'A Shade upon the mind there passes' by Emily Dickinson
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A Shade upon the mind there passes
As when on Noon
A Cloud the mighty Sun encloses
Remembering
That some there be too numb to notice
Oh God
Why give if Thou must take away
The Loved?
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Shade upon the mind there passes: A Literary Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is widely known for her poetry that explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem "A Shade upon the mind there passes" is no exception. In this 16-line poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery and metaphors to express the feeling of sadness and depression. Through close analysis of the poem, it is clear that Dickinson is exploring complex emotions and the human experience of suffering.
The Poem's Structure and Form
Before delving into the poem's meaning, it is important to examine its structure and form. "A Shade upon the mind there passes" is a short poem consisting of four quatrains, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. Each line is written in iambic meter, which creates a rhythmic flow throughout the poem. The poem's brevity and simple structure contribute to its overall impact. Dickinson's concise language and use of repetition further emphasize the poem's theme of sadness and despair.
The Theme of Suffering
The central theme of the poem is the experience of suffering. Dickinson portrays this theme through her use of vivid imagery and metaphor. The opening line of the poem, "A Shade upon the mind there passes," immediately sets the tone for the poem. The word "shade" creates a sense of darkness and gloom, which is further reinforced by the word "passes," implying a fleeting but impactful feeling. This line establishes the idea of a fleeting moment of sadness that can have a lasting effect on the mind.
The second quatrain of the poem describes the physical effects of this emotional suffering. Dickinson writes, "That past the soul confines-- / It leaves an anguish in the brain, / That wrings us like a strain / Of music heard once, and again." Using the metaphor of music, Dickinson compares the pain of depression to a repeated, painful melody that cannot be forgotten. The word "anguish" further emphasizes the severity of the pain, and the use of the word "confines" implies a sense of imprisonment or entrapment.
The third quatrain of the poem explores the idea that suffering is universal. Dickinson writes, "But, those same signal eyes / No longer leap with the surprise / That lightened their blue blaze: /--The morn is sure to rise." The "signal eyes" referred to here are likely the eyes of someone who is no longer alive. Dickinson is suggesting that even those who have passed away experienced suffering during their life. The final line of this quatrain, "The morn is sure to rise," is a hopeful statement that implies that even in the darkest of moments, there is always the potential for a new day.
The final quatrain of the poem concludes with a sense of resignation. Dickinson writes, "But when we stand before the sun / A mighty pain to us is given,-- / Though we distrusted Him when He bore / His anguish in our sight." This quatrain explores the idea that suffering is a necessary part of the human experience, and that even in moments of joy and light, there is still pain. The use of the word "mighty" emphasizes the severity of this pain, and the phrase "His anguish in our sight" implies that this pain is shared by all of humanity.
The Poem's Relevance Today
Despite being written over 150 years ago, "A Shade upon the mind there passes" remains relevant in today's world. The poem's exploration of human suffering and the emotional impact of sadness is still a prevalent theme in modern society. Depression and mental illness continue to be major issues around the world, and Dickinson's poem provides a poignant exploration of these complex emotions.
Furthermore, the idea that suffering is universal and necessary is an important reminder in a world that often seems chaotic and unfair. The poem's final lines suggest that even when we are surrounded by joy and light, there will always be moments of pain and anguish. This is a powerful message that is still relevant today, and one that can provide comfort during difficult times.
Conclusion
In "A Shade upon the mind there passes," Emily Dickinson explores complex emotions and the human experience of suffering. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Dickinson portrays the physical and emotional effects of depression. The poem's brevity and simple structure contribute to its impact, and its message remains relevant in today's world. Dickinson's exploration of the universality of suffering is a powerful reminder that even in moments of pain and darkness, there is always the potential for a new day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Shade upon the mind there passes - a classic poem by Emily Dickinson - is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "A Shade upon the mind there passes," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "shade" suggests a sense of darkness or gloom, which is further reinforced by the word "mind." The phrase "there passes" implies that this feeling is temporary, but it is still significant enough to be noticed.
