Summary

“A Bird came down the Walk” A Bird, came down the Walk is a short poem by Emily Dickinson that captures a simple yet vivid encounter with a bird. The bird is first seen eating an angleworm, and drinking dew from the grass, and then hopping aside to let a beetle pass.

The bird’s eyes are described as “frightened beads,” and it seems to be constantly on the lookout for danger. The speaker offers the bird a crumb, but the bird is too cautious to accept it. The bird then “unrolled his feathers” and flew away, “softer” than oars dividing the ocean or butterflies leaping off banks of noon.

Analysis

“A Bird came down the Walk –
He did not know I saw –
He bit an Angle Worm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw,”

In the first stanza of the poem, “A Bird came down the Walk,” the speaker describes a bird’s action. The bird descends to the ground, bites a worm in half and consumes it in its raw state.

The speaker silently observes the bird. The line “He did not know I saw,” indicates that the speaker is a witness to the bird’s act, but that the bird is unaware of her presence. This suggests man’s curiosity to know nature.

The speaker’s use of the phrases “bit an Angle Worm in halves” and “ate the fellow, raw,” to describe the worm’s death suggests that the speaker is shocked by the bird’s predatory behavior as she finds the act of eating the worm to be cruel.

The use of the word “Angle” for the worm suggests that the speaker sees the worm as a small and helpless creature that is being exploited by the seemingly powerful bird.

It also implies the speaker feels pity for the creature, as it highlights the speaker recognizes the worm’s vulnerability. The worm is also referred to as “the fellow”, which further emphasizes the speaker’s sense of sympathy for the creature.

However, the bird’s behavior highlights the inherent natural instinct of violence. The speaker’s use of the word “raw” emphasizes the unrefined and primal aspect of nature.

The bird and the worm represent two different aspects of nature. The bird represents the power of nature, while the worm represents the vulnerability of nature.

On one hand, the act of the bird consuming the worm in halves reflects the predator-prey relationship in nature, which we can see as a brutal act.

On the other hand, it illuminates such an action is necessary for the bird’s survival. The bird must eat in order to survive. Its instinctual need to hunt and consume other creatures for survival justifies its action.

Overall, this stanza sets the theme of the duality of nature, where the captivating aspects of the natural world coexist with its inherent cruelty and survival instincts.

 “And then, he drank a Dew

From a convenient Grass –

And then hopped sidewise to the Wall

To let a Beetle pass –“

The second stanza of the poem presents a contrasting image of benevolence and coexistence within nature, in contrast to the act of violence depicted in the first stanza.

After consuming the worm, the bird quenches its thirst by drinking dew from a blade of grass.

The bird’s subsequent action of hopping sidewise to allow a beetle to pass highlights a sense of consideration and respect for other creatures. This gesture reflects a natural order and a willingness to coexist peacefully.

Contrastingly, it demonstrates a notable difference between animals’ actions driven by necessity for survival and humans’ actions driven by power and intimidation.

Animals, including even the most formidable predators, tend to exert their energy and aggression solely when it is needed. Animals abide by a natural order, acting out of necessity rather than a thirst for power.

This contrasts with human behavior, which can often be motivated by dominance, control, or the desire to showcase power.

In short, the stanza juxtaposes the violence of the first stanza with the benevolence of the second.

“He glanced with rapid eyes,

That hurried all abroad –

They looked like frightened Beads, I thought,

He stirred his Velvet Head. –”

The third stanza informs the bird’s rapid and restless gaze. The description of the bird’s “rapid eyes” that “hurried all abroad” suggests that it is constantly scanning its surroundings, likely to avoid potential dangers.

The eyes appear like frightened beads. The phrase “They looked like frightened Beads, I thought” is a simile.

Beads are small, round, and often shiny objects, and the use of “frightened” intensifies the sense of fear or anxiety conveyed by the bird’s gaze. This simile emphasizes the rapid and apprehensive nature of the bird’s eyes, suggesting that they dart around nervously, similar to how beads might appear when shaken or moved abruptly.

The phrase “He stirred his Velvet Head” implies a swift and cautious movement, further reinforcing the bird’s wariness.

The stanza portrays the bird’s careful and anxious behavior, which contrasts sharply with the earlier image of the bird’s violent act in the first stanza when it bits an angle worm in halves and consumes it raw.

The bird transforms from a predator in the first stanza to a creature aware of its own vulnerability in the third stanza. The bird is now alert of possible danger from other larger animals which is powerful than it. The bird’s behavior in the third stanza reflects the power dynamic present in nature.

This power dynamic is an essential element in nature, where different species coexist, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

By juxtaposing these contrasting images of violence and vulnerability, the poet reminds us of the delicate balance and inherent unpredictability of nature.

“Like one in danger, Cautious,

I offered him a Crumb,

And he unrolled his feathers,

And rowed him softer Home –”

In the fourth stanza, the speaker, perceiving the bird’s apprehension, offers it a crumb as a gesture of goodwill.

The speaker continues to observe the bird’s behavior. The simile “Like one in danger” effectively compares the bird’s demeanor to that of a person who is afraid or threatened, further emphasizing the sense of wariness shown by the bird.

The speaker’s gesture of offering the bird a crumb can be seen as an act of kindness and empathy, perhaps an attempt to connect with the creature and ease its fears.

However, the bird “unroll his feathers” and “rowed him softer Home.” This action can be interpreted as the bird retreating or distancing itself from the speaker. It indicates a lack of trust in the offered crumb and an instinctual desire to return to its familiar and safe environment.

The use of “softer” suggests a gentle and cautious retreat, further underscoring the bird’s sensitivity to potential threats.

This stanza presents a subtle but powerful commentary on the relationship between humans and nature. Despite the speaker’s benevolent intentions, the bird’s reaction underscores the fundamental divide between the human world and the natural world.

It highlights that while humans may extend kindness and empathy, nature remains indifferent to such gestures. The bird’s rejection of the crumb serves as a reminder that animals operate on their instincts, prioritizing survival and self-preservation above human notions of generosity.

The fourth stanza highlights nature’s autonomy and the complexities of human-animal interactions. It explores the boundaries between humanity and the natural world, illustrating how empathy and goodwill from the human side may not always be reciprocated by nature.

“Than Oars divide the Ocean,

Too silver for a seam,

Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon,

Leap, plashless as they swim.”

The fifth stanza is a beautiful and evocative description of the bird’s flight. The speaker uses a metaphor to compare the bird’s movement to the division of the ocean by oars. It can move through the air with ease similar to the way oars moves smoothly separate the water.

The word “silver” in the subsequent line “Too silver for a seam” suggests a radiant quality, emphasizing the bird’s elegance. The phrase “for a seam” implies that the bird’s movement is so smooth and seamless that it cannot be distinguished like a seam in fabric. This imagery enhances the ethereal nature of the bird’s flight.

The stanza also compares the bird’s flight to that of butterflies flying in the bright sunlight. This metaphorical description highlights the weightless and effortless flight of butterflies as they navigate the landscape. The phrase “Leap, plashless as they swim” captures the graceful and effortless way that they move through the air. The use of the word “plashless” is particularly effective, as it suggests that the butterflies’ wings do not make a sound as they move through the air.

In short, the last stanza captures an evocative description of the bird’s flight.