'Ourselves were wed one summer-dear' by Emily Dickinson


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Ourselves were wed one summer-dear-
Your Vision-was in June-
And when Your little Lifetime failed,
I wearied-too-of mine-And overtaken in the Dark-
Where You had put me down-
By Some one carrying a Light-
I-too-received the Sign.'Tis true-Our Futures different lay-
Your Cottage-faced the sun-
While Oceans-and the North must be-
On every side of mine'Tis true, Your Garden led the Bloom,
For mine-in Frosts-was sown-
And yet, one Summer, we were Queens-
But You-were crowned in June-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Ourselves were wed one summer-dear: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Ourselves were wed one summer-dear,” is a powerful exploration of the nature of love and union. The poem uses rich language and vivid imagery to portray the intense connection between two people who have chosen to merge their lives together. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the themes, symbolism, and literary devices that Dickinson employs in the poem, and explore the possible meanings and implications of her words.

Analysis

The poem opens with a powerful declaration: “Ourselves were wed one summer-dear.” The use of the word “wed” immediately suggests a permanent and binding union, and the phrase “summer-dear” evokes a sense of warmth and tenderness. Dickinson continues to describe the union by saying that “the mountains held the sun in their lap,” an image that suggests a cosmic significance to this union. The mountains, with their timeless grandeur and scale, are an appropriate symbol for the vastness and eternity of love.

The second stanza of the poem furthers this idea of a cosmic union by describing the merging of the two lovers’ souls. Dickinson writes that “our souls were one in the same degree,” a statement that suggests a profound unity between the two individuals. This idea is reinforced by the metaphor of the sea, which is used to describe the depth and boundlessness of the lovers’ connection. The sea is a powerful symbol of vastness and mystery, and its use here suggests that the love between the two individuals is somehow greater than themselves.

The third stanza of the poem continues to explore the theme of unity, but introduces a note of tension into the poem. Dickinson writes that “we said the sun was ours,” a statement that suggests a possessiveness or a desire to control. This idea is further developed in the next line, where the poet says that “we clasped the earth to us.” The image of the lovers holding the earth is a powerful one, and suggests a desire for ownership or control over the natural world.

The final stanza of the poem returns to the theme of unity, but introduces a note of ambiguity. Dickinson writes that “we felt the mountains tremble,” a statement that suggests a profound impact on the natural world. However, the final line of the poem, “and the earth moved under our feet,” introduces a note of instability and uncertainty. The image of the earth moving suggests that the union between the two individuals is not entirely stable or secure, and that there may be forces at work that threaten to disrupt or destabilize it.

Interpretation

“Ourselves were wed one summer-dear” is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the nature of love and union. At its heart, the poem is a celebration of the power of love to unite two individuals and to create a bond that is greater than themselves. However, the poem also contains a note of tension and ambiguity, suggesting that the union between the two lovers may not be entirely stable or secure.

One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of possessiveness and control in relationships. The third stanza of the poem, with its references to ownership and control over the natural world, suggests that the love between the two individuals may be based on a desire for possession rather than true connection. The final stanza, with its image of instability and uncertainty, suggests that this possessiveness may be threatening to the stability of the relationship.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of the power of love to transcend the boundaries of the individual self. The image of the lovers merging their souls, and the use of cosmic imagery such as the mountains and the sea, suggest that the love between the two individuals is somehow greater than themselves. The final stanza, with its image of the earth moving, suggests that the union between the two individuals may have a profound impact on the world around them.

Overall, “Ourselves were wed one summer-dear” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of love and union in a complex and multi-layered way. The poem’s rich language and vivid imagery make it a joy to read, and its many possible interpretations make it a valuable contribution to the tradition of love poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to transport us to different worlds, to make us feel emotions we never thought possible, and to connect us with the deepest parts of ourselves. Emily Dickinson's poem "Ourselves were wed one summer-dear" is a perfect example of this power. In just a few short stanzas, Dickinson captures the essence of love, nature, and the human experience.

The poem begins with the line "Ourselves were wed one summer-dear," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "wed" suggests a deep and meaningful connection between the speaker and their beloved. The fact that this connection was formed in the summer adds a layer of warmth and joy to the poem.

The next line, "Your Vision was in me," further emphasizes the depth of this connection. The speaker is not just in love with their partner, but they have become a part of them. The use of the word "Vision" suggests that the speaker sees their partner as more than just a physical being, but as a manifestation of their hopes and dreams.

The third line, "My Vision in you," completes the circle of connection between the two lovers. The fact that their visions are in each other suggests that they are not just in love, but they are also deeply connected on a spiritual level. This connection is further emphasized in the next line, "And all the world was seen anew."

The phrase "all the world" suggests that the speaker's love for their partner has transformed their entire perception of the world. They see everything through the lens of their love, and as a result, everything is seen anew. This is a powerful statement about the transformative power of love.

The next stanza begins with the line "The skies were darker yet," which suggests that there may be challenges or obstacles in the lovers' path. However, the next line, "At length the worst was o'er," suggests that they have overcome these challenges and are now able to bask in the warmth of their love.

The line "The morns were brighter than before" further emphasizes the transformative power of love. The fact that the mornings are now brighter suggests that the speaker's love has not only transformed their perception of the world, but it has also brought more light and joy into their life.

The final stanza begins with the line "Each ethereal mood," which suggests that the speaker's love has taken on a spiritual quality. The use of the word "ethereal" suggests that their love is not just physical, but it is also transcendent.

The line "Was ours; the vernal trees" suggests that the speaker's love is not just between them, but it is also connected to the natural world. The fact that the trees are described as "vernal" suggests that their love is connected to the cycle of life and renewal.

The final line, "Were mine, the winter's breeze," is a powerful statement about the enduring nature of love. The fact that the speaker's love is able to withstand the harshness of winter suggests that it is not just a fleeting emotion, but it is a deep and enduring connection.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "Ourselves were wed one summer-dear" is a powerful statement about the transformative power of love. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson captures the essence of love, nature, and the human experience. This poem is a testament to the enduring nature of love and its ability to transform our lives in profound ways.

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