NEB Grade 12 compulsory English 1st poem "A Day" By Emily Dickenson

1^st poem

                    A Day

              By Emily Dickinson

"A Day" is a short and symbolic poem written by an American poet Emily Dickinson. It describes the journey of the sun from sunrise to sunset, using rich imagery from nature. On the surface, the poem shows the beauty of a single day, but it also has a deeper meaning — it may represent the cycle of life and death. The sunrise symbolizes birth or the beginning of life, while the sunset suggests death or the unknown. The poem reflects Dickinson’s interest in nature, spirituality, and the mysteries of life.

About the Poet (Simple)

Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) was a famous American poet. She lived a quiet life but wrote deep poems about life, death, and nature. Her style was short, clear, and thoughtful.

Setting

The poem is set in nature, from morning to evening. It also takes place in the speaker’s mind as they think about life and how quickly time passes. The poem shows a day in nature, from morning to night. It also shows the speaker thinking about life and how fast time goes. This nicely explains the reflective or introspective part of the poem.

Tone (Simple)

The poem has a calm and thoughtful tone. The speaker enjoys the day but also feels a little sad knowing it will end soon.

Themes (Simple)

1. Time passes fast – Morning becomes night quickly.
2. Nothing lasts forever – Day ends just like life ends.
3. Life and death – Morning is like birth; night is like death.

In Detail

1.     The Passage of Time: The primary theme of the poem is the fleeting nature of time. Dickinson reflects on how quickly the day moves from light to darkness, suggesting the inevitability of life's cycle.

2.     Impermanence: The poem highlights the impermanence of each moment, with the day’s journey from dawn to dusk serving as a metaphor for the transitory nature of life itself.

3.     Life and Death: As with many of Dickinson’s works, themes of life and death are woven throughout, with the day’s end symbolizing the approach of night or death.

 

Literary devices used in the poem "A Day" by Emily Dickinson

Metaphor :A metaphor is a direct comparison between two different things without using "like" or "as."

• Example: The entire day is a metaphor for life.
• Meaning: Morning = birth/life, sunset = death/end. The poem compares one day’s journey to the journey of life.

Simile: A simile is a comparison between two different things using the words "like" or "as."

Example:
“The news like squirrels ran.”
— This simile compares the spreading of the news (about sunrise) to squirrels running quickly and energetically.

Imagery (vivid sensory description)

Descriptive language that creates pictures in the reader’s mind.

• Example: “The purple stile.”
• Meaning: This gives a visual image of a path or doorway, symbolizing transition (possibly from life to death).

·        Example
“The hills untied their bonnets”
Visual imagery that paints a picture of hills being revealed or lit up as the sun rises, like removing a bonnet or hat.

·        Example
“A ribbon at a time –”
 Visual imagery that suggests the sunlight spreading slowly and gently across the sky like ribbons.

·        Example
“How well the chimney stood – / And never any shamed it –”
 This gives a strong visual of the chimney standing tall and proud in the light of the day.

Personification

Giving human qualities to non-human things.

• Example: “The hills untied their bonnets.”
• Meaning: The hills are described as if they are people removing hats. This shows the fog or darkness going away as the sun rises.

Symbolism

When something stands for a bigger idea.

• Example: Sunrise and Sunset
• Meaning: Sunrise symbolizes birth or beginning, and sunset symbolizes death or end.

Alliteration

Repetition of the same starting sound in nearby words.

• Example: “The hills untied their bonnets”
• Meaning: The "h" sound is soft and calming, matching the peaceful tone of the morning.

Enjambment

When a line of poetry continues to the next line without a pause.

• Example: Many lines in the poem flow into the next without punctuation.
• Meaning: This gives the poem a smooth and flowing rhythm, like the passage of time.

In Short

Device	Example	Meaning
Personification	“The hills untied their bonnets”	Hills act like people – removing fog
Simile	“The news like squirrels ran”	Quick spreading of light or news
Metaphor	Whole day = life journey	Daylight to sunset represents life to death
Imagery	“The purple stile”	Creates mental picture of transition
Symbolism	Sunrise and sunset	Begin and end of life
Alliteration	“The hills untied their bonnets”	Repetition of "h" sound adds musical tone
Enjambment	Lines running without pause

 

Summary
Emily Dickinson’s poem "A Day" talks about the journey of a single day, from sunrise to sunset. She uses this day to show how life begins, moves forward, and eventually ends. The morning in the poem represents birth or the start of life, and the evening or sunset represents death or the end of life.

In the beginning, the poet describes how the sun rises and everything comes alive with light and color. As the day goes on, time passes quietly and quickly. Dickinson shows how moments in life can pass without us noticing, and we don’t realize their value until they’re gone.

