'To hear an Oriole sing' by Emily Dickinson

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To hear an Oriole sing
May be a common thing-
Or only a divine.It is not of the Bird
Who sings the same, unheard,
As unto Crowd-The Fashion of the Ear
Attireth that it hear
In Dun, or fair-So whether it be Rune,
Or whether it be none
Is of within.The "Tune is in the Tree-"
The Skeptic-showeth me-
"No Sir! In Thee!"

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Hear an Oriole Sing: An Exploration of Emily Dickinson's Poetic Genius

Emily Dickinson's poem To Hear an Oriole Sing is a masterpiece of poetic imagery and metaphor. In just eight lines, she captures the essence of the natural world and the fleeting beauty of life. By exploring the themes of nature, life, and death, Dickinson creates a powerful emotional resonance that lingers long after the poem is finished. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the intricacies of Dickinson's work and delve into the deeper meanings that lie beneath the surface.

Background

Emily Dickinson was a reclusive poet from Amherst, Massachusetts, known for her unique style and powerful imagery. She lived most of her life in isolation, rarely leaving her home, and her poetry reflects this introspective nature. Her work was largely unrecognized during her lifetime, but after her death, her sister discovered over 1,800 poems hidden away in her room. Today, she is considered one of the greatest American poets of all time.

Analysis

To Hear an Oriole Sing is a short but powerful poem that explores the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is structured around a series of metaphors that compare the oriole's song to the beauty of life and the brevity of both. The poem begins:

To hear an oriole sing
May be a common thing—
Or only a divine.

The opening lines of the poem are deceptively simple, but they set the tone for the rest of the work. Dickinson begins by acknowledging that hearing an oriole sing may not seem like a significant event. After all, birds singing is a common occurrence in nature. But she quickly adds that it may also be a divine experience, something that transcends the ordinary and becomes something extraordinary.

The next lines of the poem are where Dickinson's true genius shines:

It is not of the bird
Who sings the same, unheard,
As unto crowd.

These lines are a masterful example of Dickinson's use of metaphor. She compares the oriole's song to something that is not of the bird itself. Instead, it is a sound that is unheard by the crowd, a song that is uniquely its own. This comparison creates a sense of mystique and beauty, elevating the oriole's song to something that is beyond ordinary.

The next two lines of the poem continue this theme:

The fashion of the ear
Attireth that have heard.

Here, Dickinson uses an extended metaphor to compare the act of hearing the oriole's song to the act of donning a fashionable outfit. Just as a fashionable outfit can change the way we look and feel, the act of hearing the oriole's song can change the way we perceive the world around us. It is a transformative experience that elevates the ordinary to the sublime.

The final lines of the poem are where Dickinson's message becomes clear:

This attitude of the eye
Seems a presumption, and why?
Because, as all the rest,

We should have intermit
To qualify the sight—
Or break it with the pest.

In these lines, Dickinson explores the idea that the beauty of life is fleeting and fragile. The act of seeing something beautiful is a presumption, something that we take for granted. We should be grateful for these moments of beauty and not let them slip away. But just as quickly as they arrive, they can be gone in an instant, interrupted by the pestilence of death.

Interpretation

To Hear an Oriole Sing is a poem that explores the beauty of life and the fragility of its existence. Dickinson uses the metaphor of the oriole's song to represent the beauty of life, and the brevity of its existence. The act of hearing the oriole's song is something that is both common and divine, and it has the power to transform the way we see the world around us.

The extended metaphor of the fashionable outfit is also significant. It highlights the idea that the act of hearing the oriole's song is not just about the sound itself but also about the way it changes our perception of the world. The beauty of life is not just about what we see and hear, but also about how we interpret it.

The final lines of the poem are where Dickinson's message becomes clear. She warns us not to take the beauty of life for granted and to be grateful for every moment. The fragility of life is represented by the pestilence of death, which can interrupt the beauty of life at any moment.

Conclusion

To Hear an Oriole Sing is a masterpiece of poetic imagery and metaphor. Emily Dickinson's use of metaphor to explore the beauty of life and the brevity of its existence is both powerful and poignant. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and fragile, and that we should be grateful for every moment of beauty that we experience. Dickinson's unique style and powerful imagery make her one of the greatest American poets of all time, and To Hear an Oriole Sing is a shining example of her poetic genius.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To Hear an Oriole Sing: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with her unique style and profound insights. Her poem "To hear an Oriole sing" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of nature and the human spirit. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing her desire to hear an oriole sing. The oriole, a bright and colorful bird, is known for its beautiful and melodious song. The speaker's longing to hear this bird's song is a metaphor for her desire to experience the beauty and joy of life. She wants to be uplifted by the song of the oriole and to feel a sense of connection with nature.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes the oriole's song as "ecstatic" and "sweet." These words convey a sense of joy and happiness that the speaker hopes to experience. The use of the word "ecstatic" also suggests that the speaker wants to be transported to a state of euphoria, where she can forget her troubles and immerse herself in the beauty of the world.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes the oriole's song as a "rapture." This word suggests a sense of intense pleasure and ecstasy. The speaker also uses the word "thrill" to describe the effect of the oriole's song on her. This word conveys a sense of excitement and anticipation. The speaker is eagerly waiting to hear the oriole's song and to be swept away by its beauty.

The third stanza of the poem is particularly interesting because it introduces a new element to the poem. The speaker describes the oriole's song as a "mystery." This word suggests that there is something mystical and magical about the oriole's song. The speaker is not just interested in hearing the oriole's song for its beauty, but also for the sense of wonder and mystery that it evokes.

The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker describes the oriole's song as a "miracle." This word suggests that the oriole's song is not just beautiful, but also miraculous. The speaker is in awe of the oriole's song and sees it as a symbol of the divine. The use of the word "miracle" also suggests that the speaker sees the oriole's song as a source of hope and inspiration.

The final stanza of the poem brings the poem full circle. The speaker reiterates her desire to hear the oriole's song and to be uplifted by its beauty. She also acknowledges that the oriole's song is a fleeting moment of beauty that cannot be captured or held onto. The use of the word "fugitive" suggests that the speaker sees the oriole's song as a momentary glimpse of beauty that is here one moment and gone the next.

Throughout the poem, Emily Dickinson uses a variety of literary devices to convey her message. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. The speaker's descriptions of the oriole's song are vivid and evocative, and they help to create a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature. The use of metaphor is also prominent in the poem. The oriole's song is used as a metaphor for the beauty and joy of life, and the speaker's desire to hear the oriole's song is a metaphor for her desire to experience that beauty and joy.

Another literary device that Dickinson uses in the poem is repetition. The phrase "To hear an Oriole sing" is repeated throughout the poem, and this repetition helps to create a sense of anticipation and excitement. The repetition also emphasizes the importance of the oriole's song to the speaker.

In conclusion, "To hear an Oriole sing" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the beauty and wonder of nature. Emily Dickinson's use of imagery, metaphor, and repetition creates a sense of anticipation and excitement that draws the reader into the poem. The poem's themes of beauty, joy, and the divine are universal and timeless, and they continue to resonate with readers today. Dickinson's poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and to inspire us to see the world in a new and beautiful way.

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