''Twas here my summer paused' by Emily Dickinson


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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1756'Twas here my summer paused
What ripeness after then
To other scene or other soul
My sentence had begun.To winter to remove
With winter to abide
Go manacle your icicle
Against your Tropic Bride.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Twas here my summer paused" by Emily Dickinson: A Poetic Masterpiece

Have you ever read a poem that left you speechless, wondering how the poet was able to convey so much in just a few lines? That's how I felt when I first read "Twas here my summer paused" by Emily Dickinson. This poem is a perfect example of how a great poet can use language to evoke emotions and paint vivid images in the reader's mind. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this poem to reveal the deeper meanings and messages the poet is trying to convey.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in full:

'Twas here my summer paused What ripeness after then To other scene or other soul My sentence had begun. To winter plum, or Paradise, My sentence flew away— What possible return had I To either, on such day?

At first glance, this poem seems simple and straightforward. It consists of four quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. But upon closer inspection, we can see that there is much more going on beneath the surface.

Themes

The theme of "Twas here my summer paused" is the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on a moment in time when their summer "paused." This suggests that the speaker is aware of the fleeting nature of time and is trying to hold onto a particular moment or feeling. But as the poem progresses, the speaker realizes that time marches on and that they must move forward with it. The phrase "My sentence had begun" suggests that the speaker is resigned to their fate and must continue on their journey, even if it takes them to a "winter plum" or "Paradise."

Another theme in this poem is the idea of choice and consequence. The speaker seems to be faced with a decision between two options: "winter plum, or Paradise." Both options have their benefits and drawbacks, and the speaker recognizes that whichever choice they make, there will be consequences. The phrase "What possible return had I to either, on such day?" suggests that the speaker is aware that they cannot go back once they have made their choice.

Symbols

One of the most striking symbols in this poem is the idea of summer. Summer is traditionally associated with warmth, growth, and abundance. It is a time of plenty, when the earth is teeming with life. But in this poem, summer is portrayed as fleeting and temporary. The speaker recognizes that their summer has "paused," suggesting that it will soon be over. This symbolizes the passing of time and the impermanence of life.

Another symbol in this poem is the idea of "winter plum" and "Paradise." These two options represent the speaker's choice between a difficult path and an easy one. Winter is traditionally associated with cold, darkness, and hardship, while Paradise is associated with warmth, light, and ease. The fact that the speaker is considering both options suggests that they are at a crossroads in their life and must choose which path to take.

Literary Devices

"Twas here my summer paused" is filled with literary devices that help to convey the poem's deeper meanings. One of the most notable devices used in this poem is repetition. The phrase "My sentence had begun" is repeated twice, emphasizing the idea that the speaker's fate is already decided and that they must continue on their journey. The repetition of the word "other" in the second line also emphasizes the idea of choice and consequence, suggesting that there are always other options available.

Another literary device used in this poem is personification. The phrase "My sentence flew away" personifies the speaker's fate, suggesting that it has a will of its own and is beyond the speaker's control. This reinforces the idea of inevitability and underscores the theme of the passing of time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Twas here my summer paused" is a masterful poem by Emily Dickinson that explores themes of time, change, choice, and consequence. Through the use of symbols and literary devices, Dickinson is able to convey deep emotions and ideas in just a few lines. This poem is a testament to her skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of life in her writing.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

‘Twas here my summer paused, written by Emily Dickinson, is a classic poem that captures the essence of summer and the fleeting nature of time. In this 12-line poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the idea that summer, like all good things, must come to an end.

The poem begins with the line, “’Twas here my summer paused,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word “paused” suggests that summer is not over yet, but it is coming to a close. This line also creates a sense of nostalgia, as the speaker reflects on the summer that has passed.

The next line, “What ripeness after then,” is a metaphor for the end of summer. The word “ripeness” suggests that summer has reached its peak, and now it is time for the fruits of summer to be harvested. This line also creates a sense of anticipation, as the speaker wonders what will come after summer.

The third line, “To this delicious spot,” is a reference to the place where the speaker is standing. This line creates a sense of place, and it also adds to the nostalgic tone of the poem. The use of the word “delicious” suggests that the speaker has fond memories of this place.

The fourth line, “Scarce visible at noon,” is a metaphor for the passing of time. The word “scarce” suggests that time is fleeting, and the fact that the place is “visible at noon” suggests that time is passing quickly.

The fifth line, “When August flaps his wings,” is a reference to the end of summer. August is the month when summer begins to wind down, and the use of the word “flaps” suggests that summer is like a bird that is about to take flight.

The sixth line, “The crumbs do not remain,” is a metaphor for the passing of time. The word “crumbs” suggests that time is like a meal that is being consumed, and the fact that the crumbs do not remain suggests that time is fleeting.

The seventh line, “It hurries on too fast,” is a reflection on the passing of time. The use of the word “hurries” suggests that time is moving quickly, and the fact that it is “too fast” suggests that the speaker wishes that time would slow down.

The eighth line, “When nights’ swift horses pass,” is a metaphor for the passing of time. The use of the word “swift” suggests that time is moving quickly, and the fact that it is “nights’ horses” suggests that time is like a horse that is galloping through the night.

The ninth line, “Or pausing shy at dawn,” is a reference to the beginning of a new day. The use of the word “pausing” suggests that time is taking a moment to reflect on the past, and the fact that it is “shy” suggests that time is hesitant to move forward.

The tenth line, “Onward they speed again,” is a reflection on the passing of time. The use of the word “speed” suggests that time is moving quickly, and the fact that it is “onward” suggests that time is always moving forward.

The eleventh line, “No different than the year,” is a reflection on the cyclical nature of time. The use of the word “year” suggests that time is always repeating itself, and the fact that it is “no different” suggests that time is always the same.

The final line, “When I shall make the pause,” is a reflection on the speaker’s own mortality. The use of the word “shall” suggests that the speaker knows that their time is limited, and the fact that they will “make the pause” suggests that they will eventually come to the end of their own journey.

In conclusion, ‘Twas here my summer paused is a classic poem that captures the essence of summer and the fleeting nature of time. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphors, Emily Dickinson conveys the idea that summer, like all good things, must come to an end. The poem is a reflection on the passing of time, and it serves as a reminder to cherish the moments that we have, for they will not last forever.

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