Problems by Emily Dickinson (1890)
The poem explores the theme of isolation and loneliness, where the speaker feels disconnected from others and struggles to find meaning in life. The poem's tone is melancholic and introspective, with a focus on the speaker's inner world. The language is simple yet powerful, conveying a sense of desperation and longing. The poem can be seen as a reflection of the speaker's emotional state, where they feel trapped and unable to escape their own thoughts and feelings. The use of imagery and metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem, creating a rich and nuanced exploration of the human experience.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Nature · 214 words
First lines
Bring me the sunset in a cup, Reckon the morning's flagons up, And say how many dew; Tell me how far the morning leaps, Tell me what time the weaver sleeps Who spun the breadths of blue!
Write me how many notes there be In the new robin's ecstasy Among astonished boughs; How many trips the tortoise makes, How many cups the bee partakes, -- The debauchee of dews!
Also, who laid the rainbow's piers, Also, who leads the docile spheres By withes of supple blue?
Whose fingers string the stalactite, Who counts the wampum of the night, To see that none is due?
What this Textopian page supports
Problems is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Emily Dickinson
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Nature, Mystical, Reflective
- Length: 214 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- Following by Emily Dickinson
- If I Should Die by Emily Dickinson
- Enough by Emily Dickinson
- The Hill Top by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Ending by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions and the nature of the universe, typical of philosophical literature.
- Nature — The imagery and references to natural elements like the sunset, morning, and dew highlight a focus on nature.
- Mystical — The poem's exploration of the unknown and the metaphysical suggests a mystical genre.
Tags
Poetry · Philosophy · Existentialism · Mortality · Nature · Solitude · Isolation · Loneliness · Longing · Love · Loss · Death