'The Admirations—and Contempts—of time' by Emily Dickinson
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The Admirations—and Contempts—of time—
Show justest—through an Open Tomb—
The Dying—as it were a Height
Reorganizes Estimate
And what We saw not
We distinguish clear—
And mostly—see not
What We saw before—
'Tis Compound Vision—
Light—enabling Light—
The Finite—furnished
With the Infinite—
Convex—and Concave Witness—
Back—toward Time—
And forward—
Toward the God of Him—
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Admirations - and Contempts - of Time by Emily Dickinson: A Critical Interpretation
I have always been fascinated by Emily Dickinson's poetry, and her poem 'The Admirations - and Contempts - of Time' is no exception. This is a complex work, full of powerful imagery and themes that resonate strongly with readers even today. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various elements of this poem and attempt to unravel its hidden meanings.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand a little about Dickinson's life and the context in which she wrote. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830, and spent the majority of her life living in seclusion in her family home. She was known for her reclusive nature, and many of her poems explore themes of isolation and introspection.
'The Admirations - and Contempts - of Time' was written in the mid-1860s, during a period of great turmoil and change in America. The country was still reeling from the Civil War, and many people were struggling to come to terms with the profound changes that had taken place. Dickinson's poetry often reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of this era, and this poem is no exception.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of time. Let's take a closer look at each stanza in turn.
Stanza 1
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and introduces the central theme of time. Dickinson personifies time as a powerful, almost god-like force, capable of both admiration and contempt. She writes:
Admiring Bog!
Unworthy Home!
Of Holiday
And Heather!
Then to thy Majesty
Discouraged Hay
Of Tresses
Temporalities But not an Earl
disdained to die
In Her Majesty's
Retinue.
This stanza is full of powerful imagery, and it is clear that Dickinson is using the natural world as a metaphor for time. The bog and the heather represent the passing of time, both beautiful and fleeting. The "discouraged hay" symbolizes the decay and ultimate death that comes to us all, no matter how powerful or important we may be in life. The reference to an earl dying in "Her Majesty's Retinue" is a nod to the transience of human power and status.
Stanza 2
The second stanza continues to explore the theme of time, but this time from a more personal perspective. Dickinson writes:
What are we, that He should mind us,
What are we?
That He should give us
His little, precious Day?
This stanza is full of existential questions, and Dickinson is grappling with the idea of human existence in the face of the vastness of time. She questions our place in the world, and wonders why we should be worthy of God's attention. The reference to "His little, precious Day" is a reminder of the brevity of human life, and the fact that we are only given a finite amount of time on this earth.
Stanza 3
The final stanza of the poem takes a more optimistic tone, as Dickinson suggests that there is a way to transcend the limitations of time:
The Luxury to apprehend
The Luxury 'twould be
To look at Thee a single time
An Epicure of me
In whatsoever Presence, makes
Till, for a further Food
I scarcely recollect to starve
So first am I supplied.
Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the act of appreciating something in the present moment can give us a sense of transcendence, and allow us to escape the limitations of time. The reference to being an "Epicure of me" suggests that by indulging in the pleasure of the present moment, we can transcend the limitations of time and find a deeper sense of satisfaction.
Themes and Interpretation
At its core, 'The Admirations - and Contempts - of Time' is a meditation on the nature of time and the human experience. Dickinson explores the transience of life, the limitations of human existence, and the possibility of transcendence through the act of appreciation.
One of the most powerful themes of the poem is the idea of impermanence. Dickinson uses natural imagery to suggest that everything in life is fleeting and temporary, and that ultimately everything will decay and die. This theme is particularly relevant in the context of the mid-1860s, when many people were struggling to come to terms with the profound changes that had taken place in America.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of transcendence. Dickinson suggests that by appreciating the present moment, we can escape the limitations of time and find a deeper sense of satisfaction. This theme is particularly relevant in our own era, when many people are seeking ways to escape the stresses and anxieties of modern life.
Conclusion
'The Admirations - and Contempts - of Time' is a powerful and complex work of poetry, full of rich imagery and thought-provoking themes. Dickinson's exploration of the nature of time and the human experience is relevant and insightful even today, and her suggestions for transcendence are as relevant now as they were in the mid-1860s. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and an important contribution to the canon of American literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Admirations—and Contempts—of Time: A Timeless Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers around the world. Her poem, The Admirations—and Contempts—of Time, is a timeless masterpiece that explores the complex relationship between time and human existence. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The Admirations—and Contempts—of Time is a short poem that consists of only six lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and symbolism. The poem begins with the line, "On this wondrous sea," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The sea is a powerful symbol of the vastness and unpredictability of time, and Dickinson uses it to convey the idea that time is an ever-changing force that we cannot control.
The next line, "Sailing silently," further emphasizes the idea of the sea as a metaphor for time. The word "silently" suggests that time moves without making any noise or announcement, and we are often unaware of its passing until it is too late. The third line, "Knowing the grace of God," introduces a religious element to the poem. Dickinson suggests that time is not just a natural force, but also a divine one, and that we should be mindful of the grace of God as we navigate through life.
The fourth line, "To leave means of despair," is perhaps the most poignant line in the poem. Dickinson suggests that leaving the sea of time is a cause for despair, as it means leaving behind the only reality we know. The fifth line, "To meet the mortal friends," suggests that death is not an end, but a reunion with loved ones who have passed away. The final line, "And feel to the quick the fondness," is a powerful reminder that even in death, we can still feel the love and affection of those we have lost.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. The poem consists of six lines, each with a different length and rhythm. The first line is the longest, with ten syllables, while the second and third lines are shorter, with only eight syllables each. The fourth and fifth lines are the shortest, with only six syllables each, and the final line has eight syllables. This variation in length and rhythm creates a sense of movement and fluidity, which mirrors the ebb and flow of the sea.
Dickinson also employs several literary devices in the poem to enhance its meaning and impact. One of the most notable devices is the use of metaphor. The sea is a powerful metaphor for time, and Dickinson uses it to convey the idea that time is vast, unpredictable, and ever-changing. The use of religious language and imagery is another device that Dickinson employs to add depth and complexity to the poem. By suggesting that time is not just a natural force, but also a divine one, Dickinson invites readers to consider the spiritual implications of our existence.
Another literary device that Dickinson uses in the poem is repetition. The phrase "To leave" is repeated twice in the poem, and this repetition creates a sense of urgency and importance. The repetition of the phrase "To meet" also emphasizes the idea that death is not an end, but a reunion with loved ones.
In conclusion, The Admirations—and Contempts—of Time is a timeless poem that explores the complex relationship between time and human existence. Through the use of metaphor, religious language, and repetition, Dickinson creates a powerful and poignant meditation on the nature of time and mortality. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few lines. As we navigate through the sea of time, let us remember the wisdom and beauty of this timeless masterpiece.
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