'It stole along so stealthy' by Emily Dickinson
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It stole along so stealthy
Suspicion it was done
Was dim as to the wealthy
Beginning not to own—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
It Stole Along So Stealthy: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson’s poem, “It Stole Along So Stealthy,” is a haunting and enigmatic work that has captivated readers for generations. Written in Dickinson’s signature style of spare yet evocative language, this poem explores themes of loss, grief, and the impermanence of life. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the various elements of the poem, including its form, imagery, and symbolism, and explore the deeper meanings that lie beneath its surface.
Overview of the Poem
“It Stole Along So Stealthy” is a short poem consisting of just four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with four beats per line, and a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The meter and rhyme scheme give the poem a musical quality, despite its somber subject matter.
The poem begins with the line, “It stole along so stealthy,” immediately setting a tone of quiet and foreboding. The next line, “Suspicion it was done,” adds to the sense of unease, suggesting that something sinister has occurred, but the speaker is not yet sure what. The second stanza repeats the first two lines verbatim, but the third stanza introduces a new image: “The very breath withheld.” This line suggests that the speaker is holding their breath, either out of fear or anticipation, and heightens the tension in the poem. The final stanza returns to the first two lines once more, but with a slight variation: “It stole along so stealthy / A look of joy before.” This final line is unexpected and leaves the reader with a sense of mystery and ambiguity.
Imagery and Symbolism
One of the most striking aspects of “It Stole Along So Stealthy” is the use of imagery and symbolism. Throughout the poem, Dickinson employs vivid and evocative images that hint at deeper meanings.
The first line, “It stole along so stealthy,” is a powerful image that immediately draws the reader into the poem. The word “stole” suggests a thief or a predator, and the use of “stealthy” emphasizes the secretive and furtive nature of the action. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and gives the reader a sense of unease.
The image of “suspicion” in the second line is also significant. The speaker is not sure what has happened, but they feel a sense of unease or distrust. This could suggest that the speaker has been betrayed or that they are aware of some kind of wrongdoing.
The line “The very breath withheld” is a powerful image that reinforces the sense of tension and anticipation in the poem. The idea of holding one’s breath suggests that the speaker is waiting for something to happen, or that they are afraid to breathe for fear of alerting someone or something. This line also symbolizes the fragility of life and the impermanence of existence.
The final line, “A look of joy before,” is the most mysterious and ambiguous image in the poem. It is unclear who or what is experiencing joy, and what that joy signifies. Some readers have interpreted this line as a reference to death, suggesting that the speaker is experiencing a glimpse of happiness before passing away. Others have suggested that the joy could be a metaphor for some other kind of transformation or revelation.
Themes and Interpretations
“It Stole Along So Stealthy” is a complex and multilayered poem that explores a number of different themes and interpretations. Some of the key themes include:
Loss and Grief
The poem is steeped in a sense of loss and grief, as the speaker grapples with the aftermath of some unknown event. The line “Suspicion it was done” suggests that someone or something has been lost, and the speaker is struggling to come to terms with that loss. The final line, “A look of joy before,” could be interpreted as a reference to the fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitability of loss and grief.
Impermanence and Transformation
The image of “The very breath withheld” suggests that life is fragile and impermanent, and that transformation is always possible. The final line, “A look of joy before,” could be interpreted as a reference to some kind of transformation, whether that be death, rebirth, or some other kind of metamorphosis.
Betrayal and Deception
The image of “suspicion” in the second line suggests that the speaker has been betrayed or deceived in some way. The line “It stole along so stealthy” reinforces this idea, suggesting that the betrayal was carried out in secret or underhandedly. This theme of betrayal and deception is a common one in Dickinson’s work, and is often tied to themes of loss and grief.
Conclusion
“It Stole Along So Stealthy” is a haunting and evocative poem that explores themes of loss, grief, and impermanence. Through its spare yet powerful language, the poem draws the reader in and leaves them with a sense of mystery and ambiguity. The use of imagery and symbolism is particularly effective, hinting at deeper meanings that are never fully explained. Ultimately, the poem invites the reader to contemplate the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of transformation and loss.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
It stole along so stealthy: A deep dive into 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 even today. One of her most famous poems, "It stole along so stealthy," is a haunting and evocative piece that explores the themes of death, loss, and the passage of time. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "It stole along so stealthy," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "stole" suggests that something is being taken or lost, while the word "stealthy" implies that this loss is happening quietly and without notice. This sets up the central theme of the poem, which is the slow and inevitable passage of time and the loss that comes with it.
The second line of the poem reads, "Suspicion it was done." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the loss that is happening is not accidental or random, but rather a deliberate act. The use of the word "suspicion" implies that there is a sense of unease or mistrust surrounding this loss, as if something sinister is at work.
The third line of the poem reads, "Was dim as to the eye." Here, Dickinson is describing the loss as something that is not immediately visible or apparent. The use of the word "dim" suggests that the loss is obscured or hidden, and that it may take some time to fully understand or appreciate its impact.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "But still we knew 'twas done." Here, Dickinson is acknowledging that even though the loss may not be immediately apparent, there is still a sense of awareness or understanding that something has been taken away. The use of the word "still" suggests that this awareness is persistent and ongoing, and that it cannot be ignored or denied.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "We waited for the morning." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that there is a sense of anticipation or expectation surrounding the loss. The use of the word "waited" implies that there is a sense of longing or desire for something to be revealed or restored.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "But morning never came." Here, Dickinson is using a powerful metaphor to convey the finality of the loss. The use of the word "never" suggests that there is no hope of the loss being reversed or undone, and that the sense of longing or anticipation will never be fulfilled.
The seventh and final line of the poem reads, "Nor noon nor night." Here, Dickinson is emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of the loss. The use of the words "noon" and "night" suggest that the loss is not limited to a particular time of day, but rather affects every moment of our lives.
Overall, "It stole along so stealthy" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of loss, time, and mortality. Through her use of metaphor, imagery, and language, Dickinson creates a sense of unease and melancholy that lingers long after the poem has been read. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate beautiful writing, this classic poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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