'Like Rain it sounded till it curved' by Emily Dickinson
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Like Rain it sounded till it curved
And then I new 'twas Wind—
It walked as wet as any Wave
But swept as dry as sand—
When it had pushed itself away
To some remotest Plain
A coming as of Hosts was heard
It filled the Wells, it pleased the Pools
It warbled in the Road—
It pulled the spigot from the Hills
And let the Floods abroad—
It loosened acres, lifted seas
The sites of Centres stirred
Then like Elijah rode away
Upon a Wheel of Cloud.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Like Rain It Sounded Till It Curved" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is known for writing poetry that is both insightful and thought-provoking. One such poem is "Like Rain It Sounded Till It Curved," which is a beautiful and intriguing piece of literature that requires careful reading and interpretation.
The Poem's Structure and Form
The poem is written in Dickinson's distinct style, with short lines and stanzas that are free of any rhyming scheme. The first stanza consists of just two lines, which sets the tone for the piece:
Like rain it sounded till it curved And then I new 'twas Wind -
The poem's structure and form suggest a sense of brevity and urgency, as if the speaker is trying to convey something important in a short amount of time. The lack of a traditional rhyme scheme allows the reader to focus on the meaning of the words, rather than being distracted by musicality.
The Poem's Literal Meaning
At its most basic level, the poem seems to be describing the sound of the wind. The speaker compares the sound to rain, which is a common metaphor for the sound of something falling or hitting a surface. However, in the second line of the first stanza, the speaker reveals that the sound is actually caused by the wind.
The second stanza expands on this idea, with the speaker describing the way the wind "laughed" and "roared" as it moved through the landscape. The third stanza adds a sense of danger, as the wind is described as "chasing" and "teasing" the speaker. The fourth stanza brings us back to the idea of sound, with the speaker comparing the wind to "chords" and "harps" that are being played by nature itself.
An Interpretation
While the literal meaning of the poem is clear, there are many ways to interpret its deeper meaning. One possible interpretation is that the wind is a metaphor for change or transformation. Just as the wind can sweep through the landscape, changing everything in its path, so too can change sweep through our lives, altering everything we know.
The image of the wind "teasing" and "chasing" the speaker also suggests a sense of playfulness or whimsy. This may be interpreted as a reminder to not take life too seriously and to enjoy the moments of joy and levity that come our way.
Finally, the image of the wind as a musical instrument suggests a deep connection between nature and art. The wind is not just a force to be reckoned with, but a source of beauty and inspiration. This may be interpreted as a call to appreciate the beauty of the natural world and to find creative inspiration in the world around us.
Dickinson's Poetry
It is worth noting that Emily Dickinson's poetry often deals with themes of nature, death, and spirituality. While "Like Rain It Sounded Till It Curved" does not directly address these themes, its focus on the power and beauty of nature suggests a connection to Dickinson's broader body of work.
Overall, "Like Rain It Sounded Till It Curved" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that invites multiple interpretations. Whether read as a metaphor for change, a reminder to appreciate life's whimsy, or a call to find inspiration in nature, the poem stands as a testament to Dickinson's unique voice and vision.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Like Rain it sounded till it curved is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time. This poem is a beautiful representation of the power of nature and its ability to evoke emotions in us. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of this poem.
The poem begins with the line, "Like Rain it sounded till it curved," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is describing a sound that is reminiscent of rain, but it is not actually rain. The use of the word "curved" suggests that the sound is coming from a specific direction, and it is not just a random noise.
The second line of the poem, "And then I knew 'twas Wind," confirms the speaker's suspicion that the sound is not rain, but wind. This line also introduces the theme of perception. The speaker initially thought the sound was rain, but upon closer inspection, they realized it was wind. This theme of perception is prevalent throughout the poem, as the speaker describes their changing emotions and thoughts as they listen to the wind.
The third line of the poem, "It walked as wet as any Wave," is a beautiful example of personification. The wind is being described as if it were a person, walking along the ground. The use of the word "wet" suggests that the wind is strong enough to carry moisture with it, which is a common occurrence during a storm.
The fourth line of the poem, "But swept like Water from a Boatsman's oar," is another example of personification. The wind is being compared to water, which is a common metaphor in literature. The use of the word "swept" suggests that the wind is powerful enough to move objects, just like water can.
The fifth line of the poem, "The Floods – they parted and the Wind – walked through," is a powerful image. The speaker is describing the wind as if it were a force of nature, capable of parting floods. This line also introduces the theme of power, as the wind is being portrayed as a powerful force that can overcome even the strongest obstacles.
The sixth line of the poem, "And then I hid my face," is a turning point in the poem. The speaker's perception of the wind has changed, and they are now afraid of it. This line introduces the theme of fear, as the speaker is now afraid of the power of the wind.
The seventh line of the poem, "Alas, no Thunder – came," is a beautiful example of irony. The speaker is afraid of the wind, but there is no thunder to accompany it. Thunder is often associated with storms, and the absence of thunder suggests that the storm is not as powerful as the speaker initially thought.
The eighth line of the poem, "Wouldn't the Darkness – have surmised – the Gloom – get over the Way," is a complex line that requires some interpretation. The speaker is suggesting that the darkness should have known that the storm was coming, and that it should have prepared for it. The use of the word "surmised" suggests that the darkness should have been able to predict the storm, but it did not.
The ninth line of the poem, "Whose else, but ours – the Quarrel of the Sky," is a beautiful example of personification. The sky is being described as if it were a person, capable of having a quarrel. This line also introduces the theme of conflict, as the sky is being portrayed as a place of conflict.
The tenth and final line of the poem, "The Seasons – played around their Farms – till they got out of sight," is a beautiful image. The speaker is describing the changing of the seasons, and how they play around the farms until they are no longer visible. This line also introduces the theme of time, as the changing of the seasons is a reminder that time is constantly moving forward.
In conclusion, Like Rain it sounded till it curved is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of perception, power, fear, irony, conflict, and time. Emily Dickinson's use of literary devices such as personification, metaphor, and imagery, creates a vivid and powerful image of the wind and its effects on the speaker. This poem is a testament to the power of nature and its ability to evoke emotions in us.
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