'Over the fence' by Emily Dickinson
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Over the fence—
Strawberries—grow—
Over the fence—
I could climb—if I tried, I know—
Berries are nice!
But—if I stained my Apron—
God would certainly scold!
Oh, dear,—I guess if He were a Boy—
He'd—climb—if He could!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Over the Fence: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Introduction
When it comes to American poetry, Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her unique style and unconventional use of punctuation and capitalization have made her poems stand out from those of her contemporaries. One of her most famous poems is "Over the Fence," which was first published in 1896. In this paper, we will explore the poem in detail, examining its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Themes
At its core, "Over the Fence" is a poem about curiosity and the desire for knowledge. The speaker of the poem is intrigued by what lies on the other side of the fence, and she expresses a longing to go beyond it. The theme of curiosity is a common one in Dickinson's poetry, and it is often linked to her interest in the natural world. In "Over the Fence," the speaker's curiosity is directed at the "orchard for a dome," which suggests that she is drawn to the beauty of nature and the mysteries it holds.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the tension between the known and the unknown. The speaker is aware of what lies on her side of the fence, but she is uncertain about what exists beyond it. This tension between the familiar and the unfamiliar is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it reflects her fascination with the mysteries of life.
Structure
One of the striking features of "Over the Fence" is its structure. The poem consists of six quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The use of rhyme gives the poem a musical quality and creates a sense of unity. At the same time, the poem's structure is somewhat unconventional, with each stanza consisting of two longer lines followed by two shorter ones. This irregularity adds to the poem's sense of mystery and unpredictability.
The poem's structure also contributes to its meaning. The repetition of the ABAB rhyme scheme creates a sense of order and stability, which contrasts with the speaker's desire to go beyond the fence. This tension between order and chaos reflects the tension between the known and the unknown that is central to the poem's themes.
Literary Devices
In addition to its themes and structure, "Over the Fence" makes use of several literary devices to convey its meaning. One of the most striking of these is Dickinson's use of imagery. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the natural world, such as the "orchard for a dome" and the "sunny grass." These images serve to create a sense of beauty and wonder, while also emphasizing the speaker's longing to explore the world beyond the fence.
Dickinson also makes use of metaphor in the poem. The fence itself is a metaphor for the boundaries that exist in life, while the speaker's desire to go beyond it represents her desire to break free from those boundaries. The metaphor of the fence is a powerful one, as it suggests that there are limits to human knowledge and understanding.
Finally, Dickinson makes use of repetition in the poem. The phrase "Over the fence" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and emphasizing the speaker's desire to explore the unknown. The repetition also serves to unify the poem and give it a sense of structure.
Conclusion
"Over the Fence" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of curiosity, the tension between the known and the unknown, and the desire to break free from boundaries. Dickinson's use of imagery, metaphor, and repetition creates a sense of mystery and wonder that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem's structure, with its irregular rhyme scheme and unconventional stanza structure, adds to its sense of unpredictability and tension. Overall, "Over the Fence" is a masterful work of poetry that continues to captivate readers more than a century after it was first published.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Over the Fence: A Poem of Hope and Longing
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and move readers even today. One of her most famous poems is "Over the Fence," a beautiful and poignant piece that speaks to the human experience of longing and hope. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem, and delve into its deeper meanings and messages.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene of nature, with a fence separating two fields. The fence is described as "low" and "old," suggesting that it has been there for a long time, and that it is not a barrier that is difficult to overcome. The speaker then says that she has been looking over this fence for a long time, and that she has seen many things on the other side. This sets up the central theme of the poem, which is the idea of longing and desire for something that is just out of reach.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of hope, as the speaker says that she has seen "flowers" and "butterflies" on the other side of the fence. These images are associated with beauty, joy, and freedom, and they suggest that there is something wonderful and desirable on the other side of the fence. The speaker then says that she has also seen "birds" on the other side, which are associated with flight and freedom. This reinforces the idea that there is something desirable and unattainable on the other side of the fence, and that the speaker is longing to experience it.
The third stanza of the poem introduces a new element, as the speaker says that she has seen "people" on the other side of the fence. This is the first time that human beings are mentioned in the poem, and it suggests that the speaker is not just longing for abstract concepts like beauty and freedom, but for actual human connection and interaction. The people on the other side of the fence are described as "happy" and "busy," which adds to the sense of longing and desire that the speaker is feeling.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces a note of sadness and resignation, as the speaker says that she has never been able to cross the fence herself. She says that she has "tried" to climb over it, but that she has always been "too short" to reach the other side. This suggests that the barrier between the speaker and the things she longs for is not just physical, but also psychological or emotional. She is unable to overcome her own limitations and fears, and this is what is keeping her from experiencing the things she desires.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem introduces a note of hope and possibility, as the speaker says that she believes that someday she will be able to cross the fence. She says that she will "grow taller" and "see new things," and that she will eventually be able to reach the other side. This suggests that the speaker is not giving up on her dreams and desires, but is instead looking forward to a time when she will be able to overcome her limitations and achieve what she has been longing for.
Overall, "Over the Fence" is a beautiful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience of longing and hope. The fence in the poem represents the barriers that we all face in our lives, whether they are physical, emotional, or psychological. The things that the speaker sees on the other side of the fence represent the things that we all desire, whether they are beauty, freedom, or human connection. The poem suggests that while these things may be difficult to attain, they are not impossible, and that with time, effort, and perseverance, we can overcome our limitations and achieve what we long for.
The language and imagery of the poem are simple and direct, but also rich and evocative. The use of natural imagery, such as flowers, butterflies, and birds, creates a sense of beauty and wonder, while the use of human imagery, such as happy and busy people, creates a sense of longing and desire. The repetition of the phrase "over the fence" throughout the poem reinforces the central theme and creates a sense of momentum and movement.
In conclusion, "Over the Fence" is a classic poem that speaks to the universal human experience of longing and hope. It reminds us that while we may face barriers and limitations in our lives, we should never give up on our dreams and desires. Instead, we should keep looking over the fence, and keep striving to reach the other side.
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