'Apparently with no surprise' by Emily Dickinson
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Apparently with no surprise
To any happy Flower
The Frost beheads it at its play—
In accidental power—
The blonde Assassin passes on—
The Sun proceeds unmoved
To measure off another Day
For an Approving God.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Apparently with no surprise: A Critical Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson's poem "Apparently with no surprise" is a haunting and powerful reflection on the inevitability of death and the transience of life. The poem is structured around a central metaphor of a flower wilting and dying, and uses this imagery to explore the larger themes of mortality and the passing of time. In this essay, I will offer a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of the poem, exploring its use of language, structural elements, and thematic concerns.
Historical and Biographical Context
Before delving into the poem itself, it is worth considering some of the historical and biographical context that may have informed Dickinson's writing. Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830, and spent much of her life in relative seclusion, rarely leaving her family's home. She wrote prolifically, producing nearly 1,800 poems over the course of her life, but only a handful were published during her lifetime. Dickinson's work was deeply influenced by her Calvinist upbringing, and many of her poems explore themes of death, immortality, and faith.
It is also worth noting that Dickinson's life was marked by a number of personal losses and tragedies. Her mother died when she was young, and several close friends and family members also passed away during her lifetime. Dickinson herself suffered from poor health and chronic pain, and in her later years she became increasingly reclusive and withdrawn.
All of these factors are likely to have influenced the themes and imagery of "Apparently with no surprise." The poem can be seen as a reflection on the inevitability of death, and the way in which even the most beautiful and vibrant aspects of life are subject to decay and decline.
A Close Reading of the Poem
The poem begins with the lines "Apparently with no surprise / To any happy flower / The frost beheads it at its play / In accidental power." The opening lines establish the central metaphor of the poem: the flower, which is beheaded by the frost. The use of the word "apparently" is interesting here, as it suggests that the speaker is somewhat detached from the scene they are describing. The use of the phrase "happy flower" also introduces an element of irony, as the flower is clearly not happy about its fate.
The second stanza continues the focus on the flower, describing it as "at its play" when it is suddenly cut down by the frost. The use of the word "play" is an interesting one, as it suggests that the flower is not just a passive object, but an active participant in the world around it. The image of the frost as an "accidental power" is also significant, as it suggests that the forces of nature are indifferent to the fate of individual living beings.
The third stanza shifts the focus away from the flower and onto the speaker themselves. The speaker states that they "grieved" at the sight of the flower's death, but then quickly corrects themselves, saying "at length / perceived a difference." This shift is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is moving from a purely emotional response to a more analytical one. The use of the word "perceived" also suggests a degree of detachment, as if the speaker is stepping back and observing the situation from a more objective perspective.
The fourth and final stanza returns to the image of the flower, describing it as "a winter's task / A little bit of play / When I am safely laid away." The repetition of the phrase "a little bit of play" is interesting here, as it suggests that the flower's life was ultimately insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The final line, "When I am safely laid away," suggests that the speaker is contemplating their own mortality, and the inevitability of their own death.
Thematic Concerns
At its core, "Apparently with no surprise" is a meditation on the inevitability of death and the transience of life. The central metaphor of the flower being beheaded by the frost is a powerful one, as it captures the suddenness and finality of death. The use of the word "apparently" suggests a sense of detachment or resignation in the face of death, as if the speaker is acknowledging that death is an inevitable part of life.
The poem also explores the relationship between the individual and the larger forces of nature. The image of the frost as an "accidental power" suggests that nature is indifferent to the fate of individual living beings. The flower is not killed out of malice or spite, but simply as a result of natural processes. This sense of indifference is reflected in the final stanza, where the speaker reflects on the flower's life as a "little bit of play" that ultimately has no lasting significance.
Finally, the poem can be read as a reflection on the nature of grief and mourning. The speaker initially grieves at the sight of the flower's death, but then shifts to a more analytical perspective, suggesting that grief is not a purely emotional response, but one that can also involve intellectual reflection. The final line, "When I am safely laid away," suggests that the speaker is contemplating their own mortality and the inevitability of their own death. In this sense, the poem can be seen as a reflection on the human experience of mortality, and the way in which we come to terms with our own mortality as we age and confront the deaths of those around us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Apparently with no surprise" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of mortality, transience, and the relationship between the individual and the larger forces of nature. Through its central metaphor of the flower being beheaded by the frost, the poem captures the suddenness and finality of death, while also suggesting a sense of detachment or resignation in the face of death. Ultimately, the poem can be read as a meditation on the human experience of mortality, and the way in which we come to terms with our own mortality as we age and confront the deaths of those around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Apparently with no surprise, Emily Dickinson's classic poem, is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of human emotions in the face of death. The poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death and the acceptance that comes with it. Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a powerful and emotional experience for the reader, making it one of the most memorable poems in the English language.
The poem begins with the line "Apparently with no surprise," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is not surprised by the death of the subject, suggesting that death is a natural and expected part of life. The use of the word "apparently" implies that there is a deeper meaning to the speaker's lack of surprise, which is revealed in the following lines.
The second line of the poem reads, "To any happy flower, the frost is the same as the death." This line is a metaphor for the subject's death, suggesting that it is a natural part of the cycle of life. The use of the word "happy" implies that the subject lived a full and contented life, and that their death is not a tragedy but a natural occurrence. The comparison to a flower also suggests that the subject's life was beautiful and fleeting, like a flower that blooms and then withers away.
The third line of the poem reads, "Of the summer's green, or winter's white, we do not think." This line suggests that the speaker is not concerned with the changing seasons, which are also a natural part of the cycle of life. The use of the word "we" implies that the speaker is not alone in their lack of concern for the changing seasons, suggesting that this is a universal human experience.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "As we do not think of the way the heavens go." This line suggests that the speaker is not concerned with the mysteries of the universe, which are beyond human understanding. The use of the word "heavens" implies that the speaker is referring to the cosmos, which is vast and incomprehensible. This line suggests that the speaker is focused on the here and now, and is not concerned with the mysteries of the universe.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Something whispers to the grave." This line suggests that there is a mysterious force that is calling the subject to the grave. The use of the word "whispers" implies that this force is gentle and subtle, suggesting that death is not a violent or traumatic experience. The use of the word "grave" implies that the subject's death is final and irreversible, suggesting that there is no hope of resurrection or reincarnation.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "O, it is not true that the grave has no victory." This line is a reflection on the power of death, which is the ultimate victor in the cycle of life. The use of the word "victory" implies that death is a conqueror, and that all living things will eventually succumb to its power. The use of the word "not" suggests that the speaker is struggling to accept this reality, and is trying to find meaning in the face of death.
The seventh and final line of the poem reads, "And that the bustle in the house, and the street, is some consolation." This line suggests that life goes on after the subject's death, and that the hustle and bustle of everyday life is a comfort to the living. The use of the word "consolation" implies that the speaker is seeking comfort in the face of death, and that the activity of everyday life is a distraction from the pain of loss.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem Apparently with no surprise is a powerful reflection on the inevitability of death and the acceptance that comes with it. The poem is a meditation on the cycle of life, and the naturalness of death. Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a powerful and emotional experience for the reader, making it one of the most memorable poems in the English language. The poem is a reminder that death is a part of life, and that we must accept it with grace and dignity.
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