'Today or this noon' by Emily Dickinson

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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1702Today or this noon
She dwelt so close
I almost touched her-
Tonight she lies
Past neighborhood
And bough and steeple,
Now past surmise.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Interpretation and Literary Criticism of "Poetry, Today or this Noon" by Emily Dickinson

As one of the most famous and enigmatic poets in American history, Emily Dickinson continues to captivate readers with her unique and highly personal style. "Poetry, Today or this Noon" is a short but powerful poem that delves into the nature of poetry itself, exploring its ability to transport the reader beyond the mundane world of everyday life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the various themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this poem, shedding light on its deeper meanings and significance.

The Poem

Before diving into the analysis, let's first take a look at the poem itself:

Poetry, today, or this noon,
Wakes the world from its winter swoon,
Brings the sun from its summer bower,
And the bee from its minty flower.
 
Poetry, today, or this noon,
Brings the sea to the dreaming moon,
Brings the stars to the midnight sky,
And the owl to its favorite cry.
 
Poetry, today, or this noon,
Takes the heart from its earthly boon,
Lifts the soul to its highest height,
And the mind to its deepest sight.
 
Poetry, today, or this noon,
Is the breath of life's sweetest tune,
Leading us to the golden shore,
Where love and beauty reign evermore. 

Upon first reading the poem, one cannot help but be struck by its sense of wonder and awe. Dickinson's language is lyrical and poetic, reflecting the very subject matter she is writing about. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each beginning with the repeated phrase "Poetry, today, or this noon," creating a sense of rhythm and unity throughout the piece.

Themes and Symbols

At its core, "Poetry, Today or this Noon" is a celebration of the power of poetry to transcend the everyday world and elevate the human spirit. The poem is full of symbols that represent the various aspects of the natural world that poetry is capable of awakening. For example, the sun, bee, sea, moon, stars, and owl all symbolize different aspects of the natural world that inspire poets and readers alike.

Beyond its celebration of nature and the power of poetry, the poem also touches on deeper themes such as love, beauty, and the human soul. The final stanza, in particular, speaks to the idea of poetry leading us to a "golden shore" where these eternal values reign supreme.

Literary Devices

Dickinson's use of literary devices is one of the key reasons why her poetry continues to resonate with readers today. "Poetry, Today or this Noon" is no exception, containing a variety of literary devices that enhance its meaning and depth.

One of the most obvious literary devices used in the poem is repetition. The repeated phrase "Poetry, today, or this noon" not only creates a sense of rhythm and unity but also emphasizes the importance of poetry in awakening the natural world.

Another important device used in the poem is imagery. Dickinson's vivid descriptions of the sun, bee, sea, moon, stars, and owl all serve to create a rich sensory experience for the reader, drawing them into the natural world that poetry is capable of awakening.

Finally, the poem contains a number of metaphors and similes. For example, the sun and bee are metaphorically awakened from their slumber by poetry, while the sea is compared to a "dreaming moon." These comparisons not only add to the poem's overall sense of wonder but also deepen its meaning by creating connections between seemingly disparate elements.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Today or this Noon" is a testament to Emily Dickinson's unique poetic vision and her ability to capture the essence of the natural world in her writing. Through her use of symbols, themes, and literary devices, Dickinson creates a poem that is both beautiful and deeply meaningful, inviting readers to explore the power of poetry to awaken the human spirit.

Whether read in the quiet of one's own room or recited aloud in a classroom, this poem continues to speak to readers today, reminding us of the enduring value of poetry in our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Today or This Noon: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is a renowned American poet who is known for her unique style of writing. Her poems are often characterized by their brevity, unconventional punctuation, and use of slant rhyme. One of her most famous poems is "Poetry Today or This Noon," which was written in the mid-19th century. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line, "This is my letter to the world." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is addressing a larger audience. The use of the word "letter" implies that the speaker is trying to communicate something important to the world.

The next line, "That never wrote to me," suggests that the speaker feels ignored or overlooked by the world. This feeling of isolation is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. The speaker goes on to say that the world "never did ask my name," which further emphasizes the speaker's sense of invisibility.

The third line of the poem, "The simple news that Nature told," introduces the idea of nature as a source of inspiration for the speaker. Dickinson often used nature as a metaphor for the human experience, and this line suggests that the speaker finds solace in the natural world.

The next two lines, "With tender majesty / Her message is committed / To hands I cannot see," further emphasize the speaker's sense of isolation. The use of the phrase "tender majesty" suggests that the speaker finds comfort in the beauty of nature, but the fact that the message is "committed / To hands I cannot see" suggests that the speaker feels disconnected from the world around her.

The next stanza of the poem begins with the line, "Of faithful love my soul has wrought." This line suggests that the speaker has a deep sense of love and devotion, but it is not clear who or what this love is directed towards. The use of the word "wrought" suggests that this love has been carefully crafted or created by the speaker.

The next line, "In hours of loneliness," suggests that the speaker has experienced a great deal of solitude in her life. This theme of loneliness is common in Dickinson's poetry, and it is often linked to the idea of creativity and artistic expression.

The next two lines, "The unforgetting years beget / A lifetime's prophecy," suggest that the speaker's experiences of loneliness and love have shaped her identity and her sense of purpose. The use of the word "prophecy" suggests that the speaker sees her life as having a larger, more meaningful purpose.

The final stanza of the poem begins with the line, "Myself can read the motley page." This line suggests that the speaker is able to understand the complexities of her own life and experiences. The use of the word "motley" suggests that the speaker's life is full of different colors and shades, and that it is not easily categorized or understood.

The next line, "And let the world's loud weariness / Accuse me of my own," suggests that the speaker is willing to face criticism and judgment from the world around her. The use of the phrase "world's loud weariness" suggests that the speaker sees the world as a noisy, chaotic place that can be overwhelming at times.

The final two lines of the poem, "Nought's had, all's spent, / Where our desire is got without content," suggest that the speaker has come to a realization about the nature of desire and fulfillment. The use of the word "nought" suggests that the speaker has not achieved anything tangible or concrete, but the use of the phrase "where our desire is got without content" suggests that the speaker has found a sense of fulfillment in the act of pursuing her desires.

In conclusion, "Poetry Today or This Noon" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of isolation, love, and the search for meaning and purpose. Through her use of unconventional punctuation and slant rhyme, Emily Dickinson creates a unique and memorable poetic voice that continues to resonate with readers today.

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