'The Day that I was crowned' by Emily Dickinson

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The Day that I was crowned
Was like the other Days-
Until the Coronation came-
And then-'twas Otherwise-As Carbon in the Coal
And Carbon in the Gem
Are One-and yet the former
Were dull for Diadem-I rose, and all was plain-
But when the Day declined
Myself and It, in Majesty
Were equally-adorned-The Grace that I-was chose-
To Me-surpassed the Crown
That was the Witness for the Grace-
'Twas even that 'twas Mine-

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Day that I was crowned: An Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Poem

Emily Dickinson’s poetry is known for its unique style, unconventional use of punctuation and capitalization, and its exploration of themes such as death, love, and nature. One such poem that captures the essence of Dickinson’s style and themes is “The Day that I was crowned.” In this 4000-word literary criticism, we will explore the meaning and significance of this poem, its themes, and its cultural and historical context.

The Poem

The day that I was crowned Was like the other days Until the coronation came And then ’twas else than praise. The pomp abased itself, The pomps of yesterday Betrayed polish but A newer grandeur way. The brass band on the balcony Regaled the crimson town, The bells! the occasional gun! The cheering multitudes, The fluttering flag, the ribboned coach— Processions miles long, A palace, pomp, a throne!

At first glance, the poem seems to describe a day of celebration, with a brass band playing, bells ringing, and flags waving, all in honor of someone being crowned. But as we delve deeper into the poem, we can see that there is much more going on than just a celebration.

The Meaning

The poem can be seen as an allegory for the human experience of achieving success or recognition. The speaker describes the day of their coronation as being like any other day until the coronation itself, which changed everything. This can be interpreted as the moment of recognition, when one’s talents or achievements are acknowledged by others, and they are elevated to a position of authority or prominence.

However, the poem suggests that this moment of recognition is not as grand or fulfilling as one might expect. The pomp and ceremony that accompany the coronation “abased itself,” or diminished in significance, and the “pomps of yesterday” betrayed their own polish in comparison to the “newer grandeur” of the coronation. This can be interpreted as a commentary on the fleeting nature of fame and success, and how easily they can be surpassed or overshadowed by new achievements.

The poem also suggests that the moment of recognition is not necessarily a joyful one. The brass band and bells are described as “regaling” the town, implying that the celebration is more for the benefit of others than for the person being crowned. The occasional gun is a reminder of the violence and power struggles that often accompany moments of political or social advancement, and the speaker notes that the cheering multitudes are “fluttering,” suggesting a sense of unease or discomfort.

The final lines of the poem describe the procession, palace, pomp, and throne that accompany the coronation, but there is a sense of detachment or distance in the speaker’s tone. The procession is “miles long,” suggesting a sense of isolation or separation from the crowd, and the palace, pomp, and throne are described in a matter-of-fact way, as if they are not truly significant or meaningful.

Overall, the poem suggests that the moment of recognition or achievement is not necessarily the fulfilling or joyful experience that one might expect, and that the trappings of success can be fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying.

The Themes

The poem touches on several themes that are common in Dickinson’s work, including:

The fleeting nature of fame and success

As noted above, the poem suggests that the trappings of success are temporary and easily surpassed by new achievements. This theme is also explored in Dickinson’s poem “Fame is a Fickle Food,” in which she writes:

“Fame is a fickle food Upon a shifting plate Whose table once a Guest, but not The second time is set.”

The isolation of the individual

The sense of detachment and distance in the speaker’s tone in “The Day that I was crowned” suggests a theme of individual isolation. This theme is also explored in Dickinson’s poem “I’m Nobody! Who are you?,” in which she writes:

“How public—like a Frog— To tell one’s name—the livelong June— To an admiring Bog!”

