'Love—is that later Thing than Death' by Emily Dickinson


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Love—is that later Thing than Death—
More previous—than Life—
Confirms it at its entrance—And
Usurps it—of itself—

Tastes Death—the first—to hand the sting
The Second—to its friend—
Disarms the little interval—
Deposits Him with God—

Then hovers—an inferior Guard—
Lest this Beloved Charge
Need—once in an Eternity—
A smaller than the Large—

Editor 1 Interpretation

Love—is that later Thing than Death by Emily Dickinson

Wow, what a beautiful and thought-provoking poem! Emily Dickinson has truly outdone herself with this masterpiece. Love—is that later Thing than Death is a profound exploration of the nature of love, death, and their relationship to one another. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem.

Themes

At its core, Love—is that later Thing than Death is a meditation on the different ways in which love and death impact our lives. The poem suggests that while both love and death are inevitable, they occupy different temporal spaces. Love is something that happens in the present, whereas death is something that lies in the future. This is evident in the opening lines of the poem, where Dickinson writes:

Love—is that later Thing than Death—
More previous—than Life—
Confirms it at its entrance—And—
Usurps it—of itself—

Here, Dickinson sets up a contrast between love and death, suggesting that love is something that comes after death, but that it is also more important than life itself. This is a powerful statement, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

Another important theme in Love—is that later Thing than Death is the idea of the afterlife. Dickinson suggests that, while death may be the end of our physical existence, it is not the end of our spiritual existence. In the second stanza of the poem, she writes:

And when We tire of this Precipitation—
And we have missed Our Drop—
Let us as ourselves a little space—
To ponder—"Lost—forgot—"

Here, Dickinson seems to be suggesting that death is not simply the end of our lives, but rather a transition to a new form of existence. She urges us to take a moment to consider what this new existence might be like, and to think about the things that we might leave behind in this world.

Finally, Love—is that later Thing than Death is a poem about the power of love. Dickinson suggests that love is the one thing that can transcend death, and that it is the one thing that can give our lives meaning and purpose. In the final stanza of the poem, she writes:

Love—is anterior to Life—
Posterior—to Death—
Initial of Creation, and
The Exponent of Breath—

Here, Dickinson suggests that love is not simply a human emotion, but rather something that is fundamental to the universe itself. She suggests that love is the force that gives birth to all creation, and that it is the one thing that can give us eternal life.

Imagery

One of the most striking things about Love—is that later Thing than Death is its use of imagery. Dickinson uses a range of powerful and evocative images to convey her ideas about love and death. For example, in the second stanza of the poem, she writes:

The further We depart from Home
Farther We knit the Tie—
The Love—the Tear—
To leave—them—Both—

Here, Dickinson uses the image of a knitted tie to represent the bond between love and death. The further we depart from our homes—both physical and spiritual—the stronger this bond becomes, as we come to realize that love is the one thing that can transcend death.

Another powerful image in the poem is that of the drop of water. Dickinson uses this image to represent the fleeting nature of human life, and the inevitability of death. In the first stanza of the poem, she writes:

The only Secret people keep—
Is Immortality—
Emily Dickinson

Here, Dickinson suggests that the only secret that people keep is the fact that they will eventually die. This is a powerful statement, and it highlights the fact that death is something that we all must face, no matter how hard we try to avoid it.

Language

Finally, Love—is that later Thing than Death is a poem that is characterized by its use of language. Dickinson uses a range of literary devices to convey her ideas about love and death, and to create a sense of depth and meaning in the poem.

One of the most striking things about the language in the poem is its use of repetition. Dickinson repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, creating a sense of unity and coherence. For example, she repeats the phrase "Love—is that later Thing than Death" three times throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of this idea.

Another important aspect of the language in the poem is its use of metaphor. Dickinson uses a range of metaphors to convey her ideas about love and death, and to create a sense of depth and meaning in the poem. For example, she uses the metaphor of the knitted tie to represent the bond between love and death, and she uses the metaphor of the drop of water to represent the fleeting nature of human life.

Finally, the language in Love—is that later Thing than Death is characterized by its use of ambiguity and complexity. Dickinson does not provide clear answers to the questions that she raises in the poem, but rather leaves them open to interpretation. This allows the reader to engage with the poem on a deeper level, and to come to their own conclusions about the nature of love and death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Love—is that later Thing than Death is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of love, death, and the afterlife. Through its use of imagery, language, and metaphor, the poem conveys a sense of depth and meaning that is both profound and moving. Ultimately, Emily Dickinson suggests that love is the one thing that can transcend death, and that it is the one thing that can give our lives meaning and purpose. This is a powerful message, and one that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Love—is that later Thing than Death: Emily Dickinson's Poetic Exploration of Love and Death

Emily Dickinson's poem "Love—is that later Thing than Death" is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between love and death. In this poem, Dickinson presents love and death as two opposing forces that are intimately connected, and she suggests that love may ultimately triumph over death. Through her use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Dickinson creates a haunting and unforgettable portrait of the human experience of love and loss.

The poem begins with the striking assertion that "Love—is that later Thing than Death." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that love and death are inextricably linked and that love may be even more powerful than death. Dickinson goes on to describe love as a "surprise" that comes "afterwards," implying that it is something that we may not expect or anticipate. This idea of love as a surprise is reinforced by the metaphor of the "Burglar" who "enters" our lives unexpectedly and steals our hearts. This metaphor suggests that love is something that can take us by surprise and that it may even be a little bit dangerous or risky.

As the poem continues, Dickinson explores the idea that love may be able to conquer death. She writes that "It waits upon the Lawn, / It shows the furthest Tree / Upon the furthest Slope you know; / It almost speaks to you." Here, Dickinson uses vivid imagery to describe love as a presence that is always with us, even in the face of death. The image of love waiting on the lawn suggests that it is patient and persistent, and the image of the furthest tree on the furthest slope suggests that love is always just out of reach, but still within our grasp. The idea that love "almost speaks to you" suggests that it is a powerful force that can communicate with us even when we are at our most vulnerable.

Dickinson continues to explore the idea of love as a force that can conquer death in the second stanza of the poem. She writes that "When it comes, the Landscape listens, / Shadows hold their breath; / When it goes, 't is like the Distance / On the look of Death." Here, Dickinson uses metaphor to describe the impact that love can have on our lives. The image of the landscape listening and the shadows holding their breath suggests that love is a force that commands attention and respect. The comparison of love leaving to the look of death suggests that love is something that can have a profound impact on our lives, even when it is gone.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses repetition to reinforce the idea that love and death are intimately connected. She repeats the phrase "Love—is that later Thing than Death" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of this idea. She also repeats the word "afterwards" several times, reinforcing the idea that love is something that comes after death. This repetition creates a sense of urgency and intensity, suggesting that Dickinson is deeply invested in exploring the relationship between love and death.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "Love—is that later Thing than Death" is a powerful and haunting exploration of the relationship between love and death. Through her use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Dickinson creates a portrait of love as a force that is patient, persistent, and ultimately triumphant over death. This poem is a testament to the power of love to transform our lives, even in the face of death.

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