'Winter under cultivation' by Emily Dickinson
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1707
Winter under cultivation
Is as arable as Spring.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Winter Under Cultivation: A Literary Criticism
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned American poets, is known for her remarkable ability to portray the complexities of the human experience in her works. With her unique style and unconventional use of punctuation and syntax, she has produced some of the most celebrated poems in history. One of her most notable works is the poem "Winter under cultivation," which is a powerful representation of the harsh realities of life. In this literary criticism, we will explore the various themes of the poem and analyze its style and form.
Overview of the Poem
"Winter under cultivation" is a poem of eight stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker describing her observations of a barren and desolate landscape during winter. The first stanza sets the setting of the poem, which is a barren land that has been cultivated to yield crops in the summer. However, with the onset of winter, the land has become barren and unproductive.
Theme of Death
One of the most apparent themes of the poem is death. The speaker describes the landscape as "bare" and "still," which gives the impression that life has abandoned the land. The use of the word "death" in the fourth stanza reinforces this theme. The speaker states that "Death is a gentleman with a Breviary," which is a prayer book used by the clergy. This image helps to create a sense of finality and acceptance of death, as if it were a natural part of life.
Theme of Isolation
Another prominent theme of the poem is isolation. The speaker describes the landscape as "lonely," "forlorn," and "bare." These words create an image of a desolate and isolated place where nothing grows, and no one lives. The use of the word "I" throughout the poem also contributes to this theme, as the speaker seems to be the only living being in a dead and lifeless world.
Theme of Transformation
However, the most compelling theme of the poem is transformation. The poem suggests that the barren landscape is only temporary and that life will return once again. The use of the word "cultivation" in the title suggests that the land has the potential for growth and productivity. The speaker describes how the winter landscape is "tilled" and "sown," which implies that the land is being prepared for a new season of growth and life.
The last stanza of the poem reinforces this theme of transformation, as the speaker describes how "Nature, like ourselves, is sometimes caught" in the grip of winter. This statement implies that even though winter seems to be a time of death and isolation, it is only a temporary state of being. Like nature, human beings also have the potential for growth and transformation, and winter is simply a part of that process.
Style and Form
Dickinson's unique style is evident in "Winter under cultivation." The poem employs irregular syntax, unconventional use of capitalization and punctuation, and a fragmented structure. For example, the use of capitalization in "Death is a gentleman with a Breviary" creates a sense of importance and reverence towards death. The lack of punctuation in the second line of the second stanza, "A quietness distilled," creates a sense of stillness and emptiness, which reinforces the theme of isolation.
The fragmented structure of the poem also contributes to its overall effect. The poem is made up of eight stanzas, each containing four lines. However, the stanzas are not connected in a traditional way, and each one seems to stand on its own. This creates a sense of fragmentation and isolation, which supports the theme of isolation and death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Winter under cultivation" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of death, isolation, and transformation. Through her use of unconventional syntax, capitalization, and punctuation, Dickinson creates a fragmented and disjointed structure that reinforces the poem's themes. The poem suggests that even though winter may seem like a time of death and isolation, it is only a temporary state of being. Like the barren landscape, we all have the potential for growth and transformation, and winter is simply a part of that process.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Winter Under Cultivation: A Poetic Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of nature, death, and spirituality. Her poem, Winter Under Cultivation, is a perfect example of her poetic genius. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson paints a vivid picture of the winter season and its impact on the natural world. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the line, "The earth that's nature's mother is her tomb." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it suggests that nature is both a source of life and death. The use of the word "mother" implies that nature is a nurturing force, while the word "tomb" suggests that it is also a place of decay and death. This duality is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the relationship between life and death.
The second line, "But she, that's made the grave, her cradle too," further emphasizes this theme. Here, Dickinson suggests that even in death, nature is still capable of giving birth to new life. This idea is reinforced in the third line, "And I shall see her again," which suggests that the speaker is looking forward to the rebirth of nature in the spring.
The fourth line, "With the first snow, her feet are numb," introduces the theme of winter. The use of the word "numb" suggests that winter is a time of dormancy and stillness, as the natural world prepares for the coming of spring. The fifth line, "She stirs her locks and whispers through her foam," uses personification to describe the earth as a living being. The use of the word "locks" suggests that the earth is like a person with hair, while the word "foam" suggests that it is also like a body of water.
The sixth line, "She curls her toes and turns a crystal stone," continues the theme of personification, as the earth is described as having toes and turning a crystal stone. This line also introduces the theme of transformation, as the earth is changing from its summer state to its winter state. The seventh line, "Can her foot kick the stirrup of the wind?" uses a metaphor to describe the power of nature. The wind is often seen as a powerful force, but here it is suggested that the earth is even more powerful, as it can control the wind.
The eighth line, "What does she know of the horseman?" introduces a sense of mystery into the poem. The horseman is not defined, but it is suggested that he is a symbol of death. This line also reinforces the theme of nature's duality, as the earth is both a source of life and death.
The ninth line, "Night of frost, her knuckles grip," uses imagery to describe the coldness of winter. The use of the word "knuckles" suggests that the earth is like a person with hands, while the word "grip" suggests that it is holding onto something tightly. The tenth line, "And morning's fancy trips," suggests that even in the midst of winter, there is still a sense of beauty and wonder in the natural world.
The eleventh line, "The snow flies back to heaven on her breath," uses personification to describe the snow as being alive and capable of flying. The use of the word "breath" suggests that the earth is like a living being that is capable of exhaling. The twelfth line, "Paused in the yards, she lets her heart go out," suggests that even in the midst of winter, the earth is still capable of feeling emotions.
The thirteenth line, "Gossamer be her fringed scarf," uses imagery to describe the delicate nature of winter. The use of the word "gossamer" suggests that winter is like a delicate fabric, while the word "fringed" suggests that it is also like a piece of clothing. The final line, "Binding her tomb and cradle fast in one," reinforces the theme of nature's duality, as it suggests that even in death, the earth is still capable of giving birth to new life.
In conclusion, Winter Under Cultivation is a poetic masterpiece that explores the themes of nature, death, and transformation. Through the use of personification, metaphor, and imagery, Emily Dickinson paints a vivid picture of the winter season and its impact on the natural world. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's poetic genius and her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world in her writing.
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