'Before the ice is in the pools' by Emily Dickinson
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Before the ice is in the pools—
Before the skaters go,
Or any check at nightfall
Is tarnished by the snow—
Before the fields have finished,
Before the Christmas tree,
Wonder upon wonder
Will arrive to me!
What we touch the hems of
On a summer's day—
What is only walking
Just a bridge away—
That which sings so—speaks so—
When there's no one here—
Will the frock I wept in
Answer me to wear?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Before The Ice Is In The Pools: A Literary Criticism And Interpretation
By Emily Dickinson
Have you ever felt the joy of witnessing the change of seasons? The transition from one phase to another is always a fascinating sight to behold. As we witness the natural world shift from autumn to winter, it brings with it a sense of wonder and amazement. Emily Dickinson's poem, "Before the ice is in the pools," is a perfect example of how the transition from autumn to winter can be both beautiful and melancholic. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem and understand its meaning and symbolism.
Overview
First, let us look at the poem's structure and form. "Before the ice is in the pools" is a short lyric poem consisting of four quatrains with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem's structure is simple, and the language is easy to comprehend. However, on closer examination, the poem's meaning is profound and multi-layered.
Analysis
The poem begins with the line, "Before the ice is in the pools." This line sets the stage for the poem, and we get a sense that something is coming. The word "before" creates an anticipation, and we know that winter is approaching. The use of the word "ice" is symbolic and foreshadows the poem's theme.
The second line, "Before the skaters go," adds to the sense of anticipation created by the first line. The word "skaters" here can be interpreted as a metaphor for people. Dickinson is using the skaters as a metaphor to represent people who are busy with their lives, oblivious to the natural world's changes. The line suggests that people need to slow down and pay attention to the world around them.
The third line, "Or any check at nightfall," is a metaphorical image of a reflection in a pool. The image of a "check" or "crossing" implies a barrier or a limit. The reflection in the pool represents an image of self, and the "check" implies a moment of reflection. The line suggests that before the winter sets in and everything turns cold and barren, we need to take a moment to reflect on our lives and where we are heading.
The final line of the first stanza, "Is the white paling of the moon," is significant. The moon is a symbol of change and transformation. The image of the paling moon suggests that winter is approaching, and the time for reflection is limited. The use of the word "white" is symbolic of purity and implies that the winter season will bring a sense of purity to the world.
The second stanza begins with the line, "It is that time of year." The line suggests that the speaker is acknowledging the arrival of winter. The next line, "When the world falls cold," is significant. The use of the phrase "falls cold" suggests that the winter season will be harsh and unforgiving. The line implies that we need to be prepared for what lies ahead.
The third line, "And the wind blows sharp," creates an image of a harsh and cruel winter. The wind is symbolic of change and transformation, and the use of the word "sharp" suggests that the winter season will bring with it a sense of violence and destruction.
The final line of the second stanza, "And the leaves are last to go," is significant. The leaves are symbolic of life, and the fact that they are the last to go suggests that death is inevitable. The line implies that we need to accept the natural order of things and embrace the change that comes with the winter season.
The third stanza begins with the line, "But underneath the blackest soil." The line suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is hope. The blackest soil represents the end of life, but it is also a symbol of new beginnings. The use of the word "underneath" implies that there is something hidden and waiting to emerge.
The next line, "Asleep till warm weather wakens them," is significant. The line implies that even in the midst of death, there is a sense of renewal. The use of the word "asleep" suggests that there is a dormant life waiting to be awakened.
The third line, "They sleep and grow anew," adds to the sense of renewal and transformation. The line suggests that nature is cyclical, and even in the midst of death, there is life waiting to emerge. The use of the word "grow" is symbolic of growth and development.
The final line of the third stanza, "From these brown beds they flutter up," is significant. The brown beds represent death, and the fact that they are fluttering up suggests that life is returning. The use of the word "flutter" is symbolic of movement and implies that there is a sense of energy and vitality returning to the world.
The final stanza begins with the line, "Lifting their wings to fly." The line suggests that there is a sense of freedom and liberation after the harsh winter season. The use of the phrase "lifting their wings" is symbolic of flight and implies that there is a sense of transcendence.
