'We do not play on Graves' by Emily Dickinson
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We do not play on Graves—
Because there isn't Room—
Besides—it isn't even—it slants
And People come—
And put a Flower on it—
And hang their faces so—
We're fearing that their Hearts will drop—
And crush our pretty play—
And so we move as far
As Enemies—away—
Just looking round to see how far
It is—Occasionally—
Editor 1 Interpretation
"We do not play on Graves" by Emily Dickinson
Have you ever read a poem that made you pause and contemplate the meaning behind every word? "We do not play on Graves" by Emily Dickinson is one such poem. It is a short but powerful piece that deals with themes of death, loss, and the futility of earthly pleasures. In this literary criticism, we will delve deeper into the meaning of this classic poem and explore its relevance in today's world.
Historical and biographical context
Before we begin our analysis of the poem, let us first examine the historical and biographical context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830. She lived a reclusive life and wrote over 1,700 poems, most of which were published after her death in 1886.
During Dickinson's time, death was a common occurrence. Disease and illness were rampant, and people often died at a young age. The American Civil War also took place during Dickinson's lifetime, which led to the deaths of millions of people. Dickinson's poetry reflects her fascination with death and the afterlife, and "We do not play on Graves" is no exception.
Poem analysis
Let us now turn our attention to the poem itself. "We do not play on Graves" is a short, four-line poem that consists of two couplets. Here is the poem in its entirety:
We do not play on Graves – Because there isn't Room – Besides – it isn't even – it slants And People come –
At first glance, the poem seems straightforward. It appears to be a statement about the inappropriateness of playing on graves. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we discover that there is much more to it than meets the eye.
The first line, "We do not play on Graves," sets the tone for the entire poem. It is a statement of fact, but it also carries a deeper meaning. The word "play" suggests a sense of frivolity or lack of seriousness, which is at odds with the somber subject matter of death and funerals. By stating that "We do not play on Graves," Dickinson is suggesting that death is not something to be taken lightly.
The second line, "Because there isn't Room," is a bit more puzzling. At first, it seems to be a simple explanation for why people do not play on graves. However, upon closer inspection, we realize that there is a deeper meaning behind this statement. The word "room" can be interpreted in several ways. It could refer to physical space, as in there is not enough room to play on a grave. However, it could also refer to emotional or psychological space. Perhaps there is not enough space in our hearts or minds to fully comprehend the enormity of death and loss.
The third line, "Besides – it isn't even – it slants," is one of the most enigmatic lines in the poem. The word "even" suggests a sense of balance or symmetry, which is absent from graves. The word "slants" suggests that graves are not straight or level, which could symbolize the unevenness and unpredictability of life.
The final line, "And People come," is a reminder that death is an inevitable part of life. No matter how much we may try to avoid it or ignore it, death will come for us all eventually. The word "people" is also significant. It suggests that death is not an isolated event but something that affects us all.
Themes
Now that we have analyzed the poem line by line let us explore some of the themes that emerge from the poem.
Death and Loss
One of the most obvious themes in the poem is death and loss. Dickinson's preoccupation with death is evident in many of her poems, and "We do not play on Graves" is no exception. The poem reminds us that death is a serious matter and not something to be taken lightly. It also suggests that death is a part of life and something that we must all confront eventually.
Futility of Earthly Pleasures
The poem also explores the futility of earthly pleasures. By stating that "We do not play on Graves," Dickinson is suggesting that there are more important things in life than frivolous activities. The word "play" suggests a sense of triviality or lack of seriousness, which is at odds with the seriousness of death and loss. The poem reminds us that there are more important things in life than material possessions or fleeting pleasures.
Unpredictability of Life
The third theme that emerges from the poem is the unpredictability of life. The line "Besides – it isn't even – it slants" suggests that life is not always straightforward or predictable. It reminds us that we cannot control everything in life and that sometimes things happen that are beyond our control.
Conclusion
"We do not play on Graves" is a powerful poem that explores themes of death, loss, and the futility of earthly pleasures. It reminds us that death is a serious matter and not something to be taken lightly. The poem also suggests that there are more important things in life than material possessions or fleeting pleasures. Ultimately, the poem reminds us that life is unpredictable, and we must cherish every moment that we have with our loved ones.
Emily Dickinson's poetry may have been written over a century ago, but its themes and messages are as relevant today as they were then. In a world that often seems focused on material possessions and instant gratification, it is important to remember that there are more important things in life than fleeting pleasures. We must cherish every moment that we have with our loved ones and remember that death is a part of life that we must all confront eventually.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
We Do Not Play on Graves: 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 even today. One of her most famous poems is "We do not play on Graves," a haunting and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of death, grief, and the afterlife. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "We do not play on Graves." At first glance, this line may seem straightforward and self-explanatory. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that there is much more to it than meets the eye. The next line, "Because there isn't room," immediately raises questions. What does the speaker mean by "room"? Is she referring to physical space, or is there a deeper meaning behind this statement?
As we continue reading, we discover that the speaker is not talking about physical space at all. Instead, she is referring to the emotional space that is required to properly mourn and grieve for the dead. The line "And the Dead would occupy that Room" makes it clear that the speaker believes that playing on graves would be disrespectful to the deceased. By doing so, we would be taking up the emotional space that should be reserved for mourning and remembering those who have passed away.
The next few lines of the poem further emphasize this point. The speaker says that "And the Sun -- gone long ago --" and "And the Stars -- withdrawn to shine" are all signs that the dead are no longer with us. These lines create a sense of emptiness and loss, as if the world has become a darker and lonelier place without the presence of those who have died. By playing on graves, we would be ignoring this loss and pretending that everything is still the same as it was before.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says that "It is as if the Heads / Were a sensuous Plain / To which Flowers distend their / And skip like Plush Cavaliers --" This imagery is both beautiful and disturbing. The idea of flowers growing on graves is a common one, but the way that Dickinson describes it here is particularly striking. The flowers are not just growing on the graves; they are "distending" and "skipping" as if they are alive and happy. This creates a sense of unease, as if the dead are being mocked or trivialized by the living.
Overall, "We do not play on Graves" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex emotions surrounding death and grief. The speaker's use of imagery and metaphor creates a vivid and haunting picture of a world without the dead, and her message about the importance of respecting the emotional space required for mourning is both poignant and relevant. As we continue to grapple with the realities of death and loss, Dickinson's words continue to resonate and inspire us to think deeply about the meaning of life and the afterlife.
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