Nature – the Gentlest Mother by Emily Dickinson: Summary & Analysis

Emily Dickinson's poem "Nature – the Gentlest Mother" portrays nature as a nurturing and caring figure, a mother who is gentle and patient with all her children, whether they are strong or weak, obedient or wayward. This poem is a beautiful expression of Dickinson's reverence for nature, depicting it as a loving, maternal presence that governs the world with care and attention. The poem explores themes of nature's gentle authority, the harmony of the natural world, and the quiet power of maternal love.

Poem: "Nature – the Gentlest Mother"

Nature – the Gentlest Mother is,
Impatient of no Child –
The feeblest – or the waywardest –
Her Admonition mild –

In Forest – and the Hill –
By Traveller – be heard –
Restraining Rampant Squirrel –
Or too impetuous Bird –

How fair Her Conversation –
A Summer Afternoon –
Her Household – Her Assembly –
And when the Sun go down –

Her Voice among the Aisles
Incite the timid prayer
Of the minutest Cricket –
The most unworthy Flower –

When all the Children sleep –
She turns as long away
As will suffice to light Her lamps –
Then bending from the Sky –

With infinite Affection –
And infiniter Care –
Her Golden finger on Her lip –
Wills Silence – Everywhere –

Summary of "Nature – the Gentlest Mother"

The poem presents nature as a gentle, nurturing mother who cares for all her children with infinite patience and affection. She is described as being attentive to the needs of even the smallest and most insignificant creatures, such as crickets and flowers. Nature's voice is heard throughout the landscape, guiding and restraining the more rambunctious elements, like squirrels and birds. As night falls, nature lights her lamps (the stars) and gently ushers in silence, ensuring that all her children can rest peacefully.

Critical Analysis of "Nature – the Gentlest Mother"

• Personification: Dickinson personifies nature as a mother, giving her human characteristics of patience, care, and authority. This personification helps to convey the idea that nature is a guiding and protective force in the world.
• Imagery: The poem is rich with imagery that evokes a serene and harmonious natural world. Phrases like "Restraining Rampant Squirrel" and "Her Golden finger on Her lip" create vivid pictures of nature's gentle influence over her surroundings.
• Symbolism: Nature as a mother symbolizes the nurturing and life-sustaining aspects of the natural world. The "Golden finger on Her lip" represents the quiet and peace that nature brings, especially at night when all creatures are at rest.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is gentle and reverent, reflecting the poet's deep respect and admiration for the natural world. There is a sense of calm and tranquility that pervades the poem, mirroring the peacefulness of a summer afternoon.

Themes in "Nature – the Gentlest Mother"

• The Gentleness of Nature: The poem emphasizes nature's gentle and nurturing qualities, portraying it as a caring mother who looks after all her children with patience and love.
• The Harmony of the Natural World: The poem suggests that nature maintains a harmonious balance, where every creature, no matter how small, has its place and is cared for.
• Maternal Love and Care: Nature's actions are likened to those of a loving mother, emphasizing the protective and nurturing aspects of the natural world. The poem celebrates the quiet power of maternal love as a force that sustains life.

Literary Devices in "Nature – the Gentlest Mother"

• Personification: Nature is personified as a gentle mother, a figure of care and authority. This gives the natural world human-like qualities that make it more relatable and compassionate.
• Imagery: The poem is filled with pastoral imagery that evokes the peacefulness and beauty of the natural world. Dickinson's descriptions paint a picture of a world where nature's presence is both gentle and pervasive.
• Symbolism: The portrayal of nature as a mother symbolizes the idea of the natural world as a life-giving and nurturing force. The imagery of lighting lamps and the golden finger symbolizes the transition from day to night and the quiet that accompanies it.
• Alliteration: Dickinson uses alliteration to create a musical quality in her lines, such as "Her Household – Her Assembly." This device enhances the poem's rhythm and contributes to its soothing tone.

Stylistic Analysis of "Nature – the Gentlest Mother"

• Form: The poem's form is characteristic of Dickinson's style, with short lines, dashes, and irregular capitalization. This form gives the poem a unique rhythm and emphasizes certain words and phrases.
• Language: Dickinson's language is simple yet evocative, using personification and imagery to convey the gentle, nurturing nature of the natural world. Her choice of words reflects the poem's calm and serene tone.
• Structure: The poem is structured to reflect the different times of day, starting with the activities of the day and ending with the quiet of night. This structure mirrors the daily cycle of nature's care and protection.