Poem Analysis - The Bat Is Dun With Wrinkled Wings

A Curious Glimpse into Nature's Oddities

Emily Dickinson's "The Bat Is Dun With Wrinkled Wings" offers a unique and somewhat enigmatic portrait of a bat. The poem is characterized by Dickinson's signature style: concise, observant, and full of unexpected metaphors. The tone is initially descriptive and slightly detached, evolving into a more contemplative and even admiring stance towards the creature. Dickinson avoids sentimentality, choosing instead to explore the bat's strangeness and place within the natural world, tinged with a hint of awe. The poem ultimately becomes an observation on nature's diverse and sometimes peculiar creations.

The Unseen World and Nature's Place

One central theme is the exploration of the unseen or less appreciated aspects of nature. The bat, an animal associated with darkness and often perceived as unsettling, becomes the subject of Dickinson's careful scrutiny. The "dun" color and "wrinkled wings" suggest age and perhaps a perceived ugliness, yet the poem does not dwell on negativity. Instead, the bat is depicted as an "elate philosopher," suggesting a creature capable of complex existence and possessing an inherent wisdom. Dickinson encourages readers to look beyond surface appearances and find value in the seemingly strange and unconventional.

Flight as a Metaphor for Freedom and Mystery

The imagery of flight is also prominent, symbolized by the bat's "small umbrella, quaintly halved." This image cleverly evokes the bat's wings and its unique way of navigating the air. The "arc alike inscrutable" emphasizes the mystery and the unknowable nature of the bat's journey. The flight becomes a metaphor for freedom, but also for the limits of human understanding. The adjective “inscrutable” is particularly useful here, reinforcing the theme that there is much in nature that cannot be easily explained.

Divine Design and Appreciating Eccentricity

The poem's final stanza introduces a theological dimension, attributing the bat's creation to a higher power. "To his adroit Creator / Ascribe no less the praise; / Beneficent, believe me, / His eccentricities." This section suggests that even the seemingly odd or "eccentric" aspects of nature have a purpose and are worthy of appreciation. The poet encourages the reader to view the bat and its peculiarities as part of a larger, divinely ordained design. **This acceptance of the unconventional as divinely sanctioned** reflects a broader theme of accepting and appreciating the diversity of the natural world.

A Celebration of the Unconventional

In conclusion, "The Bat Is Dun With Wrinkled Wings" is a compact yet thought-provoking poem that uses the image of the bat as a lens through which to examine themes of the unseen, the mystery of nature, and the acceptance of eccentricity. Dickinson's poem invites us to reconsider our perceptions of the natural world and to appreciate the beauty and purpose in even the most unconventional creatures. **The bat becomes a symbol** of something strange yet divinely created and inherently valuable, a perspective that challenges anthropocentric views and celebrates the diversity of life.