'When One has given up One's life' by Emily Dickinson
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When One has given up One's life
The parting with the rest
Feels easy, as when Day lets go
Entirely the West
The Peaks, that lingered last
Remain in Her regret
As scarcely as the Iodine
Upon the Cataract.
Editor 1 Interpretation
When One Has Given Up One's Life by Emily Dickinson: An In-Depth Analysis
Have you ever read a poem that leaves you with more questions than answers? Emily Dickinson's "When One Has Given Up One's Life" is one such poem. At first glance, the poem seems to be about death and the afterlife, but a closer look reveals a deeper meaning. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used in the poem to uncover its hidden message.
Overview of the Poem
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the poem, let's take a moment to understand its structure and form. "When One Has Given Up One's Life" is an eight-line poem composed in iambic tetrameter. It is divided into two quatrains, and each line has an alternating stress pattern. The poem does not have a specific rhyme scheme, but there is a slant rhyme between the second and fourth lines of each quatrain.
Now, let's dive deeper into the poem's meaning and symbolism.
Theme of Death and the Afterlife
The most obvious theme of the poem is death and the afterlife. The first two lines of the poem, "When one has given up one's life, / The parting with the rest" suggest that the speaker is referring to the moment of death when one leaves behind their physical body and parts with the rest of the world. The use of the word "rest" in this context is interesting. Is the speaker referring to the deceased person's loved ones and the world they left behind? Or are they referring to the peace that death brings to the person who has passed away? Perhaps it's a combination of both.
The second quatrain of the poem suggests that the speaker is looking beyond death and into the afterlife. "The privilege - survivor hath, / To harry gently and then / And bury it in sod, / And equally, partake" suggests that the survivor has the privilege of burying the deceased person's body and partaking in their mourning. But why use the word "privilege" in this context? Is it a privilege to bury a loved one, or is it a burden? The use of the word "harry" is also interesting. It means to plunder, but in this context, it could mean to handle with care or to gently prepare the body for burial.
The final line of the poem, "Affordeth him but once the pang" suggests that the survivor will only experience the pain of loss once. But does this mean that the deceased person is free from pain in the afterlife, or is the pain transferred to the survivor? The ambiguity of the poem's ending leaves the reader with more questions than answers, and this is what makes "When One Has Given Up One's Life" such a fascinating poem to analyze.
Symbolism and Imagery
Emily Dickinson is known for her use of symbolism and imagery in her poetry, and "When One Has Given Up One's Life" is no exception. The use of the word "rest" in the first line of the poem is symbolic of both the deceased person's final resting place and the peace that death brings. The word "privilege" in the second quatrain is also symbolic of the responsibility that comes with burying a loved one.
The imagery in the poem is also vivid and thought-provoking. The line "And bury it in sod" conjures up an image of a grave being dug, and the use of the word "sod" in this context suggests a natural burial rather than a burial in a coffin. The line "To harry gently and then" suggests a gentle handling of the body, perhaps even a washing or cleansing ritual before burial.
Literary Devices
In addition to the use of symbolism and imagery, Emily Dickinson employs various literary devices in "When One Has Given Up One's Life." The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a musical quality and a sense of rhythm. The slant rhyme between the second and fourth lines of each quatrain is also interesting. The use of a slant rhyme instead of a perfect rhyme suggests the imperfection and incompleteness of death and the afterlife.
The poem also uses enjambment, where a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next without a pause. For example, the phrase "To harry gently and then" runs over from the third line to the fourth line. This creates a sense of flow and continuity, which is appropriate for a poem about death and the afterlife.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "When One Has Given Up One's Life" is a short but powerful poem that explores the themes of death and the afterlife. Emily Dickinson's use of symbolism, imagery, and literary devices adds layers of meaning to the poem and leaves the reader with more questions than answers. What does it mean to part with the rest? Is burying a loved one a privilege or a burden? What is the pang that the survivor feels but once? These questions are left unanswered, but they invite the reader to reflect on the meaning of life and death.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When One has given up One's life: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style of poetry that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most famous poems, "When One has given up One's life," is a powerful meditation on the nature of death and the afterlife. In this essay, we will explore the meaning of this classic poem and its relevance to our lives today.
The poem begins with the line, "When One has given up One's life," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "given up" suggests a sense of surrender or resignation, as if the speaker has accepted their fate and is ready to move on. This is reinforced by the next line, which reads, "The parting with the rest." Here, the speaker acknowledges that death is a separation from the living world, a final goodbye to all that they have known and loved.
The next stanza continues this theme of separation, with the speaker describing the moment of death as a "suddenness of Bows." The use of the word "suddenness" suggests that death comes unexpectedly, without warning or preparation. The image of a bow being tied or untied also implies a sense of finality, as if the speaker is cutting the ties that bind them to the world of the living.
The third stanza introduces the idea of the afterlife, with the speaker asking, "Is Heaven a Bow?" Here, the word "Heaven" is capitalized, suggesting that it is a place of great importance and significance. The use of the word "Bow" again reinforces the idea of separation, as if the speaker is wondering if Heaven is a place where they will be permanently cut off from the world they have known.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker declares, "That Noon -- in which we knew -- will recollect the tune." Here, the speaker suggests that even in death, they will remember the world they have left behind. The use of the word "Noon" suggests a moment of clarity or enlightenment, as if the speaker has come to a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it. The phrase "we knew" implies a sense of shared experience, as if the speaker is speaking for all of humanity.
Overall, "When One has given up One's life" is a powerful meditation on the nature of death and the afterlife. The poem explores themes of separation, surrender, and memory, and suggests that even in death, we are still connected to the world we have left behind. The use of imagery and metaphor is particularly effective, as it helps to convey the complex emotions and ideas that the speaker is grappling with.
So, what is the relevance of this poem to our lives today? In many ways, it speaks to our fear of death and the unknown. We all know that we will one day die, but we often struggle to come to terms with what that means. Dickinson's poem suggests that death is not an end, but a new beginning, and that even in death, we are still connected to the world we have left behind. This can be a comforting thought, especially for those who have lost loved ones or are facing their own mortality.
In conclusion, "When One has given up One's life" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of separation, surrender, and memory are universal, and its use of imagery and metaphor is both powerful and effective. Whether we are facing our own mortality or simply contemplating the nature of life and death, Dickinson's poem offers a profound and thought-provoking perspective that is sure to inspire and comfort us all.
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