'As far from pity, as complaint' by Emily Dickinson
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As far from pity, as complaint—
As cool to speech—as stone—
As numb to Revelation
As if my Trade were Bone—
As far from time—as History—
As near yourself—Today—
As Children, to the Rainbow's scarf—
Or Sunset's Yellow play
To eyelids in the Sepulchre—
How dumb the Dancer lies—
While Color's Revelations break—
And blaze—the Butterflies!
Editor 1 Interpretation
As far from pity, as complaint: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poetry
Emily Dickinson is a name that resonates with literary connoisseurs across the world. Her poetry has been the subject of numerous literary criticisms, and for good reason. Dickinson's style of writing is characterized by its depth, its use of allegory, and its ability to convey complex emotions in simple, yet profound ways. In this literary criticism, we will take a closer look at one of her most iconic poems, "As far from pity, as complaint," and examine its themes, symbolism, and underlying messages.
The Poem: "As far from pity, as complaint"
As far from pity, as complaint
As cool to speech, as stone
As numb to Revelation
As if my Trade were Bone.
As far from time, as History
As near yourself, today
As Children, to the Rainbow's scarf
Or Sunset's Yellow play
To eyelids in the Sepulchre's
How dumb the Dancer lies
While Color's Revelations break
And blaze the Butterflies!
The Themes
One of the most striking things about Dickinson's poetry is its ability to convey complex emotions through simple, yet powerful, metaphors. "As far from pity, as complaint" is a prime example of this. The poem's overarching theme seems to be the idea of emotional detachment, or the ability to distance oneself from the emotions and experiences of others. The speaker of the poem describes herself as "As far from pity, as complaint / As cool to speech, as stone / As numb to Revelation / As if my Trade were Bone."
Here, the speaker is describing a level of emotional detachment that is almost clinical in nature. She is not only unaffected by the emotions of others, but also by any sort of spiritual revelation. The use of the metaphor "As if my Trade were Bone" suggests that this emotional detachment is almost a professional skill or trade, something that the speaker has honed over time.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of timelessness. The speaker describes herself as being "As far from time, as History / As near yourself, today." Here, she seems to be suggesting that she is somehow outside of the flow of time, or at least that she is not subject to its effects in the same way as others. This idea is reinforced by the following two lines, which compare the speaker to children who are "near" the present moment, rather than being caught up in the past or future.
Finally, the poem also touches on the idea of death and the afterlife. The line "To eyelids in the Sepulchre's / How dumb the Dancer lies" suggests that the speaker is contemplating the silence and stillness of death. However, this idea is quickly followed by the image of "Color's Revelations" breaking and "blazing" the butterflies. This suggests that death is not necessarily the end, but rather a transformation into something new and vibrant.
The Symbolism
As with much of Dickinson's poetry, "As far from pity, as complaint" is full of rich and evocative symbolism. One of the most obvious symbols in the poem is that of stone. The speaker describes herself as being "As cool to speech, as stone," which suggests a level of emotional hardness or unfeelingness. However, stone can also be seen as a symbol of endurance, stability, and permanence. By likening herself to stone, the speaker is suggesting that she is not easily swayed by the emotions or opinions of others, and that she has a certain level of inner strength and resilience.
Another symbol that appears in the poem is that of the rainbow. The speaker compares herself to children who are "near" the rainbow's scarf. This is a powerful image, as rainbows are often seen as symbols of hope, promise, and possibility. By placing herself in proximity to the rainbow, the speaker is suggesting that she is not entirely removed from the world of emotions and experiences. Instead, she is simply able to maintain a certain level of detachment and perspective.
Finally, the image of the butterflies is also highly symbolic. Butterflies are often seen as symbols of transformation and rebirth, as they undergo a dramatic metamorphosis from caterpillar to adult. The line "And blaze the Butterflies!" suggests that the speaker sees death not as an end, but as a transition into something new and vibrant. This is a powerful and hopeful message that runs counter to the poem's otherwise detached and clinical tone.
The Interpretation
One of the most fascinating things about Dickinson's poetry is the way in which it can be interpreted in so many different ways. "As far from pity, as complaint" is no exception. On one level, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the nature of emotional detachment and the ability to maintain a certain level of objectivity in the face of difficult or challenging situations. However, it can also be read as a meditation on the nature of time, the afterlife, and the human condition.
In this interpretation, the speaker is not simply detached from the emotions of others, but is also removed from the flow of time itself. She is not subject to the same anxieties, fears, and uncertainties that plague the rest of us. Instead, she is able to maintain a certain level of distance and perspective, which allows her to see things in a different light. This detachment, far from being a weakness, is actually a source of strength and resilience.
