'Two Lengths has every Day—' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
1295
Two Lengths has every Day—
Its absolute extent
And Area superior
By Hope or Horror lent—
Eternity will be
Velocity or Pause
At Fundamental Signals
From Fundamental Laws.
To die is not to go—
On Doom's consummate Chart
No Territory new is staked—
Remain thou as thou art.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Two Lengths has every Day by Emily Dickinson: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship
Two Lengths has every Day is a poem by Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest American poets of all time. The poem is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship, and it speaks to the human experience in a way that is both profound and deeply felt. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, examine its structure and form, and analyze its language and imagery.
Themes and Motifs
The central theme of Two Lengths has every Day is the passage of time and the transitory nature of human existence. The poem speaks to the idea that every day is a gift, and that we should cherish each moment because it will never come again. Dickinson makes this point clear in the opening lines of the poem: "Two Lengths has every Day -- / Its absolute extent / And Area superior / By Hope or Horror lent."
The "two lengths" referred to in the poem are the literal lengths of the day - morning and evening. However, the poem also implies a larger metaphorical meaning, suggesting that each day is composed of two distinct parts: the beginning and the end. This metaphorical interpretation is supported by the lines "The Length of Day to Day -- / It's Doom -- epitomized -- / The Sunset's Symbol -- signifies -- / How Daylong Phoebus died."
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of mortality and the inevitability of death. Dickinson suggests that the passage of time is inexorable and that every living thing eventually succumbs to the ravages of time. This theme is conveyed most powerfully in the closing lines of the poem: "The Bravest grope a little -- / And sometimes hit a Tree / Directly in the Forehead -- / But as they learn to see -- / Either the Darkness alters -- / Or something in the sight / Adjusts itself to Midnight -- / And Life steps almost straight."
This final stanza suggests that even the bravest and most determined individuals will eventually fall victim to the passage of time. However, Dickinson also implies that there is a kind of acceptance that comes with the realization of one's own mortality. By "seeing" the darkness and "adjusting" to midnight, life can become more manageable and less daunting.
Structure and Form
The structure and form of Two Lengths has every Day are typical of Emily Dickinson's poetry. The poem is composed of six quatrains, each containing four lines of iambic tetrameter. This regularity of form creates a sense of stability and orderliness that is in sharp contrast to the themes of transience and mortality that the poem explores.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABCB, which means that the second and fourth lines of each quatrain rhyme. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance that is also at odds with the poem's themes of impermanence and decay.
The use of dashes in the poem is also typical of Dickinson's style. The dashes function as pauses or breaks in the flow of the poem, allowing the reader to pause and reflect on the meaning of the words.
Language and Imagery
The language and imagery of Two Lengths has every Day are both vivid and powerful. Dickinson's use of metaphor and personification creates a sense of depth and complexity that draws the reader in and encourages them to engage with the poem on a deeper level.
For example, the personification of the day as having a "Doom" and being "epitomized" conveys a sense of inevitability and finality that is characteristic of Dickinson's worldview. Similarly, the metaphor of the sunset as a symbol of the "Daylong Phoebus" dying creates a powerful image that suggests the transience of all things.
Another striking image in the poem is the metaphor of life as a journey through a dark forest. This metaphor is conveyed in the lines "The Bravest grope a little -- / And sometimes hit a Tree." This metaphor suggests that life is a difficult journey that requires courage and determination to navigate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Two Lengths has every Day is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship that explores the themes of time, mortality, and the human experience. The poem's structure and form create a sense of stability and balance that is at odds with the poem's themes of transience and decay. The language and imagery of the poem are vivid and powerful, conveying a sense of depth and complexity that draws the reader in and encourages them to engage with the poem on a deeper level. Overall, Two Lengths has every Day is a poetic gem that deserves to be celebrated and appreciated for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Two Lengths has every Day— A perfect balance of the sun, And Night—upon the sides of which The other sets—unequal—
Emily Dickinson’s poem “Two Lengths has every Day” is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the balance between light and dark, day and night, and the cyclical nature of life. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the meaning and symbolism behind this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line “Two Lengths has every Day—” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word “lengths” suggests a measurement of time, and the fact that there are two of them implies a duality or balance. This balance is further emphasized in the next line, where Dickinson describes the “perfect balance of the sun.” The sun is often associated with light and warmth, and its presence during the day is a symbol of life and vitality. By describing it as perfectly balanced, Dickinson is suggesting that there is an equilibrium between light and dark, day and night.
The next line, “And Night—upon the sides of which,” introduces the concept of night as the opposite of day. The use of the word “sides” suggests a division or separation between the two, and the fact that night is “upon” these sides implies that it is something that exists outside of the balance. This is further emphasized in the next line, where Dickinson describes the “other sets—unequal—” This line suggests that night is not equal to day, and that there is an inherent imbalance between the two.
However, this imbalance is not necessarily a negative thing. In fact, it is what gives life its cyclical nature. The poem goes on to describe how “The one the other will contain/With ease, and you beside.” This line suggests that day and night are not in opposition to each other, but rather they contain each other. They are two sides of the same coin, and one cannot exist without the other. The use of the word “ease” suggests that this balance is natural and effortless, and that it is something that we can all experience.
The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. Dickinson writes, “The manner of the Children—/Who weary of the Day—” This line suggests that children, who are often associated with innocence and purity, become tired of the day. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the weariness that we all feel at times, when the demands of life become too much to bear. However, the poem ends on a hopeful note, with the line “The Sunset—resembles them—.” This line suggests that the sunset, which is often associated with the end of the day and the beginning of night, is a symbol of renewal and rebirth. It is a reminder that even when we are tired and weary, there is always the promise of a new day.
Overall, “Two Lengths has every Day” is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the balance between light and dark, day and night, and the cyclical nature of life. Through her use of symbolism and metaphor, Dickinson reminds us that even when we are tired and weary, there is always the promise of a new day. This poem is a testament to the power of nature and the beauty of the world around us, and it is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
Editor Recommended Sites
Kids Games: Online kids dev gamesFlutter Guide: Learn to program in flutter to make mobile applications quickly
NFT Assets: Crypt digital collectible assets
Tree Learn: Learning path guides for entry into the tech industry. Flowchart on what to learn next in machine learning, software engineering
Data Migration: Data Migration resources for data transfer across databases and across clouds
Recommended Similar Analysis
Ode to Ethiopia by Paul Laurence Dunbar analysisTo The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time by Robert Herrick analysis
Women And Roses by Robert Browning analysis
Siege and Conquest of Alhama, The by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Mending Wall by Robert Frost analysis
They shut me up in Prose by Emily Dickinson analysis
Another Song Of A Fool by William Butler Yeats analysis
I Saw Thee Weep by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
The Fish by Marianne Moore analysis
The Giver by Sarah Teasdale analysis