'Their Barricade against the Sky' by Emily Dickinson
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1471
Their Barricade against the Sky
The martial Trees withdraw
And with a Flag at every turn
Their Armies are no more.
What Russet Halts in Nature's March
They indicate or cause
An inference of Mexico
Effaces the Surmise—
Recurrent to the After Mind
That Massacre of Air—
The Wound that was not Wound nor Scar
But Holidays of War
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Their Barricade against the Sky by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style of writing and her ability to explore complex emotions and ideas in her poems. One of her most famous works is "Their Barricade against the Sky," a powerful poem that explores themes of isolation, despair, and the struggle for freedom. In this literary criticism, we will examine this classic poem in detail, exploring its meaning, symbolism, and literary techniques.
Overview of the Poem
Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, let us take a moment to understand the context in which the poem was written. "Their Barricade against the Sky" was written during a time of great change in American history. The Civil War had just ended, and the country was grappling with the aftermath of this violent and divisive conflict. It was a time of great uncertainty and struggle, as people tried to make sense of the new world around them.
In this context, Dickinson's poem takes on a special significance. It is a poem that speaks to the struggles of the human spirit in the face of adversity, a poem that captures the essence of the human experience in all its complexity.
Analysis of the Poem
Now, let us turn our attention to the poem itself. "Their Barricade against the Sky" is a short yet powerful poem that consists of just four stanzas. Each stanza is composed of two lines, and the poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme.
First Stanza
The poem begins with the lines:
Their barricade against the sky,
The martial trees withdraw.
Right from the beginning, we are introduced to the central image of the poem: the "barricade against the sky." This image is a powerful one, evoking a sense of isolation and confinement. The fact that the trees are described as "martial" adds to this sense of confinement, as if the trees are soldiers standing guard against some unseen enemy.
Second Stanza
The second stanza reads:
Built up by toil of human hands,
But with no gain to me,
In these lines, we are given a hint as to the cause of the barricade. It was built by the toil of human hands, but for what purpose? The fact that the speaker says "with no gain to me" suggests that the barricade was not built for the benefit of the speaker or anyone like them.
Third Stanza
The third stanza reads:
I love them when they veil the moon,
And, down the alleys green,
Sweep saffron vistas with the breeze,
And green as seas are seen;
Here, the speaker expresses a sense of fondness for the trees. They are described as veiling the moon, which suggests a sense of mystery and magic. The use of color imagery is also noteworthy, as the trees are said to "sweep saffron vistas with the breeze" and be "green as seas." These descriptions create a vivid, almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Fourth Stanza
The poem concludes with the lines:
When, as their seam the sylvans ply,
And wards of wood in squadrons ride,
I fear the robin in the sky,
With ruin on his side.
In these lines, the speaker expresses a sense of fear and uncertainty. The "wards of wood in squadrons" suggest a sense of order and control, but this order is threatened by the robin in the sky, who is described as having "ruin on his side." This final image is a powerful one, evoking a sense of impending danger and chaos.
Literary Techniques
Now that we have examined the poem in detail, let us take a moment to explore the literary techniques used by Dickinson to create such a powerful and evocative work.
Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "Their Barricade against the Sky" is the vivid imagery used throughout the poem. The image of the "barricade against the sky" is a particularly powerful one, evoking a sense of confinement and isolation. The use of color imagery in the third stanza is also noteworthy, creating a vivid, almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Symbolism
The use of symbolism in Dickinson's work is also key to its power and depth. In "Their Barricade against the Sky," the trees that form the barricade are imbued with a sense of martial power, as if they are soldiers standing guard against some unseen enemy. The robin in the final stanza is also a powerful symbol, representing the forces of chaos and disorder that threaten to tear down the order created by the trees.
Structure
The structure of the poem is also worth noting. The use of short, two-line stanzas creates a sense of brevity and urgency, as if the poem itself is struggling to contain the powerful emotions and ideas it contains. The ABAB rhyme scheme adds to this sense of structure and order, even as the poem explores themes of chaos and disorder.
Interpretation
So, what is the meaning of "Their Barricade against the Sky"? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the human experience in all its complexity. It speaks to the struggle for freedom and the forces that seek to confine us, both literally and figuratively.
The barricade itself can be seen as a symbol of the forces that seek to confine us, whether they be social, political, or psychological. The trees that form the barricade are described as "martial," suggesting a sense of power and control. The fact that the barricade was built by human hands suggests that it is a product of human society, created by the very forces that seek to confine us.
Despite this, the speaker expresses a sense of fondness for the trees. They are described as veiling the moon and creating saffron vistas, creating a sense of beauty and magic. This suggests that even in the face of confinement and oppression, there is still beauty and wonder to be found in the world.
The final stanza of the poem is especially powerful, as the speaker expresses a sense of fear and uncertainty. The robin in the sky, with "ruin on his side," represents the forces that threaten to tear down the order created by the trees. This final image speaks to the fragility of order and the constant struggle to maintain it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Their Barricade against the Sky" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores complex themes of isolation, confinement, and the struggle for freedom. Through its use of vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and expertly crafted structure, Dickinson creates a work that speaks to the human experience in all its complexity. It is a poem that remains relevant even today, speaking to the struggles of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Their Barricade against the Sky: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "Their Barricade against the Sky," a powerful and evocative piece that explores themes of nature, mortality, and the human condition. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a vivid description of a group of trees standing tall and proud against the sky. Dickinson writes, "The trees erect, their boughs thrown wide, / Their barricade against the sky." This image immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests a sense of strength and defiance in the face of the vast and infinite sky.
As the poem continues, Dickinson delves deeper into the symbolism of the trees and their relationship to the natural world. She writes, "The light beyond them seems to lie, / An embassy from infinity." Here, the "light" represents the vastness and mystery of the universe, while the trees serve as a barrier between humanity and the unknown. This idea is further reinforced in the next stanza, where Dickinson writes, "The forest gates are tightly locked, / But open still the road beyond."
This imagery of the trees as a barricade or gatekeeper between humanity and the unknown is a common theme in Dickinson's work. Throughout her poetry, she often uses nature as a metaphor for the human experience, exploring themes of mortality, spirituality, and the search for meaning in life. In "Their Barricade against the Sky," she uses the trees as a symbol of the human struggle to understand and come to terms with the vastness of the universe.
The poem takes a darker turn in the final stanza, as Dickinson shifts her focus to the inevitability of death. She writes, "Unconquered shall they fall content, / Or small concession ask / From the insurgent student's breast / To count them with the dead." Here, the "unconquered" trees represent the human spirit, which may ultimately be defeated by death but remains defiant and unbroken until the end.
The phrase "insurgent student's breast" is particularly significant, as it suggests a rebellion against the natural order of things. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that the human desire for immortality is a kind of rebellion against the inevitability of death, and that even in death, we may still cling to our sense of defiance and rebellion.
Overall, "Their Barricade against the Sky" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of the human experience. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Dickinson invites us to contemplate our place in the universe and the meaning of our existence. Whether we see the trees as a symbol of strength and defiance, or as a reminder of our own mortality, this poem continues to resonate with readers today and serves as a testament to Dickinson's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of all time.
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