A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree Analysis - Literary devices and Poetic devices

A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree

A Drop fell on the Apple Tree –

Another – on the Roof –

A Half a Dozen kissed the Eaves –

And made the Gables laugh –

A few went out to help the Brook

That went to help the Sea –

Myself Conjectured were they Pearls –

What Necklaces could be –

The Dust replaced, in Hoisted Roads –

The Birds jocoser sung –

The Sunshine threw his Hat away –

The Bushes – spangles flung –

The Breezes brought dejected Lutes –

And bathed them in the Glee –

The Orient showed a single Flag –

And signed the fête away –

A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree: Summary and Central Idea

The poem “A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree” offers a delightful and imaginative observation of a gentle rain shower. It captures the subtle yet profound impact of individual raindrops as they interact with the natural world and human constructions.

Noteworthy Knowledge and Background

Attribution Clarification: While often associated with the distinctive style of Emily Dickinson due to its concise language, unique capitalization, and use of dashes, this poem is not actually her work. It is a modern piece that beautifully echoes her observant and imaginative voice. Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurate literary study.
The Journey of a Raindrop: The poem traces the path of raindrops from their initial fall on an apple tree and roof to their eventual journey into a brook and then the vast sea, illustrating a sense of interconnectedness in nature.
Transformation Through Perspective: A central idea is the transformative power of perspective. What might seem like ordinary raindrops are reimagined as precious pearls, highlighting the beauty and wonder inherent in everyday occurrences when viewed with imagination.

Central Idea of “A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree”

The central idea of “A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree” is that even the smallest natural events possess immense beauty and the power to transform their surroundings, both physically and perceptually. Through imaginative observation, the poet elevates a simple rain shower into a moment of profound joy, renewal, and interconnectedness, suggesting that wonder can be found in the most ordinary of phenomena.

In-Depth Analysis of “A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree”

This poem, though brief, is rich with literary and poetic devices that invite readers to look closer at the world around them. An exploration of “A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree” reveals a masterful use of language to create a vibrant and optimistic scene.

Literary Devices in “A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree”

The poet employs a variety of literary devices to imbue the rain shower with life, emotion, and deeper meaning, making the poem a captivating study of nature’s subtle power.

Personification: Giving human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or abstract ideas is a prominent feature, animating the scene with playful energy.
- “A Half a Dozen kissed the Eaves -” and “And made the Gables laugh -”
  
  Here, the raindrops are depicted as tenderly “kissing” the eaves, and the gables of the house are given the human capacity to “laugh,” suggesting a joyful response to the rain.
- “The Sunshine threw his Hat away -”
  
  The sun, personified as a male figure, playfully discards his hat, implying a moment of carefree abandon and perhaps the lifting of heavy clouds.
- “The Breezes brought dejected Lutes -”
  
  Breezes are given the ability to “bring” musical instruments, and these lutes are described as “dejected,” suggesting a melancholic mood that the rain then transforms.
Metaphor: A direct comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as,” enriching the poem’s imaginative scope.
- “Myself Conjectured were they Pearls – What Necklaces could be -”
  
  The raindrops are directly compared to “Pearls,” transforming their perceived value from simple water to precious jewels. This metaphor highlights the speaker’s imaginative perspective and the inherent beauty discovered in nature.
Imagery: The use of descriptive language that appeals to the five senses, creating vivid mental pictures for the reader.
- “A Drop fell on the Apple Tree -” and “Another – on the Roof -”
  
  These lines create a clear visual and auditory image of the rain beginning, allowing the reader to almost hear the gentle patter.
- “The Dust replaced, in Hoisted Roads -”
  
  This line evokes a tactile and visual image of the rain settling the dust on roads, suggesting cleanliness and renewal after a dry spell.
- “The Bushes – spangles flung -”
  
  This creates a sparkling visual image, as if the raindrops clinging to the bushes are like glittering “spangles” or sequins.
Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds in words close together, adding a musical quality and emphasis.
- “A Drop fell on the Apple Tree -”
  
