'Apparently with no surprise' by Emily Dickinson
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Apparently with no surprise
To any happy Flower
The Frost beheads it at its play-
In accidental power-
The blonde Assassin passes on-
The Sun proceeds unmoved
To measure off another Day
For an Approving God.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Apparently with no surprise - A Masterpiece of Ambiguity and Depth
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets in the history of American literature. Her unique style, characterized by unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax, has made her poems stand out for their complexity and depth. Among her works, "Poetry, Apparently with no surprise" is a masterpiece of ambiguity and uncertainty. In this essay, I will analyze and interpret this poem, exploring its themes, structure, and language, to unveil its hidden meanings and unveil the genius of its author.
The Poem - A First Reading
Before delving into the depths of this poem, let's read it once to get a sense of its structure and content.
Poetry, Apparently with no surprise
By Emily Dickinson
Poetry, apparently, with no surprise,
To station, to the present,
Sheerly is,
A spirit, chaste, that men admire,
But, envy, and me,
Just as the Gauntlets, a-proud,
Are out of reach of human hand,
But, often, worn by Pope.
At first glance, this poem seems simple and straightforward. The speaker starts by introducing the theme of poetry, which apparently has no surprise. The second line mentions "station" and "the present," which could refer to the current state of poetry. The third line emphasizes the purity and virtue of poetry, which men admire but envy. In the last stanza, the speaker uses an analogy with gauntlets, which are difficult to reach, but sometimes worn by the Pope. But what does all this mean?
An Analysis - Unveiling the Layers
To fully understand this poem, we need to explore its structure, language, and themes. Let's start by analyzing the structure.
Structure - A Puzzle of Punctuation
Emily Dickinson's poetry is famous for its unconventional use of punctuation, and this poem is no exception. The first line, for example, ends with a comma, which creates a pause and makes us wonder what the next line will bring. The second line ends with a dash, which suggests a sudden interruption or change of direction. The third line has a comma after "Sheerly," which could indicate a pause or a continuation.
The last stanza is even more puzzling. The first line ends with a dash, but the second line starts with a capital letter, as if it were a new sentence. The same happens with the third line, which starts with a capital letter but has no ending punctuation. Finally, the last line ends with a period, creating a sense of closure.
All these unconventional punctuation marks create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, making the reader wonder about the meanings behind them.
Language - Ambiguity and Depth
The language used in this poem is also noteworthy. The first line, for example, uses the adverb "apparently," which suggests that something is not what it seems. The second line uses the prepositions "to" and "to," which could signify movement or direction. The third line uses the adjective "chaste," which means pure or virginal, but could also imply restraint or lack of passion.
The last stanza is even more enigmatic. The first line uses the adjective "gauntlets," which are gloves worn as part of armor, but could also refer to a challenge or an obstacle. The second line uses the verb "are," which suggests a state of being or existence, but could also imply an action or a process. The third line uses the adverb "often," which implies frequency or repetition, but could also indicate uncertainty or doubt.
All these linguistic devices create a sense of ambiguity and depth, making the reader question the meanings behind the words.
Themes - Poetry, Envy, and Power
Now that we have explored the structure and language of this poem, let's delve into its themes. The first theme is poetry, which is introduced in the first line as something that apparently has no surprise. This could mean that poetry is predictable or lacks originality, or it could imply that poetry conceals its surprises and revelations beneath its surface.
The second theme is envy, which is mentioned in the third line as something that men feel towards poetry. This could mean that men envy the power of poetry to express emotions and ideas, or it could imply that men envy the purity and virtue of poetry, which they lack.
The third theme is power, which is implied in the last stanza through the analogy with gauntlets. The gauntlets represent a symbol of power and authority, worn by the Pope, who is the ultimate authority in the Catholic Church. The fact that they are out of reach of human hands could mean that power is distant and unattainable, or it could imply that power is something that can be obtained through struggle and sacrifice.
Interpretation - Multiple Meanings and Interpretations
So, what does all this mean? What is the message that Emily Dickinson wants to convey through this poem? The truth is, there is no single answer to these questions. "Poetry, Apparently with no surprise" is a poem that invites multiple interpretations and meanings, depending on the reader's perspective and context.
One possible interpretation is that this poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry itself. Poetry, like life, appears to be predictable and mundane, but beneath its surface, it conceals hidden surprises and revelations that can only be discovered through careful observation and analysis.
Another possible interpretation is that this poem is a critique of envy and jealousy. Men envy the purity and virtue of poetry, but they lack the courage and commitment to achieve them. Instead, they remain trapped in their mundane existence, unable to reach the heights of creativity and inspiration.
Finally, this poem could be seen as a meditation on power and authority. The gauntlets represent a symbol of power and authority, but they are out of reach of human hands, suggesting that power is something that can only be achieved through struggle and sacrifice. The fact that they are often worn by the Pope could also imply a critique of the Catholic Church's abuse of power and corruption.
Conclusion - A Masterpiece of Ambiguity and Depth
"Poetry, Apparently with no surprise" is a masterpiece of ambiguity and depth, a poem that invites multiple interpretations and meanings. By exploring its structure, language, and themes, we can unveil its hidden meanings and appreciate the genius of its author. Whether we interpret it as a reflection on the nature of poetry, a critique of envy and jealousy, or a meditation on power and authority, this poem remains a testament to Emily Dickinson's unique style and vision.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Apparently with no surprise" is a testament to her incredible talent. This poem is a haunting and powerful exploration of the inevitability of death, and the way in which it can come unexpectedly and without warning. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem, and examine how they work together to create a truly unforgettable piece of literature.
The poem begins with the line "Apparently with no surprise," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. This line suggests that the event that is about to be described is something that is expected, or at least not entirely unexpected. However, the word "apparently" also suggests that there is more going on beneath the surface, and that there may be a deeper meaning to what is happening.
The next line of the poem reads, "To any happy flower, / The frost beheads it at its play." This line is a powerful metaphor for the way in which death can come unexpectedly and without warning. The image of a happy flower being beheaded by the frost is a stark reminder of the fragility of life, and the way in which even the most beautiful and vibrant things can be destroyed in an instant.
The third line of the poem reads, "Icicles fill the long window / With barbaric glass." This line is a powerful example of the way in which Dickinson uses imagery to create a sense of foreboding and unease. The image of icicles filling a window with "barbaric glass" is a stark reminder of the harshness and brutality of the natural world, and the way in which it can be both beautiful and terrifying at the same time.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "The shadow of the bar / Falls upon the door." This line is a powerful example of the way in which Dickinson uses language to create a sense of tension and unease. The image of a shadow falling upon a door is a powerful reminder of the way in which death can loom over us, even when we are not expecting it.
The fifth and final line of the poem reads, "The show is finished, but the / Audience remains." This line is a powerful reminder of the way in which death can be both sudden and final, and yet still leave a lasting impact on those who are left behind. The image of an audience remaining after the show is finished is a powerful reminder of the way in which death can leave us with a sense of emptiness and loss, even when we are not directly affected by it.
Overall, "Apparently with no surprise" is a powerful and haunting exploration of the inevitability of death, and the way in which it can come unexpectedly and without warning. Through her use of imagery, language, and metaphor, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of tension and unease that is both powerful and unforgettable. This poem is a testament to her incredible talent as a poet, and a reminder of the enduring power of literature to move and inspire us.
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