'It was a quiet way—' by Emily Dickinson
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It was a quiet way—
He asked if I was his—
I made no answer of the Tongue
But answer of the Eyes—
And then He bore me on
Before this mortal noise
With swiftness, as of Chariots
And distance, as of Wheels.
This World did drop away
As Acres from the feet
Of one that leaneth from Balloon
Upon an Ether street.
The Gulf behind was not,
The Continents were new—
Eternity it was before
Eternity was due.
No Seasons were to us—
It was not Night nor Morn—
But Sunrise stopped upon the place
And fastened it in Dawn.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
"It was a quiet way" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
"It was a quiet way" is one of the many poems written by Emily Dickinson. Born in 1830, Emily Dickinson was an American poet who is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, love, and spirituality. "It was a quiet way" is a short poem that is only four lines long, yet it contains a depth of meaning that is characteristic of Dickinson's work. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices and style used in this poem.
Analysis
It was a quiet way -
He asked if I was his -
I made no answer of the tongue
But answer of the eyes -
At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward. However, upon closer examination, one realizes that there is a lot of depth in this poem. The poem is about a conversation between two people. The speaker describes the conversation as a "quiet way", which implies that it was a private conversation that was not meant to be heard by others. The first line sets the tone for the poem, which is calm and peaceful. The use of the word "quiet" emphasizes the stillness and tranquility of the setting.
The second line reveals that the conversation was about a question asked by one of the speakers. The question is not specified in the poem, but we can assume that it has to do with the relationship between the two speakers. The use of the word "asked" suggests that the question was asked in a gentle and respectful manner.
The third line reveals that the speaker did not answer the question with words, but with "the eyes". This implies that the speaker's answer was communicated through body language or a gaze. The use of the word "tongue" emphasizes the idea that the speaker did not need words to answer the question. The use of the word "answer" suggests that the question was important and required a response.
The last line of the poem reveals that the speaker's answer was affirmative. The use of the word "but" suggests that there was an expectation that the speaker would answer with words, but instead answered with her eyes. The use of the word "eyes" emphasizes the power of nonverbal communication and the depth of emotion that can be conveyed through a look.
Themes
One of the main themes in this poem is communication. The poem explores the different ways in which people can communicate with each other. The use of nonverbal communication, such as body language or a gaze, is emphasized in the poem. The poem suggests that communication is not always about words, but about the emotions and feelings behind them.
Another theme in this poem is intimacy. The "quiet way" in which the conversation takes place suggests that it is a private and intimate moment. The use of nonverbal communication also suggests a level of intimacy between the two speakers, as it requires a level of emotional connection to be able to communicate without words.
Literary Devices
Emily Dickinson uses a variety of literary devices in this poem. One of the most notable is the use of enjambment. Enjambment is when a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next without punctuation. In this poem, the use of enjambment creates a sense of continuity and flow between the lines.
Another literary device used in this poem is imagery. The use of the word "quiet" creates a peaceful and tranquil image in the mind of the reader. The use of the word "answer" creates an image of a response that is necessary and important. The use of the word "eyes" creates an image of nonverbal communication and the depth of emotion that can be conveyed through a look.
Style
The style of this poem is characteristic of Emily Dickinson's work. The poem is short and simple, yet it contains a depth of meaning that is characteristic of Dickinson's style. The use of enjambment creates a sense of continuity and flow between the lines, which is also characteristic of Dickinson's style.
The use of imagery and metaphor is also characteristic of Dickinson's style. In this poem, Dickinson uses the metaphor of the "eyes" to convey the depth of emotion that can be communicated without words. This use of metaphor is characteristic of Dickinson's work, as she often uses metaphor to convey complex emotions and ideas.
Conclusion
"It was a quiet way" is a short yet powerful poem that explores the themes of communication and intimacy. The use of nonverbal communication, such as body language or a gaze, is emphasized in the poem, suggesting that communication is not always about words. The poem also explores the power of metaphor and imagery to convey complex emotions and ideas. The style of the poem is characteristic of Emily Dickinson's work, with its use of enjambment and metaphor. Overall, "It was a quiet way" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the depth and complexity of human communication.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
It was a quiet way – a poem by Emily Dickinson that has been captivating readers for over a century. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of dashes, unconventional capitalization, and her ability to convey deep emotions through simple words. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning behind this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line "It was a quiet way," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "quiet" suggests that the speaker is in a peaceful and calm state of mind. The word "way" can be interpreted in different ways, but in this context, it refers to a path or a journey. The speaker is describing a journey that is peaceful and calm.
The second line of the poem reads, "He asked if I was his." This line introduces a character, who is referred to as "he." The identity of this character is not revealed, but it is clear that he is someone who is important to the speaker. The question "if I was his" suggests that there is a relationship between the speaker and this character. The use of the word "his" implies that the character has some sort of ownership or possession over the speaker.
The third line of the poem reads, "I said I am yours." This line confirms the relationship between the speaker and the character. The speaker declares that she belongs to him, which suggests that she is in love with him. The use of the word "yours" emphasizes the possessive nature of the relationship.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "He said nothing more." This line is significant because it suggests that the character is not as invested in the relationship as the speaker is. The fact that he does not respond to the speaker's declaration of love suggests that he may not feel the same way. This creates a sense of tension and uncertainty in the poem.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "The silence was all." This line emphasizes the quiet and peaceful nature of the journey. The use of the word "silence" suggests that there is a lack of communication between the speaker and the character. This lack of communication creates a sense of loneliness and isolation for the speaker.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "He took me by the hand." This line suggests that the character is taking the lead in the journey. The fact that he takes the speaker by the hand suggests that he is guiding her. This creates a sense of trust and dependence between the two characters.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "We walked a little while." This line suggests that the journey is not a long one. The use of the word "little" emphasizes the brevity of the journey. This creates a sense of urgency and impermanence in the poem.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "And then he said goodbye." This line is significant because it suggests that the journey has come to an end. The fact that the character says goodbye suggests that he is leaving the speaker. This creates a sense of loss and sadness for the speaker.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "I could not say hello again." This line emphasizes the finality of the goodbye. The use of the word "could not" suggests that the speaker is unable to continue the relationship. This creates a sense of regret and longing for the speaker.
The final line of the poem reads, "He was gone, and I – too." This line emphasizes the sense of loss and finality in the poem. The fact that the character is gone suggests that the relationship is over. The use of the word "too" suggests that the speaker is also gone, which creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty.
In conclusion, "It was a quiet way" is a poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and loneliness. The use of simple language and unconventional punctuation creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty in the poem. The relationship between the speaker and the character is characterized by a lack of communication and a sense of finality. The poem leaves the reader with a sense of longing and regret, which is a testament to Dickinson's ability to convey deep emotions through simple words.
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