'The long sigh of the Frog' by Emily Dickinson
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The long sigh of the Frog
Upon a Summer's Day
Enacts intoxication
Upon the Revery—
But his receding Swell
Substantiates a Peace
That makes the Ear inordinate
For corporal release—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's "The Long Sigh of the Frog"
As someone who has always been fascinated by Emily Dickinson's poetry, I couldn't resist diving into her work once again. This time, I chose to analyze one of her lesser-known poems, "The Long Sigh of the Frog." At first glance, it appears to be a simple poem about nature, but upon closer inspection, there are numerous layers to this work.
The Poem at a Glance
Before we delve into the deeper meanings of the poem, let's take a quick look at the text itself.
The long sigh of the Frog
Upon a summer's day
Enacts intoxication
Upon the Revery
But his receding Swell
Substantiates a Peace
That makes the Ear inordinate
For corporal release.
At first glance, the poem seems to describe the sound of a frog's croak on a summer day. But as we will see, there is much more going on here.
The Sound of the Frog's Sigh
The first line of the poem is "The long sigh of the Frog." This is an interesting choice of words, as we typically don't associate sighing with frogs. However, Dickinson's choice of "long" gives the sigh a sense of weight and importance. It is not just any sigh, but a prolonged, drawn-out one.
The second line, "Upon a summer's day," sets the scene for the poem. We are in the midst of summer, and the air is filled with the sounds of nature.
Enacting Intoxication
The third line, "Enacts intoxication," is where things start to get interesting. The frog's sigh is not just a noise, but an action that has a tangible effect on those who hear it. The word "enacts" implies that the sigh is actively causing something to happen.
The word "intoxication" is also significant. It suggests that the sigh has a similar effect to a drug, causing a sense of euphoria or altered consciousness. This is an interesting contrast to the sober, rational mind that is often associated with poetry.
The Revery
The fourth line is "Upon the Revery." Here, Dickinson is using an archaic spelling of "reverie," which means a state of dreamy, abstracted contemplation. This is an important clue to what the poem is really about. The frog's sigh is not just a physical sound, but a trigger for a mental state.
Receding Swell
The next line, "But his receding Swell," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The word "swell" suggests a rising or expanding motion, which is then described as "receding." This could refer to the sound of the frog's croak, which rises and falls.
However, it could also be interpreted as a metaphor for something else. The "swell" could represent the dreamy state induced by the frog's sigh, which is then described as "receding" as the listener returns to reality.
Substantiating Peace
The next line is "Substantiates a Peace." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the dreamy state induced by the frog's croak is not just a fleeting sensation, but something that has substance and weight. It is a state of peace and calm that is real and palpable.
Inordinate Ear
The final line of the poem is "That makes the Ear inordinate / For corporal release." This is a bit of a puzzling line, but it can be interpreted in a few different ways.
The word "inordinate" means excessive or beyond what is normal. So, Dickinson is suggesting that the peace induced by the frog's sigh is so powerful that it creates an excessive longing for something physical, something tangible.
The phrase "corporal release" is also interesting. It could refer to sexual release, suggesting that the dreamy state induced by the frog's sigh creates a heightened sense of desire. Alternatively, it could refer to a physical release from the dreamy state, suggesting that the listener is desperate to return to reality.
Conclusion
Overall, "The Long Sigh of the Frog" is a fascinating poem that explores the relationship between sound and mental states. Dickinson suggests that the physical world has a direct impact on our mental and emotional states, and that something as simple as the sound of a frog's croak can induce a profound sense of peace and euphoria.
At the same time, Dickinson recognizes the limitations of this dreamy state, suggesting that it can create an excessive longing for something physical and tangible. This tension between the dreamy and the physical is what makes the poem so intriguing and thought-provoking.
As with much of Dickinson's work, there is much more to "The Long Sigh of the Frog" than meets the eye. It is a complex and multi-layered poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Long Sigh of the Frog: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. Among her many masterpieces, "The Long Sigh of the Frog" stands out as a unique and powerful poem that explores themes of nature, life, and death. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and explore why it continues to resonate with readers even after all these years.
The poem begins with a simple and vivid image: a frog sitting on a lily pad, "breathing his last." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the frog is nearing the end of his life. However, the poem does not dwell on death or sadness, but instead celebrates the beauty and wonder of nature, even in its most fleeting moments.
As the poem continues, we see the frog's final breaths described in exquisite detail. Dickinson writes that the frog's "long sigh" is like a "note of bugles," a powerful and mournful sound that echoes through the air. This comparison to bugles is significant, as it suggests that the frog's death is not just a small, insignificant event, but rather a momentous occasion that deserves to be recognized and remembered.
The poem then takes a surprising turn, as Dickinson describes the frog's body sinking into the water, and the lily pad closing over him "like a lid." This image is both beautiful and haunting, as it suggests that the frog's life has come full circle, and he has returned to the very place where he began. The lily pad closing over him also suggests a sense of finality and closure, as if the frog's death is not just an ending, but a new beginning.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid and evocative language to bring the scene to life. She describes the frog's breath as a "long, slow, painful expiration," and the lily pad as "closing like a weary lid." These descriptions create a sense of atmosphere and mood, and help to convey the emotions and feelings that the poet is trying to express.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Long Sigh of the Frog" is its use of imagery and symbolism. The frog, for example, is often seen as a symbol of transformation and change, as it undergoes a metamorphosis from a tadpole to an adult. In this poem, the frog's death can be seen as another kind of transformation, as it marks the end of one stage of life and the beginning of another.
Similarly, the lily pad can be seen as a symbol of rebirth and renewal, as it is the place where the frog began its life as a tadpole. The fact that the lily pad closes over the frog's body can be seen as a symbol of the cycle of life and death, and the idea that everything in nature is connected and interdependent.
Overall, "The Long Sigh of the Frog" is a powerful and moving poem that explores some of the most fundamental themes of human existence. It celebrates the beauty and wonder of nature, even in its most fleeting moments, and reminds us that life is a precious and fragile thing. Through its vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, the poem invites us to reflect on our own mortality, and to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "The Long Sigh of the Frog" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to inspire and captivate readers even today. Its themes of nature, life, and death are timeless and universal, and its vivid imagery and powerful symbolism make it a work of art that will continue to be celebrated for generations to come. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the natural world, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind.
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