'The Things that never can come back, are several—' by Emily Dickinson
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The Things that never can come back, are several—
Childhood—some forms of Hope—the Dead—
Though Joys—like Men—may sometimes make a Journey—
And still abide—
We do not mourn for Traveler, or Sailor,
Their Routes are fair—
But think enlarged of all that they will tell us
Returning here—
"Here!" There are typic "Heres"—
Foretold Locations—
The Spirit does not stand—
Himself—at whatsoever Fathom
His Native Land—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Things that never can come back, are several: A Critical Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Are you familiar with Emily Dickinson's poem, The Things that never can come back, are several? If you are not, then you are missing out on one of the most profound and thought-provoking poems in American literature. In this literary criticism, I will provide an interpretation of this classic poem that will help you appreciate its depth and beauty.
Overview of the Poem
The Things that never can come back, are several is a short poem consisting of only four lines. Despite its brevity, the poem packs a powerful punch, leaving readers with a sense of melancholy and loss. Here is the poem in its entirety:
The Things that never can come back, are several—
Childhood—some forms of Hope—the Dead—
Though Joys—like Men—may sometimes make a Journey—
And still abide—
At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward. However, a closer reading reveals that it is a complex meditation on the nature of loss and the passage of time. Let us delve deeper into the poem and explore its themes and imagery.
Themes
One of the central themes of the poem is the irrevocability of loss. The speaker of the poem acknowledges that some things that are lost can never be regained. Childhood, for instance, is a state that cannot be recaptured once it is lost. Similarly, some forms of hope and the dead are things that can never come back. The poem suggests that the passage of time is inexorable and that once something is lost, it is lost forever.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea that joy is fleeting. The speaker acknowledges that even though joy can sometimes visit us, it is not something that can be held onto forever. Joy, like men, can make a journey and then depart, leaving us with a sense of emptiness and longing.
Finally, the poem touches on the idea of memory and the power it holds. The speaker suggests that even though the things we have lost can never be regained, they can still abide in our memories. Memories, then, become a way of holding onto the past and the things that have been lost.
Imagery
The imagery in the poem is simple yet evocative. The use of the word "childhood" summons up images of innocence and playfulness. The idea of losing childhood suggests that once we become adults, we lose a certain sense of wonder and magic that we had as children.
The use of the word "hope" is also significant. Hope is a powerful emotion that can sustain us through difficult times. The speaker suggests that even though some forms of hope may be lost, there are still other forms of hope that can sustain us.
The image of the dead is perhaps the most powerful in the poem. The dead are things that can never come back, and the use of this image suggests that death is an irrevocable loss. The dead are forever gone, and no amount of hope or memory can bring them back.
Finally, the image of joy is used to suggest the fleeting nature of happiness. The fact that joy can make a journey and then depart suggests that happiness is not something that can be held onto forever.
Interpretation
What is Emily Dickinson trying to tell us with this poem? The poem is a meditation on the nature of loss and the passage of time. The speaker acknowledges that some things that are lost can never be regained, but suggests that memories can help us hold onto the past. The poem also suggests that joy is fleeting and that even though it can sometimes visit us, it is not something that can be held onto forever.
Ultimately, the poem is a reflection on the human condition. We are all subject to the passage of time and the inevitability of loss. However, the poem suggests that even though we cannot hold onto everything that we have lost, we can still hold onto memories and the things that abide in them.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson's The Things that never can come back, are several is a powerful poem that explores the themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. The imagery in the poem is simple yet evocative, and the poem's brevity only serves to enhance its impact. The poem leaves readers with a sense of melancholy, but also suggests that even though we cannot hold onto everything that we have lost, we can still find solace in memories and the things that abide in them.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Things that never can come back, are several— is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of loss. In this article, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in this poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
The poem begins with the line, "The Things that never can come back, are several." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the idea that there are certain things in life that are irrevocably lost. The word "several" suggests that there are many things that fall into this category, and the rest of the poem goes on to explore some of these things.
The first stanza of the poem focuses on the loss of childhood. Dickinson writes, "Childhood's aspirations, shreds of dreams too sweet to tell." This line captures the idea that the dreams and aspirations of childhood are often too pure and innocent to be put into words. The use of the word "shreds" suggests that these dreams are fragile and easily torn apart, much like the innocence of childhood itself.
The second stanza of the poem focuses on the loss of youth. Dickinson writes, "Youth's ideals, which, wrecked upon the reef of things grown up, are lost forevermore." This line captures the idea that the ideals and dreams of youth are often dashed upon the harsh realities of adulthood. The use of the word "reef" suggests that these ideals are like ships that have been wrecked upon the rocks, never to be salvaged.
The third stanza of the poem focuses on the loss of love. Dickinson writes, "Love's first snow-drop, violet, sentimental rose." This line captures the idea that the first experiences of love are often the most precious and fragile. The use of the word "snow-drop" suggests that these experiences are like delicate flowers that bloom in the winter, only to be quickly snuffed out by the cold.
The fourth stanza of the poem focuses on the loss of life itself. Dickinson writes, "Life's early morning, gone without a trace." This line captures the idea that life is fleeting and that the time we have on this earth is limited. The use of the word "morning" suggests that life is like a new day, full of promise and potential, but that it quickly fades away into the darkness of night.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a number of literary devices to convey her message. One of the most prominent of these devices is imagery. Dickinson uses vivid and evocative images to bring her ideas to life. For example, in the first stanza, she writes about "Childhood's aspirations, shreds of dreams too sweet to tell." This image of shredded dreams is both poignant and powerful, as it captures the fragility of childhood innocence.
Another literary device that Dickinson uses in this poem is repetition. She repeats the phrase "never can come back" throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea that there are certain things in life that are lost forever. This repetition creates a sense of inevitability and finality, underscoring the poem's message about the fleeting nature of life.
Finally, Dickinson uses a number of metaphors and similes to convey her message. For example, in the third stanza, she compares the first experiences of love to "snow-drops" and "violet[s]." These delicate flowers are a powerful metaphor for the fragility of love, as they are easily crushed or destroyed.
In conclusion, The Things that never can come back, are several— is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of loss and the fleeting nature of life. Through her use of vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor, Emily Dickinson creates a poignant and memorable meditation on the things that we can never get back. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few short lines.
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