'A winged spark doth soar about-' by Emily Dickinson

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A winged spark doth soar about-
I never met it near
For Lightning it is oft mistook
When nights are hot and sere-Its twinkling Travels it pursues
Above the Haunts of men-
A speck of Rapture-first perceived
By feeling it is gone-
Rekindled by some action quaint

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Analysis: A Winged Spark Doth Soar About by Emily Dickinson

Are you a fan of poetry that makes you think deeply about life and death? Do you enjoy reading poems that challenge your perception of the world and give you a new perspective on things? If so, then Emily Dickinson's "A Winged Spark Doth Soar About" is a poem that you should definitely check out. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, language, and imagery of this masterpiece of poetry.

Background Information

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to learn a little bit about the poet, Emily Dickinson. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830, Dickinson is widely considered one of the greatest American poets of all time. Her poetry is known for its unique style, which often includes unconventional syntax, capitalization, and punctuation. Many of her poems deal with themes of death, love, and spirituality, and are characterized by their powerful imagery and profound insights into the human condition.

Analysis of the Poem

Now let's turn our attention to "A Winged Spark Doth Soar About," a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. The poem begins with the line, "A winged spark doth soar about," which immediately draws the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of a "winged spark" suggests something small and fleeting, yet also powerful and full of energy. The fact that this spark is "soaring" suggests movement and freedom, as if it is unencumbered by the constraints of the physical world.

As we move into the second stanza, the speaker tells us that this winged spark "sings as if it had learned the art," which suggests that it possesses a level of skill or mastery in its expression. The word "art" implies that there is something deliberate and intentional about the spark's singing, as if it is communicating a message or trying to convey a deeper meaning. The line "And growing still for joy increases" suggests that the spark's joy is not static, but rather something that is constantly expanding and growing.

The third stanza introduces the idea of death, as the speaker tells us that the winged spark "bears no record of its birth." This implies that the spark has always existed, and suggests a link between the spark and some kind of eternal, unchanging truth or essence. The line "But blotting out, involves its life" suggests that the spark's existence is inextricably linked to its eventual disappearance or "blotting out." This reinforces the idea that the spark's energy and vitality are fleeting and temporary, yet also deeply meaningful and significant.

The fourth stanza continues this theme, as the speaker tells us that the winged spark "may be a symptom of the gem." This line is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the spark is not the thing itself, but rather a sign or indicator of something greater. The gem could represent an ideal or a higher truth, and the spark could be seen as a glimpse or a manifestation of that truth. The line "It has not felt its feet, / Nor suffered its attachment to" suggests that the spark is not bound by the physical world, and is therefore free to move and express itself in ways that are impossible for human beings.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker tells us that the winged spark "vanishes," leaving behind only "the gleam." This final image is both beautiful and haunting, as it suggests that even though the spark is gone, its essence and energy remain. The word "gleam" implies a small, faint light, yet also suggests something that is enduring and persistent. The final line, "Remembrance is the seed of wit," suggests that the spark's legacy lives on in our memories and our ability to understand and appreciate its beauty and its message.

Interpretation

So what does all of this mean? What is Emily Dickinson trying to tell us through this poem? There are many possible interpretations, but one of the most compelling is that the winged spark represents the human soul, and the gem represents some kind of higher truth or divine essence. The spark's soaring and singing could be seen as a metaphor for the human capacity for creativity and expression, while its eventual disappearance underscores the fleeting nature of human life and the inevitability of death.

At the same time, the poem suggests that even though our physical bodies may perish, our souls and our essence live on in some way. The final image of the gleam suggests that even though the spark is gone, its energy and vitality remain, and that this is something that we can hold onto and cherish.

In conclusion, "A Winged Spark Doth Soar About" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores some of the most profound questions of human existence. Through its beautiful language and imagery, it invites us to contemplate the nature of life, death, and the human soul, and to find meaning and beauty in even the smallest and most fleeting of things.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style and unconventional themes. One of her most famous poems is "A winged spark doth soar about," which is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of life and death.

The poem begins with the line "A winged spark doth soar about," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "spark" suggests something small and fleeting, while the word "winged" implies movement and freedom. The combination of these two words creates an image of something delicate and ethereal, which is fitting for a poem about the soul.

The second line of the poem reads, "Oh, stay, my heart, do not go out." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is afraid of losing something. The use of the word "heart" implies that the speaker is talking about love or emotion, while the phrase "do not go out" suggests that the speaker is afraid of losing that love or emotion.

The third line of the poem reads, "The eyes that weary, and the feet that fail." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is talking about the physical body. The use of the words "weary" and "fail" implies that the body is tired and weak, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "And all the myriad busy cares that throng the day." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is talking about the distractions of everyday life. The use of the word "myriad" implies that there are many distractions, while the phrase "busy cares" suggests that these distractions are important but ultimately meaningless.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "These are but channels for the soul's release." This line is significant because it suggests that the distractions of everyday life are actually a way for the soul to be released. The use of the word "channels" implies that these distractions are a means to an end, while the phrase "soul's release" suggests that the soul is trapped and needs to be set free.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "The soul, a captive in the cage of clay." This line is significant because it suggests that the soul is trapped in the physical body. The use of the phrase "cage of clay" implies that the body is heavy and restrictive, while the word "captive" suggests that the soul is imprisoned.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "Wings to the spirit, freedom to the mind." This line is significant because it suggests that the soul is capable of flight and freedom. The use of the word "wings" implies that the soul is capable of soaring, while the phrase "freedom to the mind" suggests that the soul is capable of transcending the limitations of the physical body.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "All that is best and noblest in mankind." This line is significant because it suggests that the soul is capable of greatness. The use of the words "best" and "noblest" implies that the soul is capable of achieving great things, while the phrase "in mankind" suggests that this greatness is not limited to any one individual.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "Is but the light that shines from out the soul." This line is significant because it suggests that the soul is the source of all goodness and greatness. The use of the word "light" implies that the soul is capable of illuminating the world, while the phrase "from out the soul" suggests that this light is not external but rather internal.

The final line of the poem reads, "And all that is not of the soul is dross." This line is significant because it suggests that anything that is not related to the soul is worthless. The use of the word "dross" implies that these things are impure and inferior, while the phrase "not of the soul" suggests that they are not connected to the true essence of humanity.

In conclusion, "A winged spark doth soar about" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of life and death. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Emily Dickinson creates a powerful meditation on the human soul and its relationship to the physical body. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in a few short lines.

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