'I reckon—when I count it all' by Emily Dickinson
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I reckon—when I count it all—
First—Poets—Then the Sun—
Then Summer—Then the Heaven of God—
And then—the List is done—
But, looking back—the First so seems
To Comprehend the Whole—
The Others look a needless Show—
So I write—Poets—All—
Their Summer—lasts a Solid Year—
They can afford a Sun
The East—would deem extravagant—
And if the Further Heaven—
Be Beautiful as they prepare
For Those who worship Them—
It is too difficult a Grace—
To justify the Dream—
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I reckon—when I count it all" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism
Emily Dickinson is one of the most enigmatic and elusive poets of all time. Her poetry is often characterized by its idiosyncratic style, its use of unconventional punctuation, and its preoccupation with death and mortality. One of her most intriguing poems is "I reckon—when I count it all," a short but dense meditation on the nature of existence and the passage of time. In this literary criticism, I will provide a detailed analysis of this poem, exploring its themes, its structure, and its significance in the context of Dickinson's oeuvre.
Overview of the Poem
"I reckon—when I count it all" is a seven-line poem that was first published in 1945, nearly seventy years after Dickinson's death. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular meter or rhyme scheme, and it is characterized by its sparse and elliptical syntax. The poem is divided into two stanzas: the first stanza consists of four lines, while the second stanza consists of three lines. The first stanza is structured around the phrase "I reckon," which is repeated twice, while the second stanza is structured around the phrase "And then," which is repeated twice.
Analysis of the Poem
Theme
The central theme of "I reckon—when I count it all" is the fleeting nature of human life and the inevitability of death. The poem begins with the speaker "reckoning" the years of her life, suggesting that she is taking stock of her existence and reflecting on the passage of time. The use of the word "reckon" is significant, as it implies a certain degree of calculation and measurement, as if the speaker is trying to quantify the value of her life. However, the poem quickly moves from this concrete sense of time to a more abstract sense of time, with the speaker noting that "Eternity is too short / To retract a vow." Here, the speaker seems to be suggesting that human life is so brief and inconsequential in the grand scheme of things that it is almost meaningless. The use of the word "vow" is also significant, as it suggests a sense of commitment or obligation that is ultimately futile in the face of eternity.
Structure
The structure of "I reckon—when I count it all" is deceptively simple. The poem consists of only two stanzas, each of which is made up of several short, elliptical phrases. The use of free verse allows Dickinson to experiment with the length and syntax of her lines, creating a sense of fragmentation and disorientation that mirrors the existential uncertainty of the poem's themes. The repetition of the phrases "I reckon" and "And then" also creates a sense of circularity and repetition, suggesting that the speaker is trapped in a cycle of reflection and contemplation that can never be resolved.
Imagery
Despite its brevity, "I reckon—when I count it all" is rich in imagery that reinforces its themes of mortality and impermanence. The opening line of the poem, with its reference to "the years that were / Fast upon the waste," suggests a sense of time moving inexorably forward, with the years slipping away like sand in an hourglass. The use of the phrase "Fast upon the waste" also implies a sense of decay and decline, as if the speaker is watching her life ebb away before her eyes. The image of "Eternity" as "too short" also creates a sense of paradox and irony, as if the very thing that should be infinite and everlasting is in fact fleeting and ephemeral. Finally, the closing image of "The dust behind I strove to join / Unto the greater dust" suggests a sense of dissolution and disintegration, as if the speaker is slowly being absorbed into the vast, impersonal forces of nature.
Language
Dickinson's use of language in "I reckon—when I count it all" is characteristically elliptical and enigmatic. The use of the phrase "I reckon" creates a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity, as if the speaker is not entirely sure of the accuracy of her calculations. The use of the word "vow" also suggests a sense of solemnity and gravity, as if the speaker is making a profound and irrevocable commitment. Finally, the use of the phrase "The dust behind I strove to join / Unto the greater dust" creates a sense of motion and movement, as if the speaker is striving to overcome the boundaries of her mortal existence and merge with the vast, impersonal forces of the universe.
