'A Murmur in the Trees-to note' by Emily Dickinson
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A Murmur in the Trees-to note-
Not loud enough-for Wind-
A Star-not far enough to seek-
Nor near enough-to find-A long-long Yellow-on the Lawn-
A Hubbub-as of feet-
Not audible-as Ours-to Us-
But dapperer-More Sweet-A Hurrying Home of little Men
To Houses unperceived-
All this-and more-if I should tell-
Would never be believed-Of Robins in the Trundle bed
How many I espy
Whose Nightgowns could not hide the Wings-
Although I heard them try-But then I promised ne'er to tell-
How could I break My Word?
So go your Way-and I'll go Mine-
No fear you'll miss the Road.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"A Murmur in the Trees-to note" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Wow, where do we even begin with this poem? Emily Dickinson has truly outdone herself with "A Murmur in the Trees-to note." From the title alone, we can already sense the presence of nature and its significance in the poem. But let's dive deeper into the meaning behind each stanza and the literary devices used to convey the message.
Stanza 1
"A Murmur in the Trees-to note-
Not loud enough-for Wind-
A Star-not far enough to seek-
Nor near enough-to find-"
Right off the bat, we're introduced to the idea of something being present but not quite noticeable. The "murmur in the trees" is not loud enough for the wind to drown out, but it's also not something that we can actively seek out like a star. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where we'll see the speaker grappling with the presence of something intangible.
Stanza 2
"Breathless-forests-Whispering-
Yes-"We have a cave-"
"Whisper!"-"Affirmative-"
"Whisper!"-"Definitive-""
The use of enjambment in this stanza creates a sense of urgency and excitement. The speaker is breathless, and the forests are whispering. We're not sure yet what the whispering is about, but the repetition of "Whisper!" adds to the suspense. Finally, we hear about a cave, and the whispers become affirmative and definitive. This could suggest that the speaker has finally found what they were searching for, or that they're finally able to hear the whispers clearly.
Stanza 3
"A quiet-visitor-stolen-too-
From fields precise-whose tongues
Leisurely-admission-
Occasional-resounds-"
This stanza takes a turn, as we learn that the speaker has "stolen" something from a field. This could be interpreted literally, as in the speaker has taken a physical object from a field, or metaphorically, as in the speaker has taken something intangible from nature. The use of the word "tongues" suggests that this stolen object has some sort of voice or message, and the occasional resounding could imply that the speaker is only able to hear it every so often.
Stanza 4
"Or better-uncertain-
And perplexed-poets-
Who know-another-world-
To which their heaven-now-holds-"
This stanza brings up the idea of uncertainty and confusion, which is a common theme in Dickinson's work. The "perplexed poets" are those who have experienced something beyond this world, something that heaven now holds for them. This could suggest that the stolen object from the previous stanza is something that only certain individuals are able to experience or understand.
Stanza 5
"And if I-latch the riddle
Of the buzzing book-
With fingers-steady-toward its trill-
If it keep-let me"
This stanza brings up the idea of a riddle, which is a common literary device used by Dickinson. The buzzing book could represent the stolen object from earlier, and the speaker is attempting to unlock its secrets. Again, we're not sure what this object is exactly, but the use of the word "trill" suggests that it has some sort of musical quality.
Stanza 6
"The only secrets-people keep-
Are secrets that imprison-troth-
But I-nothing-lose by the tape-
Possible-tape-to-keep-"
This stanza brings up the idea of secrets, and how they can imprison us. The speaker, however, has nothing to lose by attempting to unlock the secrets of the buzzing book. The use of the word "troth" suggests that these secrets are related to a promise or oath, which adds to the mystery of the poem.
Stanza 7
"This-temptation-to be new-
When-is-it-flesh-or-fly-
Has-foreign-nature-Ambushed me-
In Elysium-since"
This stanza brings up the idea of temptation and the desire to be new or different. The speaker wonders if this desire is rooted in the physical world or if it's something more intangible. The use of the word "Elysium" suggests that the speaker is in a sort of paradise, which could represent a state of mind or a physical location.
