What sort of day does Emily Dickinson describe in "The Sky Is Low, the Clouds Are Mean"?

A. an unpleasantly hot summer day
B. a cold and nasty winter day
C. a beautiful but sad autumn day
D. a day of fresh spring rain

is it B

The answer is

B. A cold and nasty winter day

okay, thank you, Harpy and Mrs.Sue

To determine what sort of day Emily Dickinson describes in "The Sky Is Low, the Clouds Are Mean," we can analyze the poem's imagery and language.

First, let's break down the title: "The Sky Is Low, the Clouds Are Mean." The use of the word "low" suggests a sense of heaviness or oppression in the atmosphere, while the word "mean" implies something malicious or unpleasant about the clouds. This already gives us a clue that the poem is likely describing a day with less favorable conditions.

Next, let's examine the poem's content. In the first stanza, Dickinson writes, "A narrow wind complains all day / How some one treated him." Here, the wind is characterized as complaining, suggesting unhappiness or discomfort.

Moving on to the second stanza, Dickinson describes "the sky" as "low" and mentions the "haughty mist" that covers the landscape. Both of these descriptions further reinforce the idea of a gloomy or oppressive atmosphere.

Finally, in the third stanza, Dickinson mentions "valleys of despair" and "a sadder ground," conveying a sense of sadness or melancholy associated with the day.

Considering the overall imagery and tone of the poem, we can conclude that Emily Dickinson describes a bleak and unhappy day, most likely resembling a cold and nasty winter day (option B) rather than the other given options.

Have you read this poem? What is your answer?