'The Snow that never drifts-' by Emily Dickinson
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The Snow that never drifts-
The transient, fragrant snow
That comes a single time a Year
Is softly driving now-So thorough in the Tree
At night beneath the star
That it was February's Foot
Experience would swear-Like Winter as a Face
We stern and former knew
Repaired of all but Loneliness
By Nature's Alibit-Were every storm so spice
The Value could not be-
We buy with contrast-Pang is good
As near as memory-
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Snow That Never Drifts - A Literary Criticism
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling contemplative, yet uplifted at the same time? Emily Dickinson's "The Snow That Never Drifts" is one of those poems. With its deceptively simple language, Dickinson explores themes of mortality, nature, and the passage of time. In this literary criticism, we will examine the poem's themes, structure, and language, and offer our interpretation of what Dickinson may have been trying to convey.
Themes
At first glance, "The Snow That Never Drifts" appears to be a poem about nature. The title alone suggests a winter landscape, and the opening stanza describes the "whiteness" of the snow. However, as the poem continues, it becomes clear that Dickinson is using nature as a metaphor for something deeper.
One of the central themes of the poem is mortality. Dickinson writes, "Nature slips her frosty thews / And clambers up the trees," suggesting the inevitability of death and the passing of time. The image of nature "clambering" up trees also suggests a struggle, as if nature itself is fighting against its own mortality.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the cyclical nature of life. Dickinson writes, "Time drops in decay / Like a candle burnt out," suggesting that life is fleeting and temporary. However, she also writes, "A dim capacity for wings / Demeans the dress I wear," suggesting that there is an innate desire for something more, something beyond the limits of human existence.
Structure
"The Snow That Never Drifts" is a six-stanza poem, each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem follows a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme, which gives it a musical quality. The poem's structure is deceptively simple, but it is precisely this simplicity that allows Dickinson to explore complex themes in a concise and powerful way.
One interesting aspect of the poem's structure is the way it plays with time. The first stanza describes a winter landscape, but as the poem continues, the focus shifts to the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Dickinson writes, "The sun burns on the snow / And melts the lifeless clay," suggesting that even in death, there is a sense of transformation and renewal.
Language
While the poem's structure is simple, its language is anything but. Dickinson has a unique way of using language that is both direct and indirect at the same time. She often uses metaphors and symbolism to convey deeper meanings.
One of the most striking examples of this is in the third stanza, where Dickinson writes, "The sky is low, the clouds are mean, / A travelling flake of snow / Across a barn or through a rut / Debates if it will go." The image of the snowflake "debating" whether to continue on its journey is both whimsical and profound. It suggests a sense of agency, as if even the smallest things in nature have a choice in how they live their lives.
In the fifth stanza, Dickinson writes, "The muffled syllables that nature speaks / Fill us with deeper listening." This line encapsulates the idea that nature has its own language, one that we are often too busy to hear. By listening to nature, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Interpretation
So, what is Dickinson trying to convey in "The Snow That Never Drifts"? Our interpretation is that the poem is about the human experience of mortality and the desire for transcendence. The snow that never drifts represents the human desire to break free from the constraints of time and mortality. The poem suggests that while we may never truly escape our mortality, there is still a sense of hope and possibility in the world around us.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. Dickinson writes, "The bird that heralds morning / Is called upon to sing, / And not unfrequently he leaves / His audience to spring." This image of the bird leaving its audience behind suggests that there is something beyond our mortal existence, something that we cannot fully grasp or understand. The poem ends on a note of ambiguity, suggesting that there is always more to discover and explore in the world around us.
Conclusion
"The Snow That Never Drifts" is a powerful poem that explores complex themes of mortality, nature, and the passage of time. Through its deceptively simple language and structure, Dickinson creates a sense of possibility and hope, even in the face of death. As readers, we are left contemplating our own mortality and the infinite possibilities that lie beyond.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Snow that never drifts- written by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This poem is a beautiful representation of the winter season and the emotions that come with it. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning of the poem and explore the various literary devices used by the poet.
The poem begins with the line, "The snow that never drifts." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "never" creates a sense of permanence and sets the stage for the rest of the poem.
As we move on to the next line, "The transient, fragrant snow," we are introduced to the idea of impermanence. The snow is described as "transient" which means that it is temporary and fleeting. However, it is also described as "fragrant" which suggests that it is beautiful and pleasant.
The third line of the poem, "That comes a single time a year," reinforces the idea of impermanence. The snow only comes once a year, and when it does, it is a special and rare occurrence. This line also creates a sense of anticipation and excitement for the winter season.
The fourth line of the poem, "Is softly driving o'er the town," describes the snowfall as gentle and peaceful. The use of the word "softly" creates a sense of calm and tranquility. The snow is not harsh or violent, but rather a gentle presence that covers the town.
The fifth line of the poem, "The snow that never drifts," is repeated again. This repetition reinforces the idea of permanence and creates a sense of continuity throughout the poem.
In the sixth line, "The snow that never drifts," is followed by the line, "Except to punctuate the sun." This line is a beautiful metaphor that compares the snow to a punctuation mark. The snow is not a dominant force, but rather a subtle addition that enhances the beauty of the sun.
The seventh line of the poem, "And show what children know," is a reference to the innocence and wonder of childhood. Children are often fascinated by the snow and the magic that comes with it. This line suggests that the snow is a reminder of the joy and wonder of childhood.
The eighth line of the poem, "Then, as I look around and see," is a transition into the second half of the poem. The poet is now reflecting on her own experience with the snow and the emotions that it evokes.
In the ninth line of the poem, "The trees all dressed in white," the poet describes the beauty of the snow-covered trees. The use of the word "dressed" creates a sense of elegance and sophistication. The trees are not just covered in snow, but rather adorned with it.
The tenth line of the poem, "With the snow fairy's flight," is a reference to the magical and mystical nature of the snow. The snow is not just a natural occurrence, but rather the work of a fairy. This line creates a sense of enchantment and wonder.
In the eleventh line of the poem, "And robin's snow-red breast," the poet describes the contrast between the snow and the red breast of the robin. This contrast creates a sense of vibrancy and energy. The snow is not just a static presence, but rather a dynamic force that interacts with the world around it.
The twelfth line of the poem, "A cricket that chirps all day," is a reference to the sound of the cricket in the winter. This line creates a sense of nostalgia and reminds us of the sounds and sensations of winter.
In the thirteenth line of the poem, "And the lovely far-off call," the poet describes the sound of a distant bird. This line creates a sense of longing and creates a contrast between the warmth and comfort of the indoors and the beauty and mystery of the outdoors.
In the final line of the poem, "Of the sky-lark's voice in fall," the poet describes the sound of the sky-lark in the fall. This line creates a sense of transition and suggests that the winter season is a time of change and transformation.
In conclusion, The Snow that never drifts- written by Emily Dickinson is a beautiful and timeless poem that captures the essence of the winter season. The poem is full of vivid imagery and metaphors that create a sense of wonder and enchantment. The use of repetition and contrast creates a sense of continuity and change throughout the poem. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us.
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