As the sun sets and darkness comes, the poem gives the feeling that life, like the day, comes to an end. But this ending is not scary—it’s natural and peaceful. The poet helps us understand that life is short, and that’s what makes it precious and beautiful.

In the end, the poem reminds us to appreciate every moment, because time does not stop, and each day is a part of the circle of life.

In Detail

Summary

In Emily Dickinson's "A Day," the poet reflects on the transient nature of time through the metaphor of a day’s passage. The poem begins by presenting the day as a living entity, personifying it as something that is born, grows, and eventually fades away. Dickinson observes the different stages of the day, from the brightness of the morning to the gradual approach of dusk. This movement from light to darkness serves as a symbol for the inevitable progression of time, which is both beautiful and fleeting.

The second part of the poem shifts the focus to the impermanence of each moment. Dickinson draws attention to how quickly the day slips away, mirroring the way in which life's moments pass by unnoticed or unappreciated until they are gone. As the day approaches its end, there is a quiet acceptance of this passage, yet also a hint of melancholy in recognizing how little control we have over the passage of time. The day’s eventual fading into night becomes a metaphor for the inevitable approach of death or the end of all things.

The poem concludes by acknowledging that the passage of a day is a natural, inevitable process that cannot be halted. Dickinson reflects on how each day, though finite, is a part of the larger cycle of life. There is an acceptance of the impermanence of all things, yet recognition that this impermanence gives life its urgency and beauty. The poem encapsulates the human experience of witnessing time's passage and the profound awareness of our own mortality, all while appreciating the transient moments of life that make it meaningful.

 Understanding the text

a. How does the poet describe the morning sun in the first stanza?
The poet says the morning sun is bright and full of energy. It brings light and starts the day. It makes everything around come to life and feel warm.

b. What does the line ‘The news like squirrels ran’ mean?
This line means the news or changes of the morning spread very quickly, just like squirrels that run fast and lively.

c. What do you understand by the line ‘The hills untied their bonnets’?
This line means the hills looked like they were taking off their hats. It shows how the fog or darkness disappears in the morning when the sun rises.

d. Is the speaker watching the morning sun? Why? Why not?
Yes, the speaker is watching the morning sun. They describe what happens when the sun rises, like how the hills change and how quickly the day begins.

e. How does the sun set?
The sun sets slowly and quietly. The light goes away little by little, and the day comes to an end peacefully.

Reference to the context

a. What, according to the speaker, is a day?
A day is like a short journey. It begins with morning, goes through daytime, and ends with night. It shows how time moves and how everything changes.

b. What purpose does the hyphen in the first line serve in the poem?
The hyphen is used to make a short pause. It makes the reader stop and think about the words. It also gives the line a soft and thoughtful feeling.

c. What makes this poem lyrical and sonorous?
The poem feels like a song because of its smooth rhythm, rhyming words, and lovely pictures made with words. The sound of the lines is soft and musical, which makes it nice to read aloud.

d. Who are the target audience of the speaker? Why?
The speaker is talking to anyone who likes to think deeply. The poem is for people who want to understand life, time, and how quickly things change. It helps the reader think about their own life too.

 

In Advance ways

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

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

In the first stanza of "A Day," Emily Dickinson describes the morning sun as a powerful and radiant force, marking the beginning of the day. The sun is depicted as the herald of light and life, symbolizing the start of the day’s journey. Its brightness is a source of warmth and vitality, signaling the transition from darkness to light. The poet captures the sun’s vitality and energy, emphasizing its role in bringing the world to life and setting the stage for the day’s unfolding.

b. What does the line ‘The news like squirrels ran’ means?

The line “The news like squirrels ran” from Emily Dickinson's "A Day" uses a simile to convey the rapid and lively spread of information. Comparing the news to squirrels suggests that the news moves quickly and energetically, much like squirrels darting around with quick, erratic movements. It implies that information is being shared or disseminated rapidly, with a sense of urgency and unpredictability. This line also conveys a certain liveliness and excitement, suggesting that news or events are unfolding swiftly in the course of the day.

c. What do you understand by the line ‘The hills untied their bonnets’?

The line "The hills untied their bonnets" from Emily Dickinson's "A Day" personifies the hills, suggesting that they are shedding their coverings, much like a person removing a bonnet. This imagery conveys the idea of the hills revealing their full beauty as the day begins, with the "bonnets" representing a layer of mist, fog, or darkness that the hills wear during the night. As the sun rises, the hills are metaphorically "unveiled," symbolizing the gradual unveiling of the world as the day progresses. The line reflects the theme of transformation and renewal that comes with the dawn.