The second line of the poem reads, "As when on noon a cloud the mighty sun encloses." Here, Dickinson uses a simile to compare the passing shade to a cloud that covers the sun at noon. This comparison is significant because it suggests that the shade is something that obscures or blocks out the light, just as a cloud blocks out the sun.
The third line of the poem reads, "The brightness of the scene obscure, so by a rumour pressed." Here, Dickinson continues the metaphor of the cloud obscuring the sun, but she also introduces a new element - the idea of a rumor. The use of the word "rumor" suggests that the shade is not just a physical phenomenon, but also something that is spread by word of mouth. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for gossip or hearsay, which can also obscure the truth and create a sense of darkness or confusion.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "The mind is hushed, the heart oppressed." Here, Dickinson uses alliteration to emphasize the sense of stillness and heaviness that accompanies the passing shade. The use of the word "hushed" suggests a sense of quiet or silence, while the word "oppressed" suggests a sense of weight or burden.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem read, "And all the air is filled with mist of unsubstantial wings, and all the earth with shades of rest." Here, Dickinson introduces a new element - the idea of wings and shades. The use of the word "unsubstantial" suggests that these wings are not real, but rather a figment of the imagination. Similarly, the use of the word "shades" suggests a sense of ghostliness or otherworldliness. Together, these lines create a sense of otherworldly stillness and quietness, as if the passing shade has created a sense of suspended animation.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "A voice retorts, in accents dumb, the utterance of unrest." Here, Dickinson introduces the idea of a voice that responds to the passing shade. The use of the word "retorts" suggests a sense of defiance or resistance, while the phrase "accents dumb" suggests a sense of silence or inability to speak. The use of the word "unrest" suggests a sense of unease or discomfort, which is further reinforced by the sense of stillness and heaviness that has been created by the passing shade.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem read, "The skies are pale, the earth is dumb, and all is in its nest." Here, Dickinson continues the sense of stillness and quietness that has been created by the passing shade. The use of the word "pale" suggests a sense of emptiness or lack of vitality, while the phrase "in its nest" suggests a sense of safety or security. Together, these lines create a sense of suspended animation, as if the passing shade has created a sense of stasis or immobility.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem read, "The waters frown, before they leap, and all the trees are still." Here, Dickinson introduces the idea of water and trees, which adds a new element to the poem. The use of the word "frown" suggests a sense of disapproval or anger, while the phrase "before they leap" suggests a sense of anticipation or readiness. The use of the word "still" suggests a sense of quietness or immobility, which is further reinforced by the sense of suspended animation that has been created by the passing shade.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem read, "So on the heart the influence falls, from which we cannot flee, and all the air a solemn stillness holds." Here, Dickinson brings the poem to a close by emphasizing the significance of the passing shade. The use of the word "influence" suggests that the shade is not just a physical phenomenon, but also something that has a profound effect on the heart and mind. The phrase "from which we cannot flee" suggests that the shade is something that cannot be avoided or escaped. Finally, the use of the phrase "solemn stillness" suggests a sense of reverence or awe, as if the passing shade is something that demands respect and attention.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of fourteen lines, which is a common feature of sonnets. However, the poem does not follow the traditional rhyme scheme or meter of a sonnet. Instead, Dickinson uses a free verse style that allows her to experiment with punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. This style is characteristic of Dickinson's writing, and it allows her to create a unique voice that is both unconventional and powerful.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is rich in metaphor, simile, and alliteration. Dickinson uses these devices to create a sense of stillness and heaviness that is both tangible and intangible. She also uses these devices to create a sense of otherworldliness and ghostliness that adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the poem.
In conclusion, A Shade upon the mind there passes is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Through her use of metaphor, simile, and alliteration, Dickinson creates a sense of stillness and heaviness that is both tangible and intangible. She also creates a sense of otherworldliness and ghostliness that adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the poem. Overall, this poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax.
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