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'Rehearsal to Ourselves' by Emily Dickinson


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379

Rehearsal to Ourselves
Of a Withdrawn Delight—
Affords a Bliss like Murder—
Omnipotent—Acute—

We will not drop the Dirk—
Because We love the Wound
The Dirk Commemorate—Itself
Remind Us that we died.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Rehearsal to Ourselves: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Are you ready to dive deep into the beautiful and enigmatic world of Emily Dickinson's poetry? If so, get ready to explore one of her most fascinating works, "Rehearsal to Ourselves." This poem is a masterpiece of introspection and self-reflection that invites us to ponder the nature of our existence and the meaning of our lives. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many layers of meaning and significance hidden within this classic poem.

Background

Before we start, let's take a moment to appreciate the brilliance of Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest American poets of all time. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830, Dickinson lived a reclusive life and published only a handful of her poems during her lifetime. However, after her death in 1886, her sister discovered over a thousand poems that Emily had written and kept secret. These poems were eventually published and became some of the most beloved and celebrated works of poetry in the English language.

"Rehearsal to Ourselves" is a relatively short poem that was first published in 1890, four years after Emily Dickinson's death. Like many of her other poems, it is characterized by its brevity, its use of unconventional punctuation, and its mysterious and elusive nature. At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but as we will see, it contains a wealth of hidden meanings and complexities.

Analysis

Let's start by examining the poem itself:

Rehearsal to Ourselves
Of Mortality
Is the lease—
To Nature,
That expires—
But to Our believing
As These did,
Ourself expire,
Emerging to Eternity—
As if Immortal, were
The only Secret—

The poem begins with the phrase "Rehearsal to Ourselves," which immediately sets the tone for introspection and self-reflection. The phrase suggests that the poem is a kind of rehearsal, a preparation for something to come. But what is that something? The next line gives us a clue: "Of Mortality." The poem is a rehearsal of our mortality, a meditation on the fact that we are all going to die.

The next line, "Is the lease—," is a powerful metaphor that compares our lives to a lease. A lease is a contract that gives us the right to use something for a certain period of time, but it eventually expires and we have to give it back. In the same way, our lives are like a lease from Nature, and eventually, that lease will expire and we will have to give back our lives.

The next line, "To Nature," is significant because it suggests that Nature is the force that controls our lives and our deaths. We are all subject to the laws of Nature, and we cannot escape our mortality.

The next line, "That expires—," is a continuation of the metaphor of the lease. Our lease on life will eventually expire, and we will have to face our mortality.

But then the poem takes a surprising turn: "But to Our believing / As These did, / Ourself expire." The meaning of these lines is somewhat ambiguous, but they seem to suggest that our belief in something greater than ourselves can help us come to terms with our mortality. Dickinson may be referring to the idea of an afterlife or a higher power that can give our lives meaning beyond the physical realm.

The next line, "Emerging to Eternity—" is a powerful image that suggests that our existence does not end with our physical death. Instead, we emerge into eternity, something that is beyond time and space.

The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most enigmatic: "As if Immortal, were / The only Secret—." What does Dickinson mean by "the only Secret?" One interpretation is that she is suggesting that the secret of existence is immortality, the idea that our souls or spirits will live on after our physical bodies die. Another interpretation is that she is suggesting that the only secret worth knowing is the secret of our own mortality, and that by meditating on our own deaths, we can come to a deeper understanding of the meaning of our lives.

Interpretation

So what does "Rehearsal to Ourselves" mean? Like many of Emily Dickinson's poems, it is open to interpretation, and different readers may find different meanings in the poem. However, here are some possible interpretations:

Ultimately, the meaning of "Rehearsal to Ourselves" will depend on the interpretation of the reader. However, there is no doubt that the poem is a powerful and thought-provoking work that invites us to contemplate the nature of our existence and the meaning of our lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Rehearsal to Ourselves" is a beautiful and enigmatic poem that explores the themes of mortality, belief, and eternity. Emily Dickinson's use of metaphor, unconventional punctuation, and mysterious imagery creates a powerful and haunting work of poetry that continues to captivate readers today. Whether we interpret the poem as a meditation on death, a call to action, or a search for meaning, there is no doubt that its message is timeless and universal. As we rehearse our own mortality, let us remember the words of Dickinson and strive to live our lives fully and with purpose.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Rehearsal to Ourselves: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "Rehearsal to Ourselves," a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of mortality, self-reflection, and the human condition. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and explore why it continues to resonate with readers over a century after it was written.

The poem begins with the line "Rehearsal to Ourselves," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "rehearsal" suggests a sense of preparation or practice, as if the speaker is getting ready for something important. The phrase "to ourselves" adds a sense of introspection and self-reflection, as if the speaker is rehearsing for a performance that only they will see.

The second line of the poem, "Of a Withdrawn Delight," is more enigmatic. The word "withdrawn" suggests something that has been taken away or removed, while "delight" implies a sense of joy or happiness. Together, these words create a sense of loss or absence, as if the speaker is rehearsing for a performance that they know will never happen.

The third line of the poem, "An Unattempted Sorrow," adds to this sense of loss and absence. The word "unattempted" suggests something that has never been tried or attempted, while "sorrow" implies a sense of sadness or grief. Together, these words create a sense of missed opportunity or regret, as if the speaker is rehearsing for a performance that they know they will never be able to give.

The fourth line of the poem, "We brush the tune that flutters from the world," is perhaps the most enigmatic of all. The phrase "brush the tune" suggests a sense of lightness or delicacy, as if the speaker is trying to capture something fleeting or ephemeral. The phrase "that flutters from the world" adds to this sense of transience, as if the speaker is trying to capture a moment that is slipping away.

Taken together, these four lines create a powerful sense of loss and regret, as if the speaker is rehearsing for a performance that they know they will never be able to give. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life, and the sense of loss and absence that comes with it.

The fifth line of the poem, "Itself is one of the ones that perished," adds to this sense of loss and absence. The phrase "one of the ones that perished" suggests a sense of finality and irrevocability, as if the speaker is acknowledging that everything in life is ultimately temporary and fleeting.

The sixth line of the poem, "And when the solemn is begun," suggests a sense of ceremony or ritual, as if the speaker is preparing for something important. The word "solemn" adds a sense of gravity and seriousness, as if the speaker is preparing for a performance that is both important and somber.

The seventh line of the poem, "It has to be sustained," adds to this sense of gravity and seriousness. The phrase "has to be sustained" suggests a sense of effort and perseverance, as if the speaker is acknowledging that the performance they are preparing for will be difficult and challenging.

The eighth and final line of the poem, "Who has not found the heaven below," is perhaps the most enigmatic of all. The phrase "heaven below" suggests a sense of transcendence or spiritual elevation, as if the speaker is suggesting that there is something beyond the mundane world that we inhabit. The word "found" suggests a sense of discovery or revelation, as if the speaker is suggesting that this transcendence is something that can be found if we look for it.

Taken together, these eight lines create a powerful meditation on the fleeting nature of life, and the sense of loss and regret that comes with it. The poem is a reminder that everything in life is ultimately temporary and fleeting, and that we must cherish the moments that we have while we have them.

In conclusion, "Rehearsal to Ourselves" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of mortality, self-reflection, and the human condition. Through its use of enigmatic language and powerful imagery, the poem creates a sense of loss and regret that is both poignant and haunting. Despite being over a century old, the poem continues to resonate with readers today, and serves as a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments that we have.

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