Poem Analysis - The Sun Kept Setting Setting Still

A World Stilled at the Edge of Life

Emily Dickinson's "The Sun Kept Setting setting still" is a poignant exploration of impending death, experienced not as a dramatic event, but as a gradual fading of the senses and a growing detachment from the world. The poem's tone is initially one of quiet observation, almost detached, but it deepens into a more personal reflection tinged with acceptance. This acceptance, however, doesn't negate the undercurrent of melancholy and a sense of fading presence. The poem's strength lies in its ability to convey the unsettling stillness and subtle disorientation that accompany the speaker's approach to death.

Dickinson's Familiar Landscape of Mortality

While Emily Dickinson lived a relatively secluded life, her engagement with themes of death and immortality was prolific. Her poems often grapple with the unknown and the transition from life to what lies beyond. Though not explicitly biographical, Dickinson's personal experiences with loss and illness, common occurrences in the 19th century, likely informed her exploration of mortality. This poem, in particular, resonates with the era's fascination with death, approached with both trepidation and a sense of spiritual curiosity.

The Slow Fade: Mortality's Gentle Approach

The primary theme of the poem is undoubtedly mortality. Dickinson presents death not as a sudden event but as a gradual fading, a "setting" sun that never reaches true darkness. The imagery of the sun setting without the usual hues of afternoon emphasizes the unnaturalness of the experience, a departure from the expected cycle of life. This is further reinforced by the "Dusk" dropping without dew, signifying a world that is ceasing to nurture. The lines "‘Tis Dying I am doing but / I’m not afraid to know" show an acceptance of the speaker's fate, however subdued.

Sensory Deprivation and Detachment

The poem also explores the theme of isolation as a consequence of the dying process. The speaker's senses are becoming dulled, as evidenced by the "drowsing" feet and the lack of connection to the sounds "Myself / Unto my Seeming make." This diminishing sensory experience creates a sense of detachment from the physical world, isolating the speaker in their own fading consciousness. The singular focus on personal experience, almost divorced from the village described in the poem's third line, is another manifestation of this isolation. It is as if the world continues on, but the speaker is already separating from it.

The Question of Self: Identity in Decline

Finally, the poem touches upon the theme of identity. As the speaker's body weakens and senses fade, they question their ability to make their presence known: "Yet why so little sound Myself / Unto my Seeming make?" This suggests a concern about losing one's sense of self as death approaches. The speaker is aware of their physical decline, yet there is a lingering desire to leave a mark, to create a sound that resonates even as they fade away. The final stanza shows the speaker’s acknowledgment of her fate and demonstrates her willingness to face the end with a calm acceptance. The use of the word “doing” softens the blow and allows the speaker to view death as an action of process instead of an absolute state of being.

"No Hue of Afternoon": Symbolism of a Distorted Reality

The poem is rich in symbolism. The "Sun" represents life and vitality, while its unusual setting symbolizes a death that deviates from the natural order. The absence of "Hue of Afternoon" suggests a distortion of reality, a world seen through the lens of impending death. The "Dew" typically symbolizes freshness and renewal, so its absence underscores the dryness and barrenness of the speaker's experience. Instead of dew on the grass, it stops at the speaker’s forehead and wanders in her face, indicating a feverish state or mental disassociation. This image is both unsettling and powerful, emphasizing the internal and deeply personal nature of the dying process.

A Quiet Goodbye: Final Reflections

In conclusion, "The Sun Kept Setting setting still" is a powerful and introspective poem about the experience of dying. Through vivid imagery, a quiet tone, and the exploration of themes like mortality, isolation, and identity, Dickinson creates a portrait of death as a gradual fading, a slow detachment from the world. The poem's significance lies in its ability to capture the subtle nuances of this experience, the disorientation, the acceptance, and the lingering desire to make a mark, even as one fades away. This poem provides a glimpse into a highly personal and intensely intimate encounter with the speaker's own mortality.