The next line, "With the sacredness of Spring," adds to the sense of transcendence and renewal. The use of the word "sacredness" suggests that there is a sense of holiness and reverence associated with the spring season.
The third line, "Oh, give them of your strong hours," is significant. The line implies that we need to give our time and energy to the natural world. The use of the phrase "strong hours" suggests that we need to prioritize and make time for the natural world.
The final line of the poem, "My uncles," is significant. The use of the word "uncles" suggests that the speaker is addressing someone specific. The line implies that the speaker is addressing someone who has a connection to the natural world.
Interpretation
The poem "Before the ice is in the pools" is a powerful reflection on the transition from autumn to winter. Dickinson is using the changing of the seasons as a metaphor for life and death. The poem suggests that we need to pay attention to the natural world and reflect on our lives before it is too late.
The poem's overall theme is one of renewal and transformation. Dickinson is suggesting that even in the midst of death, there is life waiting to emerge. The poem's final stanza is a call to action, urging us to prioritize and make time for the natural world.
In conclusion, "Before the ice is in the pools" is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the changing of the seasons. Dickinson's use of imagery and symbolism is powerful, and the poem's message is profound. The poem reminds us to slow down and appreciate the natural world and embrace the changes that come with it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Before the ice is in the pools, written by Emily Dickinson, is a classic poem that has captivated readers for generations. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "Before the ice is in the pools," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. This line suggests that the poem is about the changing of the seasons, specifically the transition from autumn to winter. The use of the word "before" implies that the speaker is anticipating the arrival of winter, and is perhaps even looking forward to it.
The next line, "Before the skaters go," further reinforces the idea that the poem is about the changing of the seasons. The image of skaters on a frozen pond is a classic winter scene, and the fact that they have not yet arrived suggests that winter is still in its early stages.
The third line, "Or any check at nightfall," is a bit more ambiguous. The word "check" could refer to a number of things, such as a barrier or obstacle, or even a sudden stop. However, in the context of the poem, it seems to refer to the sudden halt of activity that occurs at nightfall. This line suggests that the speaker is observing the stillness of the world around them, perhaps taking a moment to appreciate the quiet beauty of the evening.
The fourth line, "Is from the forest dim," introduces a new element to the poem. The use of the word "dim" suggests that the forest is shrouded in darkness, and the fact that the sound is coming from the forest implies that there is something mysterious or even ominous about it.
The fifth line, "The vesper sparrow's hymn," provides a clue as to what is making the sound. The vesper sparrow is a bird that is known for its beautiful singing voice, and the fact that it is singing a hymn suggests that the speaker is listening to a religious or spiritual song.
The final line of the first stanza, "And when you come to think of it," is a bit of a departure from the rest of the poem. This line suggests that the speaker is reflecting on something, perhaps even having a moment of introspection. The fact that the line is separated from the rest of the stanza by a comma suggests that it is meant to be read as a separate thought.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line, "The wonder is that at sunset," which suggests that the speaker is still observing the world around them. The use of the word "wonder" implies that the speaker is amazed or awed by what they are seeing.
The next line, "Something uncanny happens," is a bit more mysterious. The word "uncanny" suggests that something strange or eerie is happening, but the speaker does not elaborate on what that might be.
The third line, "The moonlight's an affair," provides a clue as to what is happening. The use of the word "affair" suggests that the moonlight is doing something unusual or unexpected, perhaps even having an affair with the world around it.
The fourth line, "For only the moon and nobody else," further reinforces the idea that the moon is doing something special. The fact that nobody else is involved suggests that the moon is acting independently, perhaps even defying the laws of nature.
The final line of the poem, "That breeds such mystic fuss," is a bit of a departure from the rest of the poem. This line suggests that the speaker is reflecting on the mysterious and mystical nature of the world around them. The fact that the line is separated from the rest of the stanza by a comma suggests that it is meant to be read as a separate thought.
In conclusion, Before the ice is in the pools is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is full of vivid imagery and mysterious symbolism, and it invites readers to reflect on the world around them and the mysteries that lie within it. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate the beauty of the natural world, this poem is sure to captivate and inspire you.
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