'The Day came slow-till Five o'clock' by Emily Dickinson
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The Day came slow-till Five o'clock-
Then sprang before the Hills
Like Hindered Rubies-or the Light
A Sudden Musket-spills-The Purple could not keep the East-
The Sunrise shook abroad
Like Breadths of Topaz-packed a Night-
The Lady just unrolled-The Happy Winds-their Timbrels took-
The Birds-in docile Rows
Arranged themselves around their Prince
The Wind-is Prince of Those-The Orchard sparkled like a Jew-
How mighty 'twas-to be
A Guest in this stupendous place-
The Parlor-of the Day-
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Day came slow-till Five o'clock: A Poem of Resignation and Hope
As a literary work, Emily Dickinson's poem "The Day came slow-till Five o'clock" is a masterpiece of understated yet powerful emotion. In just a few short lines, Dickinson captures a sense of longing, resignation, and hope that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds. But what is it about this poem that makes it so powerful, and how can we understand its meaning and significance in the broader context of Dickinson's work? In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore these questions and offer my own insights into this timeless piece of poetry.
The Poem: Text and Context
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand its context within Dickinson's body of work. Dickinson was a prolific poet, writing nearly 1,800 poems over the course of her life, many of which were never published during her lifetime. She is known for her unconventional style, which often eschews traditional meter and rhyme and instead employs irregular line lengths and unexpected punctuation. Her poems are also noted for their sparse and cryptic language, which often makes them difficult to interpret.
"The Day came slow-till Five o'clock" is a prime example of Dickinson's style. The poem consists of just six short lines, each of which is only a few words long. There is no rhyme scheme or regular meter, and the punctuation is minimal. The poem reads as follows:
The Day came slow-till Five o'clock-
But when the Land began to stir-
Birds abegun-to whistle-some-K
And then I knew-'twas Morning-
'Twas Morning-since-Primary-then-
Spring flew swiftly-by-
At first glance, the poem seems deceptively simple. It describes the coming of morning after a long and slow night. However, as we dig deeper into the poem, we begin to uncover layers of meaning and emotion that are not immediately apparent.
Themes and Interpretations
One of the most striking aspects of "The Day came slow-till Five o'clock" is its sense of resignation. The speaker seems to be resigned to the slow passage of time, even as she longs for the morning to arrive. This is reflected in the poem's opening line: "The Day came slow-till Five o'clock-". The use of the word "slow" suggests a sense of weariness and impatience, while the fact that it takes until five o'clock for the day to "come" implies a sense of waiting and anticipation.
However, despite this sense of resignation, there is also a subtle undercurrent of hope in the poem. This is reflected in the lines "Birds abegun-to whistle-some-K / And then I knew-'twas Morning-". The arrival of the birds and the onset of morning signal a new beginning, a fresh start after a long and difficult night. This sense of hope is reinforced by the final lines of the poem, which describe the rapid passage of time as "Spring flew swiftly-by-". This suggests that even though the speaker may have been resigned to the slow passage of time earlier in the poem, time itself is ultimately fleeting and transient.
Another key theme in the poem is the natural world. Dickinson was known for her love of nature, and many of her poems feature natural imagery and themes. In "The Day came slow-till Five o'clock", the birds and the onset of morning are both described in natural terms. The birds "whistle", and the arrival of morning is signaled by the stirring of the land. This use of natural imagery serves to connect the speaker with the world around her, and to suggest a sense of continuity and harmony between human beings and the natural world.
Finally, the poem can be read as an exploration of the human experience of time. The speaker's sense of waiting and anticipation, as well as her ultimate realization that time is fleeting, reflects the way in which time shapes and defines our lives. The poem suggests that although we may feel trapped or burdened by time at times, there is also a sense of hope and possibility in the way that time allows us to move forward and experience new beginnings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "The Day came slow-till Five o'clock" is a complex and multi-layered work that offers insights into themes of resignation, hope, nature, and time. Through her sparse and cryptic language, Dickinson captures a range of emotions and ideas in just a few short lines, leaving the reader with a sense of wonder and contemplation. Whether read as a meditation on the passage of time or as an ode to the natural world, this poem remains a timeless masterpiece of American literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Beauty of Time in Emily Dickinson's "The Day came slow-till Five o'clock"
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems is "The Day came slow-till Five o'clock," which explores the beauty of time and the power of anticipation.
At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward. It describes a day that seems to drag on endlessly until five o'clock, when suddenly everything changes. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a deeper meaning that speaks to the human experience of waiting and longing.
The poem begins with the line "The Day came slow-till Five o'clock," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "slow" suggests that time is moving at a snail's pace, and that the speaker is eagerly anticipating a specific moment. This feeling of anticipation is further emphasized by the repetition of the word "till," which creates a sense of suspense and expectation.
As the poem continues, the speaker describes the various sights and sounds of the day. She mentions the "morning foreign shawl," which suggests that the day is new and unfamiliar. She also describes the "birds unnumbered" and the "bee" that "finds, later, an arid fame," which creates a sense of movement and activity. However, despite all of this activity, the day still seems to drag on endlessly.
It is not until the fifth stanza that the poem takes a dramatic turn. The speaker suddenly declares, "And then the Windows failed-and then / I could not see to see-" This sudden shift in tone and imagery suggests that something significant has happened. The use of the word "failed" implies that the windows have suddenly stopped working, which creates a sense of confusion and disorientation.
However, the poem quickly reveals that this moment of confusion is actually a moment of clarity. The speaker goes on to say, "I could not see to see-" which suggests that she has been blinded by something. This blindness is not a physical one, but rather a metaphorical one. The speaker has been so focused on the anticipation of five o'clock that she has lost sight of everything else around her.
It is not until the final stanza that the poem reveals the true beauty of time. The speaker declares, "The Dusk drew earlier in- / The morning foreign shone-" which suggests that time has suddenly shifted. The day that seemed to drag on endlessly has suddenly become shorter, and the morning that was once unfamiliar now shines with a new light.
This sudden shift in time creates a sense of wonder and awe. The speaker goes on to say, "The Silence of a single hour / Will quieten an entire Dawn-" which suggests that even a small moment of time can have a profound impact on the world around us. The beauty of time lies not in its length, but in its ability to transform and shape our experiences.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "The Day came slow-till Five o'clock" is a beautiful exploration of the power of anticipation and the beauty of time. Through her use of vivid imagery and unconventional punctuation, Dickinson creates a sense of suspense and wonder that captures the human experience of waiting and longing. The poem reminds us that even the smallest moments of time can have a profound impact on our lives, and that the beauty of time lies not in its length, but in its ability to transform and shape our experiences.
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