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  • Analysis: Poem 1281 (F1258)

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    This document analyzes Emily Dickinson's poem "A stagnant pleasure like a Pool" which describes a pool that becomes stagnant as rushes grow and tumble in, slowing the water and shadows passing through it. However, the poem notes that the pool will rouse itself when freshets or outside influences come along, just as Robert Frost's poem describes being roused by a crow shaking snow from a tree. The analysis clarifies the syntax and meaning of the poem, seeing the middle lines as describing how shadows in the stagnant pool go straight down until outside influences stir it again.

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    Emily Dickinson poem and analysis

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    1281_StagnantPleasureLikeAPoolA

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    This document analyzes Emily Dickinson's poem "A stagnant pleasure like a Pool" which describes a pool that becomes stagnant as rushes grow and tumble in, slowing the water and shadows passing through it. However, the poem notes that the pool will rouse itself when freshets or outside influences come along, just as Robert Frost's poem describes being roused by a crow shaking snow from a tree. The analysis clarifies the syntax and meaning of the poem, seeing the middle lines as describing how shadows in the stagnant pool go straight down until outside influences stir it again.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    2 views1 page

    Analysis: Poem 1281 (F1258)

    Uploaded by

    naphelge
    This document analyzes Emily Dickinson's poem "A stagnant pleasure like a Pool" which describes a pool that becomes stagnant as rushes grow and tumble in, slowing the water and shadows passing through it. However, the poem notes that the pool will rouse itself when freshets or outside influences come along, just as Robert Frost's poem describes being roused by a crow shaking snow from a tree. The analysis clarifies the syntax and meaning of the poem, seeing the middle lines as describing how shadows in the stagnant pool go straight down until outside influences stir it again.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    "A stagnant pleasure like a Pool" By Emily Dickinson [Analysis]

    A stagnant pleasure like a Pool[1] That lets its Rushes grow[2] Until they heedless tumble in[3] And make the Water slow[4] Impeding navigation bright[5] Of Shadows going down[6] Yet even this shall rouse itself[7] When freshets come along.[8]
    Poem 1281 [F1258] "A stagnant pleasure like a Pool" Analysis by David Preest [Poem]

    The syntax of this poem is clearer with 'is' supplied after 'pleasure' in line 1, a comma put after 'bright' in line 5, and a full-stop after 'going down' in line 6. In other words lines 2-5 make up one sense unit. When the pool of our pleasure is stagnant, its 'Shadows' or 'ripples' (a variant reading) go straight down, but spread outwards again 'when freshets [from outside] come along.' Emily reminds us that when we feel low, something from outside ourselves may come along to rouse us. For Robert Frost in his poem Dust of Snow the 'freshet' was a crow shaking snow on him 'from a hemlock tree.'
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