'The day came slow, till five o' clock' by Emily Dickinson
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The day came slow, till five o'clock
Then sprang before the hills
Like hindered rubies, or the light
A sudden musket spills
The purple could not keep the east,
The sunrise shook from fold,
Like breadths of topaz, packed a night,
The lady just unrolled.
The happy winds their timbrels took;
The birds, in docile rows,
Arranged themselves around their prince
(The wind is prince of those).
The orchard sparkled like a Jew, --
How mighty 't was, to stay
A guest in this stupendous place,
The parlor of the day!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The day came slow, till five o'clock by Emily Dickinson: A Poem of Time and Loneliness
Emily Dickinson is known for her profound and enigmatic poetry, and "The day came slow, till five o'clock" is no exception. This short but powerful poem explores themes of time, loneliness, and the fleeting nature of existence. Through her use of language and structure, Dickinson creates a haunting and poignant work that lingers in the mind long after reading.
At first glance, "The day came slow, till five o'clock" appears to be a simple description of the passing of time. The speaker begins by stating that the day seemed to drag on, "till five o'clock" - a precise moment that marks the end of the workday for many people. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that there is a deeper meaning at play.
The second line, "And then the clock struck five" immediately establishes a sense of foreboding. The word "struck" suggests violence or force, and the suddenness of the clock's chime evokes a sense of alarm. In just two lines, Dickinson has created a palpable tension that draws the reader in and leaves them wondering what will happen next.
The third line, "The difference to me, from him, and her" introduces the theme of loneliness. The speaker is separated from others - "him" and "her" - and feels isolated in their experience of time. The use of the word "difference" emphasizes this sense of distance and highlights the speaker's sense of estrangement from the world around them.
As the poem continues, Dickinson plays with time in a way that is both subtle and profound. The fourth line, "Is but a single hour" seems to contradict the previous three lines, which have emphasized the slow passage of time. However, this line is not a reversal, but a shift in perspective. The speaker acknowledges that, in the grand scheme of things, an hour is not a significant amount of time. But for the speaker, it is a crucial hour - the hour that marks the end of their loneliness and isolation.
The final two lines of the poem are among Dickinson's most famous:
Yet what a little while, It had no will to stay
These lines are both beautiful and devastating. The use of the word "little" emphasizes the fleeting nature of existence, while the phrase "it had no will to stay" suggests that life is not something we can control. Time moves inexorably forward, whether we want it to or not, and the speaker is left to confront the fact that their moment of connection and companionship is brief and fragile.
One of the most striking things about "The day came slow, till five o'clock" is its use of sound. Dickinson's poetry is known for its musicality, and this poem is no exception. The alliteration in the first line - "day came slow" - creates a sense of slowness and heaviness, while the repetition of the "ck" sound in "clock struck five" emphasizes the violent force of the clock's chime. The final two lines of the poem are particularly musical, with the repetition of the "w" sound in "what a little while" creating a sense of melancholy and longing.
It is also worth noting the poem's structure. "The day came slow, till five o'clock" is a four-line poem, which is a common structure for Dickinson. However, the poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first two lines serving as an introduction or exposition, and the final two lines providing a conclusion or resolution. This structure emphasizes the poem's sense of progression and creates a sense of closure that is both satisfying and heartbreaking.
In conclusion, "The day came slow, till five o'clock" is a powerful work of poetry that explores themes of time, loneliness, and the fleeting nature of existence. Through her use of language, sound, and structure, Emily Dickinson creates a haunting and poignant work that is both beautiful and devastating. The poem's final lines - "Yet what a little while, / It had no will to stay" - linger in the mind long after reading, reminding us of the fragility of life and the importance of connection and companionship.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Day Came Slow, Till Five O'Clock: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, was known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of life in her poetry. Her poem, "The Day Came Slow, Till Five O'Clock," is a masterpiece that showcases her talent and creativity.
The poem is a reflection of the monotony of life and the longing for something more. It is a portrayal of the human desire for change and the frustration that comes with waiting for it. The poem is divided into two stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, while the second stanza provides a resolution.
The first stanza begins with the line, "The day came slow, till five o'clock." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests that the day has been dragging on, and the speaker is waiting for something to happen. The use of the word "slow" emphasizes the monotony of life and the frustration that comes with waiting for change.
The second line, "Then sprang before the hills," is a metaphor for the suddenness of change. The hills represent the obstacles that the speaker has been facing, and the sudden appearance of something new suggests that these obstacles have been overcome. The use of the word "sprang" suggests that the change was sudden and unexpected.
The third line, "Like hindered rubies, or the light," is a simile that compares the new thing to rubies or light. Rubies are precious stones that are often associated with wealth and luxury, while light is associated with clarity and understanding. The use of these images suggests that the new thing is valuable and enlightening.
The final line of the first stanza, "A sudden musket-shot had pierced the lore," is a metaphor for the impact of the new thing on the speaker's life. The use of the word "musket-shot" suggests that the impact was sudden and powerful. The word "lore" refers to the speaker's knowledge or understanding of the world. The metaphor suggests that the new thing has shattered the speaker's understanding of the world and opened up new possibilities.
The second stanza provides a resolution to the poem. It begins with the line, "Not all the vats upon the Rhine." This line suggests that the new thing is more valuable than anything else in the world. The Rhine is a river in Europe that is known for its wine production. The use of the word "vats" suggests that the new thing is more valuable than even the best wine.
The second line, "Yield such a crimson wine," is a metaphor for the richness and depth of the new thing. The use of the word "crimson" suggests that the new thing is passionate and intense.
The third line, "The sunset, sir, is yours," is a metaphor for the speaker's ownership of the new thing. The sunset is a beautiful and valuable thing, and the use of the word "yours" suggests that the speaker has gained possession of something equally valuable.
The final line of the poem, "The purple obtained by an emperor's robes," is a metaphor for the speaker's newfound power and authority. The use of the word "purple" suggests royalty and power, while the reference to an emperor's robes suggests that the speaker has gained a position of authority.
In conclusion, "The Day Came Slow, Till Five O'Clock" is a masterpiece by Emily Dickinson that captures the essence of life and the human desire for change. The poem is a reflection of the monotony of life and the frustration that comes with waiting for something more. The use of metaphors and similes adds depth and richness to the poem, while the resolution provides a sense of closure and satisfaction. Overall, this poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's talent and creativity and is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great poetry.
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