'Out of sight? What of that?' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Out of sight? What of that?
See the Bird-reach it!
Curve by Curve-Sweep by Sweep-
Round the Steep Air-
Danger! What is that to Her?
Better 'tis to fail-there-
Than debate-here-Blue is Blue-the World through-
Amber-Amber-Dew-Dew-
Seek-Friend-and see-
Heaven is shy of Earth-that's all-
Bashful Heaven-thy Lovers small-
Hide-too-from thee-
Editor 1 Interpretation
Out of sight? What of that? - A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, an American poet, is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of all time. Her unique style of writing, unconventional use of punctuation, and capitalization sets her apart from other poets of her time. Dickinson's poetry deals with themes of love, nature, death, and faith. One of her most celebrated poems is "Out of sight? What of that?" published in 1864, a year after the American Civil War.
Overview of the Poem
The poem comprises three quatrains, or four-line stanzas, each containing alternating iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter lines. The poem has a simple, straightforward structure that belies its deep meaning. The poem's title "Out of sight? What of that?" is a rhetorical question that sets the tone for the poem.
Dickinson begins the poem by asking, "Out of sight? What of that?" That is, she questions the importance of seeing something for it to exist. She argues that just because something is not visible to the naked eye, it does not mean it does not exist. She then goes on to give examples of things that exist but are not visible, such as the wind, love, and faith.
The second stanza is a continuation of the first. Dickinson reinforces her argument that just because we cannot see something does not mean it does not exist. She says that the sun is still shining even when it is cloudy, and the stars are still there even when we cannot see them. She then asks the reader to consider the existence of the soul, which is not visible but is still present.
In the final stanza, Dickinson makes a plea for faith. She argues that just because we cannot see God, it does not mean that he does not exist. She says that faith is like a bird that sings even when the dawn is still dark. In other words, faith is something that exists even when we cannot see it.
Literary Analysis
The poem "Out of sight? What of that?" is a masterpiece of Dickinson's poetic style. It is a testament to her ability to convey complex ideas in a simple, straightforward way. The poem's structure, use of rhetorical questions, and repetition of the phrase "What of that?" all contribute to its meaning and impact.
The poem's structure is simple, with three quatrains containing alternating iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter lines. This structure gives the poem a rhythmic quality that makes it easy to read and understand. The use of rhetorical questions also adds to the poem's impact. By asking questions, Dickinson makes the reader think about the poem's meaning and draws them into the discussion.
The repetition of the phrase "What of that?" is another significant aspect of the poem. By repeating this phrase, Dickinson reinforces her argument that just because something is out of sight does not mean it does not exist. The phrase becomes a mantra that the reader can hold onto and remember even after they have finished reading the poem.
Dickinson's use of imagery is also noteworthy. By giving examples of things that exist but are not visible, such as the wind and the soul, she creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The comparison of faith to a bird that sings even when the dawn is still dark is particularly powerful. It suggests that faith is something that is always present, even when the world around us is dark and uncertain.
Interpretation
The poem "Out of sight? What of that?" has many different interpretations, depending on the reader's perspective. Some readers may see it as a commentary on faith and the existence of God. Others may see it as a reflection on the nature of reality and our ability to perceive it.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a call to have faith in things that are not visible. Dickinson argues that just because we cannot see something does not mean it does not exist. She suggests that faith is a crucial component of our lives and that we should have faith in the things that we cannot see.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the nature of reality. Dickinson argues that reality is not always what it seems and that our perception of the world around us is often limited. She suggests that there are things that exist beyond our ability to perceive them and that we should be open to the possibility of the unknown.
The poem can also be seen as a commentary on the power of imagination. By suggesting that things that are out of sight still exist, Dickinson encourages the reader to use their imagination and to think beyond what is immediately visible. She suggests that the imagination is a powerful tool that can help us to see the world in a new and different way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Out of sight? What of that?" is a masterpiece of Emily Dickinson's poetry. It is a simple yet powerful poem that challenges the reader to think about the nature of reality, faith, and the power of imagination. The poem's structure, use of rhetorical questions, repetition of phrases, and imagery all contribute to its meaning and impact.
