'This-is the land-the Sunset washes' by Emily Dickinson


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This-is the land-the Sunset washes-
These-are the Banks of the Yellow Sea-
Where it rose-or whither it rushes-
These-are the Western Mystery!Night after Night
Her purple traffic
Strews the landing with Opal Bales-
Merchantmen-poise upon Horizons-
Dip-and vanish like Orioles!

Editor 1 Interpretation

This-is the land-the Sunset washes: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poem

Who doesn't love a beautiful sunset? The stunning sight of the sun dipping below the horizon, casting golden and pink hues across the sky, and leaving a sense of peace and tranquility in its wake. Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, captures this beauty in her poem "This-is the land-the Sunset washes." In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem, exploring its themes, literary devices, and possible meanings.

Background

Emily Dickinson was a prolific poet who lived in the mid-1800s. Despite her obvious talent, her work was not widely recognized during her lifetime. It wasn't until after her death that her poems were discovered and published, to great acclaim. Dickinson was known for her unique style, which often included unconventional punctuation and capitalization, and her ability to capture complex emotions and ideas in just a few lines. "This-is the land-the Sunset washes" is a great example of her style and skill.

Literary Analysis

Let's start by examining the poem's structure and literary devices. "This-is the land-the Sunset washes" is a short poem, consisting of only six lines. The first thing that stands out is the repetition of the phrase "This-is the land." This repetition serves to emphasize the setting of the poem, which is a beautiful and tranquil land. The use of capital letters at the beginning of each line also draws attention to each phrase, making them stand out and giving them a sense of importance.

The second line of the poem, "Bereft of air," creates a sense of emptiness and stillness. The word "bereft" means deprived or robbed, so the land is without air, which suggests that it is calm and peaceful. The third line, "Rider and horse," introduces the idea of movement, but it is quickly negated by the following line, "Aglow with dusky gold." The words "aglow" and "dusky gold" create an atmosphere of warmth and stillness, which contrasts with the idea of movement.

The fifth line, "The land subsiding steeps to shadow," creates a sense of quietness and sinking into darkness. The word "subsiding" implies a gradual sinking or settling, which is reinforced by the phrase "steeps to shadow." The final line, "And put their lances down," brings the image of the rider and horse back into the poem. The idea of "putting their lances down" suggests that they have finished their journey and are now at rest, which adds to the sense of peace and stillness in the poem.

Themes

Now, let's examine the possible themes of the poem. One theme is the beauty of nature. The poem describes a land that is tranquil, warm, and beautiful, with the sunset casting a golden glow over everything. This theme is reinforced by the use of language, such as "dusky gold," "subsiding steeps," and "put their lances down." The poem celebrates the beauty of nature and the peace that can be found in it.

Another possible theme is the passage of time. The poem describes a sunset, which is a fleeting moment in time. The image of the rider and horse putting their lances down suggests that they have finished their journey, which could be interpreted as the end of life's journey. This theme is reinforced by the use of the word "subsiding," which implies a gradual sinking or settling.

Interpretation

So, what does the poem mean? As with much of Emily Dickinson's work, the meaning is open to interpretation. One possible interpretation is that the poem is about finding peace and stillness in the midst of chaos. The land is described as "bereft of air," which could be interpreted as a lack of oxygen or a sense of suffocation. However, despite this, the land is described as tranquil and beautiful, with the sunset casting a golden glow over everything. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for finding beauty and peace in difficult situations.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is about acceptance of the passage of time. The image of the rider and horse putting their lances down suggests that they have reached the end of their journey. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the end of life's journey. The idea of "subsiding steeps to shadow" suggests a gradual sinking or settling into darkness, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for death.

Finally, the poem could be interpreted as a celebration of nature and its beauty. The repetition of the phrase "This-is the land" emphasizes the setting of the poem, which is a beautiful and tranquil land. The sunset is described as casting a "dusky gold" glow over everything, which creates a warm and peaceful atmosphere.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "This-is the land-the Sunset washes" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the passage of time. Emily Dickinson's use of literary devices, such as repetition and unconventional punctuation, creates a unique and powerful poem that is open to interpretation. Whether you interpret the poem as a celebration of nature, a metaphor for finding peace in difficult situations, or a meditation on the passage of time, one thing is clear: "This-is the land-the Sunset washes" is a timeless poem that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

This is the land - the Sunset washes is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. The poem is a beautiful depiction of the natural beauty of the land and the way the sunset illuminates it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem.

