'So much Summer' by Emily Dickinson
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So much Summer
Me for showing
Illegitimate-
Would a Smile's minute bestowing
Too exorbitantTo the Lady
With the Guinea
Look-if She should know
Crumb of Mine
A Robin's Larder
Would suffice to stow-
Editor 1 Interpretation
So Much Summer: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson's poem "So Much Summer" is a beautiful and complex work of art that explores the themes of love, nature, and death. It is a poem that has inspired many readers over the years, and its rich imagery and powerful language continue to captivate audiences today. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various elements of this poem and attempt to unravel its meaning and significance.
Analysis
Form and Structure
The poem "So Much Summer" is written in Dickinson's characteristic style, with short lines and irregular stanza lengths. It consists of three stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem has a simple rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines of each stanza rhyming, and the second and fourth lines also rhyming.
Themes
The first theme that stands out in the poem is the theme of love. The poem speaks of the beauty of summer and how it is a time for lovers to come together. The second stanza, in particular, speaks of the joy and happiness that love can bring, with the lines "And every bird its love-story / Told to the listening air."
The second theme that we can see in the poem is the theme of nature. The poem celebrates the beauty of nature and how it can bring people together. The lines "The hills untied their bonnets / The bobolinks begun" evoke a sense of the natural world coming alive and bursting with energy.
The third theme that we can see in the poem is the theme of death. While the poem celebrates the beauty of summer, it also acknowledges that it is a fleeting season, and that all things must come to an end. The lines "The orchards held their breath / Till redbreast sang his song" suggest that even as summer reaches its peak, it is already beginning to fade away.
Imagery
Perhaps the most striking aspect of "So Much Summer" is its use of vivid and powerful imagery. The poem is filled with sensory details that bring the natural world to life. For example, the lines "The bees ran their scales, / The butterflies played" create a sense of movement and activity, while the lines "The hills untied their bonnets / The bobolinks begun" evoke a sense of joy and celebration.
The poem also makes use of powerful visual imagery, such as the lines "The fields grew scarlet and green, / The tall grasses took the blues," which create a vivid picture of the changing colors of summer.
Language
Dickinson's language in "So Much Summer" is both lyrical and evocative. She uses a mix of simple and complex vocabulary to create a sense of both beauty and depth. For example, the line "And every bird its love-story / Told to the listening air" uses simple language but conveys a deep sense of emotion.
The poem also makes use of personification, giving the natural world a sense of agency and life. For example, the lines "The hills untied their bonnets / The bobolinks begun" suggest that the hills and birds are active agents in the changing of the seasons.
Interpretation
At its core, "So Much Summer" is a poem about the fleeting nature of beauty and happiness. The poem celebrates the joy and love that can be found in summer, but it also acknowledges that these things are temporary. The poem suggests that we should cherish the moments of beauty and happiness that we have, even as we are aware that they will eventually come to an end.
The poem can also be seen as a reflection on the cycles of life and death. The changing of the seasons is a reminder that all things must come to an end, and that life is a constant cycle of birth, growth, and decay. The poem suggests that even as we mourn the passing of one season, we can look forward to the next, and find joy in the new growth and renewal that it brings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "So Much Summer" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of love, nature, and death. Through its use of vivid imagery and lyrical language, the poem evokes a sense of the natural world coming alive and bursting with energy. At the same time, it acknowledges the fleeting nature of beauty and happiness, and suggests that we should cherish the moments of joy that we have, even as we are aware that they will eventually come to an end. Overall, "So Much Summer" is a powerful and moving work of art that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
So Much Summer: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, known for her unique style and profound insights into the human condition. Her poem "So Much Summer" is a prime example of her talent, as it captures the essence of the season with vivid imagery and a contemplative tone. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "So much summer, so much winter," which immediately sets up a contrast between two seasons. This contrast is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as Dickinson explores the differences between the warmth and light of summer and the cold and darkness of winter. The use of repetition in this line also emphasizes the abundance of both seasons, suggesting that they are equally important and worthy of attention.
The second line, "So much of sky and sun," further emphasizes the abundance of summer, as the sky and sun are two of its defining features. The use of alliteration in this line ("sky and sun") also adds to its musicality and reinforces the idea of the abundance of summer.
The third line, "I felt we're infinite," is a powerful statement that suggests the speaker's sense of connection to the world around them. The use of the word "we're" instead of "I am" suggests that the speaker is not alone in this feeling, but rather that it is a shared experience. The word "infinite" suggests a sense of boundlessness and possibility, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.
The fourth line, "We knew no other state," reinforces the idea of the speaker's connection to the world around them. The use of the word "knew" suggests a sense of certainty and familiarity, while the phrase "no other state" suggests that this feeling is the only one that matters. This line also sets up a contrast with the next line, which introduces the idea of winter.
The fifth line, "No other law," suggests that winter is a time of rules and restrictions, in contrast to the freedom and boundlessness of summer. The use of the word "law" suggests a sense of authority and control, which is in contrast to the sense of possibility and openness that is associated with summer.
The sixth line, "No other saw," is a bit more ambiguous, but it could be interpreted as a reference to the idea of perception. In other words, the speaker is suggesting that in winter, we see things differently than we do in summer. This could be due to the darkness and coldness of winter, which can affect our mood and perception.
The seventh line, "We passed the zenith of the hill," is a reference to the idea of the summer solstice, which is the point at which the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. This line suggests that the speaker is aware of the passing of time and the changing of the seasons, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.
The eighth line, "And life was just as still," is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it could be seen as a reference to the idea of stillness or stagnation. In other words, the speaker is suggesting that even though time is passing, life seems to be standing still. This could be due to the sense of contentment and peace that is associated with summer.
The ninth line, "Warmth broke thro' the chill," is a reference to the idea of the warmth of summer breaking through the coldness of winter. This line suggests that even though winter is a time of darkness and coldness, there is still the potential for warmth and light.
The tenth line, "Over the frozen hill," reinforces the idea of winter as a time of coldness and darkness. The use of the word "frozen" suggests a sense of immobility and lifelessness, which is in contrast to the warmth and vitality of summer.
The eleventh line, "Nor any summer's night," suggests that even though summer is a time of warmth and light, it is not without its own challenges and difficulties. This line suggests that there is no perfect season, and that each one has its own unique qualities and drawbacks.
The twelfth line, "We waited for the wasps," is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it could be seen as a reference to the idea of waiting for something to happen. In other words, the speaker is suggesting that even though summer is a time of abundance and warmth, there is still a sense of anticipation and waiting for something to happen.
The thirteenth line, "Until they came," suggests that the wasps are a symbol of the changing of the seasons, as they are typically associated with the end of summer and the beginning of fall. This line reinforces the idea of the passing of time and the changing of the seasons, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.
The final line, "Until they came and went," suggests that even though the wasps are a symbol of the changing of the seasons, they are also a reminder that life goes on. This line reinforces the idea of the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change.
In terms of literary devices, "So much summer" is full of them. The use of repetition, alliteration, and metaphor all contribute to the poem's musicality and depth. The contrast between summer and winter is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and the use of symbolism (such as the wasps) adds to its complexity and richness.
Overall, "So much summer" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the season with vivid imagery and a contemplative tone. Its themes of time, change, and the cyclical nature of life are universal and timeless, making it a poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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