'I heard a Fly buzz-when I died' by Emily Dickinson

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I heard a Fly buzz-when I died-
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air-
Between the Heaves of Storm-The Eyes around-had wrung them dry-
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset-when the King
Be witnessed-in the Room-I willed my Keepsakes-Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable-and then it was
There interposed a Fly-With Blue-uncertain stumbling Buzz-
Between the light-and me-
And then the Windows failed-and then
I could not see to see-

Editor 1 Interpretation

I heard a Fly buzz-when I died

Introduction

What an eerie and thought-provoking poem! Emily Dickinson, the famous American poet, wrote "I heard a Fly buzz-when I died" in 1862. The poem is only 16 lines long, but it packs a punch. It's a vivid depiction of a dying person's final moments and the strange intrusion of a fly.

Interpretation

The poem starts with the speaker describing her deathbed scene. She's surrounded by loved ones, but the only sound she hears is the buzzing of a fly. The fly is not just any fly, but a "Blue-uncertain-buzz" that suggests a sense of confusion and uncertainty. The speaker's attention is fixated on the fly, as it becomes the last thing she sees and hears before she dies.

The second stanza is where the poem gets more interesting. The speaker mentions the "windows failed," which could mean that the windows of the room failed to keep out the "King" or "God" that is coming to take her soul. It's interesting to note that the speaker refers to God as a "He," which could indicate her belief in a patriarchal God. The use of the word "King" also suggests a hierarchical and authoritative figure.

The third stanza is the most mysterious and fascinating of them all. The speaker mentions a "Stillness in the Room," which could mean that she has passed away. However, she also describes a "Between the Heaves of Storm" moment. This moment could represent a pause in time, a moment of silence before the inevitable. The speaker then mentions the "Eyes around" that are watching her, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for judgment or scrutiny.

Finally, the poem ends with the line "And then the Windows failed – and then – I could not see to see." This line is ambiguous and could be interpreted in different ways. It could mean that the windows of the room failed to keep out death or that the speaker's eyes failed her in her final moments. The repetition of the word "then" creates a sense of finality and closure.

Analysis

"I heard a Fly buzz-when I died" is a masterful poem that explores themes of death, mortality, and spirituality. The use of language and imagery is powerful and evocative, and it creates a vivid portrait of a dying person's final moments. The poem is also rich in symbolism, which adds depth and complexity to the text.

One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the role of the fly. The fly is a recurring motif that appears throughout the poem. It's unclear what the fly symbolizes, but it could represent the intrusion of the mundane into the spiritual realm. The fly is a reminder that even in death, life goes on. The fly could also be a metaphor for the inevitability of death. Just as the fly buzzes around the dying person, death is always hovering in the background, waiting to claim its victim.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is the use of language. Dickinson's language is simple, yet it's packed with meaning. The repetition of the word "then" creates a sense of rhythm and finality. The use of the word "He" to refer to God is also significant. It suggests a patriarchal view of God and hints at the speaker's beliefs about religion and spirituality.

Finally, the poem's structure is also noteworthy. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct tone and mood. The first stanza is tranquil and peaceful, while the second stanza is more ominous and foreboding. The third stanza is enigmatic and ambiguous, leaving the reader with a sense of uncertainty and mystery.

Conclusion

"I heard a Fly buzz-when I died" is a remarkable poem that explores themes of death, mortality, and spirituality. Through its use of language, imagery, and symbolism, the poem creates a vivid portrait of a dying person's final moments. The fly is a recurring motif that adds depth and complexity to the text, while the use of language and structure creates a sense of rhythm and finality. Ultimately, the poem leaves the reader with a sense of mystery and uncertainty, challenging us to confront our own mortality and the inevitability of death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson's "I heard a Fly buzz-when I died" is a classic poem that has captivated readers for generations. The poem is a haunting meditation on death and the afterlife, and it is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem, and we will examine how Dickinson uses these elements to create a powerful and unforgettable work of art.

The poem begins with the speaker describing her own deathbed scene. She tells us that she is surrounded by her loved ones, and that she is waiting for the moment when she will pass away. But instead of a peaceful and serene passing, the speaker is interrupted by the buzzing of a fly. This small, insignificant creature becomes the focus of the poem, and it takes on a symbolic significance that is both mysterious and profound.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of the afterlife. The speaker is clearly aware that she is about to die, and she is curious about what will happen to her soul after she passes away. She describes the room as being filled with "the stillness in the air" and the "eyes around" her, suggesting that she is surrounded by a sense of anticipation and expectation. But when the fly appears, it disrupts this sense of calm and introduces a sense of uncertainty and unease.

The fly is a powerful symbol in the poem, and it can be interpreted in a number of different ways. Some readers see it as a symbol of death itself, a reminder that even the smallest and most insignificant creatures can bring about the end of life. Others see it as a symbol of the devil or some other malevolent force, a suggestion that the speaker's soul is in danger of being lost or corrupted. Still others see it as a symbol of the natural world, a reminder that even in the face of death, life goes on.

Whatever interpretation we choose, it is clear that the fly is a powerful and unsettling presence in the poem. It disrupts the speaker's sense of peace and introduces a sense of chaos and confusion. The speaker describes the fly as "interposed" between her and the light, suggesting that it is blocking her path to the afterlife. And when the fly buzzes, it is described as a "blue, uncertain, stumbling buzz," a sound that is both ominous and unsettling.

Another key theme of the poem is the idea of the moment of death itself. Dickinson is famous for her exploration of this theme, and "I heard a Fly buzz-when I died" is one of her most powerful and evocative works in this regard. The poem captures the sense of anticipation and uncertainty that surrounds the moment of death, and it suggests that even the most peaceful and serene passing can be disrupted by unexpected events.

The structure of the poem is also worth examining. It is written in four quatrains, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry, but it also creates a sense of tension and unease. The rhyme scheme is not perfect, and there are moments when the lines seem to stumble or falter, as if they are struggling to find their way forward. This sense of uncertainty and instability is mirrored in the content of the poem, and it adds to the overall sense of unease and tension.

Finally, it is worth examining the language of the poem. Dickinson is famous for her use of unconventional syntax and punctuation, and "I heard a Fly buzz-when I died" is no exception. The poem is filled with dashes and unconventional line breaks, and this creates a sense of fragmentation and disorientation. The language is also highly visual, with vivid descriptions of the room and the fly itself. This visual imagery adds to the sense of unease and tension, and it helps to create a powerful and unforgettable work of art.

In conclusion, "I heard a Fly buzz-when I died" is a classic poem that explores some of the most profound and mysterious aspects of human existence. It is a haunting meditation on death and the afterlife, and it is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions. Through its themes, structure, and language, the poem creates a sense of tension and unease that is both unsettling and unforgettable. It is a work of art that continues to captivate readers to this day, and it is a testament to Emily Dickinson's genius as a poet.

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