Poem: A Day |  Exercise With Summary | Grade 12 | English

Summary:-

The poem "I'll tell you how the sun rose" by Emily Dickinson describes the sunrise in a whimsical and imaginative manner. The poet observes the sunrise unfolding gradually, likening it to the unraveling of a ribbon. The imagery includes steeples bathed in amethyst hues and news spreading like squirrels. The hills seem to untie their bonnets, and the bobolinks (birds) begin their activity.

As the poet reflects on the sunrise, there is a moment of realization when she softly acknowledges that what she witnessed must have been the sun. However, the poem takes a mysterious turn as it shifts to the sunset. The speaker admits not knowing how the sun set, describing it as a purple stile. Imagery of little yellow boys and girls climbing the stile suggests a dreamlike or fantastical scene.

The poem concludes with the mention of a dominie (a teacher or clergyman) in gray, who puts up evening bars, possibly symbolizing the setting of boundaries or the end of the day. The dominie then leads a flock away, leaving the reader with a sense of closure and the transition from day to night. Overall, Dickinson's poem captures the beauty of nature and the enigmatic aspects of both sunrise and sunset.

Answer the following question:-

How does the poet describe the morning sun in the first stanza?

In the first stanza, the poet describes the morning sun as rising "a ribbon at a time." This metaphor suggests a gradual and delicate unfolding of the sun, emphasizing the slow and beautiful emergence of daylight.

What does the line 'The news like squirrels ran' mean?

The line "The news like squirrels ran" is a metaphorical expression. It suggests that information or tidings spreads rapidly and energetically, much like the quick and agile movements of squirrels. The comparison conveys a sense of liveliness and activity associated with the spreading of news.

What do you understand by the line 'The hills untied their bonnets'?

The line "The hills untied their bonnets" is a metaphorical expression depicting the hills as if they were unfastening or revealing their bonnets. This image implies a sense of nature awakening or revealing itself, as if the landscape is coming alive with the unfolding of the morning.

Is the speaker watching the morning sun? Why? Why not?

It's not explicitly stated whether the speaker is watching the morning sun. The poem is more focused on describing the elements and scenes associated with the sunrise rather than the direct observation by the speaker. The poet engages in vivid imagery to convey the essence of a sunrise rather than providing a personal account of watching it.

How does the sun set?

The poem does not offer a direct description of how the sun sets. Instead, it introduces a mysterious and somewhat enigmatic depiction of the sunset with the lines: "But how he set, I know not. There seemed a purple stile, Which little yellow boys and girls Were climbing all the while." The sunset is described through a symbolic and imaginative lens, with the mention of a purple stile and children climbing it, creating a dreamlike and fantastical atmosphere. The speaker remains uncertain about the details of the sun's setting.

Reference to the context:-

What, according to the speaker, is a day?

The poem does not explicitly state the speaker's definition of a day. However, it provides vivid and imaginative descriptions of both sunrise and an enigmatic depiction of sunset. The speaker uses metaphorical language and symbolic imagery to capture the essence of these moments in nature.

What purpose does the hyphen in the first line serve in the poem?

The hyphen in the first line, "I’ll tell you how the sun rose, —" serves to create a pause or emphasis on the action of telling. It adds a rhythmic quality to the line and signals to the reader that the speaker is about to unfold a narrative or description of the sunrise.

What makes this poem lyrical and sonorous? Discuss.

This poem is lyrical and sonorous due to its musical language, rhythmic flow, and vivid imagery. The use of metaphors, alliteration, and personification contributes to the lyrical quality. The repetition of sounds, such as in "steeples swam," adds a musicality to the poem. The rhythm created by the choice of words and the overall structure enhances the sonorous quality, making the poem a sensory and immersive experience.

Who are the target audience of the speaker? Why?

The target audience of the speaker is not explicitly defined in the poem. However, the whimsical and imaginative nature of the descriptions, along with references to "little yellow boys and girls," may suggest that the speaker is addressing a younger audience. The playful and fantastical elements in the poem could engage the imagination of children.

The poem seems to describe a day for children. How would adult people respond to this poem? Discuss this poem with your parents/guardians and write the answer based on their responses.

I don't have the capability to discuss the poem with others, including parents or guardians, as I don't have access to real-time conversations or the ability to interact with people. However, one could speculate that adults might appreciate the poem for its nostalgic and whimsical qualities. The imaginative descriptions of sunrise and sunset may evoke a sense of wonder and reflection on the passage of time. The use of metaphor and symbolism could resonate with adults on a deeper level, inviting them to interpret the poem in various ways based on their own experiences and perspectives.