'The Night was wide, and furnished scant' by Emily Dickinson
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The Night was wide, and furnished scant
With but a single Star—
That often as a Cloud it met—
Blew out itself—for fear—
The Wind pursued the little Bush—
And drove away the Leaves
November left—then clambered up
And fretted in the Eaves—
No Squirrel went abroad—
A Dog's belated feet
Like intermittent Plush, he heard
Adown the empty Street—
To feel if Blinds be fast—
And closer to the fire—
Her little Rocking Chair to draw—
And shiver for the Poor—
The Housewife's gentle Task—
How pleasanter—said she
Unto the Sofa opposite—
The Sleet—than May, no Thee—
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Night was wide, and furnished scant - A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When it comes to American literature, Emily Dickinson is a name that cannot be ignored. The enigmatic poet, known for her unconventional style and intriguing themes, has been a subject of fascination for scholars and readers alike. One of her notable works is the poem “The Night was wide, and furnished scant”, which is a perfect example of her unique poetic expressions.
Overview
“The Night was wide, and furnished scant” is a short poem consisting of only two stanzas and four lines in each stanza. The poem was first published in 1891, after Emily Dickinson’s death. Like most of her works, this poem was also written in her characteristic style - short and cryptic lines with a strong sense of imagery.
Analysis
At first glance, the poem may seem confusing and difficult to understand. However, a closer analysis reveals that the poem is a meditation on the vastness of the night and the emptiness that can be felt in the absence of companionship.
Stanza 1
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem. The opening line, “The Night was wide”, immediately creates a sense of vastness and emptiness. The word “wide” suggests that the night is vast and seemingly endless. However, the second part of the line, “and furnished scant”, provides a contrast to this vastness. The phrase “furnished scant” means that there is very little to see or experience in the night. This line sets the mood of the poem, which is one of loneliness and emptiness.
The second line of the stanza, “with but one lonely star”, further emphasizes the sense of emptiness. The word “lonely” suggests that the star is the only source of light in the vast darkness. The use of the word “but” indicates that the star is not enough to fill the emptiness of the night.
The third line, “That often is extinguished in the jar”, is one of the most intriguing lines in the poem. The word “jar” here refers to a container that is used to hold oil for a lamp. The line suggests that the star is like a lamp that can be extinguished at any moment. This metaphorical use of the word “jar” adds to the overall sense of fragility and impermanence that is present in the poem.
The final line of the stanza, “Thus hath one lonely star”, repeats the word “lonely” and emphasizes the theme of loneliness. The use of the word “hath” instead of “has” adds an archaic feel to the poem and gives the line a sense of timelessness.
Stanza 2
The second stanza continues to explore the theme of loneliness and the emptiness of the night.
The first line, “Often of a stiller night”, suggests that the speaker is reflecting on past experiences of being alone. The word “stiller” suggests a night that is even quieter than the one described in the first stanza. This line also suggests that being alone is not a new experience for the speaker.
The second line, “Ere its innavigable Doom”, is another line that is open to interpretation. The word “innavigable” means impossible to navigate. The use of this word suggests that the speaker is referring to a situation that is difficult or impossible to change. The word “doom” implies a sense of finality or inevitability. Together, these words suggest that the speaker is referring to a situation that cannot be changed, no matter how much they may want to.
The third line, “Lit with a suddenness that startled the Farms”, introduces a new element to the poem - the sudden appearance of light. The use of the word “startled” suggests that the appearance of light is unexpected and surprising. The use of the word “Farms” suggests that the speaker is in a rural area, and the sudden appearance of light may be from a distant town or city.
The final line of the poem, “And made the Race rejoice -- And drove the Wrack apart --”, provides a sense of resolution to the poem. The sudden appearance of light brings joy to the speaker and drives away the sense of emptiness and loneliness that was present in the first stanza. The word “Wrack” means debris or wreckage, and its use suggests that the speaker is referring to the emotional wreckage that was present in the first stanza.
Interpretation
“The Night was wide, and furnished scant” is a poem that explores the theme of loneliness and the emptiness that can be felt in the absence of companionship. The poem suggests that being alone is a difficult and sometimes painful experience, but that it can be overcome with the sudden appearance of light.
The poem also explores the fragility and impermanence of life. The star in the first stanza is like a lamp that can be extinguished at any moment, and the appearance of light in the second stanza is sudden and unexpected. This sense of impermanence adds to the overall sense of fragility that is present in the poem.
The poem's use of imagery, such as the star, the jar, and the sudden appearance of light, creates a rich and complex world that invites interpretation. The poem's meaning is open to various interpretations, and its short length and cryptic lines leave room for readers to fill in the gaps with their own experiences and emotions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Night was wide, and furnished scant” is a short but powerful poem that explores the theme of loneliness and the fragility of life. The poem's use of imagery and cryptic lines creates a sense of mystery and invites interpretation. The poem's ultimate message is one of hope - that even in the darkest of nights, there is always the possibility of light and joy.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Night was wide, and furnished scant is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of loneliness, isolation, and the vastness of the universe. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "The Night was wide, and furnished scant." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and establishes the sense of emptiness and loneliness that permeates throughout. The use of the word "wide" suggests that the night is vast and expansive, while "furnished scant" implies that it is lacking in substance or content. This contrast between the vastness of the night and its emptiness creates a feeling of isolation and loneliness.
The second line of the poem reads, "With but a single star." This line further emphasizes the emptiness of the night and the vastness of the universe. The use of the word "but" suggests that the single star is insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and that there is so much more out there beyond our understanding.
The third line of the poem reads, "That often as a cloud it met." This line is particularly interesting because it suggests that the single star is not always visible. The use of the word "cloud" implies that the star is obscured or hidden, and that it is not always easy to see. This further emphasizes the vastness of the universe and the fact that there is so much that we cannot see or understand.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Beneath whose beams so narrow." This line is significant because it suggests that the single star is not very bright or powerful. The use of the word "narrow" implies that the star's light is not very strong or far-reaching. This further emphasizes the insignificance of the star in the grand scheme of things.
The fifth and final line of the poem reads, "A fair procession went." This line is particularly interesting because it suggests that despite the vastness of the universe and the emptiness of the night, there is still beauty and wonder to be found. The use of the word "fair" implies that the procession is beautiful and awe-inspiring, while the word "procession" suggests that there is a sense of order and purpose to the universe.
Overall, The Night was wide, and furnished scant is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of loneliness, isolation, and the vastness of the universe. Through its use of language and imagery, the poem creates a sense of emptiness and insignificance, while also suggesting that there is still beauty and wonder to be found in the universe. Emily Dickinson was a master of poetry, and this poem is a testament to her skill and talent as a writer.
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