'Praise it—'tis dead—' by Emily Dickinson
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Praise it—'tis dead—
It cannot glow—
Warm this inclement Ear
With the encomium it earned
Since it was gathered here—
Invest this alabaster Zest
In the Delights of Dust—
Remitted—since it flitted it
In recusance august.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Praise it—'tis dead—: A Deeper Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poem
Oh boy, what a poem we have here! Emily Dickinson's "Praise it—'tis dead—" is a short yet powerful piece of literature that demands attention and interpretation. With just 8 lines, Dickinson manages to pack in a lot of meaning and emotion. So, let's dive right in and explore this poem in depth!
The Poem
Praise it—'tis dead—
It cannot glow—
Warm this inclement Ear
With the encomium it earned
Since it was gathered here—
Invest this alabaster Zest
In the Delights of Dust—
Remitted—since it flitted—
It is the Rarest Bliss
Interpretation
At first glance, this poem may seem confusing and cryptic. However, with closer inspection, one can start to unravel the meaning behind the words. The poem centers around the idea of praising something that is already dead. The first line, "Praise it—'tis dead—" sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
But what is it that has died? Is it a person, an idea, an object? Dickinson leaves this open to interpretation, but it's clear that whatever it is, it is no longer capable of "glowing" or being alive. The second line, "It cannot glow—" emphasizes this point further.
The following lines are where the poem really starts to come alive (pun intended). Dickinson calls for the "inclement Ear" to be warmed with praise for whatever has died. This line suggests that the speaker is trying to comfort someone who is grieving over the loss of this thing. They are trying to bring warmth and solace to a cold and bleak situation.
The speaker then refers to the "encomium it earned / Since it was gathered here—" which means the praise and admiration that this thing received while it was alive. This is an important point because it suggests that the thing that has died was once full of life and vitality. It was once celebrated and praised for its accomplishments and merits.
But now that it is dead, the speaker suggests that we should "Invest this alabaster Zest / In the Delights of Dust—" which means that we should take the energy and passion that was once directed towards this thing and redirect it towards something else. This line suggests that while it's okay to mourn the loss of something, we shouldn't let it consume us. We should move on and find something else to focus our attention on.
Finally, the poem ends with the line, "It is the Rarest Bliss." This line is interesting because it suggests that there is something blissful about praising something that is dead. Perhaps it's a way of honoring its memory or finding closure. It's up to the reader to decide what this means for them.
Literary Criticism
Now that we have interpreted the poem, let's take a closer look at some of the literary devices that Dickinson employs to convey her message.
Metaphor
One of the most prominent literary devices in this poem is metaphor. Dickinson uses metaphor to compare the thing that has died to something that was once full of life and vitality. For example, in the line "It cannot glow—" she is comparing the thing to something that is no longer capable of producing light or warmth. This metaphor helps to emphasize the finality of death and the loss that comes with it.
Personification
Dickinson also uses personification to bring the poem to life. In the line "Warm this inclement Ear," she is giving the ear a human quality of being cold and harsh. This personification helps to create an emotional connection between the reader and the poem.
Allusion
Another literary device that Dickinson uses in this poem is allusion. The line "Invest this alabaster Zest / In the Delights of Dust—" is an allusion to the biblical phrase "ashes to ashes, dust to dust." This allusion helps to ground the poem in a larger cultural context and adds a layer of depth to the meaning.
Repetition
Finally, Dickinson employs repetition in this poem to drive home her message. The repetition of the word "praise" throughout the poem emphasizes the importance of honoring the memory of the thing that has died. It also serves to create a rhythm and flow to the poem that makes it more engaging to read.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Praise it—'tis dead—" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the themes of death, loss, and moving on. Through the use of metaphor, personification, allusion, and repetition, Dickinson creates a powerful message that resonates with readers of all ages. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and the enduring legacy of Emily Dickinson.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Praise it—'tis dead—by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its unique style and thought-provoking message. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through simple yet powerful language. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of this poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line "Praise it—'tis dead—". This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "praise" suggests that the subject of the poem was once revered and celebrated. However, the use of the phrase "'tis dead" implies that this subject is no longer alive or relevant. This contrast between praise and death creates a sense of irony and sets the stage for the rest of the poem.
The second line of the poem reads, "It cannot blush—this audience—". This line suggests that the subject of the poem is no longer capable of feeling embarrassment or shame. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the fleeting nature of fame and success. Once a person or idea has passed its prime, it becomes irrelevant and is no longer capable of eliciting the same emotions it once did.
The third line of the poem reads, "This covert celebrating". This line suggests that the praise for the subject of the poem is now hidden or secret. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the fickleness of human nature. People are quick to celebrate and praise something when it is popular or in vogue, but as soon as it loses its relevance, they move on to the next big thing.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Not overt, in the sky". This line suggests that the praise for the subject of the poem is no longer visible or public. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the transience of human memory. Once something has passed its prime, it is quickly forgotten and fades into obscurity.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "By the mute, the gossamer, and the ways". This line suggests that the praise for the subject of the poem is now being carried by subtle and delicate things. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the fragility of human memory. Even the most celebrated and revered things can be forgotten and lost over time.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Ne'er deemed, of constituted face". This line suggests that the subject of the poem was never officially recognized or celebrated. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the arbitrary nature of human praise and recognition. People are quick to celebrate and praise something when it is popular or in vogue, but often fail to recognize the true value and significance of things that are not in the spotlight.
The seventh and final line of the poem reads, "But it is a stealthy praise". This line suggests that the praise for the subject of the poem is now sneaky and underhanded. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the insincerity of human praise. People are quick to praise and celebrate something when it is popular or in vogue, but often fail to truly appreciate and understand its value.
In conclusion, Praise it—'tis dead—by Emily Dickinson is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the fleeting nature of human praise and recognition. Through simple yet powerful language, Dickinson conveys a complex message about the transience of fame and the fickleness of human nature. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's ability to capture the essence of human emotion and experience in a few short lines. It is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.
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