'Remorse-is Memory-awake' by Emily Dickinson

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Remorse-is Memory-awake-
Her Parties all astir-
A Presence of Departed Acts-
At window-and at Door-Its Past-set down before the Soul
And lighted with a Match-
Perusal-to facilitate-
And help Belief to stretch-Remorse is cureless-the Disease
Not even God-can heal-
For 'tis His institution-and
The Adequate of Hell-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Remorse-is Memory-awake: A Masterpiece of Literary Craftsmanship by Emily Dickinson

Are you a fan of poetry? Do you enjoy reading the works of Emily Dickinson? If your answer is yes to both questions, then you are in for a treat. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into one of Emily Dickinson's most profound and thought-provoking poems, "Remorse-is Memory-awake."

Introduction

"Remorse-is Memory-awake" is a poem that captures the essence of regret, guilt, and nostalgia. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition and our ability to reflect on our past actions, thoughts and emotions. The poem is comprised of three stanzas, each with four lines, and follows the rhyme scheme of ABCB. It is a testament to Dickinson's literary craftsmanship, as she manages to convey complex emotions and ideas in just twelve lines.

Stanza One

"Remorse-is Memory-awake" Her Parties all astir- A Presence of Departed Acts- At window-and at Door-

In the first stanza, Dickinson sets the tone for the rest of the poem. She introduces the idea that remorse is akin to a memory that is awake, suggesting that it is a persistent feeling that can haunt us for a long time. Dickinson personifies remorse by referring to it as "she," making it more tangible and relatable. The line "Her Parties all astir" suggests that remorse is not a solitary feeling, but rather one that is accompanied by other emotions such as regret, guilt and shame. The following two lines "A Presence of Departed Acts-" and "At window-and at Door-" convey the idea that these feelings are always present, waiting to be acknowledged or dealt with.

Stanza Two

"The Turning-Book's endeavoring To keep the pages curled- The Wind -exhales a message In syllables of Pearl-

The second stanza continues to explore the theme of memory and how it is intertwined with remorse. Dickinson uses the metaphor of a turning book to describe the act of trying to forget past mistakes. The line "To keep the pages curled" suggests that we try to bury our memories, but they always find a way to resurface. The next line "The Wind -exhales a message" takes the metaphor further, suggesting that our memories are like the wind, always present but intangible. The use of the word "Pearl" in the last line of the stanza is interesting. Pearls are precious gems that are formed over time, layer by layer. They are also associated with tears, suggesting that our memories are not just valuable but also emotionally charged.

Stanza Three

"How pompous Summer feels When Butterflies- renounce their 'drams' I'm wondering if She ever laughs In beaded mats of Time-

The final stanza of the poem is the most enigmatic. Dickinson introduces the image of summer and butterflies, which seem to be unrelated to the rest of the poem. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Dickinson is using these images to convey a deeper meaning. The line "How pompous Summer feels" suggests that summer, like our memories, can be both beautiful and oppressive. The use of the word "pompous" implies that there is a sense of arrogance and entitlement associated with summer. The next line "When Butterflies- renounce their 'drams'" is even more intriguing. The word "drams" is an archaic term for a small amount of alcohol. Dickinson is using this image to suggest that butterflies, like humans, have their vices and indulgences. However, they also have the ability to let go of their desires and live in the present moment. The last two lines of the poem "I'm wondering if She ever laughs/ In beaded mats of Time" are perhaps the most puzzling. Who is the "She" referred to in the poem? And what are "beaded mats of Time?" The use of the word "beaded" implies that time is not just a linear progression, but rather something that is made up of small, precious moments. The fact that Dickinson is wondering if "She" ever laughs suggests that even in the midst of our regrets and sorrows, there is still room for joy and laughter.

