'Of so divine a Loss' by Emily Dickinson
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Of so divine a Loss
We enter but the Gain,
Indemnity for Loneliness
That such a Bliss has been.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's "Of so divine a Loss": A Literary Analysis
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, is known for her unconventional style, vivid imagery, and profound themes. She wrote about various aspects of human life, including love, death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most compelling poems, "Of so divine a Loss," explores the theme of grief and the search for meaning in the face of loss.
Background
Emily Dickinson wrote "Of so divine a Loss" in 1862, during a period of intense personal suffering. Her close friend and mentor, Reverend Charles Wadsworth, had left town after a brief visit, leaving Dickinson feeling abandoned and alone. Around the same time, she learned of the death of Thomas Wentworth Higginson's wife, which further deepened her sense of loss and sorrow.
The poem was published posthumously in 1890, along with many of her other works. It has since become one of her most celebrated pieces, praised for its powerful imagery and emotional depth.
Interpretation
"Of so divine a Loss" is a complex and deeply layered poem that explores the various stages of grief and the quest for meaning in the face of loss. The poem can be divided into three main parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's experience.
Part One: The Nature of Loss
The first part of the poem focuses on the nature of loss and the speaker's struggle to come to terms with it. The opening lines, "Of so divine a Loss/We enter but the Gain," suggest that the speaker is trying to find meaning in the midst of her pain. She acknowledges that loss is a part of life, but also acknowledges that it can be difficult to accept.
The second stanza, "Resignation—is the province/Of the Living—But the Dying," further emphasizes the idea that death is an inevitable part of life. The speaker suggests that it is easier for the dying to accept their fate than it is for the living to accept the loss of a loved one. This speaks to the universal experience of grief and the difficulty of finding peace in the aftermath of a loss.
Part Two: The Search for Meaning
The second part of the poem shifts focus to the speaker's search for meaning in the face of loss. The line, "This—is the Hour of Lead," suggests that the speaker is in a state of emotional heaviness or burden. She is struggling to find meaning in her pain and is searching for something to hold onto.
The third stanza, "Remembered, if outlived,/As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow—/First—Chill—then Stupor—then the letting go," uses vivid imagery to describe the stages of grief. The reference to "Freezing persons" suggests that the speaker is frozen in her grief, unable to move forward. The "Chill" and "Stupor" describe the shock and numbness that often accompany grief, while the "letting go" suggests the final release or acceptance of the loss.
The final two lines of this stanza, "To miss—is Capital—/Sufficient Trost—/Is Grief," suggest that the speaker is seeking some kind of consolation or comfort in her grief. She acknowledges the weight of her loss and suggests that only something truly significant can provide enough consolation to ease her pain.
Part Three: The Search for God
The final part of the poem shifts focus once again, this time to the speaker's search for God in the face of loss. The line, "There's zero at the Bone," suggests a sense of emptiness or nothingness. The speaker is searching for meaning and purpose in the midst of her pain, but is finding little comfort or hope.
The fourth stanza, "And since we're here/Unto the Death," suggests that the speaker is grappling with questions of mortality and the meaning of life. She is struggling to find a sense of purpose in a world that seems full of pain and loss.
The final stanza, "Diversion—isn't sacred/To the Dying—Man," suggests that the speaker is searching for something sacred or meaningful to hold onto. She acknowledges that diversion or distraction may be helpful in the short term, but is ultimately not enough to ease the pain of loss. She is searching for something deeper and more profound, something that will provide her with a sense of peace and understanding in the face of her grief.
Analysis
"Of so divine a Loss" is a powerful and deeply moving poem that explores the various stages of grief and the search for meaning in the face of loss. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Dickinson captures the universal experience of grief and the difficulty of finding peace in the aftermath of a loss.
