'How the old Mountains drip with Sunset' by Emily Dickinson
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How the old Mountains drip with Sunset
How the Hemlocks burn-
How the Dun Brake is draped in Cinder
By the Wizard Sun-How the old Steeples hand the Scarlet
Till the Ball is full-
Have I the lip of the Flamingo
That I dare to tell?Then, how the Fire ebbs like Billows-
Touching all the Grass
With a departing-Sapphire-feature-
As a Duchess passed-How a small Dusk crawls on the Village
Till the Houses blot
And the odd Flambeau, no men carry
Glimmer on the Street-How it is Night-in Nest and Kennel-
And where was the Wood-
Just a Dome of Abyss is Bowing
Into Solitude-These are the Visions flitted Guido-
Titian-never told-
Domenichino dropped his pencil-
Paralyzed, with Gold-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"How the old Mountains drip with Sunset" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is a renowned American poet who is known for her unique, unconventional style of writing that challenges traditional poetic forms. One of her most celebrated poems is "How the old Mountains drip with Sunset," a powerful ode to nature that vividly captures the beauty of a sunset over the mountains. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into this famous poem and explore its themes, imagery, and literary techniques.
Background Information
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand some background information about Emily Dickinson and the context in which she wrote this poem. Emily Dickinson was born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she lived her entire life in relative seclusion. She wrote over 1,800 poems throughout her lifetime, but only a handful were published during her lifetime. After her death in 1886, her sister Lavinia discovered her vast collection of poems and worked tirelessly to get them published.
"How the old Mountains drip with Sunset" was likely written in the mid-1860s, during a period of great creativity for Dickinson. During this time, she was experimenting with different forms of poetry and exploring themes of nature, death, and spirituality. Although she lived in a quiet, rural town, Dickinson had a deep appreciation for the natural world and often used it as a source of inspiration for her poetry.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "How the old Mountains drip with Sunset" is the beauty and power of nature. The poem begins with a vivid description of the mountains at sunset, with the speaker noting how they "drip" with the colors of the sky. This imagery is not only visually striking, but also evokes a sense of movement and fluidity, as if the mountains themselves are alive and responsive to the changing light.
Throughout the poem, the speaker marvels at the natural world, describing the "crimson" and "gold" hues of the sunset and the way the mountains "smile" in response. This sense of wonder and awe is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often uses nature as a way to explore the mysteries of life and death.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of transformation. As the sun sets and the sky changes color, the mountains themselves seem to transform, appearing to "melt" and "flow" as if they are made of liquid. This sense of transformation is both beautiful and unsettling, as it suggests that even the most solid and enduring parts of nature are subject to change and decay.
Finally, the poem touches on the theme of spirituality, as the speaker muses on the possibility of an afterlife in which the soul is reunited with nature. This idea is hinted at in the lines "And when the hills are full / And newer flocks are 'round," which suggest that the mountains will continue to exist long after we are gone, serving as a kind of eternal witness to the passage of time.
Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "How the old Mountains drip with Sunset" is its use of vivid, evocative imagery. Dickinson uses a range of sensory details to create a rich and immersive experience for the reader, from the "crimson" and "gold" hues of the sunset to the "tarnished" and "mossy" surfaces of the rocks.
One particularly effective image is the idea of the mountains "dripping" with the colors of the sky. This metaphor not only creates a sense of movement and fluidity, but also suggests a kind of overflow or abundance, as if the beauty of the sunset is too much for the mountains to contain.
The poem also uses personification to give a sense of life and agency to the natural world. The mountains are described as "leaning" and "kissing" each other, while the sunset is personified as a "gentle face" that smiles upon the earth. These images suggest that nature is not just a backdrop to human experience, but a living, breathing entity with its own desires and emotions.
Literary Techniques
As with much of Dickinson's poetry, "How the old Mountains drip with Sunset" is notable for its use of unconventional literary techniques that challenge traditional poetic forms. One of these techniques is her use of slant rhyme, or near-rhymes that are not exact but still create a sense of harmony and musicality. For example, in the lines "The Hills step lightly toward the West / Foot like the Lord of Granite," the words "West" and "Granite" do not rhyme perfectly, but they still create a pleasing sense of balance and symmetry.
Another technique that Dickinson uses is her use of punctuation, particularly dashes and ellipses. These marks create a sense of pause and hesitation, as if the speaker is struggling to find the right words to describe the beauty of the sunset. This technique also allows for multiple interpretations of the poem, as the reader is free to pause and consider each image and idea before moving on.
Finally, Dickinson's poetry is known for its use of paradox and contradiction, and "How the old Mountains drip with Sunset" is no exception. The image of the mountains "dripping" with the colors of the sky is both beautiful and strange, suggesting a kind of fluidity and transformation that goes beyond traditional notions of solidity and permanence.
Conclusion
"How the old Mountains drip with Sunset" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Through its vivid imagery, unconventional literary techniques, and themes of transformation and spirituality, the poem invites the reader to contemplate the mysteries of life and death and the enduring power of nature. While Emily Dickinson may have lived a solitary life, her poetry continues to resonate with readers today, inspiring us to see the world in new and unexpected ways.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
How the old Mountains drip with Sunset: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, known for her unique style and unconventional themes. Her poem "How the old Mountains drip with Sunset" is a classic example of her work, showcasing her ability to capture the beauty of nature and the human experience in a few simple words. In this article, we will explore the meaning behind this poem and analyze its structure and language.
The poem begins with the line "How the old Mountains drip with Sunset," immediately setting the scene for the reader. The use of the word "drip" is particularly interesting, as it suggests a slow and steady flow of color and light, almost like a painting coming to life. The mountains are described as "old," which could be interpreted as a reference to their age and wisdom, or perhaps as a nod to the idea that nature is timeless and eternal.
As the poem continues, Dickinson describes the colors of the sunset in vivid detail. She writes, "And when the light is put away / And purple mat is spread," painting a picture of the sky transitioning from bright oranges and pinks to deep purples and blues. The use of the word "mat" is particularly interesting, as it suggests a soft and comforting surface, almost like a blanket being laid out for the night.
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the speaker's own emotions. Dickinson writes, "And twilight comes, a purple robe / With yellow fringes spread." Here, the speaker is personifying twilight as a person wearing a robe with fringes. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the beauty and richness of the natural world, or perhaps as a reflection of the speaker's own feelings of awe and wonder.
The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the mountains, with Dickinson writing, "The mountains with their glory on / A resplendent pageant tread." The use of the word "glory" suggests a sense of grandeur and majesty, while the word "resplendent" implies a shining and radiant beauty. The idea of a "pageant" suggests a procession or parade, as if the mountains themselves are putting on a show for the world to see.
Overall, "How the old Mountains drip with Sunset" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is masterful, painting a vivid picture of the sunset and its impact on the speaker. The poem is also notable for its use of personification and metaphor, which add depth and complexity to the overall meaning.
In terms of structure, the poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a cohesive whole. The use of rhyme and meter is also notable, with Dickinson employing a simple ABAB rhyme scheme and a consistent iambic tetrameter. This creates a sense of rhythm and flow, almost like a song or chant.
In conclusion, "How the old Mountains drip with Sunset" is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and vision. The poem captures the beauty and majesty of nature, while also exploring the speaker's own emotions and reactions to the world around them. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson creates a powerful and evocative portrait of the sunset and its impact on the human soul.
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