'How fits his Umber Coat' by Emily Dickinson

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How fits his Umber Coat
The Tailor of the Nut?
Combined without a seam
Like Raiment of a Dream—

Who spun the Auburn Cloth?
Computed how the girth?
The Chestnut aged grows
In those primeval Clothes—

We know that we are wise—
Accomplished in Surprise—
Yet by this Countryman—
This nature—how undone!

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

How fits his Umber Coat by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson was a master of her craft, known for her unconventional style and unique perspectives on life, death, and the human experience. In her poem, "How fits his Umber Coat," she explores the idea of mortality and the inevitable cycle of life and death. Through her use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and subtle symbolism, Dickinson crafts a thought-provoking and deeply moving meditation on the nature of existence.

The Umber Coat as a Symbol of Death

One of the most striking elements of Dickinson's poem is the titular "Umber Coat." At first glance, this may seem like a simple description of a piece of clothing. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the Umber Coat is much more than that. In fact, it can be seen as a powerful symbol of death and decay.

The color umber is a dark, earthy brown - a hue often associated with aging, decay, and the passage of time. The coat itself is described as "threadbare" and "old," further emphasizing its connection to the inevitability of death. By using this imagery, Dickinson is able to convey a sense of finality and impermanence - a theme that runs throughout her work.

The Cycle of Life and Death

Another important theme in "How fits his Umber Coat" is the cycle of life and death. Dickinson acknowledges that everything in the world has a beginning and an end - even the most beautiful and enduring things must eventually succumb to the ravages of time. However, she also suggests that there is a kind of beauty in this cycle - that death is not something to be feared, but rather a necessary part of the natural order.

This is reflected in the lines "The Life has dropped the Towel / The Artisan begun / to pack the Tools." Here, Dickinson uses vivid imagery to describe the process of dying - the end of one stage of life and the beginning of another. By likening death to a craftsman packing up his tools, she implies that it is a necessary part of the creative process - that without death, there can be no new life.

The Importance of Memory

Throughout her poem, Dickinson emphasizes the importance of memory - of the way that we remember those who have passed on. In the lines "Ourself behind we push / eternity before," she suggests that the memories we carry with us are a way of connecting the past and the present, and that they play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world around us.

At the same time, Dickinson is also keenly aware of the fragility of memory. She acknowledges that even the most vivid memories can fade with time, and that eventually, we too will be forgotten. In the lines "We see - Comparatively / The Thing that we have been," she suggests that our own lives are just a small part of a much larger cycle, and that eventually, we too will become part of the collective memory of humanity.

The Power of Language

As with much of Dickinson's work, the language she employs in "How fits his Umber Coat" is both sparse and evocative. The poem is full of striking images and metaphors that capture the essence of life and death in a way that is both powerful and poignant.

For example, in the lines "The Life we held so dear / Brief is forborne to die," she uses the word "forborne" (meaning "to refrain from") to suggest that death is not something that we can avoid or escape. Similarly, in the lines "The Angels are all gone now / and to their Bridges run," she employs the image of angels running to suggest that death is not something that is passive - that it is an active force that shapes the world around us.

Conclusion

In "How fits his Umber Coat," Emily Dickinson explores some of the most profound questions of the human experience - the nature of life, death, and memory. Through her use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and subtle symbolism, she crafts a deeply moving meditation on the cycle of existence. While the poem can be somber and melancholic in its tone, it ultimately suggests that there is a kind of beauty in the impermanence of life - that even as we mourn the passing of those we love, we can take comfort in the knowledge that they have become part of the collective memory of humanity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

How Fits His Umber Coat: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "How Fits His Umber Coat" is a masterpiece that showcases her unique style and poetic genius. This poem is a perfect example of how Dickinson's poetry is characterized by its brevity, its use of unconventional punctuation, and its focus on the inner world of the human psyche. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem begins with the line, "How fits his Umber Coat," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "fits" suggests that the speaker is observing someone, perhaps a man, who is wearing a coat that is well-suited to him. The word "Umber" is also significant, as it refers to a dark brown color that is often associated with earthiness and naturalness. This suggests that the man is in harmony with nature, and that his coat is a reflection of this.

The second line of the poem, "How stands the sturdy Elm," further reinforces the idea of nature and its relationship to the man in the Umber Coat. The use of the word "sturdy" suggests that the Elm is strong and resilient, and that it is a symbol of stability and endurance. This contrasts with the man in the Umber Coat, who is more fluid and adaptable, but who is also connected to nature in a profound way.

The third line of the poem, "Upon the sapphire sky," introduces a new element into the poem: the sky. The use of the word "sapphire" suggests that the sky is a thing of beauty, and that it is a source of wonder and awe. This is significant because it suggests that the man in the Umber Coat is not just connected to nature, but that he is also in tune with the beauty and majesty of the natural world.

The fourth line of the poem, "How fared the bird," is another reference to nature, and it suggests that the man in the Umber Coat is not just connected to the natural world, but that he is also aware of the creatures that inhabit it. The use of the word "fared" suggests that the bird is on a journey, and that it is facing challenges and obstacles along the way. This is significant because it suggests that the man in the Umber Coat is not just in tune with the beauty of nature, but that he is also aware of its struggles and challenges.

The fifth line of the poem, "And when the fields are full," is a reference to the harvest, and it suggests that the man in the Umber Coat is connected to the cycles of nature. The use of the word "full" suggests that the fields are abundant and fruitful, and that they are a source of sustenance and nourishment. This is significant because it suggests that the man in the Umber Coat is not just in tune with the beauty and struggles of nature, but that he is also connected to its bounty and abundance.

The final line of the poem, "All this I pondered, sitting on the turf," is a reflection on the speaker's own thoughts and feelings. The use of the word "pondered" suggests that the speaker is deep in thought, and that he or she is reflecting on the man in the Umber Coat and his connection to nature. The use of the word "turf" suggests that the speaker is sitting on the ground, and that he or she is connected to the earth in a profound way.

In terms of imagery, the poem is full of references to nature and the natural world. The use of the word "Umber" suggests that the man in the Umber Coat is connected to the earth, and that he is in harmony with its natural rhythms. The references to the Elm, the sky, the bird, and the fields all reinforce this idea, and they suggest that the man in the Umber Coat is deeply connected to the natural world in all its forms.

In terms of language, the poem is characterized by its brevity and its use of unconventional punctuation. The use of the comma in the first line, for example, suggests a pause or a hesitation, and it creates a sense of anticipation and expectation. The use of the colon in the second line, on the other hand, suggests a connection or a relationship between the man in the Umber Coat and the sturdy Elm. These unconventional uses of punctuation are typical of Dickinson's style, and they create a sense of ambiguity and mystery that is characteristic of her poetry.

In conclusion, "How Fits His Umber Coat" is a masterpiece of Emily Dickinson's poetry, and it showcases her unique style and poetic genius. The poem is characterized by its brevity, its use of unconventional punctuation, and its focus on the inner world of the human psyche. It is full of references to nature and the natural world, and it suggests that the man in the Umber Coat is deeply connected to the earth and its natural rhythms. Overall, this poem is a testament to Dickinson's poetic brilliance, and it remains a classic of American literature to this day.

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