'The longest day that God appoints' by Emily Dickinson

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1769The longest day that God appoints
Will finish with the sun.
Anguish can travel to its stake,
And then it must return.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"The Longest Day That God Appoints" by Emily Dickinson

Have you ever felt like time is dragging on forever? Have you ever wished for time to stop so you can savor a moment just a little bit longer? If so, you may find a kindred spirit in Emily Dickinson and her poem "The Longest Day That God Appoints."

This poem is a meditation on time, on the idea that time can be both a burden and a blessing, depending on how we choose to spend it. The title itself is captivating - "The Longest Day That God Appoints" - it's almost as if Dickinson is daring the reader to come along with her and experience this day in all its glory.

The Poem

Let's take a closer look at the poem itself.

The longest day that God appoints
Will finish with the sun
Anguish can travel to its stake
And then it must return.

Right away, we are introduced to the concept of time. The "longest day that God appoints" is a metaphor for the longest period of time we will ever experience - our lives. The idea that this day will "finish with the sun" is a reminder that even the longest days eventually come to an end.

What comes after that, however, is where things get interesting. "Anguish can travel to its stake" - this line is a bit cryptic, but it seems to suggest that even the worst of our experiences will eventually come to an end. "Stake" here is likely a reference to the stake used in burning witches, so the image is a bit gruesome, but it underscores the idea that even the most terrible things will eventually be over.

The shuttered lid of prudence
Should never be applied
Yet is it visible the lid
The mocker has been tried

Here, Dickinson seems to be cautioning against being too cautious in life. "The shuttered lid of prudence" suggests the idea of being so careful that we never take risks or try anything new. Dickinson argues that this is not the way to live - we should never close ourselves off to new experiences.

The line "The mocker has been tried" is a bit more difficult to parse, but it seems to suggest that those who mock or make fun of others will eventually be punished for their actions.

The longest tyranny of all
Is the one that loves the most,
The one that waits the longest,
The one that knows the ost.

This stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the entire poem. The idea that the "longest tyranny of all" is love is striking - it's a reminder that love can be a burden as well as a joy. The lines "The one that waits the longest, / The one that knows the ost" are especially poignant - they suggest that the longer we love someone, the more we know about them, and the more we may have to bear.

The longest day's ambition,
Or evening's solemn fame,
Is better than a stinted fate
Or suspected name.

The final stanza is a reminder that even the longest day, even the longest life, is better than a life lived in fear or doubt. "Stinted fate" suggests a life that is limited in some way - perhaps by poverty, illness, or societal expectations. "Suspected name" is a reference to rumors or gossip that can tarnish someone's reputation. Dickinson is saying that even a life filled with struggles and hardships is still better than a life lived in fear or shame.

Interpretation

So what can we make of all this? What is Dickinson trying to tell us through this poem?

At its core, I believe this poem is a meditation on the nature of time and the importance of living life to the fullest. Dickinson is reminding us that even the longest day will come to an end, and that we should make the most of the time we have.

She is also cautioning against being too cautious in life. "The shuttered lid of prudence" may seem like a safe choice, but it ultimately leads to a life without meaning or purpose. Dickinson is urging us to take risks, to embrace new experiences, to love deeply - even if it means we may suffer in the end.

Most importantly, however, I believe Dickinson is reminding us that even the longest life is better than a life lived in fear or shame. No matter what struggles we may face, no matter how long we have to endure them, we should never give up hope or stop striving for a better life.

Conclusion

"The Longest Day That God Appoints" is a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of living life to the fullest. Dickinson's words are both cautionary and hopeful - a reminder that even the longest days will eventually come to an end, but that we should never give up hope or stop striving for a better life.

So the next time you feel like time is dragging on forever, remember Dickinson's words - embrace the moment, take risks, love deeply, and never give up hope. For even the longest day can be a blessing if we choose to make the most of it.

Thank you, Emily Dickinson, for reminding us of this important lesson.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Longest Day That God Appoints: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of life in her poems. Her poem, "The Longest Day That God Appoints," is a masterpiece that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "The longest day that God appoints," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "appoints" suggests that this day is predetermined and inevitable, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. The first stanza continues with the line, "Will pass away," which reinforces the idea that everything in life is temporary and fleeting.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of death, with the line, "The stealthy hours like planets glide." The use of the word "stealthy" suggests that death is sneaky and can come at any moment, while the comparison to planets suggests that death is a natural part of the universe. The line, "Until the sentinel come," further reinforces the idea that death is inevitable and that we are all waiting for our turn to pass away.

The third stanza of the poem is where Dickinson really starts to explore the afterlife. The line, "And then the liquid meadows lie," suggests that there is a peaceful and serene place waiting for us after we die. The use of the word "liquid" suggests that this place is fluid and ever-changing, which is a stark contrast to the rigidity of life on earth.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where Dickinson really starts to use her literary devices to convey her message. The line, "And all the world of pain is past," suggests that the afterlife is a place where there is no more suffering or pain. The use of the word "world" suggests that pain is a universal experience, and that it is something that we all have to endure in life.

The fifth stanza of the poem is where Dickinson really starts to play with language and imagery. The line, "Beyond the range of mortal thought," suggests that the afterlife is something that is beyond our comprehension as humans. The use of the word "range" suggests that there are limits to what we can understand, and that the afterlife is something that is outside of those limits.

The final stanza of the poem is where Dickinson really brings everything together. The line, "But bliss is the eternal now," suggests that the afterlife is a place where there is only happiness and contentment. The use of the word "eternal" suggests that this happiness is everlasting and that it is something that we can look forward to after we die.

In terms of structure, the poem is written in six stanzas, each with four lines. The use of quatrains is common in Dickinson's poetry, and it allows her to explore different themes and ideas in each stanza. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABCB, which gives it a musical quality and makes it easy to read and remember.

In terms of literary devices, Dickinson uses a variety of techniques to convey her message. The use of metaphor and simile is common throughout the poem, with comparisons to planets, liquid meadows, and the range of mortal thought. The use of repetition is also common, with the phrase "pass away" appearing twice in the first stanza. This repetition reinforces the idea that everything in life is temporary and fleeting.

In conclusion, "The Longest Day That God Appoints" is a masterpiece of Emily Dickinson's poetry. It explores the themes of death and the afterlife in a unique and thought-provoking way, using a variety of literary devices to convey its message. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of life in her writing.

Editor Recommended Sites

ML Chat Bot: LLM large language model chat bots, NLP, tutorials on chatGPT, bard / palm model deployment
Neo4j Guide: Neo4j Guides and tutorials from depoloyment to application python and java development
Learn Ansible: Learn ansible tutorials and best practice for cloud infrastructure management
Flutter Training: Flutter consulting in DFW
Learn Javascript: Learn to program in the javascript programming language, typescript, learn react

Recommended Similar Analysis

I had been hungry all the years- by Emily Dickinson analysis
Sonnet 104: To me, fair friend, you never can be old by William Shakespeare analysis
The Definition Of Love by Andrew Marvell analysis
My Pretty Rose Tree by William Blake analysis
Lines Left upon a Seat in a Yew-tree by William Wordsworth analysis
Do not go gentle into that good night by Unknown Author analysis
Long-Legged Fly by William Butler Yeats analysis
On Imagination by Phillis Wheatley analysis
The Bishop Orders His Tomb At Saint Praxed's Church by Robert Browning analysis
Hurt Hawks by Robinson Jeffers analysis