'Superfluous were the Sun' by Emily Dickinson
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Superfluous were the Sun
When Excellence be dead
He were superfluous every Day
For every Day be said
That syllable whose Faith
Just saves it from Despair
And whose "I'll meet You" hesitates
If Love inquire "Where"?
Upon His dateless Fame
Our Periods may lie
As Stars that drop anonymous
From an abundant sky.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Superfluous were the Sun: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Emily Dickinson, the queen of poetry! How can we not fall in love with her writing? Her poems are filled with such depth and meaning that they leave us pondering for hours. One such poem that stands out is "Superfluous were the Sun" - a masterpiece that captures the essence of the human experience. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the poem and unravel its layers of meaning.
Poem Overview
"Superfluous were the Sun" is a short poem with only four stanzas, each consisting of two lines. The simplicity of the structure belies the complexity of the themes that the poem touches upon. The opening line itself is striking: "Superfluous were the Sun / When Excellence be dead." The word "superfluous" means unnecessary or excessive, and the poem starts by questioning the need for the sun when excellence is lost. It immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem and leaves the reader with a sense of unease.
In the second stanza, Dickinson further elaborates on this idea by saying that the sun is "too mighty" for a world without excellence. The third stanza talks about the loss of beauty and how the world becomes a "desolation." The final stanza concludes the poem with the lines: "And what I was, and what I am / Some scattered brightnesses develop." Here, Dickinson talks about how the loss of excellence scatters our sense of self and leaves us searching for some glimmer of hope.
Analysis
The poem starts with a philosophical question - Is the sun unnecessary when excellence is dead? The word "excellence" can have various interpretations. It can refer to a person who was excellent in their field, a belief system that valued excellence, or a standard of excellence that the world held dear. Whatever the interpretation, it is clear that Dickinson is talking about the loss of something that was essential to the world. The sun, which is necessary for life on earth, becomes "superfluous" in the face of this loss.
In the second stanza, Dickinson talks about the sun being too mighty for a world without excellence. Here, the sun is a metaphor for something that is too powerful to exist in a world that has lost its sense of purpose. The third stanza elaborates on this by talking about the loss of beauty. The word "desolation" is particularly striking here. It is a word that evokes a sense of emptiness and hopelessness. The loss of beauty, which was once present in the world, has left it barren and lifeless.
The final stanza is where the poem really shines. Dickinson talks about how the loss of excellence scatters our sense of self. The word "brightnesses" is particularly interesting here. It suggests that even in the face of darkness, there are still fragments of light that exist within us. These scattered pieces of ourselves are what we hold onto in the face of loss.
Interpretation
"Superfluous were the Sun" is a poem that deals with the universal human experience of loss. Loss is something that we all experience at some point in our lives. It can be the loss of a loved one, a job, a belief system, or even a sense of purpose. Dickinson uses the sun as a metaphor for something that is essential to our existence. When we lose something that was once essential to us, the world becomes a desolate place.
The poem leaves us with a sense of hopelessness. It suggests that the loss of excellence is so great that even the sun, which is necessary for life on earth, becomes unnecessary. However, the final stanza provides a glimmer of hope. The scattered brightnesses that develop within us suggest that even in the face of darkness, there are still fragments of light that exist within us.
Conclusion
"Superfluous were the Sun" is a poem that captures the essence of the human experience. It deals with the universal theme of loss and leaves the reader with a sense of unease. However, it also suggests that even in the face of darkness, there are still fragments of light that exist within us. Dickinson's use of metaphors and her ability to pack so much meaning into just eight lines is a testament to her genius as a poet. This poem is a reminder that even in the face of loss, there is still hope.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Superfluous were the Sun: 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 captivate readers with their depth, complexity, and beauty. One of her most famous poems is "Superfluous were the Sun," a short but powerful piece that explores the nature of love, loss, and the human experience. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "Superfluous were the Sun," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "superfluous" means unnecessary or excessive, and the fact that the sun is described in this way suggests that it is not needed or wanted. This is a striking image, as the sun is often seen as a symbol of warmth, light, and life. However, in this poem, it is portrayed as something that is not needed or even wanted.
The next line, "When excellence be dead," adds to the sense of loss and sadness that permeates the poem. The word "excellence" suggests something that is of the highest quality or value, and the fact that it is "dead" implies that something important has been lost. This could refer to a person, a relationship, or even a way of life. Whatever it is, the speaker is clearly mourning its loss.
The third line, "He were superfluous every day," introduces the idea of a male figure who is also unnecessary or unwanted. This could be a lover, a friend, or even a family member. The fact that the speaker refers to this person as "He" suggests that it is someone who is close to them, and the repetition of the word "superfluous" reinforces the idea that this person is not needed or wanted.
The fourth line, "For every day is not the same," adds to the sense of change and impermanence that runs throughout the poem. The fact that "every day is not the same" suggests that things are constantly changing, and that what was once important or necessary may no longer be so. This could be a reference to the passage of time, or to the fact that people and relationships change over time.
The fifth and final line, "But love is far from every day," is perhaps the most powerful and poignant line in the poem. It suggests that while everything else may be subject to change and impermanence, love is something that endures. The fact that it is "far from every day" suggests that it is rare and precious, and that it is something that should be cherished and valued.
Overall, "Superfluous were the Sun" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the nature of love, loss, and the human experience. Through its use of striking imagery, repetition, and powerful language, it conveys a sense of sadness and longing, but also of hope and resilience. It reminds us that while everything else may be subject to change and impermanence, love is something that endures, and that it is something that we should cherish and value above all else.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of repetition. The word "superfluous" is repeated twice in the first three lines, which reinforces the idea that the sun and the male figure are both unnecessary or unwanted. This repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, which adds to the poem's overall impact.
Another important literary device used in the poem is imagery. The image of the sun as something that is not needed or wanted is a powerful one, and it creates a sense of darkness and sadness. The image of "excellence" being dead also adds to this sense of loss and mourning. These images are both powerful and evocative, and they help to convey the poem's overall message.
Finally, the poem's use of language is also worth noting. The use of the word "He" to refer to the male figure creates a sense of intimacy and closeness, which makes the poem more personal and emotional. The use of the word "love" in the final line is also significant, as it reminds us that despite all the sadness and loss, there is still something that endures and gives us hope.
In conclusion, "Superfluous were the Sun" is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers with its depth, complexity, and beauty. Through its use of repetition, imagery, and language, it conveys a sense of sadness and longing, but also of hope and resilience. It reminds us that while everything else may be subject to change and impermanence, love is something that endures, and that it is something that we should cherish and value above all else.
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