'By a departing light' by Emily Dickinson
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By a departing light
We see acuter, quite,
Than by a wick that stays.
There's something in the flight
That clarifies the sight
And decks the rays.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
By a Departing Light: A Poem of Transience and Hope
Emily Dickinson was known for her enigmatic, often cryptic poetry, and "By a departing light" is no exception. On the surface, the poem seems to describe a sunset, but as with many of Dickinson's works, there is much more going on beneath the surface. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes of transience and hope in the poem, as well as the various literary devices that Dickinson employs to convey her message.
The Poem
Before diving into the analysis, let's first take a look at the poem:
By a departing light
We see acuter, quite,
Than by a wick that stays.
There's something in the flight
That clarifies the sight
And decks the rays.
The light is more intense
Where no one keeps the house;
What mystery has no evidence,
Except its own accost?
The formula's reversed—
But, when the sun is gone,
We still have the applause
That life is leaving on.
At first glance, "By a departing light" seems to be a simple poem about a sunset. The speaker notes that when a light is departing, we see more clearly than we do when a light is stationary. There is something about the movement that "clarifies the sight." The second stanza expands on this idea, suggesting that the light is most intense in places where there is no one to maintain it. This leads to a question: what is the mystery that has no evidence? The final stanza brings the poem to a close, noting that even when the sun is gone, we still have the applause of life that it leaves behind.
Transience
One of the overarching themes of "By a departing light" is transience. Dickinson is reminding us that everything in life is impermanent, constantly in flux. The sunset is a perfect metaphor for this idea. The sun rises, reaches its zenith, and then sets. It will rise again the following day, but each sunrise and sunset is unique. The light is always changing, always in motion.
The first stanza of the poem captures this idea perfectly. When a light is departing, we see more acutely than we do when a light is stationary. It is only in motion that we can truly see things clearly. This is similar to the Buddhist idea of impermanence, which suggests that nothing in life is permanent, and that attachment to things that are impermanent leads to suffering. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that we must embrace the transience of life in order to see things more clearly.
The second stanza reinforces this idea. The light is most intense where no one keeps the house. This suggests that the things that are most meaningful are often those that are fleeting. The mystery that has no evidence is the mystery of life itself, which is always changing and never fully knowable. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that we must embrace the mystery in order to fully appreciate the beauty of life.
Hope
Despite the theme of transience, "By a departing light" is ultimately a hopeful poem. The final stanza reminds us that even when the sun is gone, we still have the applause of life that it leaves behind. This is a powerful metaphor for the enduring legacy of all living things. Even when we are gone, we leave behind something that others can appreciate and celebrate.
Dickinson seems to be suggesting that even though life is impermanent, there is still hope to be found in the legacy that we leave behind. This is similar to the idea of "flow" in psychology, which suggests that we find meaning in life by engaging in activities that are challenging and meaningful, and that leave a lasting impact on the world.
Literary Devices
One of the things that makes Dickinson's poetry so intriguing is the way she employs literary devices to convey her message. "By a departing light" is no exception. Here are a few of the devices she uses:
Metaphor
The entire poem is built around the metaphor of a departing light. Dickinson uses this metaphor to explore the themes of transience and hope, as we have seen.
Alliteration
Dickinson uses alliteration to create a sense of musicality in the poem. For example, in the first stanza, she uses the alliteration of "acuter" and "quite" to create a sense of rhythm.
Rhyme
The poem is written in a loose rhyme scheme, with many of the lines rhyming with each other. This creates a sense of cohesion and unity in the poem.
Enjambment
Dickinson uses enjambment to create a sense of flow between the lines. This makes the poem feel more organic and natural, as if it is flowing from one thought to the next.
Conclusion
"By a departing light" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of transience and hope. Dickinson uses literary devices like metaphor, alliteration, and enjambment to convey her message, and the result is a poem that is both enigmatic and deeply meaningful. Whether you are a fan of Dickinson's work or a newcomer, this poem is definitely worth a closer look.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
By a departing light: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her poems are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and profound insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems is "By a departing light," which is a beautiful and haunting meditation on death and the afterlife. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line "By a departing light," which immediately sets a somber and melancholic tone. The use of the word "departing" suggests that something is leaving or ending, and the word "light" implies that this departure is associated with death or the afterlife. The first stanza continues with the lines "We see acuter, quite, / Than by the sun of noon," which suggests that the departing light is illuminating something that is normally hidden or obscured. The use of the word "acuter" implies that this illumination is sharper or more intense than what is normally seen in daylight.
The second stanza of the poem continues with the theme of illumination, but this time the focus is on the afterlife. The lines "It may be dying day / Into the sunset dimly burns" suggest that the departing light is a symbol of the end of life, and that this end is accompanied by a sense of fading or dimming. The use of the word "sunset" implies that this end is natural and inevitable, and that it is part of a larger cycle of life and death.
The third stanza of the poem introduces a new theme, that of memory and remembrance. The lines "But with new-awakened eyes / We pierce the mystic pane" suggest that the departing light is allowing us to see things that were previously hidden or forgotten. The use of the word "mystic" implies that these things are mysterious or spiritual in nature, and that they are beyond the realm of ordinary perception. The lines "Enchantment makes us wise -- / Happier -- we shall be then" suggest that this new perception will bring us happiness and wisdom, and that it will allow us to transcend the limitations of our mortal existence.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem returns to the theme of death and the afterlife. The lines "It leaves us in the dusk; / And, in an hour, the dawn" suggest that the departing light is a transitional phase between life and death, and that it is leading us towards a new beginning. The use of the word "dusk" implies that this transition is a time of uncertainty and darkness, but the lines "And, in an hour, the dawn" suggest that there is hope and renewal on the other side.
The imagery of the poem is rich and evocative, and it helps to reinforce the themes and emotions of the poem. The use of light and darkness is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of contrast and tension between life and death, hope and despair. The use of the word "mystic" also adds a sense of mystery and spirituality to the poem, and it suggests that there is more to life than what can be seen or understood.
The language of the poem is also notable for its use of unconventional punctuation and syntax. Dickinson was known for her idiosyncratic style, and this poem is no exception. The use of dashes and ellipses creates a sense of fragmentation and interruption, which mirrors the sense of uncertainty and transition that is at the heart of the poem. The use of capitalization is also significant, as it draws attention to certain words and phrases and gives them added emphasis and weight.
In conclusion, "By a departing light" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the themes of death, the afterlife, and the mysteries of existence. The use of imagery, language, and unconventional punctuation creates a sense of tension and uncertainty that is both unsettling and profound. Dickinson's unique style and perspective make this poem a timeless meditation on the human condition, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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