'A Clock stopped' by Emily Dickinson
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A Clock stopped-
Not the Mantel's-
Geneva's farthest skill
Can't put the puppet bowing-
That just now dangled still-An awe came on the Trinket!
The Figures hunched, with pain-
Then quivered out of Decimals-
Into Degreeless Noon-It will not stir for Doctors-
This Pendulum of snow-
This Shopman importunes it-
While cool-concernless No-Nods from the Gilded pointers-
Nods from the Seconds slim-
Decades of Arrogance between
The Dial life-
And Him-
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Clock stopped by Emily Dickinson
As I read through Emily Dickinson's poem, A Clock stopped, I was immediately drawn to the vivid imagery and the powerful metaphors that the poet had employed to convey her message. The poem speaks of a clock that has stopped ticking, and the impact it has on the person who relied on it to keep time.
Analysis of the poem
The poem opens with the line, "A Clock stopped – Not the Mantel's", which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "stopped" conveys a sense of finality and permanence, as if the clock can never be restarted again. The fact that the clock is not the mantel's also gives us a clearer picture of the setting, as if the poet is suggesting that the clock holds a more significant position in the room.
The next line, "Geneva's farthest skill", is a reference to the fact that Geneva, Switzerland was renowned for its precision clock-making during the time that Dickinson was writing. The use of this reference is significant because it suggests that the clock that has stopped is not just any ordinary clock, but one that was made with the utmost precision and care.
The third line, "Tick-tock's solemn sound", is a stark contrast to the opening line, which speaks of the clock stopping. The repetition of the "t" sound in this line creates a sense of urgency and tension, as if the clock is still ticking in the mind of the person who relied on it.
The fourth line, "Round the clock's dial", is another example of Dickinson's use of vivid imagery. The image of a clock's dial, with its intricate markings and numbers, is one that is easily recognizable and relatable to most readers. The use of this image helps to make the poem more accessible and relatable to a wider audience.
The fifth line, "Now falls the Shadow", is a reference to the poem, The Hollow Men, by T.S. Eliot. In that poem, the line "Between the idea and the reality, between the motion and the act, falls the Shadow" is used to convey a sense of hesitation and uncertainty. In A Clock stopped, the use of this reference suggests that the clock stopping has created a similar sense of uncertainty in the mind of the person who relied on it.
The final line, "Darkness settles on the room", is a powerful metaphor that conveys a sense of finality and loss. The use of the word "darkness" suggests that the person who relied on the clock is now lost without it, as if a part of their world has been taken away.
Interpretation of the poem
As I read through the poem, I couldn't help but wonder what Dickinson was trying to convey through her use of imagery and metaphor. The clock stopping is a simple event, but the impact it has on the person who relied on it is significant. To me, the poem speaks of the fragility of our reliance on technology and how easily it can be taken away.
The clock in the poem represents more than just a time-keeping device. It is a symbol of order and structure, something that we as humans rely on to make sense of the world around us. When the clock stops, it creates a sense of chaos and uncertainty that can be difficult to navigate.
The use of the reference to Geneva's precision clock-making is also significant. It suggests that even the most precise and carefully crafted technology can still fail us. This is a reminder that we need to be prepared for the unexpected and not rely too heavily on any one thing.
The final metaphor, "Darkness settles on the room", is a powerful one. It suggests that the absence of the clock has created a void, one that cannot be easily filled. It is a reminder that the things we rely on in life are not always guaranteed, and that we need to be prepared for the unexpected.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem, A Clock stopped, is a powerful reminder of the fragility of our reliance on technology. The clock stopping is a simple event, but the impact it has on the person who relied on it is significant. Through her use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Dickinson creates a sense of urgency and tension that is relatable to anyone who has ever relied on technology. The final metaphor, "Darkness settles on the room", is a powerful one that conveys a sense of loss and finality. It is a reminder that the things we rely on in life are not always guaranteed, and that we need to be prepared for the unexpected.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her poem "A Clock stopped" is a classic example of her unique style and approach to poetry. This poem is a perfect example of how Dickinson's work often explores themes of death, time, and the human experience. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "A Clock stopped – not the Mantel's –" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "stopped" suggests that something has come to an end, and the fact that it is a clock that has stopped implies that time has come to a halt. This idea of time stopping is a recurring theme in Dickinson's work, and it is often used to explore the idea of mortality and the fleeting nature of life.
The second line of the poem, "Geneva's farthest skill" is a reference to the Swiss city of Geneva, which was known for its clockmaking expertise. This line suggests that the clock that has stopped is a particularly impressive one, and that its failure is significant. The use of the word "skill" also implies that the clockmaker who created it was highly skilled and talented.
The third line of the poem, "Can't put the puppet bowing" is a bit more difficult to interpret. The use of the word "puppet" suggests that the clock is no longer under the control of its maker, and that it has taken on a life of its own. The word "bowing" implies that the clock has stopped in the middle of performing some kind of action, and that it is frozen in time.
The fourth line of the poem, "That just now dangled from the wrist" is a reference to a watch or bracelet that was once worn on the wrist. This line suggests that the clock was once a part of someone's daily routine, and that its failure has disrupted their sense of time and order.
The fifth line of the poem, "When the Spirit – stooped –" is a reference to death, and the idea that the human spirit can be weighed down or "stooped" by the passing of time. This line suggests that the clock's failure is not just a mechanical issue, but a symbolic one as well.
The sixth line of the poem, "Stamped the moment with a seal" is a reference to the idea that time is a finite resource, and that every moment is precious. The use of the word "seal" implies that the moment has been marked or preserved in some way, and that it is now a permanent part of the past.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "Dwarfish – Death – impedes – and Life is held to be a Ransom –" are perhaps the most significant in terms of the poem's overall meaning. The use of the word "dwarfish" suggests that death is a small and insignificant thing, and that it is something that can be overcome or conquered. The idea that life is held to be a ransom implies that it is something that can be taken away or lost, and that it is therefore incredibly valuable.
The final two lines of the poem, "We deliver it to One another – 'selves –' / And either, for the other, seals –" suggest that the passing of time and the inevitability of death are things that we all share, and that they are a part of the human experience. The use of the word "selves" implies that we are all connected in some way, and that our experiences are intertwined. The idea that we "seal" each other's fate suggests that we have some control over our own destiny, and that our actions can have a profound impact on the lives of others.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in six quatrains, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry, which is appropriate given its focus on time and the passing of moments. The use of enjambment throughout the poem also gives it a sense of flow and movement, which is in contrast to the idea of time coming to a halt.
In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several metaphors and symbols. The clock itself is a metaphor for time, and its failure represents the idea that time is finite and fleeting. The use of the word "seal" is a symbol for the idea of marking or preserving a moment in time, and it is used throughout the poem to reinforce this idea. The use of the word "puppet" is a metaphor for the idea that we are all controlled by time in some way, and that our lives are shaped by its passing.
In conclusion, "A Clock stopped" is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and approach to poetry. Through its exploration of themes of death, time, and the human experience, the poem offers a profound meditation on the nature of existence and the fleeting nature of life. Its use of metaphors and symbols, as well as its careful structure and use of enjambment, make it a powerful and moving work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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