'Tried always and Condemned by thee' by Emily Dickinson

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Tried always and Condemned by thee
Permit me this reprieve
That dying I may earn the look
For which I cease to live—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

Tried always and Condemned by thee: A literary analysis

Oh, Emily Dickinson! How you never cease to amaze us with your poetic prowess. Your poems are like a deep well of emotions, and the more we read, the more we find ourselves drawn to their complexities. Today, we delve into 'Tried always and Condemned by thee', a poem that captures the bittersweet pain of love that is not reciprocated.

The Poem

Tried always and Condemned by thee –
None sweeter –
Pauseless except for Death –
Nor Life surer –

The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is addressing their beloved, who has tried them and condemned them. However, the speaker still finds their beloved to be the sweetest of all. This paradoxical situation can be seen as an example of the complexities of love, where even pain can be sweetened by the presence of the beloved.

The third line, 'Pauseless except for Death', implies that the love between the speaker and the beloved is unending, without any breaks or pauses, except for the finality of death. The line also conveys a sense of inevitability, that the love between the two is so strong that nothing could ever break it, except for the one thing that is inevitable in life - death.

The fourth line, 'Nor Life surer', further reinforces this idea of inevitability. The speaker is saying that there is nothing surer than their love, that it will endure beyond life itself.

None can teach it –
Any –
'Tis the seal Despair –
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air –

The first line of this stanza, 'None can teach it', indicates that the love between the speaker and the beloved is unique, almost unexplainable. It cannot be taught, learned or imitated. It is something that is purely between the two of them.

The second line, 'Any', suggests that the love between the speaker and the beloved is not limited to any specific group or type of people. It is something that anyone can experience, regardless of their gender, race or social status.

The third line, 'Tis the seal Despair', introduces a new element to the poem - despair. The love between the speaker and the beloved is not just sweet, but it is also marked by despair. This line can be interpreted in two ways - either the despair is caused by the love that is not reciprocated, or that the despair is the seal that marks the love between the two.

The fourth line, 'An imperial affliction/Sent us of the Air', adds to the mystery of the poem. The use of the words 'imperial' and 'affliction' suggests that the love between the two is something that is beyond their control, almost like a divine decree. The phrase 'Sent us of the Air' adds to the ethereal quality of the poem, as if the love between the two is not of this world, but something that was sent from a higher power.

When it comes, the Landscape listens –
Shadows – hold their breath –
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance
On the look of Death –

The first line of this stanza, 'When it comes, the Landscape listens', is a beautiful metaphor. It suggests that when the love between the speaker and the beloved is present, everything around them listens, as if the love is so powerful that it commands attention.

The second line, 'Shadows – hold their breath', continues this metaphor, adding a sense of suspense to the poem. The shadows represent the unknown and the mysterious, and the fact that they are holding their breath suggests that even they are captivated by the power of the love.

The third line, 'When it goes, 'tis like the Distance/On the look of Death', brings the poem to a close, with a sense of finality. The love between the speaker and the beloved is like death, something that is inevitable and unchangeable. The phrase 'On the look of Death' is particularly poignant, suggesting that even the look on the face of death is something that is marked by the pain of unrequited love.

Interpretation

'Tried always and Condemned by thee' is a poem that captures the essence of unrequited love. The speaker is in love with someone who has tried them and condemned them, yet they still find their beloved to be the sweetest of all. The poem is marked by paradoxes and complexities, where even pain can be sweetened by the presence of the beloved.

The poem also explores the idea of inevitability. The love between the speaker and the beloved is so strong that it will endure beyond life itself. It cannot be taught or learned, but is something that is purely between the two of them.

The use of metaphors adds to the ethereal quality of the poem. The love between the speaker and the beloved is like something that was sent from a higher power, something that is beyond their control. When the love is present, everything around them listens, as if the love is so powerful that it commands attention.

Overall, 'Tried always and Condemned by thee' is a beautiful poem that captures the pain and beauty of unrequited love. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul, and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Emily Dickinson truly was a master of the poetic form, and this poem is a testament to her skill and talent.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Tried always and Condemned by thee: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound themes. One of her most famous poems is "Tried always and Condemned by thee," which is a masterpiece in its own right. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem "Tried always and Condemned by thee" is a short but powerful piece of poetry. It consists of only four lines, but each line is packed with meaning and emotion. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, with irregular punctuation and capitalization. Here is the poem in its entirety:

Tried always and Condemned by thee To thyself, a Judge, and Jury be And so, farewell, because I fail For thee, the only sail.

At first glance, the poem may seem cryptic and difficult to understand. However, upon closer examination, the meaning becomes clear. The poem is about a person who has been tried and condemned by someone they love. The speaker is addressing this person directly, telling them that they have always been judged and sentenced by them. The speaker then bids farewell, acknowledging that they have failed to meet the expectations of the person they love.

The poem is a powerful commentary on the nature of love and relationships. It speaks to the idea that we often judge and condemn those we love the most. We hold them to high standards and expect them to meet our expectations, and when they fail, we are quick to judge and condemn them. The poem also speaks to the idea that love can be a double-edged sword. It can be the source of our greatest joy and our greatest pain.

The first line of the poem, "Tried always and Condemned by thee," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "always" suggests that the speaker has been judged and condemned by this person on multiple occasions. The word "condemned" is particularly powerful, as it implies a harsh and final judgment. The use of the word "thee" instead of a more generic pronoun like "you" adds a personal touch to the poem, emphasizing the close relationship between the speaker and the person they are addressing.

The second line of the poem, "To thyself, a Judge, and Jury be," further emphasizes the idea of judgment and condemnation. The speaker is suggesting that the person they love has taken on the role of judge and jury, passing harsh judgments on them. The use of the word "thyself" suggests that this person is judging themselves as well, perhaps holding themselves to the same high standards that they hold the speaker to.

The third line of the poem, "And so, farewell, because I fail," is a powerful admission of defeat. The speaker is acknowledging that they have failed to meet the expectations of the person they love. The use of the word "fail" is particularly poignant, as it suggests a sense of finality and hopelessness. The word "farewell" is also significant, as it suggests a final goodbye. The speaker is acknowledging that they can no longer meet the expectations of the person they love and must say goodbye.

The final line of the poem, "For thee, the only sail," is a beautiful metaphor. The speaker is comparing the person they love to a sail, suggesting that they are the only thing that can guide them through the stormy waters of life. The use of the word "thee" instead of a more generic pronoun like "you" emphasizes the importance of this person in the speaker's life. The metaphor of the sail also suggests that the speaker is lost without this person, and that they need them to navigate the difficult waters of life.

In conclusion, "Tried always and Condemned by thee" is a masterpiece of poetry. It is a powerful commentary on the nature of love and relationships, and it speaks to the idea that we often judge and condemn those we love the most. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, with irregular punctuation and capitalization, which adds to its power and emotion. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture complex emotions in just a few short lines. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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