'"Nature" is what we see' by Emily Dickinson

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"Nature" is what we see-
The Hill-the Afternoon-
Squirrel-Eclipse-the Bumble bee-
Nay-Nature is Heaven-
Nature is what we hear-
The Bobolink-the Sea-
Thunder-the Cricket-
Nay-Nature is Harmony-
Nature is what we know-
Yet have no art to say-
So impotent Our Wisdom is
To her Simplicity.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Nature" is what we see by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism

Oh, Emily Dickinson. What a poet she was. A true wordsmith whose words continue to awe us even today. "Nature" is what we see is one such masterpiece by Dickinson, where she beautifully and vividly describes the beauty of nature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we are going to delve deeper into the meaning and significance of this poem.

Overview of the Poem

"Nature" is what we see is a poem by Emily Dickinson that was first published in 1891, after her death. The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is a celebration of nature, and how it has the power to inspire and uplift us. The poem is written in Dickinson's characteristic style, where she uses simple language, but with a complexity of meaning.

Stanza by Stanza Analysis

Stanza One

Nature is what we see—
The Hill—the Afternoon—
Squirrel—Eclipse— the Bumble-bee—
Nay—Nature is Heaven—

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Dickinson starts by saying that "Nature is what we see." This line is simple, yet profound. It suggests that nature is not just what we see, but also what we experience. Dickinson goes on to give a few examples of what she means by nature - the hill, the afternoon, the squirrel, the eclipse, and the bumblebee. These are all things that we see in nature, but they are also things that we experience. The use of the dash between each line gives a sense of continuity, as if they are all part of the same experience.

The last line of the stanza, "Nay—Nature is Heaven—" is where Dickinson elevates the idea of nature to a spiritual level. The use of the word "nay" suggests that she is contradicting what she has just said, but in fact, she is adding to it. She is saying that nature is not just what we see and experience, but it is also a glimpse of heaven.

Stanza Two

Nature is what we hear—
The Sea—the Bird—the Roar—
The Wind—the Frog— the Chanticleer—
Nay—Nature is Harmony—

In the second stanza, Dickinson shifts from what we see to what we hear. She says that nature is not just what we see, but also what we hear. She gives examples like the sea, the bird, the wind, the frog, and the chanticleer. These are all sounds that we associate with nature, and they all have a calming effect on us.

The last line of this stanza, "Nay—Nature is Harmony—" is where Dickinson takes the idea of nature being calming to a whole new level. She suggests that nature is not just calming, but it is also a source of harmony. The use of the dash between each line gives a sense of flow, as if the sounds are all part of the same symphony.

Stanza Three

Nature is what we know—
Yet have no art to say—
So impotent Our Wisdom is
To her Simplicity.

The third and final stanza of the poem is where Dickinson brings it all together. She says that nature is not just what we see and hear, but it is also what we know. This suggests that there is a deeper knowledge that we gain from nature, beyond what we can see and hear.

The second line, "Yet have no art to say—" suggests that although we know this deeper knowledge, we are unable to express it in words. It is beyond our ability to describe. The third line, "So impotent Our Wisdom is—" suggests that despite our knowledge, we are still limited in our understanding of nature.

The final line of the poem, "To her Simplicity," is where Dickinson brings the idea of nature full circle. She suggests that despite our limitations, nature remains simple and beautiful. It is something that we can all appreciate, regardless of our understanding.

Poetic Devices Used

Dickinson uses a number of poetic devices in this poem to convey her message. One of the most notable devices is the use of the dash between each line. This gives a sense of continuity and flow, as if the lines are all part of the same experience.

Another device used is the repetition of the word "Nay" in each of the stanzas. This gives a sense of contradiction, but also adds depth to the meaning.

Dickinson also uses alliteration, assonance, and consonance throughout the poem. For example, in the second stanza, she uses the alliteration of "Sea," "Bird," and "Roar." This gives a sense of rhythm and musicality to the poem.

Themes Explored

"Nature" is what we see explores a number of themes, including the beauty of nature, the spiritual aspect of nature, and the limitations of human understanding. Dickinson celebrates the beauty of nature and suggests that it has the power to inspire and uplift us. She also suggests that nature is a glimpse of heaven, and that it is a source of harmony.

At the same time, Dickinson also explores the limitations of human understanding. She suggests that although we have knowledge of nature, there are limitations to our understanding. Nature remains simple and beautiful, regardless of our understanding.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Nature" is what we see is a beautiful poem by Emily Dickinson that celebrates the beauty of nature and explores the spiritual aspect of nature. It also touches on the limitations of human understanding, suggesting that although we have knowledge of nature, there are limitations to our understanding.

The use of poetic devices such as the dash, alliteration, assonance, and consonance, give the poem a sense of continuity, rhythm, and musicality. The repetition of the word "Nay" adds depth to the meaning, and the simple language, with a complexity of meaning, is characteristic of Dickinson's style.

Overall, "Nature" is what we see is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that continues to inspire and uplift us, just as nature itself does.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Nature is what we see – The Hill – the Afternoon – Squirrel – Eclipse – the Bumble bee – Nay – Nature is Heaven –

These are the opening lines of Emily Dickinson’s poem “Nature”. In just four lines, Dickinson manages to capture the essence of nature and its beauty. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and its wonders. It is a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us every day, if only we take the time to stop and appreciate it.

The first line of the poem, “Nature is what we see”, sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a simple statement, but it carries a lot of weight. Dickinson is reminding us that nature is all around us, and that we should take the time to appreciate it. She is urging us to look beyond our busy lives and to see the beauty that surrounds us.

The second line of the poem, “The Hill – the Afternoon”, is a perfect example of Dickinson’s ability to capture the beauty of nature in just a few words. The image of a hill in the afternoon is a peaceful and serene one. It conjures up images of rolling hills, green fields, and a warm sun shining down on us. It is a reminder of the simple pleasures in life, and the beauty that can be found in the most ordinary of things.

The third line of the poem, “Squirrel – Eclipse – the Bumble bee”, is a celebration of the small wonders of nature. Dickinson is reminding us that even the smallest creatures can be beautiful and awe-inspiring. The image of a squirrel scurrying up a tree, or a bumble bee buzzing around a flower, is a reminder of the intricate and delicate balance of nature. It is a reminder that every creature, no matter how small, has a role to play in the natural world.

The final line of the poem, “Nay – Nature is Heaven –”, is a powerful statement. Dickinson is suggesting that nature is not just beautiful, but that it is also divine. She is reminding us that nature is a reflection of something greater than ourselves. It is a reminder that we are all connected, and that we are all part of something much bigger than ourselves.

Overall, Dickinson’s poem “Nature” is a celebration of the natural world and its wonders. It is a reminder that even in our busy lives, we should take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. It is a reminder that even the smallest creatures can be beautiful and awe-inspiring. And it is a reminder that nature is not just beautiful, but that it is also divine. Dickinson’s poem is a timeless reminder of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and it is a reminder that we should never take it for granted.

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