'The Wind-tapped like a tired Man' by Emily Dickinson


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The Wind-tapped like a tired Man-
And like a Host-"Come in"
I boldly answered-entered then
My Residence withinA Rapid-footless Guest-
To offer whom a Chair
Were as impossible as hand
A Sofa to the Air-No Bone had He to bind Him-
His Speech was like the Push
Of numerous Humming Birds at once
From a superior Bush-His Countenance-a Billow-
His Fingers, as He passed
Let go a music-as of tunes
Blown tremulous in Glass-He visited-still flitting-
Then like a timid Man
Again, He tapped-'twas flurriedly-
And I became alone-

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Wind-tapped like a tired Man: A Critical Analysis

Introduction

When it comes to American poetry, Emily Dickinson is undoubtedly one of the most prominent figures. Her unique style, unconventional punctuation and capitalisation, and her ability to convey profound thoughts and emotions through deceptively simple language have made her poems timeless classics. One such poem is "The Wind-tapped like a tired Man," which is a perfect example of Dickinson's style and her ability to capture the essence of nature and its subtle nuances.

Summary

"The Wind-tapped like a tired Man" is a short poem that consists of only four lines. However, despite its brevity, the poem manages to convey a powerful image and a sense of melancholy. The poem describes the sound of the wind tapping against a window, and how it sounds like a tired man knocking on the door. The metaphor of the wind as a tired man is a poignant one, as it not only evokes a sense of weariness and fatigue but also hints at the cyclical nature of life and death.

Analysis

The poem begins with the line, "The Wind-tapped like a tired Man." The use of the capitalisation of "Wind" and "Man" is typical of Dickinson's style, as she often capitalises words for emphasis. The word "tapped" is also significant, as it suggests a gentle, almost hesitant knocking. This creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, as if the wind were timidly seeking entry.

The comparison of the wind to a tired man is a powerful metaphor that carries multiple meanings. On one level, it suggests weariness and exhaustion, as if the wind has been blowing for so long that it has become tired. On another level, it hints at the transience of life and the cyclical nature of existence. Just as the wind rises and falls, so too do human lives. The comparison also creates a sense of sympathy and compassion towards the wind, as if it were a person in need of rest and respite.

The final line of the poem, "He could not wake the Door," is particularly significant. The use of the word "could" suggests a sense of futility and resignation. The wind, despite its efforts, is unable to open the door, and must continue to blow as before. This line also creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, as if the wind were stranded outside in the cold, unable to find shelter.

Interpretation

"The Wind-tapped like a tired Man" can be interpreted in many ways, depending on the reader's perspective. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The wind, like all living things, must eventually come to an end, and the image of the tired man knocking on the door could be seen as a metaphor for death. The fact that the wind cannot open the door may suggest that death is final and inevitable, and that no amount of effort or struggle can prevent it.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the human condition. The wind, like humans, is subject to the whims of fate and the forces of nature. The fact that it is tired and unable to open the door may suggest that humans, too, are often powerless in the face of larger forces. The image of the wind tapping on the door could also be seen as a metaphor for the human desire for connection and intimacy, and the inability to find it.

Finally, the poem could be interpreted as a reflection on the power of nature and its ability to evoke emotions and feelings. Dickinson's use of imagery and metaphor creates a vivid image of the wind tapping on the door, and the sense of weariness and fatigue that it conveys is palpable. The poem invites the reader to contemplate the beauty and power of nature, and to appreciate the subtle nuances of the world around us.

Conclusion

"The Wind-tapped like a tired Man" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of nature and its subtle nuances. Through the use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson creates a powerful image of the wind knocking on a door, and the sense of weariness and fatigue that it conveys. The poem invites us to contemplate the transience of life, the power of nature, and the human desire for connection and intimacy. It is a testament to Dickinson's unique style and her ability to convey profound thoughts and emotions through deceptively simple language.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson's poem "The Wind-tapped like a tired Man" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that explores the relationship between nature and humanity. The poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by its brevity, simplicity, and depth of meaning. In this analysis, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used in the poem and try to understand the deeper meaning behind it.

The poem begins with the line "The Wind-tapped like a tired Man," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of personification in this line is significant because it gives the wind a human quality, making it easier for the reader to relate to it. The wind is described as "tired," which suggests that it has been blowing for a long time and is now exhausted. This personification of the wind is a common literary device used in poetry to create a sense of empathy and understanding between the reader and the natural world.

The second line of the poem reads, "And like a Host, 'Come in,'" which is another example of personification. Here, the wind is compared to a host inviting someone into their home. This line suggests that the wind is welcoming and hospitable, which is a stark contrast to the tired and exhausted wind described in the first line. The use of this literary device is significant because it creates a sense of warmth and comfort, which is often associated with the natural world.

The third line of the poem reads, "I boldly answered; entered then My Residence within." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker has accepted the wind's invitation and has entered into a relationship with it. The use of the word "boldly" suggests that the speaker is not afraid of the wind and is willing to embrace it. This line also suggests that the speaker has found a sense of belonging within the natural world, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "A Rapid, footless Guest, To offer whom a Chair Were as impossible as hand A sofa to the Air." This line is significant because it suggests that the wind is a fleeting and ephemeral presence that cannot be contained or controlled. The use of the word "footless" suggests that the wind is not bound by the laws of gravity and can move freely through the air. The comparison of the wind to a guest who cannot be offered a chair or a sofa is a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life and the impermanence of all things.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "No Bone had He to bind Him, His Speech was like the Push Of numerous Humming Birds at once From a superior Bush." This line is significant because it further emphasizes the ephemeral nature of the wind. The use of the metaphor comparing the wind's speech to the push of numerous hummingbirds suggests that the wind's voice is a cacophony of sounds that cannot be understood or deciphered. The use of this metaphor is significant because it creates a sense of mystery and wonder, which is often associated with the natural world.

The sixth and final line of the poem reads, "His Countenance a Billow, His Fingers, as He passed Let go a music, as of tunes Blown tremulous in Glass." This line is significant because it suggests that the wind is a powerful and creative force that can inspire and move people. The use of the metaphor comparing the wind's countenance to a billow suggests that the wind is a powerful and majestic presence. The use of the metaphor comparing the wind's fingers to music blown tremulous in glass suggests that the wind is a creative force that can inspire and move people.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "The Wind-tapped like a tired Man" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that explores the relationship between nature and humanity. The poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style, which is characterized by its brevity, simplicity, and depth of meaning. The use of personification, metaphor, and other literary devices in the poem creates a sense of empathy and understanding between the reader and the natural world. The poem's themes of belonging, impermanence, mystery, and wonder are all common themes in Dickinson's poetry and are explored in a unique and powerful way in this poem. Overall, "The Wind-tapped like a tired Man" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that reminds us of the power and majesty of the natural world.

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