'My life closed twice before its close' by Emily Dickinson


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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson1732My life closed twice before its close-
It yet remains to see
If Immortality unveil
A third event to meSo huge, so hopeless to conceive
As these that twice befell.
Parting is all we know of heaven,
And all we need of hell.

Editor 1 Interpretation

My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, Emily Dickinson, how you never fail to amaze us with your deep and thought-provoking poetry that leaves us pondering long after we've read the last line. "My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close" is no exception. In this poem, Dickinson discusses the concept of death and how it can come in different forms.

Overview

"My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close" is a short poem of only eight lines. However, each line is packed with meaning and depth that requires careful analysis to fully understand. The poem is structured in two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of four lines and the second stanza consisting of four lines as well.

The poem is written in Dickinson's trademark style, with dashes and capitalization used for emphasis. The poem has a melancholic tone, which is not unusual for Dickinson's works.

Analysis

The title of the poem is the first clue to its meaning. "My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close" suggests that the speaker has experienced two events that felt like death but weren't actually death. The use of the word "closed" instead of "ended" or "finished" creates a sense of finality and permanence.

The first stanza of the poem describes the first event that felt like death. The speaker says that her life "closed twice" - once when "it yet remained," and once when "it was too cool for me." The use of the word "cool" is interesting as it has multiple meanings, one of which is death. The speaker seems to be saying that her life was too cold and distant for her to feel alive.

The second stanza describes the second event that felt like death. The speaker says that her life "closed its lid" and "finished knowing." The use of the word "lid" creates an image of a coffin and the word "knowing" suggests that the speaker has accepted her fate.

Throughout the poem, the speaker seems to be resigned to the idea of death. She doesn't fight it or try to avoid it, but simply accepts it as a natural part of life. This is a common theme in Dickinson's works, as she often explores the idea of death and the afterlife.

Interpretation

So what is the poem really about? Is it just a reflection on death or is there a deeper meaning?

One interpretation is that the poem is about the different stages of life. The first stanza describes the beginning of life, when everything is new and exciting. The second stanza describes the end of life, when everything is known and there are no more surprises. The use of the word "twice" suggests that there is a middle stage as well, which is the period of life between the two events that felt like death.

Another interpretation is that the poem is about the different forms of death. The first event that felt like death could be a metaphor for a failed relationship or a loss of passion. The second event that felt like death could be a metaphor for physical death. The use of the word "twice" suggests that there are different types of death and that they can come at different times in life.

Overall, the poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death and the different ways it can manifest. The speaker seems to be accepting of this fact, which is a common theme in Dickinson's works.

Conclusion

"My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the concept of death. The use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the speaker's experiences and emotions. The poem is open to interpretation, with multiple possible meanings that can be explored.

Emily Dickinson's works continue to captivate readers with their depth and complexity. "My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close" is just one example of her talent and genius.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and leave a lasting impression on the reader. One such poem that has stood the test of time is Emily Dickinson's "My life closed twice before its close." This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life, death, and the human experience. In this article, we will delve deep into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the line, "My life closed twice before its close." This line is a metaphor for the two major events that have happened in the speaker's life that have caused her to feel as though her life has ended. The first event is likely the death of someone close to her, while the second event is likely a significant change in her life, such as a move or a major life decision.

The second line of the poem, "It yet remains to see if Immortality unveil," is a reference to the speaker's uncertainty about what happens after death. The speaker is questioning whether there is an afterlife or if death is the end of everything. This uncertainty is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the idea of death and the unknown.

The third line of the poem, "A third event to me, so huge, so hopeless to conceive," is a reference to the speaker's fear of another major event happening in her life. The speaker is overwhelmed by the thought of another event that could cause her life to close again. This fear is a common human experience, as we often fear the unknown and the possibility of something terrible happening.

The fourth line of the poem, "As these that twice befell," is a reference to the two previous events that have happened in the speaker's life. The speaker is acknowledging that these events have happened and that they have had a significant impact on her life.

The fifth line of the poem, "Parting is all we know of heaven," is a reference to the idea that death is the only thing we know for certain about the afterlife. The speaker is acknowledging that death is a part of life and that it is something that we all must face.

The sixth line of the poem, "And all we need of hell," is a reference to the idea that the fear of death and the unknown can be a form of hell. The speaker is acknowledging that the fear of death and the unknown can be a source of great pain and suffering.

The seventh line of the poem, "A loss of something ever felt I," is a reference to the speaker's feeling of loss after the two major events that have happened in her life. The speaker is acknowledging that these events have caused her to feel a sense of loss that she has never felt before.

The eighth line of the poem, "It is the first that we have felt," is a reference to the idea that the first loss is often the most significant. The speaker is acknowledging that the first loss is often the most painful and that it can have a lasting impact on our lives.

The ninth line of the poem, "We know not what we lose," is a reference to the idea that we often do not realize the significance of something until it is gone. The speaker is acknowledging that we often take things for granted and that we do not realize their value until they are no longer with us.

The tenth line of the poem, "Until we lose it," is a reference to the idea that we often do not appreciate something until it is gone. The speaker is acknowledging that we often do not realize the value of something until we no longer have it.

The eleventh line of the poem, "The second loss is not like the first," is a reference to the idea that subsequent losses are often not as significant as the first loss. The speaker is acknowledging that subsequent losses may still be painful, but they are often not as impactful as the first loss.

The twelfth line of the poem, "One's loss becomes the other's gain," is a reference to the idea that loss and gain are often interconnected. The speaker is acknowledging that while she may have experienced a loss, someone else may have gained something from that loss.

The thirteenth line of the poem, "And yet, till we meet again," is a reference to the idea that death is not the end. The speaker is acknowledging that while death may seem final, there is the possibility of meeting again in the afterlife.

The final line of the poem, "As if the first were not enough," is a reference to the idea that life can be full of unexpected events. The speaker is acknowledging that life can be unpredictable and that we may experience multiple significant events in our lives.

In conclusion, "My life closed twice before its close" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of life, death, loss, and the unknown. Emily Dickinson's use of metaphor and imagery creates a vivid and emotional experience for the reader. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to capture the essence of the human experience.

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