Summary Poem Analysis of 'A Murmur in the Trees - to note' by Emily Dickinson
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Course
Poetry
Institution
CIE
Here’s a full analysis of the poem ‘A Murmur in the Trees - to note -’ by Emily Dickinson, tailored towards A-Level students but also suitable for those studying at a higher level. Enjoy and feel free to leave feedback if you found it useful!
Includes:
POEM
VOCABULARY
STORY / SUMMARY
...
A Murmur in the Trees – to note –
Not loud enough – for Wind –
A Star – not far enough to seek –
Nor near enough – to find –
A long – long Yellow – on the Lawn –
A Hubbub – as of feet –
Not audible – as Ours – to Us –
But dapperer – More Sweet –
A Hurrying Home of little Men
To Houses unperceived –
All this – and more – if I should tell –
Would never be believed –
Of Robins in the Trundle bed
How many I espy
Whose Nightgowns could not hide the Wings –
Although I heard them try –
But then I promised ne'er to tell –
How could I break My Word?
So go your Way – and I'll go Mine –
No fear you'll miss the Road.
VOCABULARY
Murmur - a low, mumbling sound - like people talking quietly to one another
Hubbub - chaotic, noisy sound
Fret - stress, worry
Audible - able to be heard
, Dapperer - more refined and elegant
Unperceived - hidden
Trundle bed - a low bed that can be rolled around, often used for guests
Espy - spy, notice
Ne’er - never
STORY/SUMMARY
Stanza 1: I heard a murmuring sound in the trees - you must note that it wasn’t loud
enough to possibly be the wind - after that, I saw a star in the trees too - it wasn’t far
enough away to look for, like a star in the sky might be, but also it wasn’t close
enough for me to be able to find it.
Stanza 2: Light cast a long, long yellow stripe on the lawn, and I heard a busy noise
that sounded like feet, not as loud as our own feet sound to us, but softer, more
elegant, and more sweet.
Stanza 3: It was the rushing home of little men (elves or faeries), they were going
home to their hidden houses - If I told people about this, and more things that I saw,
nobody would believe it.
Stanza 4: I could tell you too about the Robins I saw in the trundle bed, how many I
spied there, they tried to hide their wings in the nightgowns that were stored inside
the bed, but they weren’t able to hide fully from me.
Stanza 5: But then, I promised never to tell anyone about these magical things that I
saw - so how could I break my word and tell you now? So you carry on as you were,
going the way that you originally were travelling - and I’ll go my own way too,
without being afraid that you’d lose your path?
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