Two Butterflies Went Out at Noon
Two Butterflies went out at Noon-
And waltzed above a Farm-
Then stepped straight through the Firmament
And rested on a Beam-And then- together bore away
Upon a shining Sea-
Though never yet, in any Port-
Their coming mentioned- be-If spoken by the distant Bird-
If met in Ether Sea
By Frigate, or by Merchantman-
No notice-was-to me-
Welcome to a captivating exploration of Emily Dickinson’s enigmatic poem, “Two Butterflies Went Out at Noon.” This brief yet profound work invites readers on an imaginative journey, challenging perceptions of reality and the unseen wonders of the world. Prepare to delve into its delicate imagery, intricate structure, and timeless themes, uncovering the layers of meaning woven into every line by one of America’s most distinctive poetic voices.
“Two Butterflies Went Out at Noon” Summary and Central Idea
Emily Dickinson’s “Two Butterflies Went Out at Noon” presents a whimsical yet deeply contemplative narrative about two butterflies embarking on an extraordinary voyage. The poem begins with the butterflies dancing above a farm, a familiar earthly scene, before they transcend the physical world. They “stepped straight through the Firmament” and eventually “bore away Upon a shining Sea,” venturing into realms beyond human comprehension.
The central idea of the poem revolves around the concept of transcendence and the unseen wonders of existence. It suggests that profound beauty, remarkable events, and significant journeys can occur entirely outside human observation or record. The butterflies’ journey symbolizes a spiritual or imaginative ascent, a movement from the mundane to the mystical, which remains unacknowledged by conventional means, whether by a “distant Bird” or human vessels like a “Frigate, or by Merchantman.” The poem ultimately posits that reality extends far beyond what is perceived or documented, emphasizing the quiet, personal experience of witnessing or imagining something extraordinary.
A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson’s Poetic Craft
Emily Dickinson masterfully employs a rich array of literary and poetic devices to imbue “Two Butterflies Went Out at Noon” with its unique charm and profound depth. Her precise word choice and structural decisions create an atmosphere of wonder and contemplation.
Imagery and Sensory Detail
Dickinson’s poem is rich with vivid imagery that transports the reader into the butterflies’ fantastical journey. The opening lines immediately establish a blend of the familiar and the magical:
Two Butterflies went out at Noon-
And waltzed above a Farm-
The image of butterflies “waltzing” personifies them, suggesting grace and joy, while the “Farm” grounds the initial scene in reality. This contrast is swiftly broken by the ethereal imagery of them “stepped straight through the Firmament” and resting “on a Beam,” evoking celestial or spiritual dimensions. Later, the “shining Sea” conjures vastness and mystery, while the “distant Bird,” “Frigate,” and “Merchantman” provide earthly points of reference that ultimately fail to perceive the butterflies’ grand adventure. This interplay of concrete and abstract imagery is crucial to the poem’s theme of unseen wonders.
Metaphor and Symbolism
The butterflies themselves are potent symbols and metaphors within the poem. They represent delicacy, freedom, and the ephemeral nature of life, yet their journey suggests an enduring spirit or an imaginative escape. Their ability to “step straight through the Firmament” serves as a powerful metaphor for transcendence, moving beyond physical limitations into a spiritual or imaginative plane. The “Firmament” and “Ether Sea” symbolize boundless, ethereal realms, perhaps representing the afterlife, the subconscious, or the vastness of human imagination. The “Beam” upon which they rest could symbolize a point of transition, a celestial perch, or even a ray of divine light. The poem uses these symbols to explore the idea that significant events can unfold in dimensions beyond our ordinary perception.
Structure, Meter, and Rhyme Scheme
The poem is composed of three quatrains, or four-line stanzas, a common structure in Dickinson’s work. It largely adheres to a variation of common meter, also known as ballad stanza, which typically alternates between iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter. This rhythmic pattern gives the poem a song-like quality, making it memorable and accessible. For instance, the first stanza exhibits this rhythm:
Two But-ter-flies went out at Noon– (8 syllables, iambic tetrameter)
And waltzed a-bove a Farm– (6 syllables, iambic trimeter)
The rhyme scheme is predominantly ABCB in each stanza, where the second and fourth lines rhyme. For example, in the first stanza, “Farm” rhymes with “Beam.” This subtle, consistent rhyme scheme provides musicality without being overly rigid, allowing the focus to remain on the narrative and imagery. The use of slant rhyme, a characteristic of Dickinson, also adds to the poem’s unique sound, creating a sense of slight dissonance that can mirror the poem’s mysterious subject matter.
Sound Devices: Assonance, Consonance, and Alliteration
Dickinson skillfully employs sound devices to enhance the poem’s musicality and reinforce its themes. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, can be observed in “Two Butterflies went out at Noon,” where the long “oo” sound creates a sense of spaciousness and gentle movement. Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds, is evident in “shining Sea,” where the repeated “s” sound mimics the soft shimmer of water and the vastness of the ocean. The phrase “By Frigate, or by Merchantman” uses a repetition of the “f” sound, which can evoke the sound of wind filling sails, immersing the reader further into the seascape and the idea of human travel versus the butterflies’ ethereal journey.
Diction and Tone
The poet’s diction is precise and carefully chosen, blending simple, accessible language with words that carry deeper implications. Words like “Firmament” and “Ether Sea” elevate the narrative from a simple observation of nature to a cosmic journey. The tone is one of contemplative wonder and quiet mystery. There is no overt emotion, but rather a sense of awe at the unseen and a subtle melancholy that such profound events might go entirely unnoticed by the world. The final stanza, with its repeated “No notice-was-to me-,” reinforces this tone of personal, unshared observation, highlighting the poem’s central theme of perception and awareness.
Enjambment and Punctuation
Dickinson’s distinctive use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without a grammatical pause, contributes to the poem’s flowing rhythm, mirroring the continuous, uninterrupted flight of the butterflies. Consider these lines:
And then- together bore away
Upon a shining Sea-
The thought flows seamlessly, creating a sense of momentum. Furthermore, Dickinson’s characteristic use of dashes, while not a device employed in this analysis, is a crucial element of her style within the poem itself. These dashes often create pauses, emphasize certain words, or connect disparate ideas, guiding the reader’s pace and thought process in a unique way that underscores the poem’s ethereal and contemplative nature.
The Enduring Appeal of “Two Butterflies Went Out at Noon”
Emily Dickinson’s “Two Butterflies Went Out at Noon” remains a compelling and thought-provoking poem. Its concise form belies a profound exploration of existence, perception, and the boundless nature of imagination. Through its delicate imagery, symbolic depth, and masterful use of poetic devices, the poem invites readers to look beyond the obvious, to consider the unseen journeys and unrecorded wonders that constantly unfold around and within us. It is a timeless reminder that beauty and significance are not always loud or publicly acknowledged, but often reside in the quiet, transcendent moments that challenge our understanding of the world.