“I’ll You How the Sun Rose” by Emily Dickinson: A Critical Analysis

I’ll tell you how the Sun rose –

A Ribbon at a time –

The Steeples swam in Amethyst –

The news, like Squirrels, ran –

The Hills untied their Bonnets –

The Bobolinks – begun –

Then I said softly to myself –

“That must have been the Sun”!

But how he set – I know not –

There seemed a purple stile

That little Yellow boys and girls

Were climbing all the while –

Till when they reached the other side –

A Dominie in Gray –

Put gently up the evening Bars –

And led the flock away –

·         The Beauty and Wonder of Nature: Dickinson’s poem is a testament to the beauty and wonder of the natural world. The poet paints a vivid picture of the sunrise, using sensory details to evoke awe and admiration. The sun is described as rising “A Ribbon at a time,” suggesting a gradual and graceful ascent. The steeples are “swam in Amethyst,” creating a stunning image of the sky’s transformation. The cheerful songs of the Bobolinks add to the overall sense of joy and wonder.

·         The Passage of Time and the Cycle of Life: The poem reflects on the cyclical nature of time and the inevitability of change. The sunrise and sunset symbolize the beginning and end of a day, representing the constant passage of time. The children climbing the stile and the teacher leading the flock away suggest the continuous cycle of life, with new generations replacing the old. As the speaker observes, “But how he set – I know not,” acknowledging the mystery and inevitability of the day’s end.

·         The Power of Imagination and Perception: Dickinson’s poem invites the reader to engage their imagination and perceive the world in a unique way. The speaker’s description of the sunrise is highly personal and subjective, suggesting that beauty and meaning can be found in the way we interpret the world around us. The use of vivid imagery, such as the “purple stile” and the “Dominie in Gray,” encourages the reader to visualize the scene and create their own mental picture.

·         The Connection Between Humans and Nature: The poem explores the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. The speaker’s observations of the sunrise and sunset suggest a deep appreciation for nature and a sense of belonging to the larger universe. The imagery of the children climbing the stile and the teacher leading the flock away further emphasizes the harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world. These images evoke a sense of community and belonging, suggesting that we are all part of a larger, interconnected system.

·         How does Dickinson use imagery to convey the passage of time?

• In “I’ll Tell You How the Sun Rose,” Dickinson employs vivid imagery to illustrate the transition from day to night, marking the passage of time in a subtle and symbolic manner. The line, “A Ribbon at a time,” describes the sun’s gradual rise, likening it to a delicate ribbon unfurling across the sky. The phrase, “The Steeples swam in Amethyst,” furthers the sense of a morning awakening, as the light casts a purple hue over the landscape. Later in the poem, the speaker observes the sunset, with the line “There seemed a purple stile,” indicating the day’s end. Through this carefully crafted imagery, Dickinson captures the fluidity of time and its natural progression.

·         What role does personification play in the poem’s portrayal of nature?

• Personification is central to Dickinson’s portrayal of nature in this poem, as she attributes human characteristics to natural elements, enhancing the connection between the speaker and the world around her. For instance, the hills are described as “untied their Bonnets,” an action typically associated with people. This line gives the hills a sense of agency, as though they are preparing for the day. Similarly, “The Steeples swam in Amethyst” presents the steeples as moving fluidly, creating an image of them being active participants in the dawn. Through personification, Dickinson blurs the line between nature and humanity, suggesting that nature is alive and in tune with human emotions.

·         How does the poem explore the limitations of human understanding?

• Dickinson reflects on the limits of human knowledge, particularly in relation to the natural world, through the speaker’s admission of not fully understanding the sunset. The speaker confidently describes the sunrise, saying, “I’ll tell you how the Sun rose,” yet when the sun sets, she remarks, “But how he set – I know not.” This contrast highlights the speaker’s awareness of her own limitations in comprehending the natural cycles. While the sunrise seems observable and understandable, the sunset is more elusive, suggesting that some aspects of nature, and perhaps life itself, remain mysterious and beyond human grasp.

·         How does Dickinson’s use of metaphor reflect the spiritual undertones of the poem?

• The poem’s metaphors reflect a deeper, almost spiritual understanding of the natural world, linking physical events with a sense of transcendence. The metaphor “A Ribbon at a time” for the sunrise portrays the event as something delicate and ethereal, evoking a sense of reverence for nature’s beauty. Additionally, the image of a “Dominie in Gray” closing the “evening Bars” subtly introduces religious imagery, with “Dominie” suggesting a pastor or spiritual guide. This figure gently leading the “flock” as the day ends implies that the sunset might symbolize a passage to another realm or a spiritual transition, thus imbuing the natural cycle with profound meaning.