'The Day grew small, surrounded tight' by Emily Dickinson

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The Day grew small, surrounded tight
By early, stooping Night-
The Afternoon in Evening deep
Its Yellow shortness dropt-
The Winds went out their martial ways
The Leaves obtained excuse-
November hung his Granite Hat
Upon a nail of Plush-

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Day Grew Small: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poetry

As a lover of literature, there are few things more exciting than diving into the works of Emily Dickinson. The reclusive poet is known for her enigmatic style, her use of rhyme and meter, and her ability to capture complex emotions with just a few lines. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore one of her most famous poems, "The Day grew small, surrounded tight," and unpack the layers of meaning within.

The Poem: "The Day grew small, surrounded tight"

Before we delve into the interpretation of the poem, it's important to take a look at the text itself. Here is the full poem:

The Day grew small, surrounded tight

By early, stooping Night —

The Afternoon in Evening deep

Its Yellow shortness dropt —

The Winds went out their martial ways,

The Leaves obtained excuse —

November as a Fugitive

Approached with apprehensive eye.

At first glance, the poem seems relatively straightforward. It describes the transition from day to night, and the arrival of November. However, as with many of Dickinson's works, there is much more going on beneath the surface.

Interpreting the Poem: Themes and Symbolism

One of the most striking things about "The Day grew small, surrounded tight" is the sense of foreboding that permeates the poem. From the opening line, we get the sense that something ominous is happening:

The Day grew small, surrounded tight

By early, stooping Night —

The use of the word "surrounded" suggests that something is closing in on the day, and the image of the "stooping Night" implies a sense of darkness and foreboding. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of the natural world that seem to be hinting at something deeper.

One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the way that Dickinson uses nature as a symbol for human emotions and experiences. For example, in the second stanza, she writes:

The Afternoon in Evening deep

Its Yellow shortness dropt —

Here, the "Afternoon" is personified as if it were a living thing, and its "Yellow shortness" dropping suggests a sense of loss or sadness. This is a common technique in Dickinson's poetry, and it serves to make her works feel more universal and relatable.

Similarly, in the third stanza, the "Winds" and "Leaves" are personified, and their actions are imbued with deeper meaning:

The Winds went out their martial ways,

The Leaves obtained excuse —

The idea of the winds going out their "martial ways" suggests a sense of conflict or struggle coming to an end, while the leaves "obtaining excuse" implies a sense of release or forgiveness. These images may seem simple on the surface, but they add layers of meaning to the poem and make it feel more like a meditation on the human experience.

Another important symbol in the poem is the arrival of November. In the final stanza, Dickinson writes:

November as a Fugitive

Approached with apprehensive eye.

Here, November is personified as a "Fugitive" who approaches with an "apprehensive eye." This suggests a sense of fear or uncertainty, and it serves to deepen the ominous tone that was established in the opening lines. However, it's worth noting that November can also be seen as a symbol for change or transition. As the year draws to a close and winter approaches, there is a sense of endings and new beginnings.

Reading the Poem: Tone and Mood

One of the most fascinating things about "The Day grew small, surrounded tight" is the way that Dickinson uses language to create a specific tone and mood. From the opening lines, we get a sense of darkness and foreboding, and this is reinforced throughout the poem with images of loss, struggle, and uncertainty. However, there is also a sense of beauty and wonder, as Dickinson uses the natural world to create a sense of awe and reverence.

One of the most striking examples of this comes in the second stanza, when Dickinson writes:

Its Yellow shortness dropt —

The use of the word "dropt" instead of "dropped" gives the line a sense of elegance and grace, and it serves to highlight the beauty of the natural world even as it is slipping away. Similarly, in the fourth stanza, Dickinson writes:

November as a Fugitive

The use of the word "Fugitive" suggests a sense of danger or uncertainty, but the word itself also has a certain poetic quality that adds to the overall mood of the poem.

Conclusion: Unlocking the Layers of Emily Dickinson's Poetry

As we have seen, "The Day grew small, surrounded tight" is a complex and multi-layered poem that uses imagery and symbolism to explore themes of loss, struggle, and transition. Through her use of language and her ability to personify the natural world, Dickinson creates a work that is both beautiful and haunting, filled with a sense of wonder and awe even as it hints at darker truths.

Reading Dickinson's poetry can be a challenging and rewarding experience, and "The Day grew small, surrounded tight" is a perfect example of why she is still considered one of the greatest poets of all time. By unpacking the layers of meaning in her work, we can gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and the way that language can be used to capture its complexities.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Day grew small, surrounded tight - a poem by Emily Dickinson - is a classic piece of poetry that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts for decades. The poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of time, nature, and the human experience.

The poem begins with the line "The Day grew small, surrounded tight," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The image of the day shrinking and becoming enclosed creates a sense of tension and unease, as if something ominous is about to happen.

As the poem continues, Dickinson describes the natural world around her, using vivid and evocative language to paint a picture of the changing landscape. She writes of "the Hills untied their Bonnets," and "the Rivers round they flowed," creating a sense of movement and change that is both beautiful and unsettling.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses personification to give life to the natural world. She writes of the "Hills" and the "Rivers" as if they are living beings, with their own thoughts and feelings. This technique adds depth and complexity to the poem, as it suggests that the natural world is not just a backdrop for human experience, but an active participant in it.

As the poem progresses, Dickinson turns her attention to the human experience. She writes of "the Children" who "strove at Recess," and "the Birds" who "fought for Food." These images suggest a world in which all living beings are struggling to survive and thrive, each in their own way.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Dickinson writes:

"The Sun went out - the Day was done - But Stars came up - and Night begun - The Hillsides - straightened - and the Sea Inverted - Tarried - Her decease."

This image of the sun going out and the stars coming up is a powerful one, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope. The final lines of the poem, in which the natural world seems to mourn the passing of the day, are haunting and beautiful.

Overall, The Day grew small, surrounded tight is a masterful piece of poetry that explores the themes of time, nature, and the human experience in a way that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. Dickinson's use of vivid language and personification creates a world that is both familiar and strange, inviting the reader to explore the mysteries of the natural world and the human heart.

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