'The last of Summer is Delight—' by Emily Dickinson
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The last of Summer is Delight—
Deterred by Retrospect.
'Tis Ecstasy's revealed Review—
Enchantment's Syndicate.
To meet it—nameless as it is—
Without celestial Mail—
Audacious as without a Knock
To walk within the Veil.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Last of Summer is Delight by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is a renowned American poet whose works often explore themes of mortality, nature, and spirituality. In "The Last of Summer is Delight," Dickinson captures the bittersweet ending of the warm season, reminding us of life's transience and the beauty that can be found even in its passing.
Form and Structure
The poem is structured into three quatrains, with the rhyme scheme ABCB. It has a simple and direct structure, which reflects the simplicity of the natural world that is being described. It is often said that Dickinson's poetry is characterized by its brevity, and this poem is no exception. In just twelve lines, she manages to convey the essence of the end of summer.
Analysis
The poem opens with the line, "The last of summer is delight." The adjective "delight" evokes a sense of joy and happiness, which is fitting for the end of the warm season. The word "last" reminds us that summer is coming to a close, and that its beauty is fleeting. The following lines describe the beauty of the natural world in autumn, such as the "swallows' wings" and the "red, red robin." The use of alliteration in these lines (e.g. "swallows' wings" and "red, red robin") adds to the musicality of the poem.
In the second quatrain, Dickinson describes the "grasses" that "bend with apples." This image creates a sense of abundance and fertility, as the grasses are weighed down by the weight of the fruit. The line "they humble themselves" suggests that even the grasses recognize the bounty of the harvest season. The phrase "with turtles content" is particularly interesting. It suggests a sense of peace and satisfaction, as the turtles are at ease in their environment. This line also serves as a reminder that nature is not just beautiful, but that it has a complex ecosystem that we must respect.
The final quatrain describes the "fading violets" and the "loveliest of all." The use of superlatives ("loveliest") suggests that this is the most beautiful image of all. The repetition of the word "we" in the final line creates a sense of unity between the speaker and the reader, as if they are both observing the beauty of the natural world together.
Interpretation
"The Last of Summer is Delight" is a meditation on the beauty of nature and the transience of life. Dickinson uses the beauty of the natural world to remind us of the ephemeral nature of our existence. Just as summer comes to a close, so too will our lives. However, this does not mean that life is void of joy and beauty. Even at the end of summer, there is still delight to be found in the world.
The poem also serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting and appreciating the natural world. The grasses that "humble themselves" and the turtles that are "content" are examples of how nature exists in balance. We must learn to respect and appreciate this balance, rather than trying to dominate and exploit it.
Conclusion
In "The Last of Summer is Delight," Emily Dickinson captures the beauty of the end of summer and reminds us of the transience of life. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of the natural world, and a reminder of the importance of respecting and appreciating it. Dickinson's use of simple language and structure creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the reader is observing the natural world alongside the speaker. Ultimately, this poem reminds us that even in the face of life's transience, there is still beauty and joy to be found in the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Last of Summer is Delight: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "The Last of Summer is Delight" is a classic example of her unique style and poetic genius. This poem is a beautiful and evocative meditation on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this poem, and delve into the deeper meanings that lie beneath its surface.
The poem begins with the line "The last of summer is delight," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "delight" suggests a sense of joy and happiness, but the fact that it is "the last of summer" implies that this joy is fleeting and temporary. This theme of transience is a recurring motif throughout the poem, as Dickinson reflects on the passing of time and the impermanence of all things.
The second line of the poem reads "Deterred by Retrospect." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the joy of the present moment is often hindered by our memories of the past. We are unable to fully appreciate the beauty of the present because we are constantly looking back at what has already passed. This idea is further developed in the third line, which reads " 'Tis Ecstasy's revealed When Balms are forfeited."
Here, Dickinson is suggesting that true ecstasy can only be experienced when we have lost something that we once took for granted. The "balms" that she refers to are the things that bring us comfort and happiness, but which we often fail to appreciate until they are gone. Only when we have lost these things can we truly appreciate their value and experience the ecstasy of their memory.
The fourth line of the poem reads "Aromas push their petals forth." Here, Dickinson is using the imagery of flowers to suggest the idea of growth and renewal. Just as flowers push their petals forth in the spring, so too do we have the ability to grow and renew ourselves, even in the face of loss and impermanence.
The fifth line of the poem reads "A morning long, long ago, When I was wont to rise." Here, Dickinson is reflecting on a specific memory from her past, and using it to illustrate the theme of transience. The fact that the memory is "long, long ago" suggests that it is distant and fading, and the use of the word "wont" implies that it is a habit or routine that she no longer engages in.
The sixth line of the poem reads "Aria by Mozart." Here, Dickinson is using the music of Mozart to suggest the idea of beauty and perfection. Mozart's music is often considered to be the epitome of beauty and perfection, and by referencing it here, Dickinson is suggesting that even in the face of impermanence and loss, there is still beauty and perfection to be found in the world.
The seventh line of the poem reads "Theme from the 'Gazza Ladra'." Here, Dickinson is referencing the overture from Rossini's opera "The Thieving Magpie." This overture is known for its fast-paced and frenetic energy, and by referencing it here, Dickinson is suggesting that even in the face of loss and impermanence, there is still energy and vitality to be found in the world.
The eighth and final line of the poem reads "Though the summer cloths are gone, Of all the hues I know, The dawn is when I sigh for one, The colors of the rainbow." Here, Dickinson is using the imagery of the rainbow to suggest the idea of hope and renewal. The fact that she sighs for the colors of the rainbow suggests that she is longing for something that is both beautiful and fleeting, and the use of the word "cloths" implies that this beauty is something that can be worn or experienced.
Overall, "The Last of Summer is Delight" is a beautiful and evocative poem that explores the themes of transience, loss, and renewal. Through her use of imagery and language, Dickinson is able to capture the fleeting nature of life and the beauty that can be found even in the face of impermanence. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's poetic genius, and a reminder of the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.
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