Poem Analysis - The First Days Night Had Come

Introduction: Confronting Trauma and Its Lingering Effects

Emily Dickinson’s "The First Day’s Night Had Come" is a powerful exploration of trauma and its lasting psychological impact. The poem begins with an attempt at recovery after a devastating experience but quickly descends into a portrayal of ongoing mental anguish and dissociation. The initial tone is one of fragile hope, quickly overtaken by despair and a sense of madness. Dickinson uses stark imagery and emotional shifts to convey the depth of the speaker's struggle and the enduring consequences of the unnamed "terrible" event.

Historical Context and Dickinson's Reclusive Life

While the specific event that inspired this poem remains unknown, understanding Emily Dickinson's life can offer valuable context. Dickinson lived a largely reclusive life, marked by intense emotional experiences and profound introspection. Her isolation might have heightened her sensitivity to inner turmoil, and her poems often reflect a fascination with death, suffering, and the human psyche. While the "terrible" thing is unnamed, It is useful to know that emotional upheavals and a keen awareness of mortality are recurring themes in her work, often reflecting a deep personal response to the world around her.

The Devastating Impact of Unspecified Trauma: The Central Theme

The central theme of the poem is the lasting impact of trauma on the individual. The poem opens with the speaker attempting to recover ("I told my Soul to sing") from what seems like a recent disaster. However, the immediate response is one of inability and brokenness ("She said her Strings were snapt/ Her Bow to Atoms blown"). This imagery shows the complete shattering of the self, implying that the trauma has rendered the speaker's inner being unable to function. The following "Day as huge/As Yesterdays in pairs" emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the continued suffering and highlights that the trauma is not a one-time event but rather a persistent presence that distorts perception and mental stability.

Loss of Sanity and the Dissociation From Self

The poem also explores the theme of loss of sanity. This is not simply sadness but a more profound sense of detachment from reality. The speaker's "Brain begun to laugh" and she "mumbled like a fool." This is a clear indication of a breakdown in mental processes, further emphasized by the phrase "My Brain keeps giggling still." The giggling is not presented as joyful; instead, it signifies the speaker's inability to cope with the trauma and a descent into madness. This theme is particularly poignant because it showcases how the trauma has fundamentally altered the speaker's sense of self and her relationship to the world.

Identity Crisis and Existential Alienation

A third theme present is identity crisis and existential alienation. The speaker struggles with the concept of a past self ("That person that I was") and the present one ("this One"). The inability to reconcile these two selves leads to the questioning, "Could it be Madness this?" This question suggests that the speaker recognizes the altered state of being but cannot fully grasp it. The disconnection from the former self symbolizes the shattering of identity often associated with trauma. The speaker is no longer the person they once were, leaving them in a state of alienation, trapped between the past and a distorted present.

Symbolism and Imagery: A Broken Instrument and a Giggle of Despair

Several symbols and images vividly convey the poem's message. The "Strings" that are "snapt" and the "Bow" that is "to Atoms blown" symbolize the speaker's broken spirit and inability to find solace or expression. These images suggest that the trauma has silenced her inner voice and robbed her of the ability to heal through art or other creative means. The "giggling" brain is a particularly disturbing image, representing the loss of control and the descent into madness. This laughter is not joyful but rather a manifestation of deep-seated trauma that is manifesting itself in unexpected ways. The phrase "blocked my eyes" demonstrates that the trauma is so powerful, it prevents the speaker from seeing clearly, both literally and figuratively.

Concluding Thoughts: The Enduring Scars of Trauma

In conclusion, "The First Day’s Night Had Come" offers a stark and intimate portrayal of trauma's long-term effects on the human psyche. Dickinson masterfully uses vivid imagery, shifts in tone, and recurring symbols to explore the themes of trauma, loss of sanity, and identity crisis. The poem is a powerful reminder of the enduring scars that trauma can inflict and the profound impact it can have on an individual's sense of self and reality. The poem invites us to consider the lingering effects of trauma and how it can fundamentally alter the trajectory of a person’s life.