Topic > Darkness in the Poetry of Dickinson and Frost

The archetypal element of darkness, in stark contrast to light, is a key part of every writer's toolbox. In addition to its obvious ability to alter the mood of any song, darkness can also be used symbolically to achieve a specific purpose in writing. Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost, two American masters of poetry, are known for their use of the archetypal element of darkness, particularly in Dickinson's "We Grow Uscustomed to the Dark" and Frost's "Knowing the Night"; these pieces use darkness to indicate intellectual and social isolation respectively. Dickinson's "We Get Accustomed to the Darkness" and Frost's "Knowledge of the Night" differ only in how the darkness isolates; specifically, the way the narrator feels that darkness separates him from the rest of society. Dickinson's “We Get Accustomed to the Darkness” isolates the narrator with the darkness that signifies the brevity and meaninglessness of life, while Frost's “Knowledge of the Night” isolates the narrator with the darkness that signifies time. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayOne of the main means that Dickinson and Frost use to indicate darkness is structure; in the case of Dickinson's “We Get Accustomed to the Darkness,” this structure is not evident at first. “We Get Used to the Darkness” has a pattern, but it's not a rhyme scheme. Each stanza contains the idea that one must embrace the darkness (the idea that life is short and meaningless) to avoid the naivety one typically becomes absorbed in. However, each stanza ends with a pessimistic conclusion indicating recognition of the true meaning of life. . Take stanza four for example: The bravest - they fumble a little - and sometimes hit a tree straight in the forehead, but when they learn to see - here Dickinson regards the "bravest" as naive and childish, running into obstacles while they try to navigate in the darkness. This stanza ends with the conclusion that these so-called “bravest” must learn to see the true meaning of darkness, that life is short and meaningless, in order to successfully navigate the world around them. This structure is found in every verse of Dickinson's "We grow accustomed to the dark." Frost's "Knowing the Night," on the other hand, uses the traditional rhyme scheme to indicate darkness as time. Frost makes use of a rather sophisticated rhyme scheme called “terzarima,” or third rhyme, which is often considered difficult to create in English literature. In Frost's “Knowledge of the Night,” the third rhyme scheme looks like this: ABA BCB DCD DAD AA. There is a definite meter and flow between the verses within "Knowledge of the Night" due to line two of each verse rhyming with the first line of the next, and this effect created causes "Knowledge of the Night" of Frost proceeds at a relatively constant pace. rhythm. The rhythmic beat of this piece is where Frost represents time. “Knowing the Night” always moves at the same pace, never speeding up, never slowing down; simply marching forward. Dickinson's “We grew accustomed to the Night” and Frost's “Knowing the Night” have significantly different structures; however, their use of imagery remains consistent with each other throughout each piece. That is, both pieces use imagery in the same way: to expose the specific way each author uses blackness. Dickinson uses imagery to make “We Get Used to the Night” more disorienting, which helps contribute to the idea of ​​naivety that is present throughout the piece. Take for example the second verse of "We get used to the darkness." A moment - Let's take an uncertain step For the novelty of the night -.