'Presentiment-is that long Shadow-on the Lawn' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Presentiment-is that long Shadow-on the Lawn-
Indicatives that Suns go down-The Notice to the startled Grass
That Darkness-is about to pass-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Presentiment-is that long Shadow-on the Lawn" by Emily Dickinson
When we think of Emily Dickinson, we think of her reclusive life and her enigmatic poetry, which often explores the themes of death, immortality, and the mysteries of existence. One of her most haunting poems is "Presentiment-is that long Shadow-on the Lawn," which captures the eerie quality of an intuition or premonition that something mysterious or dreadful is about to happen. The poem consists of two quatrains, each with an alternating rhyme scheme, and a seemingly simple structure, but the depth and complexity of its imagery and language reveal Dickinson's mastery of poetic form and expression.
Context and Interpretation
To fully appreciate this poem, we need to understand the context in which it was written. Dickinson lived in the 19th century, a time when women were expected to conform to strict social norms and were often denied education and autonomy. Dickinson, however, defied these conventions and pursued her passion for writing, although most of her poems were not published until after her death. She also suffered from physical and emotional ailments, and her poetry reflects her inner struggles and her search for meaning and transcendence.
"Presentiment-is that long Shadow-on the Lawn" can be interpreted as a reflection of Dickinson's ambivalent attitude towards life and death. On the one hand, she seems fascinated by the idea of premonition, which suggests that there is a hidden order or purpose behind the apparent chaos of existence. On the other hand, she seems to fear the power of such intuitions, which can disrupt the fragile balance between the conscious and the unconscious, the rational and the irrational, the known and the unknown. The shadow on the lawn, then, can be seen as a metaphor for the uncanny, the inexplicable, and the ominous, which lurks beneath the surface of our everyday reality.
Analysis
Let us now examine the poem line by line and explore its imagery, language, and themes.
Presentiment-is that long Shadow-on the Lawn- Indicative that Suns go down- The notice to the startled Grass That Darkness is about to pass-
The opening quatrain sets the tone and the mood of the poem, as well as its formal structure. The use of the dash after the first line creates a sense of suspense and anticipation, as if the speaker is pausing to contemplate the significance of presentiment, or the feeling that something significant is about to happen. The word "long" in the second line suggests that this feeling is not fleeting, but enduring, like a shadow that stretches across the lawn. The word "indicative" implies that the shadow is a sign or a symbol of something, perhaps the passing of time, the cycle of life and death, or the approach of an event. The third line introduces the image of the startled grass, which suggests that the shadow creates a disturbance, an interruption in the natural order of things. The fourth line suggests that the darkness that the shadow announces is not a permanent state, but a passing phase, which will be followed by light and renewal.
"Rain" and "Wind"-are Terrors-little When they trouble Churchyard Stones- But Heaven-environmentless-today- And "Oceans" from the skies of Gray-
The second quatrain deepens the theme of the interplay between light and darkness, life and death, by contrasting the "terrors" of rain and wind, which disturb the peace of the dead, with the sublime emptiness of heaven, which suggests the possibility of transcendence and immortality. The quotation marks around "Rain" and "Wind" suggest that they are not just natural phenomena, but symbolic of human fears and anxieties. They are "little" compared to the vastness and the mystery of the heavens, which are "environmentless" and thus free from the limitations of time and space. The phrase "skies of Gray" suggests a sense of melancholy or foreboding, as if the speaker is sensing a hidden danger or a hidden opportunity.
The Waters-no reflection-keep- "Secrets" from the Apron-stone- "Nothing" but a "Barefoot-Robin" Hydrates-this Beggar-on the Town-
The third quatrain introduces the image of water, which is often associated with the unconscious, the feminine, and the unknown. The phrase "no reflection keep" suggests that the water is opaque, like a mirror that does not reveal its secrets. The quotation marks around "Secrets" and "Nothing" suggest that the speaker is using these words ironically, as if to imply that there are no secrets or nothings in the universe, only hidden meanings and potentials. The image of the "Barefoot-Robin" suggests vulnerability, innocence, and freedom, as if the bird is able to transcend the boundaries of human knowledge and perception. The phrase "Hydrates-this Beggar-on the Town" suggests that even the humblest and most overlooked creatures have a role to play in the cosmic drama, and that water, like intuition, can nourish and sustain even the poorest and most lonely souls.
