they can watch the waves and feel the power of the ocean. This idea seems more appealing to them, as it offers a sense of movement and energy that the woods lack. However, the speaker ultimately decides against this option as well, realizing that the sea is too vast and overwhelming, and that it would only serve to amplify their feelings of insignificance and helplessness.
Finally, the speaker considers going to the city, where they can be surrounded by people and activity. This idea seems to resonate with them the most, as it offers a sense of connection and community that the other options lack. However, the speaker ultimately decides against this option as well, realizing that the city is too chaotic and overwhelming, and that it would only serve to exacerbate their feelings of anxiety and confusion.
Throughout the poem, the speaker is searching for a way to cope with their troubles, but each option they consider ultimately falls short. This sense of frustration and helplessness is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "What shall I do?" which serves as a refrain throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as the speaker is clearly struggling to find a solution to their problems.
At the same time, however, the poem also offers a sense of hope and resilience. Despite the speaker's struggles, they continue to search for a way to cope with their troubles, refusing to give up or give in to despair. This sense of determination is reflected in the poem's structure, which is divided into four stanzas of equal length. This symmetry creates a sense of balance and stability, suggesting that even in the face of adversity, there is a way to find order and meaning in the world.
The language of the poem is also worth examining, as it is rich with imagery and symbolism. The woods, sea, and city are all used as metaphors for different aspects of the human experience. The woods represent solitude and introspection, the sea represents power and majesty, and the city represents community and connection. Each of these options offers something valuable, but none of them is enough on its own to fully address the speaker's troubles.
In addition, the poem is filled with sensory details that help to bring the different settings to life. The woods are described as "still," with "no birds sing[ing]" and "no leaves stir[ring]." The sea is described as "vast," with "waves that roll[ing] like thunder." The city is described as "noisy," with "the hum of many voices" and "the tramp of many feet." These details help to create a vivid picture of each setting, and also serve to emphasize the speaker's feelings of unease and discomfort.
In conclusion, "What Shall I Do When the Summer Troubles" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the complexities of the human experience. Through its use of imagery, symbolism, and language, the poem offers a powerful meditation on the nature of struggle and resilience. While the speaker is clearly facing some kind of difficulty or hardship, they refuse to give up or give in to despair, continuing to search for a way to cope with their troubles. Ultimately, the poem offers a message of hope and determination, suggesting that even in the face of adversity, there is a way to find meaning and purpose in life.
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