'By my Window have I for Scenery' by Emily Dickinson
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By my Window have I for Scenery
Just a Sea-with a Stem-
If the Bird and the Farmer-deem it a "Pine"-
The Opinion will serve-for them-It has no Port, nor a "Line"-but the Jays-
That split their route to the Sky-
Or a Squirrel, whose giddy Peninsula
May be easier reached-this way-For Inlands-the Earth is the under side-
And the upper side-is the Sun-
And its Commerce-if Commerce it have-
Of Spice-I infer from the Odors borne-Of its Voice-to affirm-when the Wind is within-
Can the Dumb-define the Divine?
The Definition of Melody-is-
That Definition is none-It-suggests to our Faith-
They-suggest to our Sight-
When the latter-is put away
I shall meet with Conviction I somewhere met
That Immortality-Was the Pine at my Window a "Fellow
Of the Royal" Infinity?
Apprehensions-are God's introductions-
To be hallowed-accordingly-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Poetry, By my Window have I for Scenery" by Emily Dickinson: A Critical Analysis
Are you a lover of poetry? Do you enjoy the art of words, their rhythms and meanings? If so, you will certainly appreciate Emily Dickinson's beautifully crafted poem, "By my Window have I for Scenery."
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the deep layers of this classic poem, exploring its themes, imagery, symbolism, and structure. We will examine Dickinson's use of language and sound, her unique poetic voice, and her contribution to the American literary canon.
Background
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was an American poet who lived a reclusive life, rarely venturing beyond her family home in Amherst, Massachusetts. She wrote over 1,700 poems, most of which were unpublished during her lifetime. It was not until after her death that her poems were discovered and published, and she became recognized as one of America's greatest poets.
"By my Window have I for Scenery" is one of Dickinson's lesser-known poems, but it is a shining example of her poetic genius. It was written in 1861, during a period of great upheaval in America - the Civil War had just begun, and Dickinson's brother was serving in the Union army. This context adds an extra layer of meaning to the poem, as we will see.
Analysis
Structure
Let's begin with the structure of the poem. "By my Window have I for Scenery" is a three-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means there are four iambs (two syllables, with the stress on the second) per line. This gives the poem a regular, rhythmic quality that is pleasing to the ear.
But there is more to the structure than just meter and rhyme. Each stanza is a self-contained unit, with its own independent thought. The first stanza sets the scene, the second introduces a contrast, and the third provides a resolution. This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and unity, while also allowing for a progression of ideas.
Imagery
Now let's turn to the imagery in the poem. The title itself suggests that the poem will be concerned with visual images, and the first stanza reinforces this with its description of the speaker looking out her window at the natural world:
By my Window have I for Scenery
Just a Sea—with a Stem—
If the Bird and the Farmer—deem it a “Pine”—
The opinion will serve—for them—
Here we have the sea and a stem (presumably a tree), which the speaker sees outside her window. She notes that others may see the stem as a pine, but she is content to simply observe what she sees. The use of the word "opinion" suggests that the speaker is aware of the subjective nature of perception - what one person sees as a pine, another may see as something else.
The second stanza introduces a different kind of imagery, as the speaker contrasts the natural world outside her window with the man-made world of books:
My subjects—surround me—
They seem a populous Film—
My neighboring tenants—unseen—unheard—
Until the Woodlands—frost has slipped—
Here, the "subjects" that surround the speaker are books, which she sees as a "populous film." The use of the word "film" implies that the books are like a moving picture, perhaps reflecting the internal landscape of the speaker's mind. The alliteration of "neighboring tenants" and the assonance of "unseen" and "unheard" create a sense of isolation and detachment.
The third stanza returns to the natural world, but this time with a more spiritual dimension:
But do not count the Lad—
His merits—cannot be weighed—
His—are the cryptic Summation—
Of the Trees—And the Sun—
The "Lad" in this stanza is ambiguous - he could be a person, or he could be a representation of something else, perhaps the natural world itself. The use of the word "cryptic" suggests that his merits are not easily understood or measured. The reference to the trees and the sun evokes a sense of nature as a divine creation, something that is beyond the understanding of mere mortals.
Sound
Dickinson's use of sound is also noteworthy in this poem. The alliteration in the first stanza ("Sea" and "Stem") creates a sense of unity between the two natural elements, while the assonance in the second stanza ("surround me" and "populous film") emphasizes the speaker's sense of isolation.
The third stanza, however, is where Dickinson's use of sound is particularly striking. The repetition of the "s" sound in "His merits—cannot be weighed—/His—are the cryptic Summation—" creates a hissing, whispering effect that is almost mystical in its intensity. This sound echoes the sense of mystery and transcendence that is present throughout the poem.
Themes
So what are the themes of "By my Window have I for Scenery"? One theme is the tension between the natural world and the man-made world. The first stanza sets up this contrast, as the speaker looks out at the sea and the stem, while the second stanza introduces books as a man-made alternative. The third stanza, however, seems to suggest that this tension is ultimately artificial, as the "Lad" embodies a synthesis of the two worlds.
Another theme is the subjectivity of perception. The use of the word "opinion" in the first stanza suggests that what we see is not necessarily what is actually there. The contrast between the speaker's isolation in the second stanza and the sense of unity in the third stanza also highlights the idea that our perception of the world is shaped by our own internal landscape.
Finally, there is a spiritual dimension to the poem. The references to the trees and the sun in the third stanza suggest a reverence for the natural world as a divine creation. The "cryptic Summation" of the Lad's merits also implies that there is something beyond our rational understanding.
Conclusion
"By my Window have I for Scenery" is a beautiful example of Emily Dickinson's poetic voice. Its structure, imagery, sound, and themes all work together to create a unified whole that is both pleasing to the ear and thought-provoking. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique contribution to the American literary canon, and a reminder of the power of poetry to connect us to the natural world and to each other.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry By my Window have I for Scenery: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and unconventional themes. Her poem, "Poetry By my Window have I for Scenery," is a classic example of her work, showcasing her ability to capture the beauty of nature and the power of poetry.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the view from her window, which is filled with the beauty of nature. The speaker notes that she has "scenery" for her "poetry," suggesting that the natural world is her inspiration for writing. This connection between nature and poetry is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often uses the natural world as a metaphor for the human experience.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the "soul," which is described as a "bird." This metaphorical language is typical of Dickinson's work, as she often uses animals and other natural elements to represent human emotions and experiences. The bird is described as "perched" in the speaker's "soul," suggesting that the natural world has a profound impact on the speaker's inner life.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the idea of "heaven," which is described as a "blue canopy." This metaphorical language is again typical of Dickinson's work, as she often uses celestial imagery to represent the spiritual realm. The blue canopy is described as "unrolled," suggesting that the speaker has a clear view of heaven from her window. This connection between the natural world and the spiritual realm is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the relationship between the physical and the metaphysical.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of "poetry," which is described as a "butterfly." This metaphorical language is again typical of Dickinson's work, as she often uses insects and other small creatures to represent the power of language. The butterfly is described as "fluttering" in the speaker's "brain," suggesting that poetry has a profound impact on the speaker's inner life.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings together all of the themes introduced in the previous stanzas. The speaker notes that the "butterfly" of poetry has the power to "lift" the "bird" of the soul up to the "blue canopy" of heaven. This powerful image suggests that poetry has the power to transcend the physical world and connect us to the spiritual realm.
Overall, "Poetry By my Window have I for Scenery" is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and unconventional themes. The poem explores the connection between nature, the soul, and the spiritual realm, using metaphorical language to create a powerful image of the power of poetry. Dickinson's work continues to inspire and captivate readers today, and this poem is a testament to her enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of all time.
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