Poem Analysis - Nature The Gentlest Mother Is

A Gentle Nurturing: An Overview

Emily Dickinson's "Nature the Gentlest Mother Is" presents a comforting and idealized vision of nature as a nurturing maternal figure. The poem's tone is initially calm and reassuring, emphasizing nature's patience and guidance. However, there's a subtle shift towards awe and reverence as the poem progresses, particularly when depicting nature's power and the cyclical rhythm of day and night. The poem's simplicity belies its profound exploration of nature's role as both caretaker and ultimate authority.

The Maternal Embrace: Nature as Nurturer

One of the central themes is the personification of nature as a mother, highlighting her gentle and patient guidance. Dickinson emphasizes this through language that evokes maternal care: nature is "impatient of no child" and offers "admonition mild." The poem depicts nature's ability to gently correct even the "feeblest" and "waywardest," suggesting a boundless capacity for understanding and forgiveness. This maternal imagery creates a sense of security and belonging, suggesting that all creatures, regardless of their flaws, are embraced by nature's loving care. The lines "With infinite affection/ An infiniter care" underscores the depth and unending quality of nature's concern for its children.

Finding Guidance: The Lessons of Nature

The theme of nature as a source of moral guidance and spiritual instruction is also evident. Nature's "conversation" is described as "fair," implying that its teachings are beautiful and virtuous. The poem also notes that even the "traveller" can hear nature's instruction, "restraining rampant squirrel/ Or too impetuous bird" suggesting that nature's lessons are accessible to all and serve to moderate excessive behavior. In this light, nature serves not only as a provider but also as a moral compass, guiding creatures towards balance and harmony.

The Cycle of Day and Night: Submission to Authority

A recurring image is the transition from day to night, which symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and nature's ultimate authority. During the day, nature's "household" gathers, but as "the sun go down," her "voice among the aisles" inspires prayer, even from the "minutest cricket" and the "most unworthy flower." This highlights the reverence that nature commands, emphasizing that all creatures, regardless of their size or perceived importance, are subject to its power. The act of nature "bending from the sky" to "light her lamps" further reinforces her control over the natural world, with her gesture of putting "her golden finger on her lip" commanding silence, emphasizing nature’s power and the need for humility and submission.

A Golden Silence: The Final Word

In conclusion, "Nature the Gentlest Mother Is" presents a harmonious vision of nature as a nurturing, guiding, and ultimately powerful force. Through vivid imagery and personification, Dickinson creates a portrait of nature that is both comforting and awe-inspiring. The poem's gentle tone gradually shifts to one of reverence, highlighting the cyclical nature of life and nature's command over all. The final image of nature silencing the world with a "golden finger on her lip" encapsulates the poem's central message: a profound respect for the power and wisdom of the natural world. The "golden finger" specifically, can be interpreted as a way of suggesting that nature's influence is divine and almost untouchable.