We Grow Accustomed to the Dark
By Emily Dickenson
We grow accustomed to the Dark –
When Light is put away –
As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp
To witness her Good bye –A Moment – We uncertain step
For newness of the night –
Then fit our Vision to the Dark –
And meet the Road – erect –And so of larger – Darknesses –
Those Evenings of the Brain –
When not a Moon disclose a sign –
Or Star – come out – within –The Bravest – grope a little –
And sometimes hit a Tree
Directly in the Forehead –
But as they learn to see –Either the Darkness alters –
Or something in the sight
Adjusts itself to Midnight –
And Life steps almost straight.
Summary of We Grow Accustomed to the Dark
- Popularity of “We Grow Accustomed to the Dark”: The poem ‘We Grow Accustomed to the Dark’ was written by Emily Dickinson, a distinguished American poet. This thought-provoking poetic piece was first published in 1935. Through the power of poetry, the author delves into the profound struggles and adversities that shape our existence. It explains how these sufferings adjust our vision and sensitivity to darkness naturally. Although many poems discuss the same subject, it was the poet’s perspective and exploration that made this piece internationally renowned.
- “We Grow Accustomed to the Dark” As a Representative of Life: This poem presents human capacity for resilience and survival in the face of uncertainty and hardships. It begins as the speaker refers to how oblivious people seem at the beginning of life when they have some light to direct them to a safe path. However, once we grow up, the light vanishes and lets us press onward. First, this significant approach makes people doubtful about the world; they stumble around the dark until their vision adjusts to the lack of light. She further argues that there are people who are ready to face the uncertainty that lies ahead. No matter the circumstances, they continue to motivate themselves until they develop self-awareness. This sheer understanding of the hidden mysteries makes them strong, courageous, and bold.
- Major Themes in “We Grow Accustomed to the Dark”: Human courage in the face of severity and unpredictable life situations are the major themes of the poem. The poem discusses both positive and negative qualities of mankind. Giving various real-life examples, the poet comments on how life tests us, throwing challenges and obstacles in our way. Initially, we are the recipients of love, care, and protection from our elders. However, once their supportive hand disappears, we get to know the bitter realities of life. Although we try to tackle these odds, yet sometimes we find ourselves locked up in complete darkness. However, the seemingly troubled situation makes us self-conscious and motivates us to find a right direction for ourselves.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in We Grow Accustomed to the Dark
literary devices are specific techniques that allow the writers to add deeper meanings that go beyond what is on the page. The analysis of various literary devices used in this poem is as follows.
- Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /i/ “Then fit our Vision to the Dark” and the sound of /a/ in “Either the Darkness alters”.
- Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /s/ in “steps almost straight”.
- Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /r/ in “Either the Darkness alters” and the sound of /t/ and the sound of /s/ in “Adjusts itself to Midnight”.
- Epigraph: It is a device used in a form of a poem, quote or a sentence, usually placed in the beginning of the poem to suggest the overall theme of the poem. The poet used this device in the opening line, “We grow accustomed to the Dark”.
- Enjambment: It is defined as a thought in verse that does not come to an end at a line break; rather, it rolls over to the next line. For example,
“As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp
To witness her Good bye”
- Irony: Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. The speaker used situational irony in the poem to show the miserable condition of mankind, such as,
“When not a Moon disclose a sign –
Or Star – come out – within.”
- Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. Emily Dickenson used imagery in the poem such as “As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp,” “When not a Moon disclose a sign” and “When Light is put away”.
- Juxtaposition: The poem shows the juxtaposition of ideas such as given in this stanza;
We grow accustomed to the Dark –
When Light is put away –
As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp
To witness her Good bye –
- Metaphor: The poem shows the use of the metaphor as the abstract ideas of hope, faith and despair that are presented as metaphorical expressions “Neighbor holds the Lamp” and “When not a Moon disclose a sign”.
- Symbolism: Symbolism is using symbols to signify ideas and qualities, giving them symbolic meanings that are different from the literal meanings. The expressions like “accustomed to the Dark” and “our Vision to the Dark” symbolize the suffering we endure in life.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in We Grow Accustomed to the Dark
Poetic and literary devices are the same, but a few are used only in poetry. Here is the analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem.
- End Rhyme: End rhyme is used to make the stanza melodious. Emily Dickenson has used end rhyme in this poem such as; “sight/midnight” and “tree/see”
- Quatrain: A quatrain is a four-lined stanza borrowed from Persian poetry. Here each stanza is quatrain.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows ABAB, and this pattern continues till the end.
- Stanza: A stanza is a poetic form of some lines. There are five stanzas in this poem with each comprising four lines.
Quotes to be Used
These lines from “We Grow Accustomed to the Dark” are useful to use while talking about the uncertainty of life.
“A Moment – We uncertain step
For newness of the night –
Then fit our Vision to the Dark –
And meet the Road – erect.”
