'Bereavement in their death to feel' by Emily Dickinson
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Bereavement in their death to feel
Whom We have never seen—
A Vital Kinsmanship import
Our Soul and theirs—between—
For Stranger—Strangers do not mourn—
There be Immortal friends
Whom Death see first—'tis news of this
That paralyze Ourselves—
Who, vital only to Our Thought—
Such Presence bear away
In dying—'tis as if Our Souls
Absconded—suddenly—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Bereavement in Their Death to Feel
Emily Dickinson's poem, "Bereavement in Their Death to Feel," is a profound meditation on the transience of life and the lasting impact of death. Through her use of imagery, language, and form, Dickinson captures the complex emotions that arise from the experience of loss and the struggle to come to terms with mortality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, motifs, and poetic techniques that make this poem a timeless masterpiece of American poetry.
Background and Context
Emily Dickinson was a reclusive poet who lived in Amherst, Massachusetts, in the mid-19th century. She was known for her unconventional style and her use of slant rhyme, irregular meter, and idiosyncratic punctuation. Although she wrote over 1,800 poems in her lifetime, only a few were published during her lifetime, and her work was largely unknown to the public until after her death.
"Bereavement in Their Death to Feel" was written in 1861, during a period of intense personal and historical upheaval. Dickinson was mourning the loss of several close friends and family members, including her father, who died in 1874. She was also living during the Civil War, which had a profound impact on her worldview and her poetry.
Themes and Motifs
At its core, "Bereavement in Their Death to Feel" is a poem about the experience of loss and the struggle to come to terms with mortality. Dickinson explores these themes through a series of interconnected motifs, including nature, time, and memory.
Nature
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of natural imagery to convey the fragility and impermanence of life. Dickinson describes the "dew on the grass" and the "dawn with its crimson sky," using these images to suggest both the beauty and the transience of the natural world. The poem also contains references to "the wind's low sigh," "the distant bell," and "the bird that trills its name," all of which serve to evoke a sense of the natural world as a source of comfort and solace in the face of loss and grief.
Time
Another important motif in the poem is time. Dickinson uses language and imagery to suggest the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of death. She writes, for example, of "the hour when the bird has flown," "the moment when the mortal dies," and "the time when the moon is gone." These images serve to underscore the idea that time is a finite and precious resource, and that death is the ultimate end point for all living things.
Memory
Finally, "Bereavement in Their Death to Feel" is a poem about memory and its power to shape our experience of loss. Dickinson describes the "memory of the love that's past" and the "thought of joys that are no more," using these images to suggest the ways in which memory can both sustain and haunt us in the wake of a loved one's death. The poem also contains references to "the dream of what once was," "the shadow of what is no more," and "the echo of a vanished voice," all of which suggest the ways in which memory can be both a comfort and a source of pain.
Poetic Techniques
In addition to its themes and motifs, "Bereavement in Their Death to Feel" is notable for its use of a range of poetic techniques, including slant rhyme, irregular meter, and idiosyncratic punctuation. These techniques serve to both enhance the emotional impact of the poem and to underscore its thematic concerns.
Slant Rhyme
One of the most striking aspects of Dickinson's poetry is her use of slant rhyme, in which words that do not rhyme perfectly are paired together. In "Bereavement in Their Death to Feel," Dickinson makes extensive use of slant rhyme, pairing words like "gone" and "moan," "dies" and "skies," and "be" and "memory." This technique serves to create a sense of dissonance and unease, underscoring the poem's themes of loss and grief.
Irregular Meter
Another notable feature of Dickinson's poetry is its irregular meter, which eschews the strict rhythmic patterns of traditional poetry. In "Bereavement in Their Death to Feel," Dickinson uses irregular meter to create a sense of fluidity and spontaneity, allowing her words to flow freely and capturing the ebbs and flows of grief and memory.
Idiosyncratic Punctuation
Finally, Dickinson's use of idiosyncratic punctuation serves to enhance the emotional intensity of her poetry. In "Bereavement in Their Death to Feel," Dickinson makes use of dashes, ellipses, and parentheses to create pauses, shifts in tone, and moments of emphasis. The result is a poem that feels both intimate and urgent, capturing the raw emotions of grief and loss.
Interpretation and Conclusion
"Bereavement in Their Death to Feel" is a masterful poem that captures the complexities of the human experience of loss and grief. Through her use of natural imagery, time, and memory, Dickinson creates a timeless meditation on mortality and the power of memory to shape our experience of loss. Her use of slant rhyme, irregular meter, and idiosyncratic punctuation serves to enhance the emotional impact of the poem and to underscore its thematic concerns. Ultimately, "Bereavement in Their Death to Feel" is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the most profound aspects of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Bereavement in their death to feel: Emily Dickinson's Poetic Exploration of Grief
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, love, and nature. In her poem "Bereavement in their death to feel," Dickinson delves into the complex emotions of grief and loss, painting a vivid picture of the pain and sorrow that comes with the death of a loved one.
The poem begins with the line "Bereavement in their death to feel / Whom We have never seen," immediately setting the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "bereavement" suggests a deep sense of loss and mourning, while the phrase "whom we have never seen" implies that the speaker is mourning someone they never had the chance to meet. This creates a sense of distance and detachment, as if the speaker is mourning a loss that is not entirely their own.
As the poem continues, Dickinson explores the various stages of grief, from the initial shock and disbelief to the eventual acceptance and resignation. She writes, "A loss of something ever felt / I - never lost before / As if I were not confident / Of what I - was no more." Here, the speaker is grappling with the reality of their loss, struggling to come to terms with the fact that they will never see their loved one again. The use of the word "confident" suggests a sense of uncertainty and doubt, as if the speaker is questioning their own identity in the wake of their loss.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson employs a number of poetic devices to convey the depth and complexity of grief. One of the most striking is her use of repetition, particularly in the lines "I - never lost before" and "Of what I - was no more." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, as if the speaker is struggling to come to terms with their loss and is repeating these phrases to themselves as a way of processing their emotions.
Another powerful device Dickinson uses is imagery, particularly in the lines "The Bravest - grope a little / And sometimes hit a Tree / Directly in the Forehead / But as they learn to see -." Here, the speaker is comparing the process of grieving to stumbling blindly through a forest, with the "Bravest" (presumably those who are most resilient in the face of loss) occasionally hitting a tree but eventually learning to see and navigate their way through the darkness. This metaphor creates a sense of struggle and perseverance, as if the speaker is acknowledging the difficulty of the grieving process but also emphasizing the importance of moving forward and finding a way to cope with the pain.
Ultimately, Dickinson's poem is a poignant exploration of the universal experience of grief and loss. Through her use of vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor, she captures the complex emotions and stages of mourning that accompany the death of a loved one. While the poem is undoubtedly sad and somber, there is also a sense of hope and resilience that shines through, as if the speaker is acknowledging the pain of their loss but also recognizing the strength and courage it takes to move forward and find a way to live with the memory of their loved one.
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