At the same time, the poem also suggests that death is not necessarily the end, but rather a transformation into something new and vibrant. This is a message of hope and possibility that runs counter to the poem's otherwise detached and clinical tone. By exploring these themes in such a beautifully crafted and evocative way, Dickinson invites us to contemplate our own mortality and to consider the many different ways in which we might approach the challenges and uncertainties of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "As far from pity, as complaint" is a powerful and deeply evocative poem that touches on some of the most fundamental questions of the human condition. Through its use of rich and complex symbolism, Dickinson is able to explore the themes of emotional detachment, timelessness, and the afterlife in a way that is both profound and deeply moving. Whether read as a commentary on the nature of emotional resilience or as a meditation on the mysteries of existence, this poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience in all its richness and complexity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
As Far from Pity, as Complaint: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of human emotions in her writing. Her poem, "As far from pity, as complaint," is a prime example of her exceptional talent. In this poem, Dickinson explores the idea of self-sufficiency and the importance of being able to endure hardship without seeking pity or sympathy from others. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning of this poem and explore the literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line, "As far from pity, as complaint," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is declaring that they do not want or need pity from anyone, nor do they want to complain about their situation. This line is significant because it establishes the speaker's independence and self-reliance. They are not looking for anyone to save them or make their problems go away. Instead, they are determined to face their challenges head-on and overcome them on their own.
The next line, "As near yourself, as your own breath," further emphasizes the speaker's self-sufficiency. They are as close to themselves as their own breath, meaning that they are intimately connected to their own thoughts and feelings. This line also suggests that the speaker is in tune with their own emotions and is able to regulate them without outside help.
The third line, "Seek not the 'spirits' soothing hand," introduces the idea of seeking comfort from others. The speaker is warning against relying on others to make them feel better. The use of the word "spirits" is interesting because it can be interpreted in two ways. It could refer to the idea of seeking comfort from supernatural beings or it could refer to seeking comfort from alcoholic spirits. Either way, the speaker is cautioning against relying on external sources for comfort.
The fourth line, "Oh! It distracts the 'dulcet' strain!" is a bit more difficult to interpret. The word "dulcet" means sweet or melodious, so the speaker may be referring to the idea that seeking comfort from others distracts from the beauty of life. Alternatively, the word "distracts" could be interpreted as a negative thing, suggesting that seeking comfort from others takes away from the speaker's ability to focus on their own problems and find solutions.
The fifth line, "When from ourselves, we seek away," is a continuation of the idea that seeking comfort from others is not the answer. The speaker is saying that when we try to escape from ourselves and our problems, we only make things worse. This line is significant because it suggests that the only way to truly overcome our challenges is to face them head-on and not try to run away from them.
The sixth line, "Tis the native stride of feet," is a metaphor for the idea that we are all born with the ability to overcome our challenges. The "native stride" refers to our natural ability to walk and move forward. This line suggests that we all have the innate ability to overcome our challenges, but we must be willing to take the necessary steps to do so.
The seventh line, "Cannot ours, prevent the sleet," is a reminder that we cannot control everything that happens to us. The "sleet" represents the hardships and challenges that we face in life. This line is significant because it acknowledges that we cannot always prevent bad things from happening to us, but we can control how we respond to them.
The eighth and final line, "Better 'tis to wear the feet," is a call to action. The speaker is urging us to take control of our own lives and to be proactive in overcoming our challenges. The phrase "wear the feet" suggests that we should be willing to take the necessary steps to move forward and not be afraid to face our challenges head-on.
In terms of literary devices, Dickinson uses several techniques to convey her message. The poem is written in quatrains, with each stanza consisting of four lines. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which is fitting given the speaker's message of self-sufficiency and control.
Dickinson also uses repetition throughout the poem. The phrase "As far from pity, as complaint" is repeated at the beginning of each stanza, which reinforces the speaker's message of self-reliance. The repetition of the phrase "Tis the native stride of feet" also emphasizes the idea that we all have the ability to overcome our challenges.
Finally, Dickinson uses metaphor and symbolism to convey her message. The "sleet" represents the hardships and challenges that we face in life, while the "native stride of feet" represents our innate ability to overcome those challenges. These metaphors help to make the poem more relatable and accessible to readers.
In conclusion, "As far from pity, as complaint" is a powerful poem that encourages us to be self-sufficient and proactive in overcoming our challenges. Dickinson's use of repetition, metaphor, and symbolism help to convey her message in a clear and accessible way. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's exceptional talent as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of human emotions in her writing.
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