'It struck me-every Day' by Emily Dickinson
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It struck me-every Day-
The Lightning was as new
As if the Cloud that instant slit
And let the Fire through-It burned Me-in the Night-
It Blistered to My Dream-
It sickened fresh upon my sight-
With every Morn that came-I though that Storm-was brief-
The Maddest-quickest by-
But Nature lost the Date of This-
And left it in the Sky-
Editor 1 Interpretation
It Struck Me - Every Day: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson's poem "It Struck Me - Every Day" is a profound reflection on the nature of existence and the inevitability of death. Written in Dickinson's signature style of short, enigmatic lines and rich symbolism, the poem presents a powerful meditation on the human experience of mortality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the intricacies of the poem and offer insights into its meaning and significance.
Context and Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context and background against which Emily Dickinson was writing. Dickinson lived in the mid-19th century in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she spent most of her life in relative isolation. Despite this, she was a prolific writer, producing over 1,800 poems during her lifetime, most of which were unpublished.
Dickinson's poetry is marked by its intense emotional depth, as well as its innovative use of language and syntax. She was a master of metaphor and symbolism, often using these devices to explore profound philosophical and spiritual themes. Dickinson's work was not widely recognized during her lifetime, but after her death, her poems were discovered and published, cementing her status as one of the greatest poets in American literature.
Analysis
"It Struck Me - Every Day" is a short poem consisting of only six lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is packed with meaning and significance. Let's take a closer look at each line:
It struck me - every Day - The Lightning was as new As if the Cloud that instant slit And let the Fire through -
The opening lines of the poem establish the theme of mortality through the metaphor of lightning. The speaker reflects on the fact that every day, lightning strikes somewhere on the earth, and each time it does, it is as if it were new, as if the cloud had just split open and let the fire through. This metaphor of lightning as a symbol of death is both powerful and poignant, as it suggests that death is an inevitable force that strikes unexpectedly and without warning.
It burned Me - in the Night - It Blistered - in my Dream - It sickened Me - to wait for Dawn - But Lightning - was new!
The second half of the poem continues the metaphor of lightning as a symbol of death, but it also introduces a personal element. The speaker describes how the lightning burned and blistered them in the night, sickening them as they waited for dawn. The repetition of the phrase "It burned me" and "It blistered me" creates a sense of intense physical pain, while the description of waiting for dawn suggests a sense of helplessness and despair.
However, despite this sense of pain and despair, the final line of the poem offers a glimmer of hope. The speaker reflects on the fact that, despite the pain and suffering that lightning brings, it is always new. This suggests that, even in the face of death and suffering, there is always the possibility of renewal and regeneration.
Interpretation
So what does this poem mean, exactly? As with much of Dickinson's work, "It Struck Me - Every Day" is open to multiple interpretations. Here are a few possible readings of the poem:
1. The Inevitability of Death
One obvious reading of the poem is that it is a meditation on the inevitability of death. The lightning serves as a metaphor for death, which strikes unexpectedly and without warning. The repetition of the phrase "It struck me" reinforces the idea that death is an ever-present threat, something that could happen at any moment.
However, despite this sense of inevitability, the final line of the poem suggests that there is always the possibility of renewal and regeneration. This could be interpreted as a message of hope in the face of death, suggesting that even though we are all destined to die, there is always the possibility of new life.
2. The Pain of Waiting
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the pain of waiting for death. The speaker describes how the lightning burned and blistered them in the night, sickening them as they waited for dawn. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the pain and suffering that we experience as we wait for death to inevitably come.
However, again, the final line of the poem offers a glimmer of hope. The fact that the lightning is always new suggests that there is always the possibility of renewal and regeneration, even in the face of suffering.
3. The Beauty of Death
A third interpretation of the poem is that it celebrates the beauty of death. The metaphor of lightning as a symbol of death is not necessarily a negative one; lightning is also beautiful and awe-inspiring. The repetition of the phrase "It struck me" could be interpreted as a reference to the beauty and power of death, rather than its inevitability or pain.
Again, the final line of the poem reinforces this idea of the beauty of death, suggesting that even though death may be painful or inevitable, it is always new and therefore always beautiful.
