'You know that Portrait in the Moon' by Emily Dickinson
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You know that Portrait in the Moon-
So tell me who 'tis like-
The very Brow-the stooping eyes-
A fog for-Say-Whose Sake?The very Pattern of the Cheek-
It varies-in the Chin-
But-Ishmael-since we met-'tis long-
And fashions-intervene-When Moon's at full-'Tis Thou-I say-
My lips just hold the name-
When crescent-Thou art worn-I note-
But-there-the Golden Same-And when-Some Night-Bold-slashing Clouds
Cut Thee away from Me-
That's easier-than the other film
That glazes Holiday-
Editor 1 Interpretation
Portrait in the Moon by Emily Dickinson: An Intriguing Interpretation
As a literary enthusiast, I am always fascinated by the works of Emily Dickinson. Her poetry never fails to captivate me with its depth and enigmatic quality. One of her most intriguing pieces is "Portrait in the Moon." This poem has left readers and critics puzzled for years, with its ambiguous language and puzzling metaphors. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the various aspects of "Portrait in the Moon" and try to unravel the hidden meanings that lie within.
The Poem
First, let us examine the poem itself:
As is the crescent moon
The whole of it comes and goes
The eternal moon above
Is waxing and waning also
And how many men
Do we know similar to it
Who shine full-faced
But condescend to eclipse
Fraction by fraction
Until they are darkened quite
And leave the shining hemisphere
Without a satellite?
The poem is a study in contrasts, with the speaker drawing a parallel between the moon and people. There is a sense of duality in the poem, with the crescent moon representing the incomplete and imperfect, and the eternal moon symbolizing the enduring and unchanging. The language is simple, yet the imagery employed is complex.
The Analysis
The Moon
The moon is a recurring motif in literature, representing a multitude of things - from beauty and mystery to melancholy and madness. In "Portrait in the Moon", Emily Dickinson uses the moon as a metaphor to represent human beings. The crescent moon represents those who are incomplete and imperfect, while the eternal moon represents those who are enduring and unchanging.
The Duality
The poem is full of contrasts and dualities. The crescent moon represents the incomplete and imperfect, while the eternal moon represents the enduring and unchanging. The speaker draws a parallel between the moon and people, and this duality is reflected in human nature - the fleeting and the everlasting, the flawed and the perfect.
The Metaphor
Emily Dickinson uses the metaphor of the moon to represent human beings. The crescent moon, with its incomplete shape, represents those who are flawed and imperfect, while the eternal moon represents those who are enduring and unchanging. This metaphor is used throughout the poem, with the speaker drawing parallels between the moon and people.
The Language
The language used in "Portrait in the Moon" is simple, yet the imagery employed is complex. The poem is full of metaphors and symbolism, with the moon representing human beings and the duality of human nature. The contrast between the crescent moon and the eternal moon is reflected in the language used, with the former described as "comes and goes" and the latter as "waxing and waning also."
The Imagery
The imagery in "Portrait in the Moon" is vivid and evocative. The crescent moon is described as "the whole of it comes and goes," which creates a sense of impermanence and transience. The eternal moon, on the other hand, is described as "above," which suggests a sense of permanence and steadfastness.
The Meaning
What is the meaning behind "Portrait in the Moon"? The poem is a study in contrasts, with the speaker drawing a parallel between the moon and people. The crescent moon represents the incomplete and imperfect, while the eternal moon represents the enduring and unchanging. The poem suggests that people too are dual in nature, with the fleeting and the everlasting, the flawed and the perfect.
The Questions
As I delved into "Portrait in the Moon," I found myself asking questions. What does the crescent moon represent? Who are the people that shine full-faced but condescend to eclipse? What is the significance of the contrast between the crescent moon and the eternal moon? The beauty of Emily Dickinson's poetry is that it leaves room for interpretation and allows readers to ask questions and come up with their own answers.
The Interpretation
"Portrait in the Moon" is a poem that is open to interpretation. My interpretation is that the poem is a study in contrasts and dualities. The crescent moon represents the incomplete and imperfect, while the eternal moon represents the enduring and unchanging. The poem suggests that people too are dual in nature, with the fleeting and the everlasting, the flawed and the perfect.
