''Twas later when the summer went' by Emily Dickinson


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'Twas later when the summer went
Than when the Cricket came-
And yet we knew that gentle Clock
Meant nought but Going Home-
'Twas sooner when the Cricket went
Than when the Winter came
Yet that pathetic Pendulum
Keeps esoteric Time.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Twas later when the summer went" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, what a marvellous poem "Twas later when the summer went" is! Emily Dickinson, a master of lyrical expression, captures a feeling of melancholy and nostalgia in her poem that is both haunting and beautiful. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will dissect Dickinson's poem to understand its themes, motifs, and symbols. Let's dive in!

The Poem

Twas later when the summer went Than when the cricket came, And yet we knew that gentle clock Meant nought but going home.

'Twas sooner when the cricket went Than when the winter came, Yet that pathetic pendulum Keeps esoteric time.

Form and Structure

At first glance, "Twas later when the summer went" seems like a simple poem. It comprises two stanzas with four lines each, and the rhyme scheme is AABB. However, a closer look reveals that Dickinson has employed several literary devices that enhance the poem's impact.

The first stanza sets the tone of the poem. The repetition of the word "when" creates a sense of time passing. Dickinson also employs alliteration with the "s" sound in "summer" and "went," creating a soft, soothing effect. The second line introduces the cricket as a symbol of summer, and the third line references a "gentle clock." Here, Dickinson uses personification to give the clock human-like qualities.

The second stanza continues the theme of time passing. The repetition of "when" in the first line echoes the first stanza, emphasizing the passing of time. The words "sooner" and "went" create a sense of urgency, as if time is slipping away. The "pathetic pendulum" is a metaphor for time's relentless march forward, and the final line "Keeps esoteric time" suggests that time is a mystery that cannot be fully understood.

The poem's structure is simple, yet effective. By using two stanzas with four lines each, Dickinson creates a sense of balance and symmetry. The AABB rhyme scheme gives the poem a sing-song quality, which contrasts with the poem's melancholic tone. These elements combine to create a poem that is both beautiful and haunting.

Themes

The central theme of "Twas later when the summer went" is the passing of time. Dickinson uses the changing of the seasons and the sound of the cricket to symbolize the passing of time. The poem suggests that time is a relentless force that cannot be stopped or controlled. The "pathetic pendulum" is a metaphor for time's unending march forward, and the poem suggests that time is a mystery that cannot be fully understood.

Another theme in the poem is the inevitability of change. The passing of summer and the arrival of winter signify the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The poem suggests that change is a natural part of life, and that we must learn to accept it.

Finally, the poem explores the bittersweet nature of nostalgia. Dickinson creates a sense of longing for the past, but also acknowledges that we cannot go back in time. The poem suggests that nostalgia can be both beautiful and painful, and that we must learn to live in the present while cherishing our memories of the past.

Motifs and Symbols

Dickinson employs several motifs and symbols in "Twas later when the summer went" to enhance the poem's impact.

The first motif is the changing of the seasons. Dickinson uses the changing of the seasons to symbolize the passage of time and the inevitability of change. She contrasts the warm, sunny days of summer with the cold, dark days of winter, creating a sense of nostalgia for the past.

The second motif is the sound of the cricket. Dickinson uses the cricket as a symbol of summer, creating a sense of nostalgia for the warm, lazy days of summer. The sound of the cricket also serves as a reminder of the passage of time, and the inevitability of change.

The third motif is the clock. Dickinson personifies the clock, giving it human-like qualities. The clock serves as a reminder of the passing of time, and the inevitability of change. The clock also suggests that time is a mystery that cannot be fully understood.

Finally, the "pathetic pendulum" is a powerful symbol of time's relentless march forward. The pendulum swings back and forth, never stopping, never resting. The pendulum represents the inevitability of change and the passing of time.

