Poem Analysis - There Is A June When Corn Is Cut

A Fleeting, Mellow Reflection

Emily Dickinson's "There Is A June When Corn Is Cut" is a contemplative poem that explores the nature of time, memory, and the contrast between an idealized past and a present touched by mortality. The tone is initially wistful, almost elegiac, reflecting on a "second" summer or season of life. This mood deepens into a thoughtful consideration of preference and the potential for a past experience to overshadow the present, ultimately resolving in a sense of hopeful, if tentative, anticipation.

The Two Seasons of Life

One central theme is the passage of time and its impact on our perception. Dickinson presents two distinct seasons: one a past "June" of ripeness and beauty (corn cut, roses in seed), and another, a present characterized by "Prospect, and with Frost." This juxtaposition highlights the contrast between an idealized past and a present tinged with hardship or the awareness of mortality. The "first" summer is briefer but the "second" is "tenderer," suggesting that while the initial bloom of life may be fleeting, subsequent experiences, even those marked by difficulty, possess a unique, perhaps more profound, value.

Mortality's Vermilion Glimpse

The theme of mortality and its confrontation is delicately handled through vivid imagery. The lines describing a "Face supposed the Grave's / Emerge a single Noon / In the Vermilion that it wore" powerfully evoke a fleeting glimpse of the afterlife or a sudden awareness of death. The color "Vermilion," suggesting both blood and life, adds to the complex emotional impact. This image implies that confronting mortality can be both shocking and strangely beautiful, leaving a lasting impression that "Affect[s] us, and return[s]."

Memory's Selective Embrace

The poem also delves into the theme of the power of memory and preference. Dickinson questions whether the first season of life can "so infinite compare" with the second that we only "recollect the one / The other to prefer?" This suggests that our memories are selective, often romanticizing the past and potentially overshadowing the present. The poem doesn't definitively answer this question, leaving open the possibility that we may be biased toward the past, even if the present holds its own distinct value. It also poses a philosophical question: is our preference for the "first" season inherent or constructed through the lens of memory?

Symbolism of Second Summer

Recurring symbols in the poem enhance its message. The "June" and "Summer" serve as symbols of youth, vitality, and perhaps a simpler, more innocent time. The "Frost" represents the hardships, disappointments, and the encroaching awareness of mortality that accompany later life. The "Face" emerging from the grave is a potent symbol of death, but its "Vermilion" hue also suggests a connection to life and perhaps even resurrection or renewal. The poem's central symbol is the "Second" season, representing the complexities and matured understanding of life that can exist alongside the earlier, perhaps more idealized, season. This symbol encourages a deeper appreciation for the present, even with its imperfections.

A Final Reflection

In conclusion, "There Is A June When Corn Is Cut" is a poignant meditation on the nature of time, memory, and mortality. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful questioning, Dickinson explores the contrast between an idealized past and a present marked by both beauty and hardship. While acknowledging the allure of the past, the poem ultimately suggests that the "Second" season of life, with its "Prospect, and with Frost," holds its own unique value and deserves to be appreciated, even if overshadowed by the romanticized memories of youth. The poem ultimately compels us to consider how our perceptions of time and memory shape our understanding and appreciation of life's ever-changing seasons.