  The repetition of the ‘D’ sound in “Drop” and the ‘A’ sound in “Apple” (though a vowel, it creates a similar effect of initial sound repetition) draws attention to the beginning of the rain.
- “The Sunshine threw his Hat away -”
  
  The ‘h’ sound in “his Hat” creates a soft, breathy rhythm that complements the image of lightness and freedom.
Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words that are close to each other, contributing to the poem’s internal music.
- “A Drop fell on the Apple Tree -”
  
  The short ‘a’ sound in “Apple” and “fell” creates a subtle resonance.
- “The Breezes brought dejected Lutes – And bathed them in the Glee -”
  
  The long ‘e’ sound in “Breezes,” “dejected,” and “Glee” links these lines musically, emphasizing the transformation from sadness to joy.
Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words in close proximity, creating subtle echoes.
- “The Bushes – spangles flung -”
  
  The repeated ‘s’ sound in “Bushes” and “spangles” mimics the soft, shimmering sound of raindrops on foliage.
Symbolism: The use of objects or ideas to represent something else, adding layers of meaning.
- Raindrops as Pearls: As discussed under metaphor, the “Pearls” symbolize not just monetary value but also preciousness, beauty, and the hidden treasures found in nature.
- Apple Tree: Often a symbol of life, growth, and fertility, its presence at the beginning grounds the poem in natural vitality.
- Brook and Sea: These represent the journey of life, interconnectedness, and the vastness of existence, showing how small actions contribute to larger systems.

Poetic Devices and Structure in “A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree”

Beyond figurative language, the poem’s structure, rhythm, and word choice contribute significantly to its unique charm and impact.

Stanza and Quatrain Structure: The poem is composed of four quatrains, or four-line stanzas. This consistent structure provides a sense of order and allows the poet to develop distinct moments or ideas within each stanza.
- The first stanza introduces the initial impact of the rain.
- The second stanza shifts to the speaker’s imaginative reflection.
- The third stanza describes the immediate, positive effects on the environment.
- The final stanza focuses on the broader, almost magical transformation of the atmosphere.
Rhythm and Meter: The poem does not adhere to a strict, traditional meter, giving it a conversational and natural flow. However, there is an underlying rhythm created by the length of the lines and the strategic placement of stressed syllables, which mimics the gentle, irregular patter of rain.
Rhyme Scheme: There is no consistent end rhyme scheme in “A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree.” The absence of a fixed rhyme scheme allows the poet greater freedom in word choice and emphasizes the natural, unforced quality of the observations. The musicality arises more from internal sound devices like alliteration and assonance.
Diction: The poet’s word choice is precise and evocative, blending simple, accessible language with more imaginative or slightly archaic terms.
- Words like “kissed,” “laughed,” “jocoser,” “spangles,” and “dejected Lutes” elevate the ordinary scene into something whimsical and profound.
- The use of capitalization for certain nouns, such as “Apple Tree,” “Roof,” “Eaves,” “Gables,” “Brook,” “Sea,” “Pearls,” “Necklaces,” “Dust,” “Roads,” “Birds,” “Sunshine,” “Hat,” “Bushes,” “Breezes,” “Lutes,” “Glee,” “Orient,” and “Flag,” is reminiscent of Emily Dickinson’s style. This stylistic choice often draws attention to these words, giving them a heightened significance or personified quality.
Tone: The tone of the poem is one of gentle observation, wonder, and quiet optimism. There is a sense of delight and appreciation for the small miracles of nature, conveyed through the playful personification and the imaginative comparison of raindrops to pearls. The poem leaves the reader with a feeling of renewal and joy.

Conclusion: The Enduring Charm of “A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree”

“A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree” is a testament to the power of keen observation and a vivid imagination. Through its artful use of literary and poetic devices, the poem transforms a common rain shower into an extraordinary event, full of life, sound, and sparkling beauty. It reminds us that even the smallest occurrences in nature hold immense potential for wonder and renewal. This captivating piece encourages readers to pause, look closely, and find the “pearls” in their own everyday experiences, making it a truly shareable and enduring work.