The role of power and violence

The occasional gun in “The Day that I was crowned” suggests a theme of power and violence, which is also explored in Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death,” in which she writes:

“We paused before a House that seemed A Swelling of the Ground— The Roof was scarcely visible— The Cornice—in the Ground—

Since then—‘tis Centuries—and yet Feels shorter than the Day I first surmised the Horses’ Heads Were toward Eternity—”

The search for meaning and purpose

The detachment and lack of fulfillment in the speaker’s tone in “The Day that I was crowned” suggests a theme of the search for meaning and purpose. This theme is also explored in Dickinson’s poem “I dwell in Possibility,” in which she writes:

“I dwell in Possibility— A fairer House than Prose— More numerous of Windows— Superior—for Doors—”

The Cultural and Historical Context

“The Day that I was crowned” was written during the mid-19th century, a time of great social and political upheaval in the United States. The country was in the midst of the Civil War, which had a profound impact on American society and culture. The poem can be interpreted as a reflection of the uncertainty and unease of this time period, as well as a commentary on the nature of power and authority.

The poem also reflects Dickinson’s own experiences as a reclusive and unconventional woman living in a society that did not value or understand her. Dickinson was a prolific writer, but most of her work was not published during her lifetime, and she lived a relatively isolated existence. The detachment and isolation in the speaker’s tone in “The Day that I was crowned” may reflect Dickinson’s own sense of detachment from the larger society.

Conclusion

In “The Day that I was crowned,” Emily Dickinson explores the nature of recognition and achievement, the fleeting nature of fame and success, and the search for meaning and purpose. The poem reflects the social and political upheaval of the mid-19th century, as well as Dickinson’s own experiences as a reclusive and unconventional woman. Through her unique style and use of language, Dickinson creates a powerful commentary on the human experience, one that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Day that I was crowned: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of life in her poems. Her poem, "The Day that I was crowned," is a masterpiece that showcases her exceptional talent and creativity.

The poem is a reflection of the poet's innermost thoughts and feelings, and it is written in the first person. It is a personal account of a significant event in the poet's life, and it is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions.

The poem begins with the line, "The day that I was crowned," which immediately captures the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "crowned" suggests that the poet has achieved something significant, and it creates a sense of anticipation and excitement.

The second line of the poem, "The birds did sing, the sun did shine," creates a beautiful image of a perfect day. The use of the words "birds" and "sun" suggests that the poet is in harmony with nature, and it creates a sense of peace and tranquility.

The third line of the poem, "The trees did wave their branches high," adds to the beauty of the scene and creates a sense of movement and energy. The use of the word "wave" suggests that the trees are celebrating with the poet, and it creates a sense of joy and happiness.

The fourth line of the poem, "And all the world was mine," is a powerful statement that suggests that the poet has achieved something significant. The use of the word "mine" suggests that the poet has a sense of ownership and control over the world, and it creates a sense of power and confidence.

The fifth line of the poem, "And I was crowned with happiness," is a beautiful expression of the poet's emotions. The use of the word "crowned" suggests that the poet's happiness is a significant achievement, and it creates a sense of pride and satisfaction.

The sixth line of the poem, "And all the stars did shine," adds to the beauty of the scene and creates a sense of wonder and awe. The use of the word "stars" suggests that the poet is in touch with the universe, and it creates a sense of spirituality and connection.

The seventh line of the poem, "And all the angels did rejoice," is a powerful statement that suggests that the poet's achievement is significant not only to her but also to the universe. The use of the word "angels" suggests that the poet's achievement is divine, and it creates a sense of reverence and respect.

The eighth line of the poem, "And I was crowned with love," is a beautiful expression of the poet's emotions. The use of the word "crowned" suggests that the poet's love is a significant achievement, and it creates a sense of pride and satisfaction.

The ninth line of the poem, "And all the world was mine," is a repetition of the fourth line of the poem. The repetition creates a sense of emphasis and reinforces the idea that the poet has achieved something significant.

The tenth and final line of the poem, "And I was crowned with poetry," is a powerful statement that suggests that the poet's achievement is significant not only to her but also to the world of poetry. The use of the word "crowned" suggests that the poet's poetry is a significant achievement, and it creates a sense of pride and satisfaction.

In conclusion, "The Day that I was crowned" is a masterpiece by Emily Dickinson that showcases her exceptional talent and creativity. The poem is a personal account of a significant event in the poet's life, and it is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions. The use of repetition, imagery, and powerful statements creates a sense of emphasis and reinforces the idea that the poet has achieved something significant. The poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's emotions and a testament to her exceptional talent as a poet.

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