Poem Analysis - Midsummer Was It When They Died

A Season of Fulfillment and Loss

Emily Dickinson's "Midsummer, Was It, When They Died" is a brief but potent meditation on death, framed by the imagery of a summer at its peak. The poem possesses a tone of quiet acceptance, tinged with both sorrow and a sense of natural completion. It explores the paradox of death occurring at a time of abundant life, suggesting a harmonious, almost pre-ordained, transition. The poem initially focuses on the richness of summer before subtly shifting to the impact of loss and its blurring effect.

Mortality and the Cycle of Nature

One of the poem's central themes is mortality, viewed not as a tragic interruption but as an integrated part of the natural cycle. The opening lines immediately establish the setting: "Midsummer, was it, when They died / A full, and perfect time." This connection between death and the fullness of summer suggests that death, like the season's culmination, is a natural stage in existence. The phrase "Consummated Bloom" further emphasizes this idea, implying that death is a kind of ultimate flowering or fulfillment. Dickinson subtly presents death as a phase intrinsic to life rather than a force in opposition to it.

Imagery of Abundance and Closure

The poem is rich in imagery drawn from the natural world, particularly agricultural abundance. "The Corn, her furthest kernel filled / Before the coming Flail" paints a picture of ripeness and completion. The corn being filled to its "furthest kernel" before harvest ("coming Flail") functions as a metaphor for a life lived to its fullest potential before death arrives. This imagery reinforces the idea that death is not premature but rather occurs after a period of rich growth and maturation. The image suggests a natural and expected reaping after a season of plenty.

Perfectness and the Haze of Burial

The concept of "Perfectness" is central to understanding Dickinson's view of death in this poem. The phrase "When These leaned unto Perfectness / Through Haze of Burial" suggests that death, rather than being an end, is a transition into a state of ultimate fulfillment. The "Haze of Burial" is a striking image that evokes a sense of blurring or obscurity surrounding death, perhaps implying that the true nature of this "Perfectness" is beyond our mortal comprehension. The "Haze" could also represent the emotional confusion and grief experienced by those left behind, further emphasizing the duality of death as both a personal loss and a transition to something greater.

A Reflection on Peaceful Passing

In conclusion, "Midsummer, Was It, When They Died" offers a poignant reflection on death as an integral part of life's cyclical nature. Through vivid imagery of summer's abundance and the metaphor of a "Consummated Bloom," Dickinson suggests that death can be a moment of peaceful completion, a transition into "Perfectness." The poem invites us to contemplate the relationship between life and death, urging us to consider death not as a tragic end but as a natural and perhaps even beautiful culmination of existence. The poem's significance lies in its comforting portrayal of death as a harmonious part of the natural order, offering solace and acceptance in the face of loss.