'You cannot make Remembrance grow' by Emily Dickinson
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You cannot make Remembrance grow
When it has lost its Root—
The tightening the Soil around
And setting it upright
Deceives perhaps the Universe
But not retrieves the Plant—
Real Memory, like Cedar Feet
Is shod with Adamant—
Nor can you cut Remembrance down
When it shall once have grown—
Its Iron Buds will sprout anew
However overthrown—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
You cannot make Remembrance grow: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's poem "You cannot make Remembrance grow" is a beautiful work of art that captures the essence of human memory and emotions. The poem is a powerful reflection on the nature of remembrance, and how it cannot be forced or manufactured. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes and motifs of the poem, exploring its meaning and significance.
Context and Background
Before we delve into the analysis of the poem, it is important to understand the historical and cultural context within which it was written. Emily Dickinson was a prolific poet, and her works were often characterized by their introspective and unconventional style. She was born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, and lived her entire life in her family home, where she wrote over 1,800 poems.
"You cannot make Remembrance grow" was written in the mid-1800s, a time when the United States was experiencing rapid growth and change. The country was expanding westward, industry was booming, and new technologies were transforming daily life. For Dickinson, this was a time of great transformation, both for the country and for her own personal life. She was struggling with health problems and social isolation, and her poetry often reflected her inner turmoil and longing for connection.
Analysis of the Poem
"You cannot make Remembrance grow" is a short poem, consisting of only four lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is packed with meaning and symbolism, and is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet.
The first line of the poem, "You cannot make Remembrance grow," is a powerful statement that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "Remembrance" is capitalized, giving it a sense of importance and significance. The use of the word "make" implies that the speaker is addressing someone, and that this person is attempting to do something that is impossible.
The second line of the poem, "When it has lost its Root," further emphasizes the idea that remembrance cannot be forced. The metaphor of the "root" suggests that memories are deeply ingrained in our consciousness, and cannot be easily uprooted or manipulated. The use of the past tense also suggests that the memory has already been lost, and that there is no way to bring it back.
The third line of the poem, "The tightening the Soil around," continues the metaphor of the root, and suggests that attempting to force remembrance can actually be damaging. The word "tightening" suggests a sense of constriction or suffocation, and implies that attempting to force remembrance can actually cause it to wither and die.
The final line of the poem, "Make it grow again," is a plea for the impossible. The use of the word "again" implies that the memory has already been lost, and that there is no way to bring it back. The repetition of the word "make" also emphasizes the futility of attempting to force something that is beyond our control.
Themes and Motifs
"You cannot make Remembrance grow" is a meditation on the nature of memory and the human experience. The poem explores themes of loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time, and uses the motif of the root to symbolize the deep connections we have to our past.
One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the idea that memories are not easily manipulated or controlled. The use of the metaphor of the root suggests that memories are deeply ingrained in our consciousness, and cannot be easily uprooted or forced to grow. The poem suggests that attempting to force remembrance can actually be damaging, and that memories are something that we must allow to grow naturally.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of loss and nostalgia. The use of the past tense in the second line suggests that the memory has already been lost, and that there is no way to bring it back. The final line of the poem is a plea for the impossible, emphasizing the sense of loss and longing that permeates the poem.
Finally, the passage of time is an important motif in the poem. The use of the word "again" in the final line suggests that time is cyclical, and that memories cannot be re-created. The metaphor of the root also implies a sense of timelessness, suggesting that memories are rooted in the past but continue to grow and evolve over time.
Conclusion
"You cannot make Remembrance grow" is a powerful poem that explores the nature of memory and the human experience. Through its use of metaphor and symbolism, the poem suggests that memories are not easily manipulated or controlled, and that attempting to force remembrance can actually be damaging. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and is a powerful reflection on the passage of time and the human longing for connection.
In conclusion, "You cannot make Remembrance grow" is a beautiful work of art that captures the essence of human memory and emotions. Its brevity and simplicity belie its depth and complexity, and the poem is a powerful meditation on the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
You Cannot Make Remembrance Grow: 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 to this day. One of her most famous poems is "You Cannot Make Remembrance Grow," a short but powerful piece that explores the nature of memory and the human experience. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, analyzing its themes, structure, and language to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "You cannot make Remembrance grow." At first glance, this may seem like a straightforward observation, but as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that there is much more going on here. The use of the word "Remembrance" is significant, as it suggests a deliberate act of remembering, rather than a passive recollection. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea that memory is not something that can be forced or manufactured, but rather something that arises naturally from our experiences.
The second line of the poem, "When it has lost its Root," reinforces this idea by suggesting that memory is something that is deeply rooted in our consciousness. Just as a plant cannot grow without roots, our memories cannot exist without a foundation in our minds. This line also introduces the idea of loss, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem. The loss of memory, the loss of experience, and the loss of life itself are all explored in this short but powerful piece.
The third line of the poem, "The tightening the Soil around," is a bit more enigmatic, but it can be interpreted as a metaphor for the way in which our memories are shaped and influenced by our surroundings. Just as the soil around a plant can affect its growth, our environment can shape our memories and experiences. This line also suggests a sense of confinement or restriction, which is another theme that runs throughout the poem.
The fourth line, "And setting up the Head," is perhaps the most intriguing and mysterious of all. It can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible reading is that it refers to the way in which our memories are stored in our brains. The "Head" could be seen as a metaphor for our minds, and the act of "setting it up" could be interpreted as the process of encoding and storing memories. This line also introduces the idea of agency, suggesting that we have some control over the way in which our memories are formed and stored.
The fifth and final line of the poem, "And breathing into the Eyes," is a beautiful and evocative image that suggests the way in which our memories come to life in our minds. The act of "breathing" suggests a sense of vitality and energy, while the "Eyes" could be seen as a metaphor for our perception and understanding of the world around us. Taken together, these lines suggest that memory is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is intimately tied to our perception of the world.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of a single stanza of five lines, each of which contains a single clause. This creates a sense of simplicity and clarity that is characteristic of Dickinson's style. The poem also employs a number of literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and imagery, to convey its themes and ideas.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Dickinson's writing is known for its economy and precision, and this poem is no exception. The use of short, simple words and phrases creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy that draws the reader in. The repetition of the word "and" at the beginning of each line also creates a sense of continuity and flow, reinforcing the idea that memory is a continuous and ongoing process.
In terms of theme, the poem explores a number of interconnected ideas, including memory, loss, agency, and perception. At its core, however, the poem is a meditation on the human experience and the way in which we make sense of the world around us. It suggests that memory is not something that can be controlled or manipulated, but rather something that arises naturally from our experiences. It also suggests that our memories are intimately tied to our perception of the world, and that they are shaped and influenced by our environment and our own agency.
In conclusion, "You Cannot Make Remembrance Grow" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of memory, loss, agency, and perception is both profound and deeply moving, and its use of language and structure is masterful. As we reflect on this poem, we are reminded of the power of memory and the importance of cherishing the experiences that shape our lives.
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