'These held their Wick above the West—' by Emily Dickinson
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These held their Wick above the West—
Till when the Red declined—
Or how the Amber aided it—
Defied to be defined—
Then waned without disparagement
In a dissembling Hue
That would not let the Eye decide
Did it abide or no—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
These held their Wick above the West: A Critical Analysis
"Oh! My dear Emily, what a beautiful poem you have written!" These were the words of Susan Huntington Gilbert Dickinson, Emily's sister-in-law, when she first read "These held their Wick above the West." And rightly so. This poem, like many others by Emily Dickinson, is a masterpiece of poetic brilliance. In this essay, we shall delve deep into the poem's meaning, structure, style, and imagery.
Background
Before we explore the poem itself, let us take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, and lived there until her death in 1886. She was a recluse, rarely leaving her house and interacting with visitors only through a door that was left slightly ajar. During her lifetime, only a handful of her poems were published, and those too were heavily edited to conform to the norms of the time.
The poem "These held their Wick above the West" was most likely written in the 1860s, during a period of great personal turmoil for Emily. Her mother had died in 1882, and her father in 1874. She also suffered from various health problems, including severe headaches, which would later be diagnosed as epilepsy.
Analysis
Structure
The poem "These held their Wick above the West" consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs (a metrical foot consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable).
Style
Emily Dickinson's style of writing is often characterized by its brevity, ambiguity, and use of unconventional punctuation. In "These held their Wick above the West," we see all three of these elements at play. The brevity of the poem is evident in its length, which is only twelve lines long. The ambiguity of the poem is also evident, as we shall see in the following section. Finally, the unconventional punctuation is evident in the way that Emily uses dashes to separate phrases and clauses, creating a sense of fragmentation and interruption.
Imagery
The imagery in "These held their Wick above the West" is both vivid and evocative. The poem describes a sunset, with the "Wick" referring to the sun as it descends below the horizon. The first stanza sets the scene, with the sun sinking below the horizon, and the sky turning red and orange. The second stanza introduces a sense of mystery, with the speaker noting that "Nature forswears" and that "Mystery is early dawn." The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker noting that the stars have come out, and that they are as "bright as winking."
Interpretation
The meaning of "These held their Wick above the West" is not immediately clear. On the surface, the poem describes a sunset, but there is much more to it than that. The second stanza, in particular, introduces a sense of mystery and uncertainty. What does it mean that "Nature forswears"? And what is the significance of "Mystery is early dawn"?
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The sun sinking below the horizon symbolizes the end of life, and the stars coming out symbolize the afterlife. The phrase "Nature forswears" could be interpreted as a warning that everything in nature must eventually come to an end.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. The vivid imagery of the sunset, the red and orange sky, and the bright stars all evoke a sense of awe and wonder. The phrase "Mystery is early dawn" could be interpreted as a reminder that there is still much to be discovered and explored in the natural world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "These held their Wick above the West" is a beautiful and enigmatic poem that speaks to the universal themes of life, death, and the beauty of the natural world. Emily Dickinson's use of vivid imagery, unconventional punctuation, and ambiguity creates a sense of mystery and uncertainty that draws the reader in and invites them to explore the poem's deeper meanings. Whether one interprets the poem as a meditation on the passage of time or a celebration of the beauty of nature, one cannot deny the power and beauty of Emily Dickinson's words.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
These held their Wick above the West is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of the sunset. The 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 analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall meaning.
The poem begins with the line, "These held their Wick above the West." The use of the word "these" suggests that the poem is referring to a group of objects or entities. The word "wick" is used metaphorically to refer to the sun, which is setting in the west. The sun is often associated with fire, and the use of the word "wick" emphasizes this association. The line also suggests that the sun is being held up by something, which adds to the mystical and magical quality of the poem.
The second line of the poem reads, "Till when the Red declined." The use of the word "Red" is significant because it is capitalized, which draws attention to it. The capitalization of "Red" suggests that it is being used as a proper noun, which could refer to the color of the sunset or to something else entirely. The word "declined" suggests that the sun is slowly setting, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.
The third line of the poem reads, "Or how the Amber aided it." The use of the word "Amber" is significant because it is capitalized, which draws attention to it. The capitalization of "Amber" suggests that it is being used as a proper noun, which could refer to the color of the sunset or to something else entirely. The word "aided" suggests that the Amber is helping the sun to set, which adds to the mystical and magical quality of the poem.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "To interpose its frugal Foot." The use of the word "frugal" is significant because it suggests that the sun is being careful with its energy. The word "Foot" is used metaphorically to refer to the sun's rays, which are slowly disappearing as the sun sets. The use of the word "interpose" suggests that the sun is deliberately placing its rays in a certain way, which adds to the mystical and magical quality of the poem.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Where helpless Grasses lie." The use of the word "helpless" is significant because it suggests that the grass is at the mercy of the sun. The word "Grasses" is capitalized, which draws attention to it. The capitalization of "Grasses" suggests that it is being used as a proper noun, which could refer to a specific type of grass or to something else entirely. The line also suggests that the grass is lying down, which adds to the peaceful and serene quality of the poem.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Or better, be." The use of the word "better" is significant because it suggests that the grass is experiencing something positive as a result of the sun setting. The word "be" is used to suggest that the grass is existing in a state of being, which adds to the peaceful and serene quality of the poem.
The final line of the poem reads, "They leaned on Bayonets." The use of the word "Bayonets" is significant because it suggests that the grass is being supported by something sharp and dangerous. The line also suggests that the grass is leaning on the bayonets, which adds to the peaceful and serene quality of the poem. The use of the word "leaned" suggests that the grass is relaxed and comfortable, which adds to the overall peaceful and serene quality of the poem.
Overall, These held their Wick above the West is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of the sunset. The poem is characterized by Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. The poem explores themes of nature, beauty, and the mystical and magical qualities of the world around us. The use of metaphor and symbolism adds to the depth and complexity of the poem, making it a timeless piece of literature that continues to captivate readers to this day.
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