Conclusion

"Remorse-is Memory-awake" is a poem that captures the complexity of human emotions and the power of memory. Emily Dickinson masterfully weaves together different images and metaphors to create a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. The poem challenges us to think about our past actions and how they shape our present and future. It reminds us that even in the midst of our regrets and sorrows, there is still room for joy and laughter. "Remorse-is Memory-awake" is a true masterpiece of literary craftsmanship and a testament to the genius of Emily Dickinson.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Remorse-is Memory-awake" is a classic example of her unique style and powerful imagery. In this 12-line poem, Dickinson explores the theme of regret and the way it can haunt us long after the event that caused it has passed.

The poem begins with the line "Remorse-is Memory-awake," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "remorse" suggests a deep sense of regret or guilt, while the phrase "memory-awake" implies that this feeling is not something that can be easily forgotten or ignored.

The second line of the poem, "Her Parties all astir," adds to this sense of unease and discomfort. The use of the word "parties" suggests a social gathering or celebration, but the fact that they are "astir" implies that something is not quite right. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's own mind, which is unsettled and restless due to their feelings of remorse.

The third line of the poem, "A Presence of Departed Acts," further emphasizes the idea that the past is not truly gone. The use of the word "presence" suggests that the events in question are still with the speaker, even if they are no longer physically present. The phrase "departed acts" implies that these events are in the past, but the fact that they are still affecting the speaker suggests that they are not truly gone.

The fourth line of the poem, "At window-and at door," adds to the sense of unease and discomfort. The use of the word "window" suggests a sense of vulnerability or exposure, while the phrase "at door" implies that something or someone is trying to enter. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's own mind, which is being invaded by their feelings of remorse.

The fifth line of the poem, "Its Past set down before the Soul," further emphasizes the idea that the past is not truly gone. The use of the word "soul" suggests that these events are deeply ingrained in the speaker's psyche, and that they are not something that can be easily forgotten or ignored.

The sixth line of the poem, "And lighted with a match of Toll," is perhaps the most striking and memorable line in the entire piece. The use of the word "match" suggests a sudden burst of illumination or insight, while the phrase "of Toll" implies that this insight comes at a cost. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's own mind, which is suddenly illuminated by their feelings of remorse, but at the same time, they are forced to confront the pain and discomfort that comes with these feelings.

The seventh line of the poem, "The Past restored to Awe," further emphasizes the idea that the past is not truly gone. The use of the word "awe" suggests a sense of reverence or respect, as if the events in question are something to be revered or respected, even if they are painful or uncomfortable.

The eighth line of the poem, "Till Memory's habits, sodden, die," suggests that the speaker is struggling to move on from their feelings of remorse. The use of the word "sodden" implies that these feelings are heavy and burdensome, and that they are weighing the speaker down. The fact that the line ends with the word "die" suggests that the speaker is hoping to eventually overcome these feelings, but that it will not be an easy or quick process.

The ninth line of the poem, "And Hope's first finger be," adds a note of optimism to the piece. The use of the word "Hope" suggests that the speaker is looking towards the future with a sense of optimism or positivity, while the phrase "first finger" implies that this hope is just the beginning of a larger process.

The tenth line of the poem, "To resurrected Hope," further emphasizes the idea that the speaker is looking towards the future with a sense of optimism or positivity. The use of the word "resurrected" suggests that this hope is something that has been lost or forgotten, but that it can be brought back to life.

The eleventh line of the poem, "A River at her window," adds a sense of movement and fluidity to the piece. The use of the word "river" suggests a sense of flow or movement, while the phrase "at her window" implies that this movement is happening right outside the speaker's own mind.

The twelfth and final line of the poem, "A Rhapsody of Spring," adds a note of beauty and joy to the piece. The use of the word "rhapsody" suggests a sense of joy or celebration, while the phrase "of Spring" implies that this joy is connected to the natural world and the changing of the seasons.

Overall, "Remorse-is Memory-awake" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the theme of regret and the way it can haunt us long after the event that caused it has passed. Through her use of vivid imagery and striking metaphors, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of unease and discomfort that is both unsettling and deeply moving. At the same time, the poem offers a note of optimism and hope, suggesting that even the most painful and difficult experiences can eventually lead to a sense of joy and celebration.

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