Poem Analysis - A Route Of Evanescence

A Fleeting Wonder: An Introduction to Dickinson's Hummingbird

Emily Dickinson's "A Route of Evanescence" is a brief but vibrant portrait of a hummingbird. The poem captures the bird's quick, almost magical, presence through a series of striking images and sensory details. Its tone is initially one of wonder and awe, focusing on the hummingbird's dazzling qualities before introducing a slightly more grounded, almost humorous, perspective in its final lines. This shift suggests a move from pure observation to a more imaginative interpretation of the bird's nature.

The Unearthly Beauty of the Hummingbird

One of the primary themes explored in this poem is the **transitory nature of beauty and wonder**. The hummingbird, a creature of fleeting appearances, embodies this theme perfectly. Dickinson emphasizes its ephemeral quality from the very first line, describing its path as a "Route of Evanescence." The use of the word "evanescence" immediately establishes a sense of something vanishing or fading away. This is further reinforced by images like the "revolving Wheel" which suggests constant motion and change, a whirlwind of activity that leaves little trace.

Color and Exoticism: Painting a Picture

Dickinson employs vivid imagery, particularly through color, to illustrate the hummingbird's otherworldly appeal. "A Resonance of Emerald" and "A Rush of Cochineal" (a vibrant red dye) create a dazzling sensory experience. These colors are not just descriptive; they evoke a sense of richness and exoticism, associating the hummingbird with something precious and rare. The description of the blossoms adjusting their "tumbled Head" also speaks to the hummingbird's impact on its environment, however fleeting, suggesting that even brief encounters with beauty can have a lasting effect.

From Nature to Imagination

The poem takes an unexpected turn in its final two lines: "The mail from Tunis, probably, / An easy Morning’s Ride–." This shift introduces a element of playful humor. By comparing the hummingbird's journey to "the mail from Tunis," Dickinson juxtaposes the exotic and the mundane. Is she suggesting that the hummingbird's "evanescent" flight is no more remarkable than a routine delivery? Or is she playfully exaggerating the bird’s speed and implying that even international travel would be an easy task for it? This ambiguity forces the reader to question the limits of perception and imagination, and the degree to which we apply our own understanding of the world to even the simplest natural phenomena.

Final Flight: Capturing Ephemeral Beauty

In conclusion, "A Route of Evanescence" is a masterful miniature that captures the fleeting beauty and wondrous nature of the hummingbird. Dickinson uses striking imagery, particularly color, and a playful tone shift to explore themes of transience and perception. The poem’s final lines, though seemingly out of place, ultimately encourage a deeper consideration of how we interpret the natural world and the power of imagination to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. The hummingbird, in its brief appearance, leaves a lasting impression, prompting reflection on the beauty that exists in constant motion and change.