Retrospect by Emily Dickinson (1891)
The poem explores the theme of memory and its relationship to time. It describes a moment in the past that has been preserved in the speaker's mind, allowing them to relive it. The speaker reflects on how memories can be both painful and beautiful, and how they can shape one's understanding of oneself and the world. The poem also touches on the idea of nostalgia and its role in shaping our perceptions of the past. The speaker suggests that nostalgia can distort our memories, making them more romanticized than they actually were. Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with the nature of time and how it affects our experiences. They note that time is a force that can both preserve and destroy memories, leaving us with fragments of the past to hold onto. Ultimately, the poem presents a complex and nuanced exploration of memory, nostalgia, and the human experience.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1891 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Elegy · 217 words
First lines
'T was just this time last year I died.
I know I heard the corn, / When I was carried by the farms, -- / It had the tassels on.
I thought how yellow it would look / When Richard went to mill; / And then I wanted to get out, / But something held my will.
I thought just how red apples wedged / The stubble's joints between; / And carts went stooping round the fields / To take the pumpkins in.
What this Textopian page supports
Retrospect is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1891 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: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Elegy, Pastoral, Reflective
- Length: 217 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Retrospect by Emily Dickinson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on themes of death and remembrance, common in elegiac poetry.
- Pastoral — The imagery of farms, corn, and fields evokes a rural, pastoral setting.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature Imagery · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Spirituality · Personal Reflection · Autobiographical Elements · Memory · Nostalgia