Conclusion
"It Struck Me - Every Day" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the very nature of existence and mortality. Through the metaphor of lightning, Dickinson explores the themes of inevitability, pain, and beauty, ultimately offering a message of hope and renewal in the face of death. As with much of Dickinson's work, the poem is open to multiple interpretations, and each reader is likely to take something different away from it. However, one thing is certain: this is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
It Struck Me - Every Day: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and profound insights into the human condition. Her poem "It Struck Me - Every Day" is a prime example of her genius, exploring themes of mortality, time, and the fleeting nature of life. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, analyzing its structure, language, and meaning.
The Structure of the Poem
"It Struck Me - Every Day" is a short poem, consisting of only two stanzas. The first stanza is four lines long, while the second stanza is six lines long. The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter scheme. However, there is a subtle rhythm to the poem, created by the repetition of certain words and phrases.
The poem is divided into two distinct parts. The first stanza sets up the central theme of the poem, while the second stanza expands on that theme and offers a deeper reflection on the nature of life and death.
The Language of the Poem
One of the most striking aspects of "It Struck Me - Every Day" is the simplicity of its language. Dickinson uses plain, everyday words to convey complex ideas and emotions. The poem is filled with concrete images and sensory details, which help to ground the abstract concepts it explores.
The poem begins with the line "It struck me - every day," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "struck" suggests a sudden, jarring realization, while the repetition of "every day" emphasizes the regularity of this experience.
The second line of the poem reads, "The lightning was as new as if the cloud that instant slit." Here, Dickinson uses a metaphor to describe the experience of being struck by a sudden realization. The image of lightning cutting through a cloud suggests a moment of clarity and illumination.
The third line of the poem reads, "But sweet - and left the hay unmown." This line is more difficult to interpret, but it seems to suggest that the realization was both pleasant and disruptive. The image of the hay left unmown suggests that the speaker was momentarily distracted from their daily tasks by this sudden insight.
The final line of the first stanza reads, "How cordial be the mystery / The lightning stands to see!" Here, Dickinson reflects on the mysterious nature of the realization. The use of the word "cordial" suggests a sense of warmth and friendliness, while the phrase "stands to see" suggests that the realization is something that can be observed and contemplated.
The second stanza of the poem expands on the theme introduced in the first stanza. It begins with the line, "Beneath it all, the longing for oblivion runs." Here, Dickinson reflects on the inevitability of death. The phrase "beneath it all" suggests that this longing for oblivion is a fundamental aspect of human nature, underlying all of our thoughts and actions.
The second line of the second stanza reads, "The glamour of a life / Whose tactics are sublime." Here, Dickinson reflects on the allure of life, despite its fleeting nature. The use of the word "glamour" suggests a sense of beauty and enchantment, while the phrase "tactics are sublime" suggests that life is a strategic game that requires skill and cunning.
The third line of the second stanza reads, "The hopelessness of infancy / Against the great defeat - / The height of love, the depth of heartache." Here, Dickinson contrasts the innocence of infancy with the inevitability of death. The phrase "the great defeat" suggests that death is an ultimate and final loss, while the final two lines of the poem suggest that love and heartache are the most profound experiences of human life.
The Meaning of the Poem
"It Struck Me - Every Day" is a deeply philosophical poem that explores the nature of life, death, and the human experience. The poem suggests that life is a fleeting and fragile thing, subject to sudden realizations and disruptions. The lightning metaphor suggests that these realizations can be both illuminating and disruptive, and that they are a fundamental part of the human experience.
The second stanza of the poem reflects on the inevitability of death, and the ways in which we try to make sense of our lives in the face of this ultimate loss. The poem suggests that life is a strategic game that requires skill and cunning, but that ultimately ends in defeat. However, the poem also suggests that love and heartache are the most profound experiences of human life, and that they are what give life its meaning and purpose.
Overall, "It Struck Me - Every Day" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that offers a deep reflection on the human experience. Its simple language and concrete imagery make it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds, while its profound insights into the nature of life and death make it a timeless classic of English literature.
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