Explore the summary of A Day by Emily Dickinson, a vivid poem that captures the transition from sunrise to sunset as a metaphor for life and death. Understand its deep symbolism and meaning in simple words.
A Day Poem By Emily Dickinson
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Summary of A Day Poem By Emily Dickinson
Introduction
Emily Dickinson’s poem “A Day” is a very simple looking poem, but the meanings hidden in it are very deep. This poem describes the beginning and end of the day, but not only time, but also symbolizes the philosophy of life and death.
In the poem, Dickinson looks at the beginning of the day from the eyes of an innocent child – where the rising of the sun, the singing of birds, and the hills turning golden seems like magic. But as the day ends and the sun sets, the poem turns into a deep spiritual feeling, which symbolizes the end of life and the soul’s “return home”.
1. Beginning of the poem: Morning view with innocent eyes
The poet starts the poem in a very innocent and imaginative way. She talks about the rising of the sun as if some miraculous power has removed the darkness.
“I’ll tell you how the Sun rose –
A Ribbon at a time –”
Emily Dickinson here describes the rising of the sun as a slowly opening ribbon. This scene is not only of light but also shows the tenderness and beauty of nature. It is as if the child is seeing the sun for the first time and its beauty is amazing him.
Symbol
Sunlight = beginning of life, awakening, beginning of consciousness
Ribbon = gentleness, innocence, feeling of beauty
2. Awakening of life: birds, fields, and sky
In the next part of the poem, the poetess tells that as soon as the sun rose, the birds started singing, and life came into action all around.
“The Steeples swam in Amethyst –”
Here the “Steeples” i.e. the tall towers of the church, look like floating in purple water in the sunlight. In this description, Dickinson has shown nature and religiosity by combining them – as if the light of the Lord is spreading all around.
This scene is absolutely magical – in the sunlight, the fields, the birds, the sky – all are filled with a new consciousness.
Symbols
Steeples (church towers) = spiritual awareness
Amethyst (purple color) = mystery, spiritual height
3. Dayfall – Return of darkness
As the day falls, the mood of the poem changes completely. Dickinson shows this change in a very gentle but mysterious way.
“Then a Domine in Gray –
Put gently up the evening Bars –
And led the flock away –”
Here “Domine in Gray” comes as a symbol of a pastor (servant of the Lord), who pulls the evening bars like a bar and removes the light from the world and takes the flock with him.
Here this whole scene symbolizes death. As if life (day) is ending, and the souls (flock) are going to the other world with a divine shepherd.
Symbols
Domine in Gray = death, the angel who takes the soul
Evening Bars = the end of life, darkness
Flock = souls who travel after death
A Day Poem Themes
Beauty of Nature : The beauty of nature and the celebration of daylight at the beginning of the poem
Life from an innocent point of view : The sunlight and the hustle and bustle of the morning have been seen like a child
Duality of life and death : The end of the day symbolizes the end of life – death is depicted with peace
Spiritual journey : Death is not just the end, it is the beginning of a new journey of the soul
Religiosity and mysticism : Religious symbols like church, pastor, flock have been used to depict the journey of the soul
Poetry style and characteristics of Emily Dickinson
Symbolic language: Dickinson presents deep meanings through symbols by not saying anything directly.
Natural images: Nature is not just a scene for her, but a medium of spiritual experience.
Short but meaningful lines: Her lines are brief but the meanings hidden in them are extremely deep.
Paradox: Like day and night, life and death – these paradoxes go together.
Innocent point of view: At the beginning of the poem everything seems to be seen through the eyes of a child.
Philosophical explanation of life and death
Emily Dickinson considers day as a symbol of life and night as death in this poem. The light of the day symbolizes our birth and consciousness, when we start seeing this world. And as the sun sets, the night slowly spreads around us – this is death, but not scary, but calm and natural.
This poem teaches us that:
The beginning of life is a miraculous experience, just like the sun rising for the first time.
Death is not a dark, scary force, but a divine shepherd who takes the soul on its next journey.
Inspiration from the Poem
Life begins with innocence, but it ends in a quiet spiritual journey.
Every day teaches us that life is beautiful, but also fleeting.
Dickinson says – Look at death as natural and gentle as the sunset.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson’s “A Day” is an extremely beautiful, subtle and deep poem. It not only tells the beginning and end of a day, but becomes a symbol of our entire life’s journey.
This poem teaches us that:
Life comes like the sun, spreading light, giving miraculous experiences.
Then gradually darkness comes – but that darkness is not scary, it is calm, soulful and divine.
Both life and death are part of nature – both have beauty, mystery, and peace.
“A Day” teaches us to respect the beauty of life and the grace of death.
Recommended Reading
I’m Wife – I’ve Finished That By Emily Dickinson
Success is Counted Sweetest By Emily Dickinson
Hope is the Thing with Feathers By Emily Dickinson
Because I Could Not Stop For Death By Emily Dickinson
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