A Bird, Came Down the Walk
A Bird, came down the Walk –
He did not know I saw –
He bit an Angle Worm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw,And then, he drank a Dew
From a convenient Grass –
And then hopped sidewise to the Wall
To let a Beetle pass –He glanced with rapid eyes,
That hurried all abroad –
They looked like frightened Beads, I thought,
He stirred his Velvet Head. –Like one in danger, Cautious,
I offered him a Crumb,
And he unrolled his feathers,
And rowed him softer Home –Than Oars divide the Ocean,
Too silver for a seam,
Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon,
Leap, plashless as they swim.
Summary of A Bird, Came Down the Walk
- The Essence of Dickinson’s Observation: Emily Dickinson’s “A Bird, Came Down the Walk” is a deceptively simple poem that captures a fleeting moment of observation in nature. It details the careful, almost hesitant movements of a bird as it navigates its surroundings, searching for sustenance. The poem’s strength lies in its ability to elevate this ordinary event into a study of awareness, vulnerability, and the delicate balance between observer and observed.
- A Dance of Awareness: The poem unfolds as the speaker silently witnesses the bird’s activities. The bird, completely unaware of being watched, engages in its routine—hunting a worm, drinking dew, and politely yielding to a beetle. This unawareness is key, highlighting the bird’s instinctual, unselfconscious existence. The speaker’s presence, though silent, introduces a layer of conscious awareness that subtly alters the scene.
- Themes of Connection and Respect: “A Bird, Came Down the Walk” explores the relationship between humanity and the natural world. It is not a poem about dominion, but rather about respectful observation. The speaker’s offering of a crumb, though ultimately declined, is a gesture of connection, a recognition of shared life. The poem suggests a profound sense of empathy and a desire to understand, not control, the creature before them.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “A Bird, Came Down the Walk”
Emily Dickinson masterfully employs a variety of literary devices to create a vivid and nuanced portrayal of this natural encounter. These techniques contribute to the poem’s overall impact and deepen its thematic resonance.
- Imagery: Dickinson relies heavily on visual imagery, painting a clear picture of the scene. Consider the line “He bit an Angle Worm in halves.” This isn’t simply stating the bird ate a worm; it’s a graphic, almost startling image that captures the bird’s predatory instinct. Similarly, “They looked like frightened Beads, I thought,” offers a striking visual comparison, conveying the bird’s skittishness and the speaker’s perception.
- Personification: The poem subtly personifies the bird, attributing to it human-like qualities. The use of the pronoun “He” throughout the poem immediately elevates the bird beyond a mere creature of instinct. Lines like “Like one in danger, Cautious,” further emphasize this personification, suggesting the bird possesses a degree of self-awareness and apprehension.
- Simile: Dickinson skillfully uses similes to create vivid comparisons. “They looked like frightened Beads, I thought” is a prime example. This comparison is not just descriptive; it reveals the speaker’s subjective impression of the bird’s eyes, suggesting a vulnerability and fragility.
- Metaphor: While less overt than simile, metaphor is present in the poem’s descriptions. The phrase “Velvet Head” isn’t literal; it’s a metaphorical representation of the bird’s plumage and its soft texture, adding a layer of richness to the description.
- Enjambment: Dickinson frequently uses enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next—to create a sense of fluidity and natural rhythm. For example, consider the lines: “And then hopped sidewise to the Wall
To let a Beetle pass.” The enjambment mimics the bird’s movement, creating a seamless transition between actions. - Assonance and Consonance: Dickinson subtly utilizes assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) and consonance (repetition of consonant sounds) to enhance the poem’s musicality. The repetition of the “s” sound in “sidewise” and “pass” contributes to the poem’s gentle, flowing quality.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “A Bird, Came Down the Walk”
Beyond literary devices, Dickinson employs specific poetic techniques to shape the poem’s form and meaning.
- Quatrains: The poem is structured in five quatrains (four-line stanzas), a common form in poetry. This structure provides a sense of order and control, reflecting the deliberate observation of the speaker.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem adheres to an ABAB rhyme scheme. This consistent rhyme scheme contributes to the poem’s musicality and creates a sense of harmony, mirroring the natural world it depicts.
- Slant Rhyme: While the poem primarily uses full rhyme, Dickinson occasionally employs slant rhyme (also known as near rhyme or half rhyme). This technique creates a subtle disruption in the rhythm, adding a layer of complexity and suggesting the imperfect nature of observation.
- Concise Language: Dickinson is known for her concise and economical language. She uses only the essential words to convey her meaning, creating a powerful and impactful poem. Every word is carefully chosen and carries significant weight.
- Capitalization: Dickinson frequently capitalizes nouns, a stylistic choice that emphasizes their importance and adds a visual weight to the poem.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly evocative and useful when discussing the poem’s themes of beauty, vulnerability, and the connection between humanity and nature.
Than Oars divide the Ocean,
Too silver for a seam,
Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon,
Leap, plashless as they swim.
These lines, describing the bird’s flight, are a masterful example of Dickinson’s imagery and her ability to capture the grace and fluidity of the natural world. The comparison to oars dividing the ocean and butterflies leaping is stunning, evoking a sense of peacefulness and wonder.
“A Bird, Came Down the Walk” is more than just a simple observation of nature; it’s a thoughtful meditation on awareness, vulnerability, and the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world. Through her masterful use of literary and poetic devices, Emily Dickinson creates a poem that is both beautiful and profound, inviting readers to contemplate the wonders of the world around them.