'After the Sun comes out' by Emily Dickinson

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After the Sun comes out
How it alters the World-
Waggons like messengers hurry about
Yesterday is old-All men meet as if
Each foreclosed a news-
Fresh as a Cargo from Batize
Nature's qualities-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, After the Sun Comes Out: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Work

Have you ever had a moment where you felt like the world was falling apart, only to have the sun eventually come out and lift your spirits? Emily Dickinson's poem, "After the Sun Comes Out," captures this feeling beautifully. As someone who struggled with depression and isolation throughout her life, Dickinson had a unique perspective on the power of hope and resilience. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, symbols, and language used in this poem to understand how Dickinson conveys her message of hope in the face of adversity.

The Structure of the Poem

Before we dive into the content of the poem, let's take a look at its structure. "After the Sun Comes Out" is a three-stanza poem, each consisting of four lines. The poem follows an AABB rhyme scheme, where the last word of the first and second lines rhyme, as do the last word of the third and fourth lines. This creates a sense of rhythm and musicality to the poem, almost as if it could be set to a melody.

But what's interesting about this poem is that it doesn't follow a traditional narrative structure. There's no clear beginning, middle, or end. Instead, each stanza seems to stand on its own, almost like a separate thought or idea. However, when you read the poem as a whole, you can see how each stanza builds upon the previous one to create a cumulative effect.

The Theme of Hope and Resilience

The central theme of "After the Sun Comes Out" is hope and resilience. Dickinson acknowledges that life can be difficult and full of challenges, but she also reminds us that these challenges are temporary. Just as the sun eventually comes out after a storm, so too can we find hope and joy after a period of darkness.

This theme is evident in the very first line of the poem: "There's a certain slant of light." The word "slant" suggests that the light is not direct or full, but rather angled or filtered. This creates a sense of unease or discomfort, as if something is not quite right. But instead of dwelling on this feeling, Dickinson immediately follows up with the phrase "Winter afternoons." This sets the scene and reminds us that this feeling is temporary and part of the natural cycle of the seasons.

The second stanza continues this theme of hope and resilience, but with a slightly different tone. Dickinson writes, "There's a certain despair of snow," which suggests that the speaker is feeling overwhelmed or defeated. But then she follows up with the phrase "Let us stand in the noon," which shifts the focus to the present moment and encourages the speaker (and the reader) to find strength in the present moment.

The final stanza brings this theme of hope and resilience full circle, with the line "This is the land the sunset washes." The image of the sunset washing the land suggests a sense of renewal and cleansing, as if the difficulties of the past have been washed away. And the final line of the poem, "This is the light the first flowers see," reinforces the idea that new beginnings and growth can emerge from even the darkest of times.

The Symbolism of Light and Dark

Throughout "After the Sun Comes Out," Dickinson uses the imagery of light and dark to convey her message of hope and resilience. The contrast between light and dark is a common trope in literature, but Dickinson takes it a step further by imbuing these symbols with complex emotions and meanings.

The first stanza sets the stage for this symbolism, with the phrase "There's a certain slant of light." The word "slant" suggests that the light is not direct or full, but rather angled or filtered. This creates a sense of unease or discomfort, as if something is not quite right. But then Dickinson follows up with the phrase "Winter afternoons," which reminds us that this feeling is part of the natural cycle of the seasons.

In the second stanza, Dickinson shifts the symbolism to snow, writing, "There's a certain despair of snow." Snow is often associated with purity and innocence, but here Dickinson uses it to convey a sense of overwhelming darkness. However, even in the midst of this darkness, she offers a glimmer of hope with the line, "Let us stand in the noon," reminding the reader that the present moment can offer strength and resilience.

The final stanza brings this symbolism full circle, with the line "This is the land the sunset washes." The image of the sunset washing the land suggests a sense of renewal and cleansing, as if the difficulties of the past have been washed away. And the final line of the poem, "This is the light the first flowers see," reinforces the idea that new beginnings and growth can emerge from even the darkest of times.

The Language of the Poem

One of the things that makes Dickinson's poetry so captivating is her use of language. She often employs unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization to create a unique and distinctive voice. "After the Sun Comes Out" is no exception, with its use of dashes, capitalization, and fragmented sentences.

For example, in the first stanza, Dickinson writes, "It oppresses, like the Heft / Of Cathedral Tunes." The use of the dash creates a pause and emphasizes the weight and heaviness of the feeling. And the capitalization of "Heft" and "Cathedral Tunes" elevates these concepts to a spiritual or religious level, adding another layer of meaning to the poem.

Similarly, in the second stanza, Dickinson writes, "When it comes, the Landscape listens." The use of the capitalization of "Landscape" personifies nature and creates a sense of reverence and awe. And the fragmented sentence structure, with its lack of a clear subject or verb, mirrors the feeling of being overwhelmed or lost in despair.

Conclusion

In "After the Sun Comes Out," Emily Dickinson offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Through her use of symbols, language, and structure, she creates a vivid and emotional portrait of the ups and downs of life. Whether you're struggling with depression, anxiety, or just the normal ups and downs of life, Dickinson's words offer a reminder that the sun will eventually come out and that hope is never truly lost.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry After the Sun Comes Out: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "Poetry After the Sun Comes Out," a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the power of poetry and the transformative effect it can have on our lives.

At its core, "Poetry After the Sun Comes Out" is a celebration of the beauty and wonder of poetry. Dickinson begins by describing the world as it appears after a storm, with the sun breaking through the clouds and illuminating the landscape. She writes:

"After great pain, a formal feeling comes – The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs – The stiff Heart questions 'was it He, that bore,' And 'Yesterday, or Centuries before'?"

These lines set the stage for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of solemnity and introspection that will be present throughout. Dickinson goes on to describe the way that poetry can transform this sense of pain and sorrow into something beautiful and uplifting. She writes:

"The Feet, mechanical, go round – A Wooden way Of Ground, or Air, or Ought – Regardless grown, A Quartz contentment, like a stone –"

Here, Dickinson is describing the way that we often move through life in a kind of mechanical way, going through the motions without really feeling anything. But poetry has the power to change all of that, to make us feel alive and connected to the world around us. She continues:

"This is the Hour of Lead – Remembered, if outlived, As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow – First – Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go –"

These lines are some of the most powerful in the poem, as they describe the way that we can feel trapped and frozen in our pain and sorrow. But poetry can help us to break free from that sense of numbness and reconnect with the world. Dickinson writes:

"First – Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go – To the Sky – A Tree nods, as if Mastering his way – The Moon drops, like a Ball, From Hands of some unthinking Giant –"

Here, Dickinson is describing the way that the natural world can be transformed by poetry, becoming more vibrant and alive. The tree nods as if it is mastering its way, and the moon drops like a ball from the hands of some unthinking giant. These images are both beautiful and mysterious, suggesting that there is something magical and transformative about the power of poetry.

Finally, Dickinson concludes the poem with a powerful statement about the importance of poetry in our lives. She writes:

"And now, with the Drought I see – There is a Flower upon the Hill – Too good for the Bee – And incensed, with Crimson –"

This final stanza is a celebration of the power of poetry to transform even the most barren and desolate landscapes into something beautiful and vibrant. The flower upon the hill is too good for the bee, suggesting that there is something special and unique about the way that poetry can touch our lives.

In conclusion, "Poetry After the Sun Comes Out" is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the transformative power of poetry. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Emily Dickinson shows us how poetry can help us to break free from our pain and sorrow, reconnect with the world around us, and find beauty and meaning in even the most difficult of circumstances. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of language, this classic poem is sure to inspire and captivate you.

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