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

Yes, the speaker is watching the morning sun, as the poem’s imagery suggests an active observation of the unfolding day. The speaker describes the sun’s rise and its effects on the world around it, such as the hills shedding their bonnets and the news running like squirrels. These descriptions imply that the speaker is witnessing the sun’s power and influence on the natural world, suggesting an intimate engagement with the morning’s arrival. The focus on the sun’s transformative role in the day’s beginning further indicates that the speaker is aware and observant of its presence.

e. How does the sun set?

In Emily Dickinson's "A Day," the sun sets quietly and gradually. The poem conveys a sense of the day winding down; with the sun slipping away as darkness slowly overtakes the light. The transition is not sudden but rather a gentle fading, symbolizing the end of the day.

Reference to the context

a. What, according to the speaker, is a day?

According to the speaker in Emily Dickinson's "A Day," a day is a fleeting and dynamic entity, almost personified as something that is born, lives, and eventually fades away. The day is portrayed as a brief cycle, marked by the movement from the brightness of morning to the quiet conclusion of night. It is a metaphor for the passage of time itself—constantly changing, impermanent, and inevitable. The day represents both the beauty and transience of life, serving as a reminder of the finite nature of human existence.

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

The hyphen in the first line of Emily Dickinson's "A Day" serves to create a pause, adding emphasis and a sense of contemplation. It separates the thought, allowing the reader to pause and reflect on the concept of "A Day" before moving into the description that follows. The hyphen draws attention to the significance of the phrase and sets the tone for the poem, giving it a more introspective and reflective quality. It helps to slow the reader’s pace, allowing the weight of the idea to settle in before the poem begins its exploration of time and transience.

c. What makes this poem lyrical and sonorous? Discuss.

Emily Dickinson's "A Day" is both lyrical and sonorous due to her use of vivid imagery, rhythmic structure, and musical qualities of language. The poem's lyrical nature stems from its emotional depth and the way it explores universal themes like the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life. The personal reflection conveyed through the speaker’s observations imbues the poem with a sense of musicality, as the words evoke both a sense of beauty and melancholy.

The sonorous quality comes from the poem's use of sound—through the rhythm, rhyme, and use of devices like alliteration and assonance. The flow of the language, especially in the first stanza with phrases like "The hills untied their bonnets," creates a gentle, flowing sound that mimics the natural movement of the day. Dickinson often employs shorter lines and dashes, which add a musical cadence to the poem, giving it a musical, almost song-like quality. These elements work together to enhance the sensory experience, making the poem not only reflective but also a pleasure to hear when read aloud.

d. Who are the target audience of the speaker? Why?

The target audience of the speaker in Emily Dickinson's "A Day" seems to be a general, reflective audience—readers who are willing to contemplate the transient nature of time, life, and existence. The speaker appears to address anyone who is open to introspection and philosophical musings about the passage of a day and its larger implications on life. The universal themes of mortality, impermanence, and the beauty of fleeting moments resonate with a broad audience, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences with time. The contemplative and somewhat meditative tone suggests that the speaker aims to provoke thought in those who are willing to pause, observe, and appreciate the subtleties of everyday existence.

Write a personal essay on A Day in the School.

A Day in the School

A day in school begins with the sound of the bell ringing, signaling the start of a new day filled with opportunities for learning and growth. The early morning feels fresh, with classmates exchanging greetings and catching up on what happened the day before. As we settle into our classrooms, there's a sense of anticipation in the air, wondering what lessons the day will bring. Every day feels like a blank canvas, and with each class, we are given new tools to paint our understanding of the world.

The classroom is where the bulk of the day’s work happens, and each subject presents its own set of challenges and rewards. Whether it's mathematics, where we solve problems that seem daunting at first but become easier with practice, or literature, where we dive into stories and poems that open our minds to different perspectives, each subject offers something unique. The teachers guide us through the lessons, often turning complex topics into something accessible and engaging. There are moments of frustration when a concept is hard to grasp, but the satisfaction of finally understanding it makes the effort worthwhile.

Aside from academics, the social aspect of school plays a huge role in shaping the day. Between classes, lunch breaks, and after-school activities, school is a place where friendships are made and tested. We share experiences, collaborate on projects, and sometimes engage in debates that help us understand the world through each other’s eyes. These interactions teach us valuable lessons in communication, teamwork, and empathy. While learning from books is important, learning from each other is equally significant in shaping who we are.

As the school day comes to an end, there's often a mixture of exhaustion and accomplishment. We leave with our minds filled with new knowledge, our backpacks heavy with homework, and a sense of having completed another chapter of our education. Reflecting on the day, we realize that school is more than just a place to learn facts; it's where we discover our passions, face challenges, and build relationships that will last. Each day in school contributes to shaping our future, helping us grow into the people we are becoming.