'We can but follow to the Sun' by Emily Dickinson
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We can but follow to the Sun-
As oft as He go down
He leave Ourselves a Sphere behind-
'Tis mostly-following-We go no further with the Dust
Than to the Earthen Door-
And then the Panels are reversed-
And we behold-no more.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's "We can but follow to the Sun"
Emily Dickinson was a prolific American poet who published only a handful of poems in her lifetime, but left behind a treasure trove of over 1,800 poems upon her death. Her poems are known for their unconventional syntax, capitalization, and punctuation, as well as their exploration of themes such as death, nature, and spirituality. "We can but follow to the Sun" is a poem that exemplifies Dickinson's unique style and themes.
Poem Overview
"We can but follow to the Sun" is a four-stanza poem that consists of six lines each. The poem's title suggests a metaphorical journey towards enlightenment or higher knowledge, and the poem itself begins with the line "We can but follow to the Sun", indicating a sense of inevitability in the journey. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its description of a "nimble Giant" that "leaps / The furthest of the hills". The imagery of a giant suggests power and strength, while the description of it being nimble and leaping suggests agility and grace.
The second stanza introduces the idea of the sun as a guide, with the line "His tireless feet go on". The sun is personified as having feet, which helps to create a sense of movement and direction. The stanza ends with the line "And though His destination be / Oblivion", suggesting that the journey is more important than the destination.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the speaker and their reaction to the journey. The line "Ourselves must be the stopper / At every toilsome path" suggests that the speaker is aware that they are the only thing holding themselves back from reaching their destination. The metaphorical use of "stopper" suggests that the speaker is acting as a barrier to their own progress.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the line "Upon the White expanse / He spreads His easy Word". The use of "White" suggests purity and clarity, while "Word" suggests the transmission of knowledge or understanding. The poem ends with the line "The truth but sets the pace / And onward we are led", reinforcing the idea that the journey is more important than the destination, and that the pursuit of knowledge is an ongoing process.
Literary Devices
Dickinson's use of unconventional syntax and punctuation is evident throughout the poem. For example, the poem's opening line, "We can but follow to the Sun", uses the archaic "but" instead of "only" or "just". This creates a sense of antiquity and timelessness, as well as emphasizing the inevitability of the journey.
The use of personification is also prevalent in the poem, with the sun being given human-like qualities such as "tireless feet" and the ability to spread "His easy Word". This helps to create a sense of movement and direction, as well as emphasizing the sun's importance as a guide.
The use of metaphors is also prominent in the poem, with the "nimble Giant" representing the journey towards knowledge or enlightenment, and the "White expanse" representing purity and clarity. These metaphors help to create vivid and memorable imagery, as well as reinforcing the poem's themes.
Interpretation
"We can but follow to the Sun" can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible interpretation is that the poem is about the pursuit of knowledge or enlightenment. The "nimble Giant" and the sun both represent the journey towards higher understanding, and the poem suggests that this journey is ongoing and never-ending. The use of the phrase "we can but follow" suggests a sense of inevitability, as if the journey towards knowledge is something that we are all compelled to undertake.
The poem's emphasis on the journey rather than the destination also suggests that the pursuit of knowledge is more important than the attainment of knowledge. The line "And though His destination be / Oblivion" suggests that the sun's ultimate goal is not important, but rather it is the act of following that is significant. This idea is reinforced by the line "The truth but sets the pace / And onward we are led", which suggests that the pursuit of truth is an ongoing process that is never truly finished.
The poem's use of metaphors and personification also helps to create a sense of motion and direction. The "tireless feet" of the sun, the "nimble Giant", and the "White expanse" all suggest movement and progress, while the use of the word "onward" in the final stanza reinforces this idea.
The poem's emphasis on the individual's role in their own journey is also significant. The line "Ourselves must be the stopper / At every toilsome path" suggests that we are the only thing holding ourselves back from reaching our destination. This idea is echoed throughout the poem, with the emphasis on the individual's agency and responsibility.
Conclusion
"We can but follow to the Sun" is a poem that exemplifies Emily Dickinson's unique style and themes. The poem's focus on the pursuit of knowledge or enlightenment, the emphasis on the journey rather than the destination, and the use of metaphors and personification all help to create a sense of motion and direction. The poem's emphasis on the individual's agency and responsibility also reinforces the idea that the pursuit of truth is an ongoing process that is never truly finished.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of all time, used her poetry to convey her deepest feelings and beliefs. One of her most famous poems, "We can but follow to the Sun," is a perfect example of her unique style and perspective.
The poem is a short, four-line verse that captures the essence of Dickinson's philosophy of life. It reads:
We can but follow to the Sun - As oft as He go down He leave Ourselves a Sphere behind - At every Daybreak gone.
At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but upon closer examination, it reveals a complex and profound message. The poem is about the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change. It suggests that we must follow the sun, which represents the passage of time, and that every day, we leave a part of ourselves behind.
The first line, "We can but follow to the Sun," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests that we have no choice but to follow the sun, which is a metaphor for time. Time is a force that is beyond our control, and we must accept its passage. Dickinson is reminding us that we cannot stop time, but we can choose how we spend it.
The second line, "As oft as He go down," reinforces the idea that time is cyclical. The sun rises and sets every day, and this cycle repeats itself endlessly. Dickinson is suggesting that life is also cyclical, and that we must accept the ups and downs that come with it.
The third line, "He leave Ourselves a Sphere behind," is a metaphor for the past. Every day, we leave a part of ourselves behind, and this becomes our past. Dickinson is suggesting that our past is always with us, and that we cannot escape it. However, she is also suggesting that our past is what makes us who we are, and that we should embrace it.
The final line, "At every Daybreak gone," is a reminder that every day is a new beginning. We have the opportunity to start fresh every day, and to leave behind the mistakes and regrets of the past. Dickinson is suggesting that we should not dwell on the past, but instead focus on the present and the future.
Overall, "We can but follow to the Sun" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of Dickinson's philosophy of life. It reminds us that time is a force beyond our control, but that we can choose how we spend it. It also suggests that our past is always with us, but that we should embrace it and use it to shape our future. Finally, it reminds us that every day is a new beginning, and that we should focus on the present and the future, rather than dwelling on the past.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "We can but follow to the Sun" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its message of acceptance, resilience, and hope is as relevant now as it was when it was first written. Dickinson's unique style and perspective have made her one of the most beloved poets of all time, and this poem is a perfect example of her genius.
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