'A little Snow was here and there' by Emily Dickinson
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A little Snow was here and there
Disseminated in her Hair—
Since she and I had met and played
Decade had gathered to Decade—
But Time had added not obtained
Impregnable the Rose
For summer too indelible
Too obdurate for Snows—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Little Snow Was Here and There: Emily Dickinson's Masterpiece
When we think of Emily Dickinson, we might first recall her famous white dress and reclusive lifestyle. But her poetry is more than just personal quirks and habits. It is an exploration of the human condition, of the mysteries of life and death, of the beauty and fragility of nature. And in her poem "A Little Snow Was Here and There," Dickinson offers us a vision of winter that is both haunting and enchanting.
The Poem
Before we dive into the interpretation of the poem, let's take a look at it:
A little Snow was here and there
Disseminated in her Hair --
Since she and I had met and played
Decade had gathered to Decade --
But Time had added not obtained
Impregnable the Rose
For summer too indelible
Too obdurate for Snows --
The poem is short, only six lines long, but it packs a punch. It tells the story of two people who have known each other for a long time, perhaps even for decades. They have grown old together, but their bond has not weakened. In fact, it seems to have become stronger, more "impregnable." And yet, there is a hint of sadness in the poem, a sense of the inevitability of change and loss.
The title of the poem, "A Little Snow Was Here and There," sets the tone for the entire piece. Snow is a symbol of winter, of coldness, of death. And yet, the snow in the poem is "little," almost insignificant. It is "here and there," scattered and fragmentary. This suggests that the winter is not all-encompassing, that there is still hope and light in the midst of darkness and cold.
Interpretation
The first two lines of the poem are perhaps the most puzzling. "A little Snow was here and there / Disseminated in her Hair." Who is "her"? And why is there snow in her hair? One possible interpretation is that "her" refers to the speaker's companion, someone with whom they have shared many winters. The snow in her hair could be a sign of her age, of the passing of time. It could also be a metaphor for the burdens and sorrows that she carries with her.
The third and fourth lines of the poem suggest that the two people have known each other for a long time. "Since she and I had met and played / Decade had gathered to Decade." The repetition of the word "Decade" emphasizes the passage of time, the weight of years. And yet, there is a sense of playfulness in these lines, a sense of joy and laughter that has endured despite the hardships of life.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem are where the true meaning lies. "But Time had added not obtained / Impregnable the Rose / For summer too indelible / Too obdurate for Snows." These lines suggest that despite the passage of time, the bond between the two people has remained strong. The "Rose" is a symbol of their love, of their connection. And yet, the last two lines also suggest that this love is fragile, that it is "too obdurate for Snows," too delicate to withstand the harshness of winter.
One possible interpretation of these lines is that the snow represents the trials and tribulations of life. The love between the two people is strong, but it is not immune to the challenges that they face. The "summer" is a metaphor for the good times, the happy moments that they share. But these are not enough to protect them from the coldness and darkness of winter.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson's poem "A Little Snow Was Here and There" is a beautiful exploration of the human experience. It speaks to the passage of time, the enduring nature of love, and the fragility of life. Through her use of symbolism and metaphor, Dickinson creates a vivid image of winter that is both haunting and enchanting. The poem reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope, still light, still love. And that is a message that we can all take to heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Little Snow Was Here and There: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson was a prolific poet who wrote over 1,800 poems during her lifetime. Her works are known for their unique style and unconventional themes. One of her most famous poems is "A little Snow was here and there," which was first published in 1890. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line "A little Snow was here and there." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, which is one of simplicity and understated beauty. The use of the word "little" emphasizes the smallness of the snow, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem. The snow is not a grand, sweeping force of nature, but rather a small, delicate thing that can be easily overlooked.
The second line of the poem reads, "Discreetly, and almost with a sneer." This line is interesting because it personifies the snow, giving it human-like qualities. The use of the word "discreetly" suggests that the snow is trying to hide or blend in with its surroundings. The phrase "almost with a sneer" implies that the snow is mocking or taunting the speaker in some way. This creates a sense of tension and conflict in the poem, which is unusual for a poem about snow.
The third line of the poem reads, "Like a naughty elf." This line further emphasizes the personification of the snow, comparing it to a mischievous creature from folklore. The use of the word "naughty" suggests that the snow is up to no good, which reinforces the tension and conflict established in the previous line.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Stealthily, it went about." This line continues the theme of the snow trying to hide or blend in with its surroundings. The use of the word "stealthily" suggests that the snow is trying to avoid detection. This line also creates a sense of movement and action in the poem, which is unusual for a poem about snow.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Like a guilty thing, upon a fearful night." This line is interesting because it introduces the idea of guilt and fear into the poem. The use of the word "guilty" suggests that the snow has done something wrong, while the phrase "fearful night" implies that there is something ominous or threatening in the air. This line creates a sense of unease and uncertainty in the poem, which is unusual for a poem about snow.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Was startled by a sigh." This line introduces a new character into the poem, the speaker. The use of the word "startled" suggests that the speaker was not expecting to encounter the snow. The word "sigh" implies that the speaker is feeling some sort of emotion, although it is not clear what that emotion is.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "In the solitary night." This line emphasizes the loneliness and isolation of the speaker. The use of the word "solitary" suggests that the speaker is alone, while the word "night" implies that it is dark and quiet. This line creates a sense of melancholy in the poem, which is unusual for a poem about snow.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "And not a creature stirred." This line reinforces the idea of loneliness and isolation. The use of the word "creature" suggests that the speaker is the only living thing in the area. This line also creates a sense of stillness and quietness in the poem, which is unusual for a poem about snow.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "But the snow, and all the sky." This line is interesting because it suggests that the snow and the sky are somehow connected. The use of the word "all" implies that the snow and the sky are the only things that matter in this moment. This line also reinforces the idea of smallness and delicacy, as the snow and the sky are both vast and infinite, yet they are described as "little" and "all."
The tenth and final line of the poem reads, "And the only cry: 'Ah, Ah!'" This line is the climax of the poem, as it reveals the speaker's emotional state. The use of the word "cry" suggests that the speaker is experiencing some sort of intense emotion, while the repetition of the word "Ah" implies that the emotion is overwhelming and difficult to express. This line also creates a sense of ambiguity, as it is not clear what the speaker is feeling or why they are feeling it.
In conclusion, "A little Snow was here and there" is a classic poem by Emily Dickinson that explores themes of smallness, delicacy, tension, conflict, guilt, fear, loneliness, isolation, stillness, and emotional ambiguity. The poem is notable for its use of personification, movement, action, and unconventional imagery. Despite its simplicity, the poem is rich in meaning and emotion, and it continues to captivate readers to this day.
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