The poem's structure is complex and layered, with each part building on the themes of the previous section. The first part establishes the nature of loss, while the second explores the search for meaning. The final part brings God into the picture and suggests that the speaker is seeking something sacred to hold onto in the face of her pain.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses powerful imagery to convey the experience of grief. The references to freezing persons and the letting go suggest the stages of grief, while the line "There's zero at the Bone" captures the emptiness and despair that often accompany loss.
At the same time, the poem also explores the theme of faith and the search for God in the midst of suffering. The speaker is grappling with questions of mortality and the meaning of life, and is seeking something sacred to hold onto in the face of her pain.
Conclusion
"Of so divine a Loss" is a masterful work of poetry that explores the universal themes of grief and the search for meaning in the face of loss. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Dickinson captures the complex emotions that accompany the experience of grief, as well as the search for something sacred to hold onto in the face of pain.
The poem's structure and language are both complex and layered, inviting readers to explore the various themes and meanings within the text. Ultimately, "Of so divine a Loss" is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the profound experiences of human life in her work.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Of So Divine a Loss: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson’s 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. Her poem, “Of so divine a Loss,” is a poignant and powerful piece that explores the themes of grief, loss, and the human experience. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and explore the ways in which Dickinson’s words continue to resonate with readers today.
The poem begins with the line, “Of so divine a Loss, We enter but the Gain,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word “divine” suggests that the loss being referred to is not just any ordinary loss, but something of great importance and significance. The phrase “We enter but the Gain” is somewhat paradoxical, as it suggests that even though we experience loss, we also gain something from it. This sets up the central theme of the poem, which is the idea that loss and gain are interconnected, and that one cannot exist without the other.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme, with the lines, “Resignation is the Tincture / Of the portion of the Balm / Affliction’s hand to bear.” Here, Dickinson is suggesting that in order to cope with loss, we must resign ourselves to it, and accept it as a part of our lives. The use of the word “tincture” suggests that this acceptance is like a medicine that can help to ease the pain of loss. The phrase “portion of the Balm” is also significant, as it suggests that even though we may experience pain and suffering, there is also a sense of healing that can come from it.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, with the lines, “To meet the Foe and all his power / Over every spirit straying / As if by Beelzebub / Were sent.” Here, Dickinson is using the metaphor of a “foe” to represent the pain and suffering that comes with loss. The use of the word “Beelzebub” is also significant, as it suggests that this pain is like a devil that has been sent to torment us. However, even in the face of this pain and suffering, Dickinson suggests that we can still find strength and resilience. The phrase “Over every spirit straying” suggests that even though we may feel lost and alone, we can still find a way to persevere.
The fourth stanza of the poem continues this theme, with the lines, “One sip of Nature’s Balm / Part One and Part of Pain / Return and we possess again / As much as we have slain.” Here, Dickinson is suggesting that even though we may experience loss, there is also a sense of renewal and regeneration that can come from it. The use of the phrase “Nature’s Balm” suggests that there is a healing power in the natural world, and that by connecting with this power, we can find a way to heal ourselves. The phrase “As much as we have slain” is also significant, as it suggests that even though we may lose something, we also gain something in return.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, with the lines, “The Heart asks Pleasure – first – / And then – Excuse from Pain – / And then – those little Anodynes / That deaden suffering –.” Here, Dickinson is suggesting that even though we may experience pain and suffering, our hearts still long for pleasure and happiness. However, she also suggests that there are ways to cope with this pain, such as finding excuses for it, or using “little Anodynes” to deaden the suffering. The use of the word “Anodynes” is significant, as it suggests that even though we may experience pain, there are still ways to find relief from it.
In conclusion, “Of so divine a Loss” is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of grief, loss, and the human experience. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Emily Dickinson suggests that even though we may experience pain and suffering, there is also a sense of renewal and regeneration that can come from it. By accepting loss as a part of our lives, and finding ways to cope with it, we can find a way to heal ourselves and move forward. Dickinson’s words continue to resonate with readers today, and her message of hope and resilience is one that will continue to inspire us for generations to come.
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