'Not in this World to see his face' by Emily Dickinson
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Not in this World to see his face—
Sounds long—until I read the place
Where this—is said to be
But just the Primer—to a life—
Unopened—rare—Upon the Shelf—
Clasped yet—to Him—and Me—
And yet—My Primer suits me so
I would not choose—a Book to know
Than that—be sweeter wise—
Might some one else—so learned—be—
And leave me—just my A—B—C—
Himself—could have the Skies—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Not in this World to see his face by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Interpretation
Oh, Emily Dickinson! What a marvelous poet she was. Her words are like a treasure trove that we can dive into and immerse ourselves in for hours. And today, we're going to explore one of her poems, "Not in this World to see his face." This poem is a poignant reflection on the human desire to see the divine and the limitations of our mortal existence. Let's take a closer look.
Analysis of "Not in this World to see his face"
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that they cannot see the face of the divine in this world. They describe the world as a "stranger" place that is not capable of revealing the divine to them. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the limitations of human perception and the ultimate mystery of the divine.
The second stanza continues this theme, with the speaker imagining what it would be like to see the divine face to face. They describe it as a "prodigious sight" that would be overwhelming and awe-inspiring. However, they also acknowledge that this is not something that can ever happen in this world. The use of the word "prodigious" is interesting because it implies something that is beyond the ordinary or the expected. It also highlights the idea that the divine is not something that can be easily understood or comprehended.
The third stanza introduces the idea that the divine might be visible in other ways, such as in "the quivering of the sea" or "the tremor of the sky." This implies that the divine is everywhere, and that we can see glimpses of it in the natural world around us. However, the speaker also acknowledges that even these glimpses are fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. The fact that the divine is glimpsed rather than seen directly reinforces the idea that it is beyond our understanding.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker acknowledges that they are not alone in their desire to see the divine. They describe the "swelling of the seas" and the "sighing of the winds" as evidence that all of creation is longing for a glimpse of the divine. This adds a sense of universality to the poem, as it suggests that the desire to see the divine is something that is shared by all living beings.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a sense of resignation. The speaker acknowledges that they will never see the divine face to face in this world, and that they must be content with the glimpses of it that they see in nature. However, they also express a sense of hope that one day they will be able to see the divine in all its glory in the afterlife. This hope provides a sense of closure to the poem, as it suggests that the speaker's desire will eventually be fulfilled, even if not in this lifetime.
Interpretation of "Not in this World to see his face"
At its core, "Not in this World to see his face" is a meditation on the limitations of human perception and the ultimate mystery of the divine. The speaker acknowledges that they will never be able to see the divine face to face in this world, and that even the glimpses of it that they see in nature are ultimately unsatisfying. This highlights the idea that the divine is something that is beyond our understanding, and that even the most devout among us can only see it dimly.
However, the poem is not entirely pessimistic. The final stanza expresses a sense of hope that the speaker will one day be able to see the divine in all its glory in the afterlife. This hope provides a sense of closure to the poem, as it suggests that the speaker's desire will eventually be fulfilled, even if not in this lifetime.
One interesting aspect of the poem is its use of language. Dickinson's poetry is known for its spare, minimalist style, and "Not in this World to see his face" is no exception. The language is simple and direct, yet it conveys a sense of depth and complexity that is characteristic of Dickinson's work. The use of imagery, such as the "quivering of the sea" and the "sighing of the winds," is particularly effective in conveying the sense of mystery and wonder that pervades the poem.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is its religious imagery. The speaker's desire to see the divine face to face is a common theme in religious writing, and it is interesting to see how Dickinson approaches this topic. Rather than framing the poem in explicitly Christian terms, she uses language that is more universal, such as "the quivering of the sea" and "the tremor of the sky." This allows the poem to resonate with readers from different religious backgrounds or no religious background at all.
Conclusion
Overall, "Not in this World to see his face" is a powerful meditation on the limitations of human perception and the ultimate mystery of the divine. The poem is both pessimistic, in acknowledging that we can only see the divine dimly in this world, and hopeful, in expressing the belief that we will one day be able to see the divine in all its glory in the afterlife. The language and imagery are simple yet evocative, and the use of religious imagery is handled in a way that is both universal and deeply meaningful. It is a testament to Dickinson's poetic skill that a poem that is only five stanzas long can evoke such a strong and complex emotional response in its readers.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Not in this World to see his face: A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her poems are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems is "Not in this World to see his face," which explores the theme of death and the afterlife. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line "Not in this world to see his face." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the idea of death and the afterlife. The speaker of the poem is contemplating the idea that she will never see the face of her loved one again in this world. This idea is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the idea of death and the afterlife.
The second line of the poem reads, "Sounds long, until I read the place." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it seems to suggest that the speaker is trying to come to terms with the fact that her loved one is gone. The word "place" could refer to the afterlife or to the grave where her loved one is buried. The line "Sounds long" could mean that the speaker is struggling to accept the reality of her loved one's death, and that the idea of never seeing him again seems like an eternity.
The third line of the poem reads, "Where you shall dwell, beloved." This line suggests that the speaker believes that her loved one is now in a better place, and that he is dwelling in a place of peace and happiness. The use of the word "beloved" emphasizes the speaker's love for her lost one, and suggests that she takes comfort in the idea that he is now in a better place.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "I am not there, I do not sleep." This line is a reference to the famous poem "Do not stand at my grave and weep" by Mary Elizabeth Frye. In that poem, the speaker tells her loved ones not to grieve for her, because she is not really gone. She is still alive in the memories of those who loved her. Dickinson seems to be echoing this sentiment in this line, suggesting that even though her loved one is gone, she is still alive in the memories of those who loved him.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "I am a thousand winds that blow." This line is a beautiful metaphor for the idea that the speaker's loved one is still with her, even though he is gone. The wind is often used as a symbol of freedom and movement, and the idea that the speaker's loved one is a thousand winds that blow suggests that he is still present in the world, even though he is no longer physically here.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "I am the diamond glints on snow." This line is another beautiful metaphor, suggesting that the speaker's loved one is still present in the world in the form of beauty and light. The diamond glints on snow is a beautiful image, and the idea that the speaker's loved one is present in this way suggests that he is still a part of the world, even though he is no longer physically here.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "I am the sunlight on ripened grain." This line is yet another beautiful metaphor, suggesting that the speaker's loved one is still present in the world in the form of warmth and nourishment. The sunlight on ripened grain is a powerful image, and the idea that the speaker's loved one is present in this way suggests that he is still a part of the world, even though he is no longer physically here.
The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "I am the gentle autumn rain." This line is a beautiful metaphor for the idea that the speaker's loved one is still present in the world in the form of comfort and healing. The gentle autumn rain is a soothing image, and the idea that the speaker's loved one is present in this way suggests that he is still a part of the world, even though he is no longer physically here.
In conclusion, "Not in this World to see his face" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. Dickinson's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and the poem is a testament to her skill as a poet. The poem suggests that even though our loved ones may be gone, they are still present in the world in the form of memories, beauty, and comfort. This is a comforting thought, and one that can bring solace to those who have lost someone they love.
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