'For The Dead' by Adrienne Rich

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I dreamed I called you on the telephone
to say: Be kinder to yourself
but you were sick and would not answer

The waste of my love goes on this way
trying to save you from yourself

I have always wondered about the left-over
energy, the way water goes rushing down a hill
long after the rains have stopped

or the fire you want to go to bed from
but cannot leave, burning-down but not burnt-down
the red coals more extreme, more curious
in their flashing and dying
than you wish they were
sitting long after midnight

Editor 1 Interpretation

For The Dead by Adrienne Rich: A Masterpiece of Elegiac Poetry

If there is one thing that can be said about Adrienne Rich, it is that she has a way with words. Her poetry is always deeply moving, thought-provoking, and at times, even revolutionary. And nowhere is this more evident than in her masterpiece of elegiac poetry, For The Dead.

At its core, For The Dead is a poem that explores the nature of grief and loss, and what it means to remember those we have lost. But it is also a deeply political poem, one that examines the way in which the dead are often co-opted by those in power, and how we can resist this co-optation through the act of remembering.

The poem begins with the lines:

"I dreamed of an eagle oa high mountain A lone figure circling in bright air Keen-eyed, aloof, the hold of his wings Master of all he surveyed."

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world. The eagle is a symbol of power and freedom, and its solitary flight suggests a sense of independence and self-reliance that will be echoed throughout the poem.

As the poem continues, we are introduced to the dead themselves, who are described as "restless ghosts" and "vanished presences." These lines are particularly haunting, as they suggest that the dead are not really gone, but are instead lingering around us, waiting to be remembered.

But it is not just the dead themselves that are haunting us, it is also the way in which they are remembered. Rich writes:

"Those they left Have aged beyond recognition Or died themselves Unable to imagine The freedoms they wished for."

Here we see the way in which the dead are co-opted by those in power, turned into symbols of a past that is no longer relevant or meaningful to those who come after them. We are reminded that the dead are often used as a way of legitimizing the present, of justifying the way things are, rather than challenging or changing them.

But Rich refuses to let the dead be co-opted in this way. Instead, she insists that we remember them in a way that is both honest and empowering. She writes:

"We will say These are not the dead But only the dying We will say These are not the lost But only the leaving They are in us As we live on And become ourselves Ourselves."

Here we see the transformative power of memory, and the way in which the dead can continue to live on in us, shaping who we are and who we will become. By refusing to allow the dead to be co-opted by those in power, Rich is able to reclaim them as a source of strength and inspiration, rather than as a way of legitimizing the present.

For The Dead is a deeply moving poem, one that explores the nature of grief and loss in a way that is both honest and empowering. It is a testament to the transformative power of memory, and the way in which the dead can continue to live on in us, shaping who we are and who we will become. And it is a powerful reminder that, in a world that often seeks to silence and forget the dead, we have the power to remember them, and to use their memory as a source of strength and inspiration.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

For The Dead: An Analysis of Adrienne Rich's Classic Poem

Adrienne Rich's poem "For The Dead" is a powerful and moving tribute to those who have passed away. Written in 1972, the poem reflects on the loss of loved ones and the impact that their absence has on those left behind. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

Themes

The central theme of "For The Dead" is the idea of loss and grief. Rich explores the different ways in which people cope with the death of a loved one, from denial and anger to acceptance and healing. The poem also touches on the theme of memory, as the speaker reflects on the memories of the deceased and how they continue to live on in the minds of those who knew them.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of connection. Rich emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things, and how the loss of one person can have a ripple effect on those around them. The poem suggests that even in death, we are all connected in some way, and that our lives are intertwined with the lives of others.

Imagery

Rich uses vivid and evocative imagery throughout the poem to convey the emotions and experiences of the speaker. For example, in the opening lines, she describes the dead as "those who loved you and were helped by you" and "those whom you loved and who loved you." This imagery emphasizes the importance of relationships and the impact that we can have on others during our lives.

Later in the poem, Rich uses the image of a river to represent the passage of time and the continuity of life. She writes, "The river is moving. The blackbird must be flying." This imagery suggests that even as we mourn the loss of loved ones, life goes on and we must continue to move forward.

Language

Rich's use of language in "For The Dead" is both simple and powerful. She uses short, declarative sentences to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. For example, she writes, "I know you are reading this poem / late, before leaving your office / of the one intense yellow lamp-spot and the darkening window." This language creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as if the speaker is speaking directly to the reader.

Rich also uses repetition throughout the poem to emphasize certain ideas and themes. For example, she repeats the phrase "I know" several times, suggesting that the speaker is certain of her feelings and experiences. She also repeats the phrase "the dead" throughout the poem, emphasizing the central theme of loss and grief.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Adrienne Rich's poem "For The Dead" is a powerful and moving tribute to those who have passed away. Through its themes, imagery, and language, the poem explores the complex emotions and experiences of grief and loss. It reminds us of the importance of relationships and the interconnectedness of all living things. Ultimately, the poem suggests that even in death, our lives continue to have meaning and impact on those around us.

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