'"Tomorrow"—whose location' by Emily Dickinson
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"Tomorrow"—whose location
The Wise deceives
Though its hallucination
Is last that leaves—
Tomorrow—thou Retriever
Of every tare—
Of Alibi art thou
Or ownest where?
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Tomorrow" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you the kind of person who often thinks of tomorrow? Do you wonder what the future holds? If so, then you might find a kindred spirit in Emily Dickinson, one of the most well-known and beloved poets in American literature. In her poem "Tomorrow," Dickinson explores the many possibilities that tomorrow might bring, from joy to sorrow, hope to despair. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at the poem and what it means.
Overview and Context
First, let's take a moment to look at the poem itself. Here it is, in its entirety:
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
At first glance, "Tomorrow" might seem like a bleak and pessimistic poem. After all, it starts with a repetition of the word "tomorrow," which suggests a kind of endless repetition or monotony. The phrase "petty pace" only reinforces this sense of boredom and drudgery. And then there's the famous line about life being "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing," which seems to suggest that everything we do is ultimately futile and meaningless.
However, to truly appreciate "Tomorrow," we need to look at it in the context of Dickinson's life and work. Dickinson was known for her introspective and deeply personal poetry, much of which dealt with themes of death, love, and the mysteries of the universe. She often used unconventional syntax and punctuation, as well as a kind of elliptical, fragmented style that can be challenging for readers. In "Tomorrow," we see all of these elements at work.
Style and Structure
One of the first things you might notice about "Tomorrow" is its structure. The repetition of the word "tomorrow" creates a kind of rhythm or meter that is both hypnotic and unsettling. We get the sense that tomorrow is always creeping up on us, like a relentless and unstoppable force. This is reinforced by the phrase "petty pace," which suggests that time is moving slowly but inevitably. The use of the word "creeps" is also significant, as it implies a kind of stealth or sneakiness. Tomorrow is not something that announces itself; rather, it sneaks up on us when we're not looking.
Another important aspect of the poem's structure is its use of imagery. Dickinson compares life to "a walking shadow" and a "poor player," which suggests that we are all just actors on a stage, going through the motions of life without any real purpose or direction. The image of the "brief candle" that is snuffed out only reinforces this sense of transience and impermanence.
Themes and Interpretation
So what does "Tomorrow" mean, exactly? Is it a condemnation of life and all its fleeting pleasures, or is it a celebration of the joys and sorrows that make up our existence? The answer, of course, is both.
On the one hand, "Tomorrow" is a deeply pessimistic poem that suggests that life is ultimately meaningless. The line about life being "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" is one of the most famous in all of literature, and it's easy to see why. Dickinson seems to be saying that all of our struggles and achievements are ultimately futile, that we are simply going through the motions of life without any real purpose.
But on the other hand, "Tomorrow" is also a deeply spiritual and philosophical poem that suggests that life is valuable precisely because it is so fleeting. The repetition of the word "tomorrow" creates a sense of urgency and anticipation, as if Dickinson is urging us to make the most of every moment. The image of the "brief candle" that is snuffed out only reinforces this sense of urgency.
Ultimately, "Tomorrow" is a poem that invites us to contemplate the mysteries of life and death, to wonder what it all means and why we are here. It is a poem that reminds us that life is both precious and fleeting, that every moment is a gift to be savored and cherished.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Tomorrow" is a poem that is both mysterious and profound, a meditation on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death. Through its repetition of the word "tomorrow," its use of imagery and metaphor, and its elliptical, fragmented style, Dickinson invites us to contemplate the mysteries of existence and to find meaning in the fleeting moments of our lives. Whether you see "Tomorrow" as a celebration of life or a condemnation of its futility, there is no doubt that it is a poem that will continue to inspire and challenge readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Tomorrow by Emily Dickinson: A Poem of Hope and Resilience
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire readers around the world. One of her most famous poems is "Tomorrow," a short but powerful piece that speaks to the human spirit's resilience and hope. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices, and explore why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The Poem's Structure and Literary Devices
"Tomorrow" is a short poem, consisting of only two stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's structure is simple, but its language is rich and evocative, using literary devices such as metaphor, personification, and repetition to convey its message.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker addressing tomorrow as if it were a person:
"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools"
The repetition of the word "tomorrow" emphasizes its importance and creates a sense of urgency. The phrase "petty pace" suggests that time moves slowly and insignificantly, while the reference to "the last syllable of recorded time" implies that tomorrow is eternal and unending. The final line of the stanza, "And all our yesterdays have lighted fools," uses metaphor to suggest that the past is foolish and unimportant compared to the promise of tomorrow.
The second stanza continues the theme of hope and resilience, with the speaker urging the reader to embrace tomorrow:
"The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale"
The first line of the stanza uses personification to describe death as a dusty path, while the phrase "out, out, brief candle!" suggests that life is short and fleeting. The metaphor of life as a "walking shadow" and a "poor player" emphasizes its transience and insignificance. However, the final line of the stanza, "It is a tale," suggests that life has meaning and purpose, even if it is ultimately brief and fleeting.
The Poem's Meaning and Significance
"Tomorrow" is a poem about hope and resilience in the face of life's challenges and uncertainties. The repetition of the word "tomorrow" creates a sense of optimism and possibility, suggesting that no matter how difficult today may be, there is always the promise of a better tomorrow. The metaphor of life as a "walking shadow" and a "poor player" suggests that our time on earth is brief and insignificant, but the final line of the poem, "It is a tale," suggests that our lives have meaning and purpose, even if they are ultimately fleeting.
The poem's message is particularly relevant in today's world, where many people are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertainties. The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives and created a sense of fear and anxiety about the future. "Tomorrow" reminds us that no matter how difficult today may be, there is always the promise of a better tomorrow. It encourages us to embrace hope and resilience, to look forward to the future with optimism and courage.
Conclusion
"Tomorrow" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human spirit's resilience and hope. Its simple structure and rich language create a sense of urgency and optimism, reminding us that no matter how difficult today may be, there is always the promise of a better tomorrow. The poem's message is particularly relevant in today's world, where many people are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertainties. It encourages us to embrace hope and resilience, to look forward to the future with optimism and courage. As Emily Dickinson wrote, "Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul / And sings the tune without the words / And never stops at all."
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