The poem's message is clear: just because something is out of sight does not mean it does not exist. The poem encourages the reader to have faith in things that are not visible, to be open to the unknown, and to use their imagination to see the world in a new and different way. As such, "Out of sight? What of that?" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Out of sight? What of that? written by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship to the world around us. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as its structure and language, to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
First, let us examine the title of the poem. "Poetry Out of sight? What of that?" suggests a question or challenge to the reader. It implies that poetry may not always be visible or apparent, but that this does not diminish its importance or value. This theme of hidden or unseen poetry is central to the poem, as we shall see.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone and introduces the central idea: "Poetry out of sight / Is as immortal as if it were / Visible, audible / As the earth we inhabit." Here, Dickinson asserts that poetry is eternal and enduring, even if it is not immediately visible or audible. She compares it to the earth we inhabit, suggesting that poetry is a fundamental part of our world, even if we are not always aware of it.
The second stanza expands on this idea, using vivid imagery to describe the hidden nature of poetry: "If you could / Ride on it / With a bugle / You might perchance / Forget the visible / And that way / Sustain / A being / Poised / As ours." Here, Dickinson suggests that if we could ride on poetry like a horse, we might forget the visible world and enter into a state of being that is both elevated and sustained. This idea of poetry as a means of transcendence is a recurring theme in Dickinson's work.
The third stanza takes a more skeptical tone, questioning whether poetry can truly be hidden or out of sight: "Of vespers that have slipped / The news would strike you / As almost as integral / As hymn." Here, Dickinson suggests that even the most hidden or obscure poetry is still an integral part of the world, and that we should not underestimate its power or significance.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of poetry as a means of transcendence, using the metaphor of a bird to describe the experience of reading or writing poetry: "It may be / A bird that is heard / In the silence / So chaste / By chirrup and by tree / The absent hold / Their moment." Here, Dickinson suggests that poetry is like a bird that can be heard in the silence, a moment of transcendence that is held by those who are absent. This idea of poetry as a moment of transcendence is a recurring theme in Dickinson's work, and is central to her vision of the world.
The fifth and final stanza returns to the question posed in the title of the poem, suggesting that the hidden nature of poetry is not a cause for concern, but rather a source of wonder and mystery: "It is not bird, it has no nest / Nor band / Nor form, nor evident size / Yet never in extremity / It asks a crumb of me." Here, Dickinson suggests that poetry is not bound by the constraints of the visible world, but is instead a formless and mysterious entity that asks nothing of us, but offers us everything.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of five stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is irregular, with some stanzas featuring a consistent rhyme scheme (such as the second stanza, which rhymes "bugle" with "sustain"), while others have no discernible rhyme scheme at all. This irregularity reflects the theme of hidden or unseen poetry, suggesting that the true nature of poetry cannot be contained or constrained by conventional forms or structures.
In terms of language, the poem is characterized by Dickinson's characteristic use of vivid imagery and metaphor. The metaphor of poetry as a bird that can be heard in the silence is particularly striking, as it captures the elusive and mysterious nature of poetry. Dickinson's use of language is also notable for its economy and precision, with each word carefully chosen to convey a specific meaning or idea.
Overall, Poetry Out of sight? What of that? is a classic poem that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship to the world around us. Through its vivid imagery, metaphor, and language, the poem suggests that poetry is an eternal and enduring force that transcends the visible world, offering us moments of transcendence and wonder. As such, it is a testament to the power and significance of poetry, and a reminder of its enduring relevance in our lives.
Editor Recommended Sites
Multi Cloud Business: Multicloud tutorials and learning for deploying terraform, kubernetes across cloud, and orchestratingNetwork Simulation: Digital twin and cloud HPC computing to optimize for sales, performance, or a reduction in cost
Learn AI Ops: AI operations for machine learning
Dev Wish I had known: What I wished I known before I started working on
Crypto Gig - Crypto remote contract jobs: Find remote contract jobs for crypto smart contract development, security, audit and custody
Recommended Similar Analysis
A Descent Into The Maelstrom by Edgar Allen Poe analysisCanto 1 by Ezra Pound analysis
Rain In My Heart by Edgar Lee Masters analysis
Songs Of Experience: Introduction by William Blake analysis
Carrion Comfort by Gerard Manley Hopkins analysis
The Giver by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Come Up From The Fields, Father by Walt Whitman analysis
Sparkles From The Wheel by Walt Whitman analysis
Old Cumberland Beggar, The by William Wordsworth analysis
The Barrel-Organ by Alfred Noyes analysis