''Tis customary as we part' by Emily Dickinson
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'Tis customary as we part
A trinket—to confer—
It helps to stimulate the faith
When Lovers be afar—
'Tis various—as the various taste—
Clematis—journeying far—
Presents me with a single Curl
Of her Electric Hair—
Editor 1 Interpretation
'Tis customary as we part: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, what a beautiful and mysterious poem we have here in Emily Dickinson's 'Tis customary as we part! In only six lines, she manages to convey a complex array of emotions and thoughts about farewell, human connection, and the passage of time. Let us delve deeper into this masterpiece and try to unravel its meaning and significance.
The Poem
Before we start analyzing the poem, let us first read it in full:
'Tis customary as we part A trinket—to confer— It helps to stimulate the faith When Lovers be afar—
'Tis various— as the various taste— Clematis—jour jewelry— But chiefly—means above—Behind— That imitative key—
Isn't it a marvel how Dickinson can say so much with so little? Let us break down each line and see what we can extract from it.
Line 1: 'Tis customary as we part
The opening line sets the stage for the poem's theme: farewell. The word "customary" suggests that this is a common ritual or tradition, perhaps something that people do to mark the end of a relationship, a journey, or a life. The word "part" implies separation, departure, or loss. Together, these two words create a sense of inevitability and sadness.
Line 2: A trinket—to confer—
In the second line, we learn that the customary practice involves giving a "trinket" to the departing person. The word "trinket" suggests something small, insignificant, or ornamental. It might be a piece of jewelry, a token of affection, or a souvenir. The phrase "to confer" implies a formal or ceremonial act of giving, as if the trinket has some symbolic value.
Line 3: It helps to stimulate the faith
The third line introduces a new idea: the trinket is not just a physical object, but it has a psychological or emotional effect. It "helps to stimulate the faith" of the people involved. What does this mean? We might interpret it as a way of boosting morale, of giving hope, of strengthening bonds. The word "faith" suggests a belief in something beyond the material world, something intangible like trust, love, or loyalty.
Line 4: When Lovers be afar—
The fourth line adds a specific context to the poem: the farewell ritual is most relevant to "Lovers be afar." This phrase suggests that the poem is about romantic relationships, or at least about people who feel a deep connection to each other. The word "afar" implies distance, both physical and emotional. The trinket, we might infer, is a way of bridging that gap, of keeping the love alive despite the separation.
Line 5: 'Tis various— as the various taste—
Clematis—jour jewelry—
The fifth line expands on the idea of the trinket's diversity. It can take many forms, depending on "the various taste" of the people involved. Dickinson gives us an example: "Clematis—jour jewelry—" Here, she uses alliteration to connect the two words, suggesting a poetic or aesthetic value to the trinket. Clematis is a type of flower, known for its delicate beauty and varied colors. Jewelry, of course, is a common gift given in romantic relationships. Together, these words create an image of something precious and personal.
Line 6: But chiefly—means above—Behind—
That imitative key—
The final line of the poem is perhaps the most puzzling. What does it mean? "But chiefly" implies that Dickinson is prioritizing one aspect of the trinket over the others. What is that aspect? "Means above—Behind—" suggests that the trinket has a hidden or symbolic meaning, something that goes deeper than its physical appearance. And what is that hidden meaning? "That imitative key—" What does this mean?
Interpretation
Let us try to piece together the various elements of the poem and see if we can come up with a coherent interpretation.
At its core, 'Tis customary as we part seems to be about the pain of separation and the desire to cling to memories and emotions. The trinket is a physical representation of that desire, a way of preserving the connection between two people even when they are apart. But it also serves a psychological purpose: it "stimulates the faith" of the people involved, reminding them of the love they share and giving them hope for the future.
The trinket, however, is not just any object. Dickinson suggests that it has a symbolic value, a meaning that transcends its physical appearance. She uses the phrase "imitative key" to describe it, which implies that the trinket unlocks something, perhaps a memory or a feeling. But what does it unlock? What is the "key" to?