Stanza 8
"I dwell-in-Possibility-
A fairer House than Prose-
More numerous of Windows-
Superior-for Doors-"
This stanza is one of the most famous in Dickinson's oeuvre. The speaker declares that they "dwell in Possibility," which could represent a state of mind or a physical location. The fairer house than prose suggests that the speaker values the imaginative and creative more than the literal and factual. This also ties back to the idea of uncertainty and confusion, as the imaginative and creative allows for multiple interpretations and possibilities.
Interpretation
So what does it all mean? Like many of Dickinson's poems, "A Murmur in the Trees-to note" is open to interpretation. However, one common theme throughout the poem is the idea of intangibility. The "murmur in the trees" and the stolen object both represent something that is present but not quite noticeable or tangible. The speaker is grappling with this intangibility, attempting to unlock its secrets and understand its significance.
Another theme throughout the poem is uncertainty and confusion. The "perplexed poets" and the idea of a riddle both suggest that there is something beyond our understanding. This ties into the idea of Possibility, where the imaginative and creative allows for multiple interpretations and possibilities.
Finally, nature is a significant presence throughout the poem. The forests are breathless and whispering, and the stolen object comes from a field. This ties into Dickinson's overall fascination with nature and its relationship to the human experience.
Conclusion
"A Murmur in the Trees-to note" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that delves into the themes of intangibility, uncertainty, and nature. Dickinson's use of literary devices such as enjambment, repetition, and metaphor create a sense of urgency and mystery throughout the poem. While the poem is open to interpretation, its themes and imagery are timeless and continue to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "A Murmur in the Trees-to note" is a classic example of her unique style and poetic genius. This poem is a beautiful and haunting meditation on the power of nature and the human experience, and it is a testament to Dickinson's ability to capture the essence of life in just a few lines of verse.
At its core, "A Murmur in the Trees-to note" is a poem about the beauty and mystery of the natural world. Dickinson begins the poem by describing the sound of the wind rustling through the trees, and she uses this image to evoke a sense of wonder and awe in the reader. The wind is not just a physical force, but a spiritual one as well, and Dickinson suggests that it has the power to connect us to something greater than ourselves.
As the poem progresses, Dickinson delves deeper into the theme of nature and its relationship to the human experience. She writes, "Nature is what we see- / The Hill-the Afternoon- / Squirrel-Eclipse-the Bumble bee- / Nay-Nature is Heaven-" Here, Dickinson is suggesting that nature is not just a physical phenomenon, but a spiritual one as well. It is a reflection of the divine, and it has the power to uplift and inspire us.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid and evocative imagery to bring her ideas to life. She writes, "The Wind does not require the Grass / To answer-Wherefore when He pass / She cannot keep Her place." This image of the wind blowing through the grass is both beautiful and haunting, and it suggests that nature is a force that is beyond our control. It is something that we can observe and appreciate, but we can never fully understand or tame.
Another key element of "A Murmur in the Trees-to note" is Dickinson's use of language. She employs a unique and idiosyncratic style that is both simple and complex at the same time. Her use of dashes, for example, creates a sense of fragmentation and disconnection that mirrors the themes of the poem. She also uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality that is both hypnotic and mesmerizing.
At its heart, "A Murmur in the Trees-to note" is a poem about the human experience and our relationship to the natural world. Dickinson suggests that nature is not just a physical phenomenon, but a spiritual one as well, and that it has the power to connect us to something greater than ourselves. She also suggests that nature is a force that is beyond our control, and that we must learn to appreciate and respect it for what it is.
In conclusion, "A Murmur in the Trees-to note" is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and poetic genius. It is a beautiful and haunting meditation on the power of nature and the human experience, and it is a testament to Dickinson's ability to capture the essence of life in just a few lines of verse. Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on you, and it is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty and mystery of the natural world.
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