Poem Analysis - March Is The Month Of Expectation

Awaiting the Unseen: An Introduction to Dickinson's "March is the Month of Expectation"

Emily Dickinson's "March is the Month of Expectation" is a concise exploration of anticipation and the vulnerability that accompanies hope. The poem's tone is initially observational, even slightly detached, but quickly shifts to a more personal and intimate revelation of the internal conflict between composure and barely-contained excitement. Through carefully chosen imagery and a central metaphor, Dickinson captures the universal human experience of waiting for something unknown and potentially transformative. The poem ultimately reveals the bittersweet nature of expectation, where the promise of joy is intertwined with the risk of disappointment.

The Season of Potential: Themes of Hope and Uncertainty

One of the primary themes in the poem is the pervasive feeling of hope. March, as a transitional month between winter and spring, inherently symbolizes new beginnings and the promise of growth. This hope, however, is inextricably linked with uncertainty. The opening lines directly state, "The things we do not know – / The Persons of prognostication / Are coming now –". This highlights the central tension: the impending arrival of the unknown. The poem also subtly explores the theme of vulnerability. The speaker acknowledges the attempt to maintain "becoming firmness," but the subsequent admission of being betrayed by "pompous Joy" exposes the fragility beneath the surface.

Blossoming Joy: Unpacking Imagery and Symbolism

The central image of March as a month of "Expectation" functions as a powerful symbol of potential. It represents not just the literal transition from winter, but also a metaphorical anticipation of change and fulfillment. The phrase "Persons of prognostication" is intriguing. It might refer to literal predictors of the future, but it's more likely Dickinson uses it metaphorically to represent whatever forces or events shape our lives and to which we passively wait to affect our futures. The comparison of "pompous Joy" to a boy whose "first Betrothal / Betrays" is particularly evocative. This extended metaphor suggests that intense joy, like a young boy's first experience of love, is often naive and clumsy, unable to fully conceal its excitement. This "betrayal" implies a loss of composure and a revelation of inner feelings, exposing vulnerability.

The Weight of Waiting: Interpreting "Becoming Firmness"

The line, "We try to show becoming firmness," invites further consideration. What does this "becoming firmness" represent? Is it a conscious effort to maintain dignity in the face of overwhelming excitement, or is it a defensive mechanism to protect oneself from potential disappointment? One could argue that it's a performative act, a way of projecting an image of control in a situation where control is impossible. Perhaps Dickinson is suggesting that true strength lies not in suppressing emotion, but in acknowledging and accepting the vulnerability that accompanies hope. The attempt to exhibit "firmness" may, therefore, be seen as a flawed, yet understandable, human response to the uncertainty of the future.

Bittersweet Anticipation: A Concluding Insight

In conclusion, "March is the Month of Expectation" is a poignant exploration of the complex emotions surrounding anticipation. Dickinson masterfully captures the tension between hope and uncertainty, and the vulnerability that arises when we dare to dream. The poem's imagery and metaphor work together to reveal the bittersweet nature of expectation, where the promise of joy is always tempered by the risk of disappointment. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder that even in our attempts to maintain composure, the power of anticipation can "betray" us, revealing the depth of our longing and the fragile beauty of our hope.