Interpretation

"Twas later when the summer went" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the themes of time, change, and nostalgia. The poem suggests that time is a relentless force that cannot be stopped or controlled, and that change is a natural part of life. The poem also explores the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, creating a sense of longing for the past, while acknowledging that we cannot go back in time.

Dickinson employs several literary devices to enhance the poem's impact. The repetition of "when" creates a sense of time passing, while the alliteration in the first stanza creates a soothing effect. The personification of the clock and the metaphor of the "pathetic pendulum" enhance the poem's themes of time and change. The use of motifs and symbols, such as the changing of the seasons, the sound of the cricket, and the clock, create a powerful sense of nostalgia and a longing for the past.

In conclusion, "Twas later when the summer went" is a masterpiece of lyrical expression. Dickinson's use of literary devices, motifs, and symbols creates a poem that is both haunting and beautiful. The poem explores the themes of time, change, and nostalgia, and suggests that we must learn to live in the present while cherishing our memories of the past. Dickinson's poem is a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the inevitability of change, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

'Twas Later When the Summer Went: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem 'Twas Later When the Summer Went is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the changing seasons and the fleeting nature of time.

The Poem

'Twas later when the summer went Than when the cricket came, And yet we knew that gentle clock Meant nought but going home.

'Twas sooner when the cricket went Than when the winter came, Yet that pathetic pendulum Keeps esoteric time.

The poem consists of two stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza talks about the end of summer and the arrival of autumn, while the second stanza talks about the end of autumn and the arrival of winter. The poem is written in the form of a riddle, where the speaker is trying to convey a deeper meaning through the use of metaphors and symbolism.

Analysis

The poem begins with the line 'Twas later when the summer went, which suggests that the speaker is reflecting on the passing of time. The use of the word 'later' implies that the speaker is looking back on a time that has already passed, and is now reminiscing about it. The line also sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the changing seasons and the passage of time.

The second line, Than when the cricket came, introduces the idea of the changing seasons. The cricket is often associated with summer, and its arrival marks the beginning of the season. The fact that the cricket has already come and gone suggests that summer has already passed, and that the speaker is now looking back on it.

The third line, And yet we knew that gentle clock, introduces the idea of time. The use of the word 'gentle' suggests that time is not something to be feared or dreaded, but rather something that is natural and inevitable. The clock is a metaphor for time, and the fact that it is 'gentle' suggests that the speaker is not afraid of the passage of time.

The final line of the first stanza, Meant nought but going home, suggests that the end of summer is a time of transition. The phrase 'going home' implies that the speaker is returning to a familiar place, but it also suggests that there is a sense of finality to the end of summer. The use of the word 'nought' suggests that the passing of time is not something to be mourned, but rather something that is natural and inevitable.

The second stanza begins with the line 'Twas sooner when the cricket went, which suggests that the speaker is now reflecting on the passing of autumn. The use of the word 'sooner' implies that autumn has passed more quickly than summer, which suggests that the speaker is now more aware of the passage of time.

The second line, Than when the winter came, introduces the idea of the changing seasons once again. The fact that winter has already arrived suggests that autumn has already passed, and that the speaker is now looking back on it.

The third line, Yet that pathetic pendulum, introduces the idea of time once again. The use of the word 'pathetic' suggests that the speaker is now more aware of the passing of time, and that there is a sense of sadness or regret associated with it. The pendulum is a metaphor for time, and the fact that it is 'pathetic' suggests that the speaker is now more aware of the inevitability of death.

The final line of the poem, Keeps esoteric time, suggests that the passing of time is something that is mysterious and difficult to understand. The use of the word 'esoteric' suggests that the speaker is now more aware of the complexity of time, and that there is a sense of awe or wonder associated with it.

Conclusion

'Twas Later When the Summer Went is a masterpiece by Emily Dickinson that captures the essence of the changing seasons and the fleeting nature of time. Through the use of metaphors and symbolism, Dickinson explores the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The poem is a reflection on the changing seasons and the passing of time, and it is a testament to Dickinson's unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience.

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