Hello

i have a project coming up...and part of it is that i have to analyse the poem "a light exists in spring" by emily dickinson...one problem though lol...i'm horrible at that...if anyone could help me get started...that would kindly be appreciated.

Simon, the poem has been discussed here before:

[tinyurl.com]


Les

A Light exists in Spring
Not present on the Year
At any other period—
When March is scarcely here

A Color stands abroad
On Solitary Fields
That Science cannot overtake
But Human Nature feels.

It waits upon the Lawn,
It shows the furthest Tree
Upon the furthest Slope you know
It almost speaks to you.

Then as Horizons step
Or Noons report away
Without the Formula of sound
It passes and we stay—

A quality of loss
Affecting our Content
As Trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a Sacrament.


It is written in Short Meter. That is, the first, second and fourth lines have three beats, the third has four. Yes, many hymns use short meter. I have no clue why there is no period at the end of the first stanza, but all copies I scanned on the net have it the same way.

It uses Emily's normal capitalizations and emdashes. That is, when reading, stress the capitalized words, and pause at the emdashes. Rhymes are oblique, as usual: fields/feels; tree/you. Not all copies I see on the net have the same rhymes, annoyingly enough. Some have 'hills/fields' for example; some have 'tree/me'. Which are correct? Dunno.

Probably safe to call it a nature poem, right. Could one also make religious interpretations? Sure, why not. Plenty of examples of them in other ED works, exactly. Is there such a Light in springtime? I'm not sure, but see this one also:


There's a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons--
That opresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes--

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us--
We can find no scar,
But internal difference,
Where the meanings are--

None may teach it--Any--
'Tis the Seal Despair--
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air--

When it comes, the Landscape listens--
Shadows--hold their breath--
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance
On the look of Death--

what would you say the tone is?

Wistful

Wistful, yes. Also reverent, admiring, awestruck and such.

nice

Does it have a certain meaning? Compare it to 'Composed upon Wesminster Bridge' by William Blake. The theme of light is in both, but is there a significant meaning that seperates them?

William Wordsworth, sorry. Haha.

Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 2021

Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth, like a garment, wear
The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky;
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;
Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!
-- William Wordsworth


I am not sure they are related. Emily's light concerns a spring afternoon, whereas Bill's is (late) summer morning. Or is that what you are getting at?