'As from the earth the light Balloon' by Emily Dickinson
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As from the earth the light Balloon
Asks nothing but release—
Ascension that for which it was,
Its soaring Residence.
The spirit looks upon the Dust
That fastened it so long
With indignation,
As a Bird
Defrauded of its song.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
As from the earth the light Balloon: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, where do I even begin with Emily Dickinson's "As from the earth the light Balloon"?! This poem is a masterpiece of brevity, packing a powerful punch in just four short stanzas. It's as ephemeral as the balloon it describes, floating lightly and delicately through the air, but it also has a weightiness to it that lingers long after its last line.
Let's start with the title. "As from the earth the light Balloon" sets up a contrast between two opposing forces: the heaviness of the earth and the lightness of the balloon. The title also hints at the fleeting nature of the balloon's journey, as it rises up from the solid ground only to eventually come crashing back down to earth.
The first stanza goes like this:
As from the earth the light Balloon Asks nothing but release - Ascension that for which it was, Its soaring Residence.
Right away, we get a sense of the balloon's longing for freedom. It "asks nothing but release," a phrase that evokes a sense of pent-up energy and potential. The balloon is like a bird trapped in a cage, waiting for the moment when it can spread its wings and take flight. And when it finally does, it feels right at home in the sky, where it can soar endlessly without any constraints.
But there's also a hint of sadness in this stanza. The balloon's "soaring Residence" is temporary, and it knows that it will eventually have to return to the earth. This is a theme that runs throughout the poem: the fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitability of loss.
The second stanza expands on this theme:
The Sun with his Affidavit Requests it everywhere - The Seas with lesser Bounty But give it him to bear.
The sun and seas are personified here, acting almost like characters in a play. The sun "requests" the balloon's presence, implying that it is a necessary component of the natural world. The "lesser Bounty" of the seas also recognizes the balloon's importance, but in a more subdued way.
What's interesting here is the use of legal language: the sun has an "Affidavit" that confirms the balloon's place in the world. This gives the poem a sense of formality and weight, as if the balloon's existence has been validated by some higher authority.
The third stanza takes a more personal turn:
The Hills affirm the former And will Certificate Themselves affirmative of it Unto a Day as fair.
The hills are also personified here, and they play the role of witnesses to the balloon's flight. They "affirm the former" (i.e. the sun's affidavit) and "will Certificate" (i.e. provide a certificate of authenticity) to anyone who asks. It's almost as if the hills are proud of the balloon's accomplishments and want to share in its glory.
But again, there's a sense of melancholy here. The hills will only affirm the balloon's existence "Unto a Day as fair," which implies that its time in the sky is limited. This reinforces the idea of impermanence that runs throughout the poem.
Finally, the fourth stanza brings the poem to its conclusion:
And then the Purple Traffic All stranded on the way - Pauses to understand That awful interview.
The "Purple Traffic" could refer to a number of things: perhaps it's a reference to royalty, or maybe it's a metaphor for life's journey. Either way, the traffic comes to a halt when it sees the balloon's fate: it's stranded, unable to continue its journey.
The phrase "That awful interview" is particularly striking. It suggests that the traffic is witnessing something painful and traumatic, perhaps even tragic. The balloon's descent back to earth is not a gentle one; it's a violent crash that leaves it broken and deflated.
So what does all of this mean? To me, "As from the earth the light Balloon" is a meditation on the transience of life. The balloon represents all of us: we long for freedom and happiness, but we know that our time in the sky is limited. We are subject to the same forces as the balloon: the sun, the seas, the hills, and the inevitable pull of gravity.
But even as we crash back down to earth, there is something beautiful about our journey. We are a part of the natural world, and our existence is validated by something greater than ourselves. Like the balloon, we are fragile and fleeting, but we are also powerful and important.
In just four short stanzas, Emily Dickinson has captured something essential about the human experience. "As from the earth the light Balloon" is a stunning work of art, and it will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
As from the earth the light Balloon by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of freedom, nature, and the human experience. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line "As from the earth the light Balloon." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "light" in this line is significant because it suggests that the balloon is weightless and free. This is a theme that is explored throughout the poem.
The second line of the poem reads, "I rose and rested on a Tree." This line suggests that the speaker is observing the balloon from a distance. The use of the word "rested" in this line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is at peace and is taking in the beauty of the balloon.
The third line of the poem reads, "A round — for some — a few — a Tree —" This line suggests that the balloon is a source of wonder and amazement for some people, but for others, it is just another object in the world. The use of the word "round" in this line is significant because it suggests that the balloon is a perfect and complete object.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "From work — this morning — perfect — be." This line suggests that the balloon is a symbol of freedom and escape from the mundane world of work. The use of the word "perfect" in this line is significant because it suggests that the balloon is a perfect representation of freedom.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "How spacious — from Territory —" This line suggests that the balloon is able to travel great distances and explore new territories. The use of the word "spacious" in this line is significant because it suggests that the balloon is able to move freely and without constraint.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "How limitless — the Sky —" This line suggests that the balloon is able to reach great heights and explore the vastness of the sky. The use of the word "limitless" in this line is significant because it suggests that the balloon is able to go beyond the limits of the human experience.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "A Grace — without Design —" This line suggests that the balloon is a natural and effortless expression of grace. The use of the word "without" in this line is significant because it suggests that the balloon is not forced or contrived.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "The Net of Wonder — it begun —" This line suggests that the balloon is a source of wonder and amazement for the speaker. The use of the word "net" in this line is significant because it suggests that the balloon is able to capture the imagination and inspire awe.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "Before the Trip is done —" This line suggests that the balloon is on a journey and that the speaker is excited to see where it will go. The use of the word "done" in this line is significant because it suggests that the journey is not over and that there is still more to come.
The final line of the poem reads, "The Journey was begun with Dawn —" This line suggests that the balloon is a symbol of new beginnings and fresh starts. The use of the word "Dawn" in this line is significant because it suggests that the journey is just beginning and that there is a sense of hope and optimism for the future.
In conclusion, As from the earth the light Balloon by Emily Dickinson is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of freedom, nature, and the human experience. The poem uses vivid imagery and powerful language to create a sense of wonder and amazement in the reader. The balloon is a symbol of freedom and escape from the mundane world of work, and it is able to explore new territories and reach great heights. The poem is a reminder that there is always more to explore and discover in the world, and that the journey is just beginning.
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