'This was in the White of the Year' by Emily Dickinson

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This was in the White of the Year-
That-was in the Green-
Drifts were as difficult then to think
As Daisies now to be seen-Looking back is best that is left
Or if it be-before-
Retrospection is Prospect's half,
Sometimes, almost more.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dickinson's "This was in the White of the Year": A Poem of Renewal and Reflection

Emily Dickinson's "This was in the White of the Year" is a poem that celebrates the arrival of a new season and the transformative power of nature. Written in Dickinson's characteristic style of short, enigmatic lines and vivid imagery, the poem captures the essence of winter, its coldness and its beauty, and uses it as a metaphor for the human experience of change and renewal. In this essay, I will explore the main themes and motifs of the poem, as well as its formal qualities, and argue that it is a masterpiece of poetic expression.

The Poem's Main Themes

At its core, "This was in the White of the Year" is a poem about transformation. It describes the arrival of winter and the way it changes the landscape, turning everything white and cold. But at the same time, the poem suggests that winter is not just a season of death and decay, but also of renewal and growth. In the first stanza, Dickinson writes:

This was in the white of the year,
That was in the green,
Drifts were as difficult then to think
As daisies now to be seen.

Here, the poet sets up a contrast between winter and spring, between the white of the year and the green. She suggests that in winter, everything is covered in snow and ice, making it difficult to see the world as it truly is. But then she adds that daisies are as difficult to see now as drifts were then, implying that both winter and spring have their own challenges and rewards.

The poem goes on to describe the way winter transforms the landscape, turning fields and forests into a "fairy scene" and creating a sense of stillness and serenity. But it also suggests that this transformation is not just physical, but also psychological. In the second stanza, Dickinson writes:

Winter its silent wrappings
Leaves in the lonely mind,
Aspects of indignant sunshine,
Wrestle like the wrestling stars.

Here, the poet suggests that winter has a profound effect on the human psyche, wrapping it in silence and solitude, but also exposing it to the "indignant sunshine" – a phrase that captures the conflicting emotions that can arise when we confront our own mortality and the passing of time. Like the stars in the sky, which seem to wrestle with each other, our thoughts and feelings can be in conflict with each other, struggling to find meaning and purpose in a world that is constantly changing.

The Poem's Formal Qualities

One of the most striking things about "This was in the White of the Year" is its formal structure. The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a strict rhyming scheme (ABCB). The lines are short and compact, with few adjectives or adverbs, and the syntax is often inverted or elliptical. As a result, the poem has a compressed, intense quality, as if the poet is trying to capture the essence of winter in a few spare words.

At the same time, however, the poem also has a musical quality, with its regular rhythm and rhyme scheme. Each stanza begins with a line that sets up a contrast between winter and some other season or aspect of nature, and then develops this contrast in the following lines. The effect is to create a sense of movement and progression, as if the poem is taking us on a journey through the changing seasons and the changing emotions of the human heart.

Interpretation

So what does "This was in the White of the Year" mean? What is Dickinson trying to say with this poem? As with many of her works, the answer is elusive and open to interpretation. But one possible reading is that the poem is a meditation on the cyclical nature of life – the way that death and decay are always followed by renewal and growth.

Winter, in this interpretation, is a symbol of the dark and difficult times that we all go through – whether it is the loss of a loved one, a period of depression or anxiety, or simply the awareness of our own mortality. But the poem suggests that even in the midst of these difficult times, there is still beauty and wonder to be found in the world. The snow and ice that cover the landscape may be cold and forbidding, but they also create a sense of stillness and serenity, a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and pain, there is always a place of calm and peace.

Moreover, the poem suggests that these difficult times are not just a test of our resilience, but also an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. By confronting the challenges of winter, we are forced to confront our own fears and weaknesses, and to find strength and resilience within ourselves. As the poem suggests, the "aspects of indignant sunshine" that expose us to our own mortality may be painful and difficult, but they are also a source of inspiration and renewal, a reminder that life is precious and fleeting, and that we must make the most of every moment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "This was in the White of the Year" is a poem of rare beauty and power, a testament to the transformative power of nature and the human spirit. Through its vivid imagery and musical language, it captures the essence of winter – its coldness and stillness, its beauty and wonder – and uses it as a metaphor for the human experience of change and renewal. Whether read as a meditation on the cyclical nature of life, a celebration of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, or simply as a masterpiece of poetic expression, it is a poem that will stay with the reader long after the last line has been read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson's "This was in the White of the Year" is a classic poem that captures the essence of winter and the beauty of nature. The poem is a celebration of the winter season and the way it transforms the world around us. Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the winter landscape and the emotions it evokes.

The poem begins with the line "This was in the white of the year," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "white" is significant, as it represents the snow that covers the ground during the winter months. The whiteness of the snow is a symbol of purity and innocence, and it creates a sense of calm and tranquility.

The second line of the poem, "That was in the green," contrasts with the first line and highlights the stark difference between winter and the other seasons. The use of the word "green" represents the lushness and vibrancy of spring and summer, which is a stark contrast to the barrenness of winter. This contrast is further emphasized in the third line of the poem, "Drifts were as deep as anything within me."

The use of the word "drifts" is significant, as it represents the snow that has accumulated on the ground. The snow is so deep that it is as deep as anything within the speaker, which creates a sense of isolation and loneliness. The snow has covered everything, including the speaker, and this creates a sense of being trapped and alone.

The fourth line of the poem, "And thoughts were as blue as anything within me," further emphasizes the sense of isolation and loneliness that the speaker is feeling. The use of the word "blue" represents sadness and melancholy, which is a common emotion during the winter months. The speaker's thoughts are as blue as anything within them, which creates a sense of despair and hopelessness.

The fifth line of the poem, "This was on the seventh of January," is significant, as it represents a specific date during the winter season. The use of a specific date creates a sense of time and place, which helps to ground the poem in reality. The seventh of January is also significant, as it is in the middle of winter, which is the coldest and darkest time of the year.

The sixth line of the poem, "This was all in the white of the year," repeats the opening line of the poem and creates a sense of circularity. The repetition of the opening line emphasizes the importance of the winter season and the way it transforms the world around us.

The seventh and final line of the poem, "That was when I carried you," is a powerful and emotional statement. The use of the word "carried" represents the speaker's love and devotion for someone else. The winter season has created a sense of isolation and loneliness, but the speaker is carrying someone else with them, which creates a sense of connection and love.

Overall, Emily Dickinson's "This was in the White of the Year" is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of winter and the beauty of nature. The use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the winter landscape and the emotions it evokes. The poem is a celebration of the winter season and the way it transforms the world around us, and it reminds us of the importance of love and connection during the darkest and coldest times of the year.

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