Significance
"I reckon—when I count it all" is a significant poem in the context of Dickinson's oeuvre, as it encapsulates many of her central preoccupations and themes. The poem's focus on the fleeting nature of human life and the inevitability of death is a recurring motif in Dickinson's poetry, and it is expressed here with a characteristic blend of wit, irony, and melancholy. The poem's use of elliptical syntax and unconventional punctuation also reflects Dickinson's distinctive poetic style, which often evokes a sense of fragmentation and disorientation. Finally, the poem's emphasis on the vast, impersonal forces of nature suggests a sense of cosmic indifference that is also a recurring theme in Dickinson's work.
Conclusion
"I reckon—when I count it all" is a brief but dense poem that encapsulates many of the central themes and motifs of Emily Dickinson's poetry. Through its focus on the fleeting nature of human life and the inevitability of death, the poem explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Its use of elliptical syntax, unconventional punctuation, and rich imagery creates a sense of disorientation and fragmentation that mirrors the existential uncertainty of the poem's themes. Overall, "I reckon—when I count it all" is a powerful and haunting poem that captures the essence of Dickinson's poetic vision.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Reckon—When I Count It All, a classic poem by Emily Dickinson, is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the concept of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker stating, "I reckon—when I count it all," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "reckon" suggests that the speaker is reflecting on something, perhaps their own life or the lives of those around them. The phrase "when I count it all" implies that the speaker is taking stock of their experiences and trying to make sense of them.
The first stanza of the poem reads:
I reckon—when I count it all— First—Poets—Then the Sun— Then Summer—Then the Heaven of God— And then—the List is done—
This stanza is particularly interesting because it presents a hierarchy of things that the speaker considers important. The first thing on the list is "Poets," which suggests that the speaker values art and creativity above all else. The second thing on the list is "the Sun," which is a symbol of life and vitality. The third thing on the list is "Summer," which is a time of growth and abundance. Finally, the speaker mentions "the Heaven of God," which suggests a belief in an afterlife or a higher power.
The second stanza of the poem reads:
But, looking back—the First so seems To Comprehend the Whole— The Others look a needless Show— So I write—Poets—All—
This stanza is where the poem really starts to come together thematically. The speaker is reflecting on their life and experiences, and they realize that the first thing on their list, "Poets," is the most important. The speaker suggests that poets have the ability to comprehend the whole of life, which is a powerful statement. The other things on the list, such as the Sun and Summer, are just "a needless show" in comparison.
The third stanza of the poem reads:
Their Summer—lasts a Solid Year— They can afford a Sun The East—would deem extravagant— And if the Further Heaven—
This stanza is particularly interesting because it suggests that poets have a different experience of life than others. The speaker suggests that poets have a "Solid Year" of Summer, which implies that they are able to experience joy and abundance all year round. The speaker also suggests that poets can afford a Sun that the East would deem extravagant, which implies that poets have a different perspective on life than others. Finally, the speaker mentions "the Further Heaven," which suggests that poets have a different understanding of the afterlife or a higher power.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem reads:
Be Beautiful the Earth and Sky— Ungatherable as Breath— Droll—delectable— The Commonplace I seek—
This stanza is a beautiful conclusion to the poem. The speaker suggests that the Earth and Sky are beautiful, but also unattainable, like breath. The speaker then uses the words "droll" and "delectable" to describe the commonplace things they seek. This suggests that the speaker values the simple things in life, such as laughter and joy, above all else.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of four quatrains, or four-line stanzas. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABCB, which means that the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme. This gives the poem a sense of unity and cohesion.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is full of them. One of the most prominent devices used in the poem is personification. The speaker personifies the Sun, Summer, and Heaven, which gives them a sense of agency and importance. The use of personification also adds to the overall theme of the poem, which is the importance of art and creativity.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe the things on their list, such as the Sun and Summer. This imagery helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood in the poem.
Finally, the poem is full of symbolism. The Sun, Summer, and Heaven are all symbols of life and vitality, while poets are a symbol of art and creativity. The use of these symbols helps to create a sense of depth and meaning in the poem.
In conclusion, I Reckon—When I Count It All is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the concept of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is full of literary devices, such as personification, imagery, and symbolism, which help to create a sense of depth and meaning. The poem is also structured in a way that gives it a sense of unity and cohesion. Overall, this poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's unique style and her ability to explore complex themes in a simple and beautiful way.
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