Poem Analysis - What Shall I Do When The Summer Troubles

A Summer of Disquiet

Emily Dickinson's "What Shall I Do When The Summer Troubles" is a poignant exploration of anxiety and displacement in the face of nature's abundance. The poem unfolds as a series of anxious questions, revealing a speaker deeply unsettled by the vibrancy of summer. The tone is apprehensive, bordering on melancholic, as the speaker struggles to find a place within the natural world. The mood shifts from initial curiosity to a sense of profound isolation and longing.

Nature's Excess and Personal Unease

One of the main themes of the poem is the contrast between the profusion of nature and the speaker's inability to fully participate in it. The imagery is rich with summer's bounty: "Rose is ripe," "Eggs fly off in Music," "Bee hangs all Noon in the Buttercup." These images, traditionally associated with joy and fulfillment, become sources of anxiety for the speaker. The line "What shall I do when the Summer troubles" suggests that nature's exuberance is not a comfort, but a source of distress. The summer "troubles" the speaker, highlighting a disharmony between the inner state and the external world.

The Burden of Immobility

The poem also explores the theme of immobility versus freedom. The speaker laments her inability to "fly" like the robin, implying a lack of freedom and a confinement to her present circumstances. This sense of being grounded amplifies her feeling of separation from the natural world. The robin, with "All His Goods hav[ing] Wings," represents a carefree existence that the speaker deeply desires but cannot attain. The question "I do not fly, so wherefore / My Perennial Things?" suggests a frustration with her earthly possessions or responsibilities that tie her down, preventing her from experiencing the same liberation as the robin. This immobility may also symbolize a psychological state, a feeling of being trapped by her own thoughts or emotions.

Distance and Isolation

A third prominent theme is that of isolation. The phrase "Thou from Here, so far?" highlights the speaker's sense of distance from something or someone significant. The "jocund Faces" of the berries, usually a symbol of joy, become unbearable because they emphasize her isolation. The berries, squirrels, and bees revel in summer, underscoring the speaker’s inability to do so. This feeling of being "so far" could refer to a physical distance, a spiritual separation, or an emotional disconnect from the world and its joys.

Symbols of Summer's Discomfort

Recurring symbols in the poem further emphasize the speaker’s disquiet. The summer itself, traditionally associated with happiness and growth, becomes a symbol of unease. The "Buttercup," a bright and cheerful flower, is presented in a way that suggests stagnation ("Bee hangs all Noon"). Even the seemingly harmless "Eggs" transforming into music hint at the inevitable passing of time, a concept that often brings anxiety. Another potent symbol is the squirrel filling its pockets, representing a preparation for winter, a reminder that the abundance of summer is fleeting. However, for the speaker, the squirrel’s act only amplifies her current discomfort and longing for something beyond her reach. The image of the Squirrel filling his pockets could be interpreted as selfish. Is the speaker judging this selfish act, because this is what she is unable to do, selfishly filling herself with joy from nature?

A Lingering Sense of Yearning

In conclusion, "What Shall I Do When The Summer Troubles" is a deeply introspective poem that reveals a speaker struggling with feelings of anxiety, immobility, and isolation. Through vivid imagery and carefully chosen symbols, Dickinson crafts a portrait of someone unable to fully embrace the joy of summer, highlighting the internal discord that can exist even amidst external beauty. The poem's enduring power lies in its ability to capture the complex and often contradictory emotions that arise when confronted with the overwhelming force of nature and the human longing for connection and belonging.