Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.
Introduction
The richness and imagery of Emily Dickinson’s poetry are revealed in numerous works that, despite being written in the 19th century, are still relevant. The variety of literary devices used by the poetess makes it possible to evaluate her talent and identify the characteristic features that distinguish her style from that of her other contemporaries. As a target work for analysis, the poem “Dew’is the Freshet in the Grass” will be considered. Although it is small in volume, the poetess places a deep meaning inside it, prompting the reader to reflect on the eternal questions of the universe and the significance of the inner, not the outer. Dickinson’s poem is rich in symbols that convey hidden meaning, and symbolism is a key technique that allows for conveying the author’s subtext that suggests the main idea.
Main Symbol in the Poem
The individual details that Dickinson mentions in the poem are symbols that shape the overall message of the work. “Artisans” are insects that work continuously and use the moisture of the dew as their mills (Dickinson). Their mention reflects the interest and understanding that a person cannot fully understand the association of nature with human life. Seeing the big in “The Forests” and “The Hills,” one cannot concentrate on the small (Dickinson). However, small details, namely, the work of insects, imperceptible at first glance, make more sense than simple swarming in wet grass. This symbolism captures the true message of the poem and emphasizes the philosophical nature of Dickinson’s reasoning.
Philosophical Meaning of the Symbol
The ability to see the big in detail identifies the main message in Dickinson’s poem. To convey to the reader the idea that sometimes it is essential not to concentrate on large objects and see the big in the small, the poetess resorts to symbolism. The life of insects is a convenient and understandable way to convey the continuous human struggle for life and those benefits that seem important to them. When discarding all superficial differences, in a deeper sense, one can see much in common in the life of nature with one’s existence. At the same time, the poetess hints that not everyone can see this. According to her, the other world “turns unperceived beneath our feet,” and more than attention is needed to explore it (Dickinson). A person must have a desire for knowledge and be curious to explore but not only to perceive. The symbols of insects are directly correlated with people, and the philosophical significance of this literary approach can be traced openly.
An additional philosophical meaning of the poem is revealed in the last lines, where, while speaking about the symbols of nature, the poetess regrets the impossibility of comprehending all its secrets. This regret that people cannot “Obtain “Admission” as a Child” speaks of the acceptance of the mysterious essence of nature, which, in a certain sense, resembles human life (Dickinson). Having no ability to see the future and know what lies ahead for them, people are forced to rely only on their strength to achieve what they want. Like insects, the person works and performs routine duties, which directly speaks of the symbolism of nature. Thus, the philosophical meaning of the poem is revealed from different perspectives, but all of them are united by the idea of the similarity of people’s society with the inhabitants of nature, even with insects, whose non-stop work resembles that of humans.
Symbol of Dew as Life Energy
The dew is another symbol that the poetess utilizes in the poem. By using the example of insects that use moisture from grass for their needs (“’Tis many a tiny Mill”), Dickinson draws a parallel with the life energy that people need. While drawing strength from nature, its inhabitants can move forward and overcome difficulties. A person constantly uses external resources, whether it be water, land, or other necessary natural components. Since the combination of these elements is mandatory for a normal life, people are forced to work, improve their living conditions, and communicate with each other. From a philosophical perspective, such a continuous movement is natural and reflects the human character, which is always in need of transformation because stagnation is associated with depression and hopelessness. Thus, dew, as a symbol of life energy, greatly emphasizes Dickinson’s idea of the role of labor in life and the importance of seeing the big things in the small.
Conclusion
Symbolism is the main literary device that Dickinson uses in the poem in question to reveal the subtext and key message to the reader. Seeing the big in the small and discerning the important in the seemingly unimportant are tasks that not all people can handle. The life of the inhabitants of nature, even small insects, is similar to that of a person from a philosophical perspective. The need to constantly work and move forward by using available resources as life energy is the main idea that Dickinson promotes.
Work Cited
Dickinson, Emily. “Dew’is the Freshet in the Grass.” Internet Poem.
Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.