'A Route of Evanescence' by Emily Dickinson

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A Route of Evanescence
With a revolving Wheel—
A Resonance of Emerald—
A Rush of Cochineal—
And every Blossom on the Bush
Adjusts its tumbled Head—
The mail from Tunis, probably,
An easy Morning's Ride—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Route of Evanescence: A Literary Criticism

Emily Dickinson is a unique voice in American literature. Her poems are not only insightful but also challenging to interpret. One such poem is "A Route of Evanescence." This poem's meaning is not immediately apparent, but upon close examination, it reveals a lot about Dickinson's thoughts on life, death, and the fleeting nature of existence.

Poem Summary

"A Route of Evanescence" is a short poem that consists of three stanzas. It describes a path or a route that is ephemeral and fleeting. The path is described as "A Route of Evanescence / With a revolving Wheel," indicating that it moves and changes constantly. The path is also described as a "Neverlastingness," suggesting that it exists only for a brief moment.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes the path as being adorned with "Amber Spheres" and "Crimson Tents." These images are symbolic of life and death, respectively. The Amber Spheres are symbolic of the sun and life, while the Crimson Tents are symbolic of the blood and death.

In the final stanza, the speaker notes that the path is "Within the Riddle of the Sphinx," indicating that the path's meaning is enigmatic and not easily discernable. The speaker also suggests that the path is "Not for you to see," indicating that the path's meaning is not easily accessible.

Analysis

At its core, "A Route of Evanescence" is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life. Dickinson was preoccupied with death and the brevity of existence, and this poem is an expression of those concerns. The path that the speaker describes is a metaphor for life, which is constantly moving and changing. The path is described as "revolving," indicating that it moves in a circular motion. This imagery suggests that life is cyclical, and everything that begins must eventually end.

The Amber Spheres and Crimson Tents serve as symbolic representations of life and death. The Amber Spheres represent life and the sun, while the Crimson Tents represent death and bloodshed. The use of color imagery is significant here, as it highlights the contrast between life and death. The Amber Spheres are bright and warm, while the Crimson Tents are dark and foreboding. The juxtaposition of these two images conveys the stark contrast between life and death and how they are intertwined.

The final stanza is the most enigmatic and suggests that the path's meaning is not easily discernable. The reference to the Riddle of the Sphinx is significant here, as the Sphinx is a symbol of mystery and enigma. The Sphinx's riddle was famously difficult to solve, and only those who possessed great wisdom could decipher its meaning. Dickinson may be suggesting that the meaning of life is similarly enigmatic and challenging to understand.

The final line of the poem, "Not for you to see," is also significant. It suggests that the path's meaning is not accessible to everyone and that only those who possess great insight can understand it. This line may be a commentary on Dickinson's own understanding of life and death. Dickinson was known for her reclusive nature and her tendency to seek solitude. Perhaps she believed that only those who were willing to look closely at life and death could truly understand its meaning.

Interpretation

"A Route of Evanescence" is a deeply philosophical poem that raises many questions about the nature of life and death. At its core, the poem is an expression of Dickinson's preoccupations with death and the fleeting nature of existence. The path that the speaker describes is a metaphor for life, which is constantly moving and changing. The Amber Spheres and Crimson Tents serve as symbolic representations of life and death, respectively, highlighting the stark contrast between the two.

The final stanza is the most enigmatic and suggests that the meaning of life is not easily discernable. The reference to the Riddle of the Sphinx is significant here, as it suggests that the meaning of life is similarly mysterious and difficult to understand. The final line of the poem, "Not for you to see," is also significant, as it suggests that the meaning of life is not accessible to everyone.

In interpreting the poem, one may also consider Dickinson's own life and experiences. Dickinson was known for her reclusive nature and her tendency to seek solitude. Perhaps she believed that only those who were willing to look closely at life and death could truly understand its meaning.

Conclusion

"A Route of Evanescence" is a complex and challenging poem that raises many questions about the nature of life and death. Dickinson's use of metaphor and symbolism creates a rich and layered text that rewards careful consideration and interpretation. Ultimately, the poem is an expression of Dickinson's preoccupations with death and the fleeting nature of existence, as well as a commentary on the enigmatic nature of life's meaning.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Route of Evanescence: A Poem of Transience and Beauty

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and profound insights into the human condition. Her poem, A Route of Evanescence, is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of transience and beauty in the natural world. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "A Route of Evanescence," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "evanescence" means to disappear or fade away, and this theme of transience is central to the poem. The route that the speaker is describing is not a physical road, but rather a path through the air that is created by a group of hummingbirds. The use of the word "route" instead of "flight" or "path" is significant because it implies a sense of purpose and direction, as if the hummingbirds are on a journey to somewhere.

The second line of the poem, "With a revolving Wheel," introduces the image of a wheel that is constantly turning. This image is repeated throughout the poem and serves as a metaphor for the cycle of life and death. The hummingbirds are like spokes on a wheel, constantly moving and changing, but always connected to the larger whole. The use of the word "revolving" also implies a sense of movement and change, which is a key theme in the poem.

The third line of the poem, "A Resonance of Emerald," introduces the first color image in the poem. The color green is often associated with growth, renewal, and life, and the use of the word "resonance" suggests a sense of harmony and balance. The hummingbirds are like emerald jewels, shining brightly in the sunlight and creating a beautiful, harmonious scene.

The fourth line of the poem, "A Rush of Cochineal," introduces another color image, this time the color red. Cochineal is a type of insect that is used to make red dye, and the use of this word suggests a sense of richness and depth. The hummingbirds are like a rush of red, moving quickly and energetically through the air.

The fifth line of the poem, "And every Blossom on the Bush," introduces the image of a bush full of blossoms. This image is significant because it suggests a sense of abundance and fertility. The hummingbirds are drawn to the blossoms because they are a source of nectar, which sustains them on their journey.

The sixth line of the poem, "Adjusts its tumbled Head," introduces the image of a flower that has been knocked over or disturbed. The use of the word "tumbled" suggests a sense of chaos or disorder, but the flower is able to adjust its head and continue to grow. This image is significant because it suggests that even in the midst of chaos and change, there is still a sense of order and purpose.

The seventh line of the poem, "The Mail from Tunis, probably," introduces a sense of mystery and intrigue. The speaker is suggesting that the hummingbirds are on a journey to somewhere far away, perhaps even to another continent. The use of the word "mail" suggests a sense of communication or connection, as if the hummingbirds are carrying a message from one place to another.

The eighth and final line of the poem, "An easy Morning's Ride," brings the poem to a close. The use of the word "easy" suggests a sense of calm and tranquility, as if the journey has been completed successfully. The hummingbirds have reached their destination, and the speaker is left with a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty and transience of the natural world.

In terms of language, Dickinson's use of alliteration and repetition is particularly effective in this poem. The repeated use of the "r" sound in "revolving," "resonance," and "rush" creates a sense of movement and energy, while the repetition of the word "route" and the image of the wheel creates a sense of continuity and connection. The use of color imagery is also significant, as it creates a sense of vibrancy and richness in the natural world.

Overall, A Route of Evanescence is a beautiful and profound poem that captures the essence of transience and beauty in the natural world. Dickinson's use of imagery, language, and metaphor creates a sense of movement and energy that is both captivating and thought-provoking. The poem reminds us that even in the midst of chaos and change, there is still a sense of order and purpose, and that the beauty of the natural world is something to be cherished and celebrated.

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