Read "The Cricket Sang" by Emily Dickinson.
The cricket sang,
And set the sun,
And workmen finished, one by one,
Their seam the day upon.
The low grass loaded with the dew,
The twilight stood as strangers do
With hat in hand, polite and new,
To stay as if, or go.
A vastness, as a neighbor, came,—
A wisdom without face or name,
A peace, as hemispheres at home,—
And so the night became.
Q. What does the speaker compare the twilight to?
A. The speaker compares the twilight to strangers with hats in hand, polite and new.
"The Cricket Sang" by Emily Dickinson is a short poem that captures the beauty and tranquility of a summer evening. The poem describes the scene as the sun sets, workmen finish their day, and the twilight arrives. As nightfall approaches, the atmosphere becomes peaceful and serene, creating a sense of calm and stillness.
To fully appreciate the poem and its themes, it is recommended to read and analyze the poem on your own. Here's how you can access the poem:
1. Visit a reputable poetry website: You can find "The Cricket Sang" by Emily Dickinson on various websites that offer collections of her poems. Some popular poetry websites include Poets.org, PoetryFoundation.org, and FamousPoetsandPoems.com.
2. Search for the poem: Once you are on one of these websites, use the search function to look for "The Cricket Sang" by Emily Dickinson. This will bring up the specific poem you are looking for.
3. Read and analyze the poem: Take your time to read the poem carefully, paying attention to the imagery, language, and overall meaning. Consider the tone, emotions, and ideas that the poem evokes. Reflect on the themes and messages conveyed by the poet.
4. Discuss or research: If you wish to gain a deeper understanding of the poem, you can discuss it with others, join a literature class or forum, or research literary analyses of the poem. This can provide different perspectives and interpretations, enhancing your understanding of the poem's significance.
Remember, poetry is subjective, and different readers may interpret it in various ways. Take your time to immerse yourself in the poem and explore your own thoughts and feelings about it.
"The Cricket Sang" is a poem written by Emily Dickinson. It describes the setting of the sun, the completion of work by laborers, and the arrival of twilight. The poem also explores the peacefulness and serenity of the night.
In the first stanza, Dickinson mentions how the cricket sang and signaled the end of the day. The sun sets, and the workers slowly finish their tasks, one by one, as the day comes to a close. The day's work is represented by the phrase "Their seam the day upon," suggesting that the workers have completed their assigned duties.
Moving into the second stanza, Dickinson describes the atmosphere after sunset. The grass is covered in dew, and twilight makes an appearance. She personifies twilight, describing it as if it were a stranger, observing the scenery with a polite and new demeanor. The phrase "With hat in hand, polite and new" paints a picture of twilight hesitant to leave, unsure whether to stay or go.
Continuing into the third stanza, Dickinson introduces a sense of vastness that accompanies twilight's arrival. This vastness can be seen as a metaphor for the night itself. The night brings with it a wisdom that is beyond definition. It doesn't have a face or a name, yet it imparts a sense of knowledge and understanding. The night also brings a sense of peace, similar to the way hemispheres feel at home.
In the final line, "And so the night became," Dickinson signifies the transition from twilight to night. The arrival of the night brings a complete sense of peace and tranquility.
Overall, "The Cricket Sang" is a brief yet evocative poem that explores the transition from day to night, focusing on the peacefulness and serenity that the night brings. Dickinson's use of imagery and personification allows the reader to envision the setting and atmosphere she describes.