Conclusion
"Presentiment-is that long Shadow-on the Lawn" is a poem that rewards careful reading and interpretation. It is a poem that captures the elusive nature of intuition, premonition, and presentiment, and the way in which they hint at the mysteries of existence. It is a poem that explores the interplay between light and darkness, life and death, and the way in which they intermingle and create meaning. It is a poem that showcases Dickinson's poetic genius, her ability to compress complex ideas and emotions into deceptively simple and haunting language. Above all, it is a poem that invites us to contemplate the shadow on our own lawns, and to ask ourselves what it reveals about us and our place in the universe.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, and her poem "Presentiment-is that long Shadow-on the Lawn" is a prime example of her unique style and poetic genius. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line "Presentiment-is that long Shadow-on the Lawn," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "presentiment" refers to a feeling of foreboding or anticipation, and the image of a "long shadow" on the lawn suggests something ominous or threatening. This opening line is a perfect example of Dickinson's ability to create a sense of mystery and intrigue in her poetry.
The first stanza continues with the lines "Indicative that Suns go down; / The Notice to the startled Grass / That Darkness is about to pass." Here, Dickinson uses the image of the setting sun to symbolize the end of a cycle or the approach of a significant change. The "startled Grass" represents the natural world's reaction to this impending shift, and the idea that "Darkness is about to pass" suggests that there is hope for a new beginning.
The second stanza begins with the line "The Trees unloose their clinging hands," which further emphasizes the idea of change and transition. The image of the trees "unloosing" their branches suggests a release or letting go of something that has been held tightly. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for letting go of the past or old ways of thinking to make way for something new.
The stanza continues with the lines "The reaper-jealous of the Lawn, / And of each blade of grass, his own," which introduces the idea of death and the natural cycle of life. The "reaper" is a personification of death, and his jealousy of the lawn and each blade of grass suggests that he is eager to claim his next victim. This theme of mortality is a common one in Dickinson's poetry and reflects her fascination with the mysteries of life and death.
The third stanza begins with the line "The Winds, with timorous fingers, / Sweep in the dusk, an empty room," which creates a sense of unease and uncertainty. The image of the winds sweeping through an empty room suggests a feeling of emptiness or loss, and the use of the word "timorous" suggests that even the elements are afraid of what is to come.
The stanza continues with the lines "Without a hint of fragrant bloom, / They sigh the old Mantra- of the Rose-," which introduces the idea of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The "old Mantra" of the rose refers to the idea that even the most beautiful and delicate things in life are fleeting and will eventually wither and die. This theme is another common one in Dickinson's poetry and reflects her fascination with the transience of life.
The fourth and final stanza begins with the line "Distrustful of the Gentian-" which introduces the idea of distrust or suspicion. The gentian is a type of flower that is often associated with purity and innocence, but here it is portrayed as something to be wary of. This suggests that even the most seemingly harmless things in life can be deceptive or dangerous.
The stanza continues with the lines "And just to turn away, / The fluttering of her fringes low, / Over the grassy sea, / A little pilgrim, — timidly," which creates a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty. The image of the gentian turning away suggests a fear or reluctance to face what is to come, and the idea of the "little pilgrim" suggests a sense of journey or quest.
Overall, "Presentiment-is that long Shadow-on the Lawn" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of change, mortality, and uncertainty. Dickinson's use of imagery and personification creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, and her unique style and poetic genius make this poem a classic of American literature.
Editor Recommended Sites
New Today App: Top tech news from around the internetLittle Known Dev Tools: New dev tools fresh off the github for cli management, replacing default tools, better CLI UI interfaces
Crypto Tax - Tax management for Crypto Coinbase / Binance / Kraken: Learn to pay your crypto tax and tax best practice round cryptocurrency gains
Learn Dataform: Dataform tutorial for AWS and GCP cloud
Flutter consulting - DFW flutter development & Southlake / Westlake Flutter Engineering: Flutter development agency for dallas Fort worth
Recommended Similar Analysis
No Worst, There Is None by Gerard Manley Hopkins analysisMental Cases by Wilfred Owen analysis
Philomela by Sir Philip Sidney analysis
To Lucasta, Going To The Wars by Richard Lovelace analysis
The Song of the Women by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Maid of Athens, ere we part by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
On the Western Circuit by Thomas Hardy analysis
Anactoria by Sappho analysis
The Sorrow Of Love by William Butler Yeats analysis
Lapis Lazuli by William Butler Yeats analysis