A Bird, Came Down the Walk, Emily Dickinson: Summary, Analysis & Themes
Emily Dickinson’s poem "A Bird, Came Down the Walk" captures a delicate moment of interaction between the speaker and a bird, revealing the natural world’s subtleties and the speaker’s observation of it. The poem explores themes of nature, observation, and the delicate balance of the natural world.
A Bird, came down the Walk Poem
A Bird, came down the Walk –
He did not know I saw –
He bit an Angle Worm in halves –
And ate the fellow, raw –
And then, he drank a Dew –
From a convenient Grass –
And then hopped sidewise to the Wall –
To let a Beetle pass –
He glanced with rapid eyes –
That hurried all abroad –
They looked like frightened Beads, I thought –
He stirred his Velvet Head –
Like one in danger, Cautious –
I offered him a Crumb –
And he unrolled his feathers –
And rowed him softer Home –
Than Oars divide the Ocean –
Too silver for a seam –
Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon –
Leap, plashless as they swim –
Summary of A Bird, came down the Walk
The poem "A Bird, Came Down the Walk" depicts a brief encounter between the speaker and a bird observed in its natural habitat. The bird performs various actions, such as eating an angle worm and drinking dew, illustrating its survival instincts and everyday life. The speaker’s offer of a crumb and the bird's subsequent flight highlights a moment of interaction and mutual awareness between the observer and the observed. The final lines use metaphors to describe the bird’s flight as delicate and seamless, emphasizing the beauty and grace of nature.
Critical Analysis of A Bird, came down the Walk
- Imagery: Dickinson uses vivid imagery to describe the bird's actions and appearance, creating a detailed and lively picture of the scene. The description of the bird’s eyes as "frightened Beads" and its movement as "rowed him softer Home" evokes a sense of vulnerability and elegance.
- Tone: The tone of the poem is observational and contemplative. The speaker’s careful attention to the bird’s actions and the delicate language used suggest a deep appreciation for nature’s intricacies.
- Symbolism: The bird represents the natural world and its simple yet profound beauty. Its cautious behavior and the speaker’s gesture of offering a crumb symbolize the delicate balance and interactions within nature.
Themes in A Bird, came down the Walk
- Observation and Interaction: The poem emphasizes the theme of close observation and the subtle interactions between the speaker and the natural world.
- Nature’s Grace: Dickinson highlights the grace and elegance of nature, portraying the bird’s movements and actions with a sense of wonder and admiration.
- Delicacy and Vulnerability: The bird’s cautious behavior and the gentle nature of its flight underscore themes of delicacy and vulnerability in the natural world.
Literary Devices in A Bird, came down the Walk
- Imagery: The poem is rich with imagery, such as the "Velvet Head" and "Silver" used to describe the bird’s appearance and movement.
- Simile: The simile "Than Oars divide the Ocean – Too silver for a seam" compares the bird’s flight to the division of the ocean, emphasizing its smoothness and grace.
- Metaphor: The bird’s flight is metaphorically described as "plashless as they swim," creating a vivid image of its delicate and seamless movement.
Stylistic Analysis of A Bird, came down the Walk
- Form: The poem’s form is straightforward, with simple stanzas that mirror the natural flow of the scene being described. This simplicity enhances the focus on the observation and the natural beauty depicted.
- Language: Dickinson’s choice of language is precise and evocative, using detailed descriptions and metaphors to convey the nuances of the bird’s behavior and the speaker’s perception.
- Structure: The poem’s structure, with its alternating lines of action and description, reflects the rhythm and flow of the bird’s movements and interactions with its environment.