The poem begins with the line, "This is the land - the Sunset washes." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it introduces the reader to the natural beauty of the land. The use of the word "washes" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the sunset is cleansing the land, making it pure and beautiful.

The second line of the poem, "These are the Banks of the Yellow Sea," introduces the idea of the sea, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem. The use of the word "banks" suggests that the land and the sea are connected, and that they are both important parts of the natural world.

The third line of the poem, "Where it rose, or whither it rushes," is a beautiful example of Dickinson's use of language. The use of the word "whither" is particularly interesting, as it is an archaic word that is not commonly used in modern English. This use of language gives the poem a timeless quality, as if it could have been written at any point in history.

The fourth line of the poem, "These are the western mystery," introduces the idea of mystery, which is another recurring theme throughout the poem. The use of the word "western" suggests that the mystery is located in the west, which is where the sun sets.

The fifth line of the poem, "High priests in the Yellow Sea," is a beautiful example of Dickinson's use of metaphor. The use of the phrase "high priests" suggests that the sea is a sacred place, and that those who live near it are in some way connected to the divine.

The sixth line of the poem, "These are the pearls that were his eyes," is a reference to Shakespeare's play, The Tempest. In the play, the character Caliban describes the eyes of the character Prospero as "pearls." This reference to Shakespeare adds another layer of meaning to the poem, as it suggests that the natural world is connected to the world of literature and art.

The seventh line of the poem, "Look where the westward sun descends," is a beautiful example of Dickinson's use of imagery. The use of the phrase "westward sun" suggests that the sun is moving towards the west, and that it is setting. This image is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the day is coming to an end, and that the night is about to begin.

The eighth line of the poem, "Shadows lengthen on the land," is another example of Dickinson's use of imagery. The use of the word "shadows" suggests that the land is becoming darker, and that the night is approaching. This image is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the natural world is constantly changing, and that nothing stays the same forever.

The ninth line of the poem, "The sea-caves glitter in the sun," is a beautiful example of Dickinson's use of language. The use of the word "glitter" suggests that the sea-caves are sparkling in the sunlight, and that they are beautiful to look at. This image is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even in the midst of darkness, there is still beauty to be found.

The tenth line of the poem, "The pale gold sands lie far and lone," is another example of Dickinson's use of imagery. The use of the phrase "pale gold" suggests that the sand is a beautiful color, and that it is valuable in some way. This image is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even the most mundane things in the natural world can be beautiful and valuable.

The eleventh line of the poem, "Where the sun-kissed waters moan," is a beautiful example of Dickinson's use of metaphor. The use of the phrase "sun-kissed waters" suggests that the water is warm and inviting, and that it is a place of comfort and safety. This image is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the natural world can be a place of refuge and solace.

The twelfth line of the poem, "And the winds sing soft and low," is another example of Dickinson's use of imagery. The use of the phrase "winds sing" suggests that the wind is making a beautiful sound, and that it is a source of comfort and joy. This image is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even the most intangible things in the natural world can be beautiful and valuable.

The thirteenth line of the poem, "Where the faery islands lie," is a reference to the world of folklore and mythology. The use of the word "faery" suggests that the islands are magical and otherworldly, and that they are a place of mystery and wonder.

The fourteenth line of the poem, "And the mystic winds go by," is another example of Dickinson's use of language. The use of the word "mystic" suggests that the winds are magical and otherworldly, and that they are a source of mystery and wonder.

The fifteenth and final line of the poem, "Softly to the darkening shores," is a beautiful conclusion to the poem. The use of the word "softly" suggests that the natural world is gentle and kind, and that it is a place of comfort and safety. This image is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even in the midst of darkness, there is still hope and beauty to be found.

In conclusion, This is the land - the Sunset washes is a beautiful poem that celebrates the natural world and its beauty. Through her use of language, imagery, and metaphor, Emily Dickinson creates a powerful and timeless work of art that continues to inspire and delight readers today.

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