The Meaning in Low Sky and Mean Clouds

Poetry as an art form is both ancient and prolific. There is, however, a resistance against it. Many people, even those among educated circles, view poetry as difficult to understand and essentially pointless. While being difficult in many cases, poetry like the other art forms, can be highly expressive and we, the masses, can understand with just a little context. The Norton Introduction to Literature, has offered that context.

1. Listen to the Poem First

When I read Emily Dickinson's The Sky is low-the Clouds are mean I read it through first. I listened to the way it flowed, the way the words sounded when they are put together. I notice the elegance of the poem.It has a statement/answer kind of feel. It feels like the lines are connected, like the second half is a sub clause to the first. It reminds me of Old English poetry, with it's two part rhythm, albeit without the alliteration.


2. Articulate your expectations, starting with the title

The title of this poem has the same two part rhythmic structure as the rest of the poem. It immediately has a sense of heaviness. The sky being low has a more vague allusion to sorrow whereas the Clouds are mean is much more direct. Also, The Sky and Clouds are the only capitalized words. I perceived these to be the personified characters of the piece, and for some reason we need to know that before we begin.

3. Read the syntax literally

Syntax can be as daunting a concept as poetry, but when one thinks of Yoda it's fear factor is reduced. Yoda speaks the English language with an altered syntax- meaning he puts the words out of order. Poems have an aesthetic element to them, or in other words they are meant to sound good, and altering the word order can often times assist with that. Dickinson's poem has the words in complete and coherent sentences, but the lines split these sentences into parts to emphasize certain things. For example, the last two lines: "Nature, like Us, is sometimes caught- Without her Diadem".

4. Consult reference texts

This segment is a craving most people have when consulting literature. When something is vague, we want to know the background. What was the author going through at the time this was written, and because of that what were they feeling? Poetry is expression, so what were they expressing? Dickinson for example lived an isolated yet social life. She lived at home, yet she was involved socially with many people, and here she is writing a poem about nature. Maybe she drew connections from these two spheres?

5. Look at the story or scene-- who, what, when, where, why?

Once we have some meaning and some background, we can dig a little deeper. Who is talking? Where are they? What are they trying to say? When are they trying to say it? And, most importantly, Why are they trying to say it? In Emily's poem, Nature is speaking. Who knows when, maybe always. It's expressing it's feelings. Sometimes, like us, Nature has a bad day. Sometimes it complains. Where? Everywhere I suppose. And why? I'd say but my answer will probably be different tomorrow.

6. Formulate your ideas on these questions: Why does it matter? What does it mean?

As we dig deeper, we notice the daunting truth that words transcend themselves. What the author wrote and why they wrote it does in no way limit the power of a poem to connect with everyone and anyone. Why does this poem matter and what does it mean to me. Expression is a two way street. Great poetry is appreciated in the first person. I think this principle is supremely beautiful because it's as if the story is re-written every time it's read to fit the reader.

7. Look at the form

How is it built? Does it make cute shapes? Where are the sentences split? Why are they split? Is it a sonnet? Is it free verse? Are all examples of possible questions to be asked when analyzing poetry. The structure is part of the expression, and it is worthwhile to consider it. Dickinson uses a couplet style end rhyme in her poetry. Quite simple, but it creates a rhythm. It helps emphasize the solemnity and also the lightness of Nature's moodiness.

8. Does the poem follow or go against conventions?

Does it break the mold? Why? In something as articulate as a poem, almost everything is intentional. If the author broke rules, it's more than likely they did it on purpose. If there was a purpose, what was it? What were they trying to express with their conformity or conversely, rebellion. Dickinson in this particular case, doesn't color outside the lines too much. Maybe she's trying to say something about emotion? Maybe its as normal as a cool breeze on a summer evening by the seashore.

Poetry can be understood. Not only that, it can be appreciated, admired, and loved. If an author felt so strongly as to pour their heart out through words on a page, it is most likely worth reading. After all, empathy deepens understanding of both surrounding and self. If ever there was something to deepen my understanding of surrounding and self, poetry would be it.