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Poet: Emily Dickinson (Emily Dickinson Art)
Poem: 348.
I dreaded that first Robin, so,
Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Year: Published/Written in 1955
Poem of the Day:
Nov 27 2002
Comment 29 of 29, added on December 2nd, 2009 at 11:35 AM.
It is easy to read this poem in any number of ways, as it is for all of Dickinson's poems -- that's why we love them so much! :) -- but perhaps it should be read both ways.
Dickinson lost several people very close to her, and a poem about bereavement would not be amiss. If you read it as spring embodying life, then spring would be a sort of slap to the face if she has just experienced a painful death. She is mourning, and in pain, but the rest of the world is laughing at her, and proceeding on with spring ... "They're here, though; not a creature failed - / No Blossom stayed away / In gentle deference to me - / The Queen of Calvary - "
Dickinson was not particularly religious, so the reference to Calvary, the place of Jesus's crucifixion, is probably a parallel to death and not religion. If applied in that light, she would appear to be saying, "All I know is death. I'm still in mourning, I haven't moved on ... and yet spring comes anyway, it cares nothing for my own sorrows."
However -- it if you read it as Robin is a man, not a bird, the meaning changes full circle. (Readings of this sort can be seen with "I like a look of Agony" as well.) It could be read as a sexual relationship from start to finish, but it would have to be a fairly unfortunate one, for the ending, "Each one salutes me, as he goes," would imply that it was a casual encounter that meant more for her than it did for Robin.
If it is read as purely a relationship, it fits a little better with the story of Dickinson's life. There is evidence that she was in love, perhaps several times, but no indications that these relationships where ever actuated, much less made physical. The dread of the first Robin could be seen as the uncertainty of her first true relationship, and a belief that if she could bear the first awkward phase, that it would be better afterward. The Daffodils could be other women or friends who disapprove of her choice, the Grass stanza a wish for him to come and see her. The Bees could be a metaphor for "busy-bees," or gossips, who care little about her and are only interested in the drama. They came anyway, though, and she is hurt by them. Possibly this is a reference to these Bees ruining everything, or ending in some way the relationship with Robin.
There are a thousand ways to read this, and all have their merits ... these are the readings I feel have the most evidence to support them. :)
Sara from United States
Comment 28 of 29, added on June 4th, 2009 at 2:38 PM.
You are all wrong this is clearly some old, lonely rug-muncher wishing she could get a bit of real action with Robin on the side. You guys are just can't read deep enough into the poem.
Number One from United Kingdom
Comment 27 of 29, added on May 17th, 2009 at 11:39 PM.
I find it highly illogical to reason that the robin is a man and that the poem as a whole relates to marrage since Dickinson never married. Her love life consisted of a harsh critic of her poetry who lead her into disillution and a reverend. It is common sence to reject this theory because of her love life background. Analization of her other poems would help to arrive at the conclution that the poem is most likely about her rejection to change.
Liliana from United States
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Comments
It is easy to read this poem in any number of ways, as it is for all of Dickinson's poems -- that's why we love them so much! :) -- but perhaps it should be read both ways.
Dickinson lost several people very close to her, and a poem about bereavement would not be amiss. If you read it as spring embodying life, then spring would be a sort of slap to the face if she has just experienced a painful death. She is mourning, and in pain, but the rest of the world is laughing at her, and proceeding on with spring ... "They're here, though; not a creature failed - / No Blossom stayed away / In gentle deference to me - / The Queen of Calvary - "
Dickinson was not particularly religious, so the reference to Calvary, the place of Jesus's crucifixion, is probably a parallel to death and not religion. If applied in that light, she would appear to be saying, "All I know is death. I'm still in mourning, I haven't moved on ... and yet spring comes anyway, it cares nothing for my own sorrows."
However -- it if you read it as Robin is a man, not a bird, the meaning changes full circle. (Readings of this sort can be seen with "I like a look of Agony" as well.) It could be read as a sexual relationship from start to finish, but it would have to be a fairly unfortunate one, for the ending, "Each one salutes me, as he goes," would imply that it was a casual encounter that meant more for her than it did for Robin.
If it is read as purely a relationship, it fits a little better with the story of Dickinson's life. There is evidence that she was in love, perhaps several times, but no indications that these relationships where ever actuated, much less made physical. The dread of the first Robin could be seen as the uncertainty of her first true relationship, and a belief that if she could bear the first awkward phase, that it would be better afterward. The Daffodils could be other women or friends who disapprove of her choice, the Grass stanza a wish for him to come and see her. The Bees could be a metaphor for "busy-bees," or gossips, who care little about her and are only interested in the drama. They came anyway, though, and she is hurt by them. Possibly this is a reference to these Bees ruining everything, or ending in some way the relationship with Robin.
There are a thousand ways to read this, and all have their merits ... these are the readings I feel have the most evidence to support them. :)
Sara from United States