'After great pain, a formal feeling comes' by Emily Dickinson

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After great pain, a formal feeling comes—
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs—
The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?

The Feet, mechanical, go round—
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought—
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone—

This is the Hour of Lead—
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow—
First—Chill—then Stupor—then the letting go—

Editor 1 Interpretation

After Great Pain, a Formal Feeling Comes: A Critical Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's poem "After Great Pain, a Formal Feeling Comes" is a classic poem that explores the aftermath of great suffering. The poem is a meditation on the nature of grief and the way it can transform an individual's emotional landscape. This literary criticism and interpretation will analyze the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbolism, and literary techniques.

Overview of the Poem

The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. It has a formal structure and a regular rhyme scheme (ABCB). The title of the poem is significant because it suggests that the poem is about the aftermath of great pain. The use of the word "formal" in the title is also significant because it suggests that the poem is concerned with the way that grief can take on a formal or ritualistic quality.

Themes

One of the key themes of the poem is the nature of grief. The poem suggests that grief is a transformative experience that can change a person's emotional landscape. The speaker describes the aftermath of great pain as a "formal feeling" that "comes" after the pain has ended. This "formal feeling" is characterized by a sense of detachment and numbness.

Another theme of the poem is the idea of acceptance. The speaker suggests that after great pain, there is a need for acceptance, even if that acceptance is difficult or painful. The final stanza of the poem suggests that the speaker has come to accept the pain and has found some comfort in this acceptance.

Symbolism

The poem makes use of a number of symbols to convey its meaning. One of the key symbols is the "ceremony of agony" mentioned in the third stanza. This phrase suggests that the experience of pain is like a ritual that one must go through in order to achieve some kind of catharsis or resolution.

Another symbol in the poem is the "hour of lead" mentioned in the fifth stanza. This phrase suggests that the speaker feels weighed down by the experience of pain and that time seems to move slowly.

The final stanza of the poem makes use of the symbol of the "quartz contentment" to suggest that the speaker has found some kind of peaceful acceptance of the pain. The use of the word "quartz" suggests that this acceptance is hard-won and that it has a kind of inner clarity or purity.

Literary Techniques

The poem makes use of a number of literary techniques to convey its meaning. One of the key techniques is the use of repetition. The phrase "after great pain" is repeated twice in the first stanza to emphasize the central theme of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "formal feeling" in stanzas two and four also emphasizes the detached and ritualistic quality of grief.

Another literary technique used in the poem is the use of paradox. The phrase "ceremony of agony" is an example of paradox because it juxtaposes the idea of a joyous ceremony with the experience of agony. This paradoxical phrase suggests that the experience of grief is complex and difficult to describe.

The poem also makes use of imagery to convey its meaning. The image of the "hour of lead" in the fifth stanza suggests a heaviness and slowness that is associated with grief. The image of the "quartz contentment" in the final stanza suggests a sense of peace and clarity that is hard-won.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "After Great Pain, a Formal Feeling Comes" is a powerful meditation on the nature of grief and the way it can transform an individual's emotional landscape. The poem makes use of a number of literary techniques, including repetition, paradox, and imagery, to convey its meaning. The poem's themes of grief and acceptance are as relevant today as they were when the poem was first published. Overall, "After Great Pain, a Formal Feeling Comes" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

After great pain, a formal feeling comes is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson. This poem is a perfect example of how Dickinson was able to capture the essence of human emotions and express them in a unique and powerful way. In this poem, Dickinson explores the aftermath of great pain and how it affects the human psyche. The poem is written in a formal style, which adds to its impact and makes it a timeless piece of literature.

The poem begins with the line, "After great pain, a formal feeling comes." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "formal" in this line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is experiencing a sense of detachment or numbness. This feeling is common after experiencing great pain, and Dickinson captures it perfectly in this line.

The second stanza of the poem continues to explore this sense of detachment. Dickinson writes, "The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs." This line is a powerful metaphor that compares the speaker's nerves to tombs. This metaphor suggests that the speaker's nerves are dead or lifeless, which is a common feeling after experiencing great pain. The use of the word "ceremonious" in this line adds to the sense of detachment and formality that the speaker is experiencing.

The third stanza of the poem explores the physical effects of great pain. Dickinson writes, "The stiff Heart questions--was it He, that bore, And Yesterday--or Centuries before?" This line suggests that the speaker's heart is no longer beating normally and is instead stiff or rigid. The use of the word "He" in this line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is questioning the existence of a higher power or God. This questioning is common after experiencing great pain and is a theme that Dickinson explores in many of her poems.

The fourth stanza of the poem explores the sense of isolation that the speaker is experiencing. Dickinson writes, "The Feet, mechanical, go round--A Wooden way." This line suggests that the speaker's feet are moving mechanically or automatically, without any real purpose or direction. This sense of isolation is common after experiencing great pain, and Dickinson captures it perfectly in this line.

The fifth stanza of the poem explores the idea of time and how it seems to stand still after experiencing great pain. Dickinson writes, "Like one in a Coffin lies, Thou hast finished Life--" This line suggests that the speaker feels as though their life has ended and that they are trapped in a coffin. The use of the word "Thou" in this line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is addressing someone or something that has caused them great pain.

The final stanza of the poem explores the idea of acceptance and how it can bring relief after experiencing great pain. Dickinson writes, "The Eyes glaze once--and that is Death--" This line suggests that the speaker has reached a point of acceptance and that death is a release from the pain that they have been experiencing. The use of the word "glaze" in this line is significant because it suggests that the speaker's eyes are becoming dull or lifeless, which is a common symptom of acceptance.

In conclusion, After great pain, a formal feeling comes is a powerful poem that explores the aftermath of great pain. Dickinson captures the sense of detachment, numbness, and isolation that often accompanies great pain, as well as the physical and emotional effects that it can have on the human psyche. The poem is written in a formal style, which adds to its impact and makes it a timeless piece of literature. Dickinson's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and express them in a unique and powerful way is what makes her one of the greatest poets of all time.

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