'We wear our sober Dresses when we die' by Emily Dickinson
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We wear our sober Dresses when we die,
But Summer, frilled as for a Holiday
Adjourns her sigh—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
We Wear Our Sober Dresses When We Die: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
By Emily Dickinson
We wear our sober dresses when we die, As if, unto a bridal, we were going, Or, haply, we may fancy, Christ's own eyes Upon the cross, seeing our world undone, Do draw us to himself, and hold us there, Thus dressed, with these white robes of righteousness.
In this famous poem by Emily Dickinson, the speaker contemplates the attire that we wear when we depart from this world. She muses on the symbolism of this clothing and the possible reasons behind its choice. The poem is open to interpretation, and its meaning can vary depending on the reader's perspective. In this literary criticism, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used by Dickinson, and offer our own interpretation of this thought-provoking poem.
Background
Before diving into the poem itself, it is important to understand some of the contextual factors that may have influenced Dickinson's writing. Emily Dickinson was a reclusive poet who lived in Amherst, Massachusetts, during the mid-19th century. She was known for her unconventional writing style, which often featured sparse punctuation, unconventional capitalization, and a focus on themes such as death, nature, and spirituality.
It is clear from her poems that Dickinson had a deep fascination with death and the afterlife. Many of her poems explore the idea of what happens to our souls after we depart from this world. Her poetry is also heavily influenced by her Puritan upbringing, which emphasized the importance of living a virtuous life in order to attain salvation.
Analysis
Now, let's dive into the poem itself. The first thing that stands out is the title: "We Wear Our Sober Dresses When We Die." The word "sober" immediately brings to mind images of funerals and mourning. The word "wear" suggests that this clothing is a deliberate choice, rather than something that is forced upon us. By using the word "we," Dickinson is including herself in this universal experience of death and the dress that accompanies it.
The first line of the poem reinforces this somber tone: "We wear our sober dresses when we die." The repetition of the word "we" emphasizes the universality of this experience. The phrase "when we die" is a stark reminder of the finality of death. It is interesting to note that Dickinson chooses the word "die" rather than "pass away" or some other euphemism. This reinforces the idea that death is a natural part of life, and something that we should not shy away from.
The second line of the poem introduces the idea of a bridal gown. Dickinson writes, "As if, unto a bridal, we were going." This is an interesting juxtaposition, as weddings are typically associated with joy and new beginnings, while funerals are associated with sorrow and endings. The use of the word "bridal" suggests that there may be some sort of union or reunion happening in the afterlife. It also hints at the idea of a spiritual marriage between the departed soul and a higher power.
The third line of the poem introduces another religious symbol: "Or, haply, we may fancy, Christ's own eyes." The use of the word "haply" suggests that this is just one possible interpretation of the clothing we wear in death. The mention of Christ's eyes is significant, as it reinforces the idea of a spiritual linking between the soul and a higher power. The mention of the cross suggests that this clothing is associated with salvation and redemption.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Upon the cross, seeing our world undone." This line is open to interpretation, but it could be read as Christ seeing the state of the world and the need for salvation. The use of the word "undone" is interesting, as it suggests that the world is in a state of disrepair or chaos. This reinforces the idea that we need salvation in order to attain peace and fulfillment.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Do draw us to himself, and hold us there." This line is significant, as it suggests that Christ is actively drawing the departed soul towards him. The use of the word "draw" suggests that this is a deliberate and intentional action. The mention of Christ holding us suggests that the afterlife is a place of comfort and security.
The final line of the poem reads, "Thus dressed, with these white robes of righteousness." The use of the word "thus" suggests that the clothing we wear in death is a result of the previous lines of the poem. The use of the word "white" is significant, as it is often associated with purity and innocence. The mention of "robes of righteousness" suggests that this clothing is a symbol of our spiritual purity and our attainment of salvation.
Interpretation
So, what does this poem mean? As with many of Dickinson's poems, there is no one right answer. However, we can offer our own interpretation based on the themes and literary devices used in the poem.
One possible interpretation is that the clothing we wear in death is a symbol of our attainment of salvation. The use of religious symbols such as Christ and the cross reinforces this idea. The mention of a bridal gown suggests that there may be some sort of spiritual union happening in the afterlife. The use of the word "white" suggests that this clothing is a symbol of our spiritual purity.
Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a reminder of the universality of death. The repetition of the word "we" reinforces the idea that death is something that we will all experience. The mention of the bridal gown suggests that death is a natural part of life, and that there may be something joyful and celebratory about it.