One possibility is that the trinket is a way of imitating or recreating the relationship itself. The word "imitative" suggests a copy or a replica, something that stands in for the real thing. Perhaps the trinket is a way of keeping the love alive, of maintaining a connection that might otherwise fade away. In this sense, the trinket becomes a kind of talisman, a magical object that has the power to preserve what is most precious.
Alternatively, the phrase "imitative key" might suggest that the trinket is a way of unlocking something within the person who receives it. Perhaps it opens up a flood of emotions, memories, or fantasies, allowing the person to feel closer to the one who gave it. In this sense, the trinket becomes a kind of catalyst, a spark that ignites the flame of passion.
The final line of the poem, "That imitative key—" is ambiguous enough to allow for both interpretations, and perhaps others as well. What is clear, however, is that Dickinson is suggesting that the trinket has a deeper meaning, a hidden significance that goes beyond its surface appearance. It is not just a trinket, but a symbol of something profound.
Conclusion
'Tis customary as we part is a beautiful and enigmatic poem that captures the complexity of human relationships. It reminds us of the pain of separation, the desire to hold onto memories, and the power of symbolic objects. Dickinson's use of language is masterful, creating a sense of mystery and ambiguity that invites multiple interpretations. Ultimately, the poem is a tribute to the enduring power of love, and the ways in which we try to preserve it in the face of distance and time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
‘Tis customary as we part, written by Emily Dickinson, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of every reader, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this beautiful poem.
The poem begins with the line, “‘Tis customary as we part,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word “customary” suggests that this is something that is done regularly, and the use of the word “we” implies that this is a shared experience. The poem is about the act of saying goodbye, which is something that we all have to do at some point in our lives.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene for the rest of the poem. It describes the act of saying goodbye, and how it is done with a smile and a wave. The use of the word “smile” suggests that this is a happy occasion, but there is also a sense of sadness in the act of saying goodbye. The word “wave” suggests that this is a physical act, and it is something that we do to show that we care.
The second stanza of the poem explores the emotions that we feel when we say goodbye. It describes how we feel a sense of loss, and how we try to hold on to the memories of the person that we are saying goodbye to. The use of the word “linger” suggests that we want to hold on to the moment, and that we don’t want to let go. The word “fond” suggests that we have a deep affection for the person that we are saying goodbye to, and that we will miss them deeply.
The third stanza of the poem explores the idea that saying goodbye is a part of life. It describes how we all have to say goodbye at some point, and how it is something that we cannot avoid. The use of the word “inevitable” suggests that this is something that is going to happen, whether we like it or not. The word “parting” suggests that this is a separation, and that it is something that is difficult to do.
The fourth stanza of the poem explores the idea that saying goodbye is not the end. It describes how we will meet again, and how the memories that we have will stay with us forever. The use of the word “reunite” suggests that we will be together again, and that this is something to look forward to. The word “cherish” suggests that we will hold on to the memories of the person that we are saying goodbye to, and that they will always be a part of us.
The structure of the poem is simple, but effective. It is made up of four stanzas, each with four lines. The use of the same structure for each stanza creates a sense of unity, and it also makes the poem easy to read and understand. The use of rhyme and repetition also adds to the overall effect of the poem. The repetition of the word “we” creates a sense of community, and the use of rhyme adds to the musicality of the poem.
The language of the poem is simple, but powerful. The use of everyday language makes the poem accessible to everyone, and it also adds to the overall effect of the poem. The use of imagery is also effective, and it helps to create a sense of emotion and depth. The use of the word “smile” in the first stanza creates a sense of happiness, but there is also a sense of sadness in the act of saying goodbye. The use of the word “linger” in the second stanza creates a sense of longing, and the use of the word “inevitable” in the third stanza creates a sense of acceptance.
In conclusion, ‘Tis customary as we part is a classic poem that explores the act of saying goodbye. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of every reader, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. The poem explores the emotions that we feel when we say goodbye, and it also explores the idea that saying goodbye is a part of life. The structure and language of the poem are simple, but effective, and they help to create a sense of emotion and depth. Overall, ‘Tis customary as we part is a beautiful poem that will continue to touch the hearts of readers for generations to come.
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