'Besides this May' by Emily Dickinson
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Besides this May
We know
There is Another-
How fair
Our Speculations of the Foreigner!Some know Him whom We knew-
Sweet Wonder-
A Nature be
Where Saints, and our plain going Neighbor
Keep May!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Besides this May" by Emily Dickinson: A Celebration of Life's Transience
The poetry of Emily Dickinson is renowned for its enigmatic nature and poignant observations of life, death, and everything in between. "Besides this May," a lesser-known work in Dickinson's oeuvre, is a stunning example of her mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet profound imagery. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of "Besides this May," exploring its themes, structure, and use of language to reveal the deeper meaning of Dickinson's words.
Context and Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was a recluse who spent most of her life in seclusion, writing poetry that was often unpublished during her lifetime. She was known for her unconventional style and her tendency to write about death, nature, and the human condition. "Besides this May," written in the mid-19th century, reflects Dickinson's fascination with the natural world and her preoccupation with the fleeting nature of life.
Analysis: Themes and Imagery
The poem opens with a simple statement: "Besides this May, there is Heaven." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the transience of life and the beauty that can be found in the midst of it. The idea that there is something beyond this world, something more permanent and everlasting, is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry. It suggests that there is a sense of hope and comfort to be found in the face of mortality.
The imagery in "Besides this May" is striking in its simplicity. Dickinson describes the world around her in vivid detail, using metaphors that are both beautiful and haunting. For example, she compares the sky to a "swelling of the ground" and the clouds to "a white top on a mountain." These images evoke a sense of grandeur and majesty, but also suggest that even the most beautiful things in life are fleeting.
The poem also makes use of religious imagery, with references to "Heaven" and "God." Dickinson was known for her spiritual beliefs, which were deeply personal and often conflicted with the religious norms of her time. In "Besides this May," she uses religion to explore the idea of life after death and the possibility of a higher power that transcends the physical world.
Structure and Language
The structure of the poem is deceptively simple, with four stanzas of four lines each. However, the way in which the lines are arranged creates a sense of rhythm and flow that adds to the poem's overall effect. The use of enjambment, where one line flows into the next without punctuation, creates a sense of movement and continuity. For example, in the second stanza, the line "The grass recedes as from a shore" flows seamlessly into "And where the sunshine shows again," creating a natural sense of progression.
The language in "Besides this May" is also worth examining, as it is both beautiful and precise. Dickinson was known for her use of unusual words and phrases, and this poem is no exception. For example, she describes the "daisy's fringes" and the "tide's retreat." These phrases are not only poetic but also precise, conveying a sense of the natural world that is both vivid and accurate.
Interpretation: A Celebration of Life's Transience
So what is the deeper meaning of "Besides this May"? To me, the poem is a celebration of life's transience and the beauty that can be found in the midst of it. Dickinson suggests that even though everything in life is fleeting, there is still something eternal and everlasting that we can hold onto. This is reflected in the poem's final lines, where she writes:
"From us she wandered now a year, Her tarrying unknown; If wildernesses of the heart Entice her wandering son."
These lines suggest that even though we may not know what happens after death, there is still a sense of continuity and connection that transcends the physical world. Dickinson's use of religious imagery and her belief in an afterlife add weight to this interpretation, suggesting that there is something beyond this world that we can hold onto.
In conclusion, "Besides this May" is a stunning example of Emily Dickinson's poetic talent and her ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet profound imagery. The themes of transience and beauty are explored in a way that is both poetic and precise, making this poem a true masterpiece of American literature. Whether you are a fan of Dickinson's work or new to her poetry, "Besides this May" is a must-read that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Besides this May" is a perfect example of her unique style and ability to convey complex emotions through her words.
The poem begins with the line, "Besides this May," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. May is a month that is associated with new beginnings, growth, and renewal, but the speaker of the poem seems to be suggesting that there is more to life than just this one month. The use of the word "besides" implies that there is something else that is equally important, if not more so.
The second line of the poem, "There is Heaven," is a bold statement that immediately captures the reader's attention. Heaven is a concept that is often associated with religion and the afterlife, but in this context, it seems to be referring to something more abstract. Perhaps the speaker is suggesting that there is a state of mind or a feeling that is akin to heaven, and that it can be experienced in this life.
The third line of the poem, "This is June," seems to be a continuation of the previous thought. June is another month that is associated with growth and new beginnings, but the speaker seems to be suggesting that it is not as important as the concept of heaven that was introduced in the previous line.
The fourth line of the poem, "I have confessed," is a powerful statement that suggests that the speaker has something important to say. The use of the word "confessed" implies that the speaker is revealing something that they have been keeping hidden or secret.
The fifth line of the poem, "The darlings of the soil," is a metaphor that refers to plants and flowers. The use of the word "darlings" suggests that the speaker has a deep affection for these natural objects, and that they are important to them.
The sixth line of the poem, "Are nothing else than we," is a bold statement that suggests that humans are just as important as the natural world. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the relationship between humans and nature.
The seventh line of the poem, "What shall we do?" is a question that seems to be directed at the reader. The speaker is asking what we, as humans, should do in light of the fact that we are just as important as the natural world.
The eighth line of the poem, "Love, the soil, we cannot share," is a poignant statement that suggests that there is a divide between humans and nature. While we may love the natural world, we cannot truly share in its experiences or understand it fully.
The ninth line of the poem, "Why love it then?" is a question that seems to be directed at the speaker themselves. If we cannot fully understand or share in the experiences of the natural world, why do we love it so much?
The final line of the poem, "Because it is," is a simple yet profound statement that suggests that there is no logical explanation for why we love the natural world. We simply do, and that is enough.
Overall, "Besides this May" is a powerful poem that explores the relationship between humans and nature. Dickinson's use of metaphors and bold statements creates a sense of urgency and importance, and the final line of the poem is a reminder that sometimes there are no logical explanations for our emotions and feelings. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style and ability to convey complex emotions through her words, and it is a classic example of the power of poetry.
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