Yet another possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the afterlife. The use of the word "draw" suggests that there may be a deliberate and intentional force drawing us towards the afterlife. The mention of Christ holding us suggests that the afterlife is a place of comfort and security. The use of the word "white" suggests that the afterlife is a place of purity and innocence.
Conclusion
"We Wear Our Sober Dresses When We Die" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the symbolism of the clothing we wear in death. Through the use of religious symbols and repetition, Dickinson creates a somber and contemplative tone. The poem is open to interpretation, but it may be read as a reminder of the universality of death, a meditation on the afterlife, or a symbol of our attainment of salvation. Whatever interpretation we choose, Dickinson's poem remains a powerful reflection on the human experience of mortality.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
We Wear Our Sober Dresses When We Die: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson's poem "We Wear Our Sober Dresses When We Die" is a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the theme of death and the rituals that surround it. The poem is a reflection on the way in which we prepare for death and the way in which we are remembered after we are gone. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning behind the poem and the techniques that Dickinson uses to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line "We wear our sober dresses when we die," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "sober" suggests a sense of seriousness and solemnity, which is appropriate for a poem about death. The word "we" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker is not alone in their thoughts about death. This creates a sense of universality, as if the poem is speaking to all of us.
The second line of the poem reads, "And mourners to and fro." This line introduces the idea of mourners, who are the people left behind after someone dies. The use of the phrase "to and fro" suggests a sense of movement and activity, as if the mourners are busy preparing for the funeral. This creates a sense of urgency and importance, as if the funeral is a crucial event that must be done correctly.
The third line of the poem reads, "Keeps treading – treading – till it seems that Sense will shatter." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the act of mourning is so intense that it can cause a person to lose their sense of reality. The repetition of the word "treading" creates a sense of monotony and repetition, which is appropriate for a funeral procession. The use of the word "shatter" suggests a sense of fragility and vulnerability, as if the mourners are on the brink of breaking down.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "And when they all were seated, a service like a drum." This line introduces the idea of a funeral service, which is the main event of the funeral. The use of the phrase "like a drum" suggests a sense of rhythm and repetition, which is appropriate for a funeral service. The use of the word "seated" suggests a sense of formality and order, as if the mourners are expected to behave in a certain way.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Keeps beating – beating – till I thought my mind was numb." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the funeral service is so intense that it can cause a person to lose their sense of self. The repetition of the word "beating" creates a sense of urgency and intensity, which is appropriate for a funeral service. The use of the phrase "my mind was numb" suggests a sense of detachment and disassociation, as if the speaker is no longer fully present.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "And now I'm different from before." This line is significant, as it suggests that the experience of attending a funeral has changed the speaker in some way. The use of the word "different" suggests a sense of transformation and growth, as if the speaker has learned something from the experience. This creates a sense of hopefulness, as if the poem is suggesting that even in the face of death, there is the possibility for growth and change.
The final two lines of the poem read, "As if I breathed another air, / And felt another life." These lines are particularly powerful, as they suggest that the experience of attending a funeral has fundamentally changed the speaker's perspective on life. The use of the phrase "breathed another air" suggests a sense of freshness and renewal, as if the speaker has been given a new lease on life. The use of the phrase "felt another life" suggests a sense of empathy and connection, as if the speaker has gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be alive.
In terms of poetic techniques, Dickinson uses repetition throughout the poem to create a sense of rhythm and intensity. The repetition of the words "treading" and "beating" creates a sense of monotony and urgency, which is appropriate for a funeral procession and service. The use of the phrase "like a drum" also creates a sense of rhythm and repetition, which is appropriate for a funeral service.
Dickinson also uses imagery throughout the poem to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The use of the word "sober" in the first line creates a sense of seriousness and solemnity, which is appropriate for a poem about death. The use of the phrase "to and fro" creates a sense of movement and activity, as if the mourners are busy preparing for the funeral. The use of the phrase "like a drum" creates a sense of rhythm and repetition, which is appropriate for a funeral service.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "We Wear Our Sober Dresses When We Die" is a powerful reflection on the theme of death and the rituals that surround it. The poem explores the way in which we prepare for death and the way in which we are remembered after we are gone. Through the use of repetition and imagery, Dickinson creates a sense of urgency and intensity, which is appropriate for a poem about death. The poem ultimately suggests that even in the face of death, there is the possibility for growth and change.
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