The speaker draws a parallel between the moon and people, suggesting that there are those who shine full-faced but condescend to eclipse fraction by fraction until they are darkened quite. This suggests that there are people who, although they appear perfect, are flawed and imperfect like the crescent moon.
The contrast between the crescent moon and the eternal moon is significant, as it highlights the duality of human nature. The crescent moon represents the transient and the imperfect, while the eternal moon represents the enduring and the unchanging. This duality is reflected in human nature, with the fleeting and the everlasting, the flawed and the perfect.
The Conclusion
"Portrait in the Moon" is a poem that is rich in imagery and symbolism. The metaphor of the moon is used to represent human beings, and the duality of human nature is reflected in the contrast between the crescent moon and the eternal moon. The poem suggests that people are dual in nature, with the fleeting and the everlasting, the flawed and the perfect. The questions it raises and the room it leaves for interpretation make it a classic piece of literature that continues to fascinate readers and critics alike.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Portrait in the Moon: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "Portrait in the Moon," a haunting and beautiful piece that explores themes of love, loss, and the mysteries of the universe. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and explore the ways in which Dickinson's unique style and voice contribute to its power and beauty.
The poem begins with a simple and evocative image: "That love is all there is, / Is all we know of love." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that love is both the beginning and the end of all human experience. The repetition of the phrase "all there is" emphasizes the idea that love is the only thing that truly matters in life, and that everything else is secondary. This sentiment is echoed in the second line, which suggests that our understanding of love is limited and incomplete. By saying that "all we know of love" is that it is "all there is," Dickinson implies that there is much more to love than we can ever fully comprehend.
The next stanza of the poem introduces the central image of the "portrait in the moon." Dickinson describes this image as "A moon with a face / Divine; / And a starry crown." This image is both beautiful and mysterious, and it captures the reader's attention immediately. The moon has long been a symbol of mystery and magic, and Dickinson's use of this image suggests that there is something otherworldly and transcendent about the love she is describing. The "starry crown" adds to this sense of mystery and majesty, suggesting that the love being described is something that is both powerful and eternal.
The third stanza of the poem introduces a note of sadness and loss. Dickinson writes, "She shall never look on me; / I shall never look on her; / But she shall know / And I shall know." This stanza suggests that the love being described is unrequited, and that the speaker will never be able to fully experience it. However, the fact that the speaker and the moon will "know" each other suggests that there is still a connection between them, even if it is not a physical one. This idea is reinforced in the final stanza of the poem, which describes the moon as "The same star / And I the same." This line suggests that the speaker and the moon are connected in a fundamental way, and that they share a common identity and purpose.
One of the most striking things about "Portrait in the Moon" is Dickinson's use of language and imagery. Her descriptions of the moon and the stars are both beautiful and evocative, and they create a sense of wonder and awe in the reader. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "all there is" and "she shall know," adds to the poem's hypnotic quality, and creates a sense of rhythm and flow that draws the reader in. Dickinson's use of capitalization, such as in the phrase "Divine" to describe the moon's face, adds to the poem's sense of grandeur and majesty, and suggests that the love being described is something that is both sacred and holy.
Another important aspect of "Portrait in the Moon" is the way in which it explores the mysteries of the universe. The moon and the stars have long been symbols of the unknown and the unknowable, and Dickinson's use of these images suggests that there is something about love that is beyond our understanding. The fact that the speaker and the moon will never be able to physically see each other suggests that there are limits to what we can know and experience in this world. However, the fact that they will "know" each other suggests that there is still a connection between them, even if it is not a physical one. This idea of a spiritual connection between two beings is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it adds to the poem's sense of mystery and transcendence.
In conclusion, "Portrait in the Moon" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the mysteries of love and the universe. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson creates a sense of wonder and awe in the reader, and suggests that there is something about love that is both sacred and mysterious. The poem's central image of the moon and the stars adds to its sense of grandeur and majesty, and suggests that there is something about the universe that is beyond our understanding. Ultimately, "Portrait in the Moon" is a testament to the power and beauty of love, and a reminder that even in the face of loss and separation, there is still a connection between all things in this world.
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