'Life—is what we make of it' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
698
Life—is what we make of it—
Death—we do not know—
Christ's acquaintance with Him
Justify Him—though—
He—would trust no stranger—
Other—could betray—
Just His own endorsement—
That—sufficeth Me—
All the other Distance
He hath traversed first—
No New Mile remaineth—
Far as Paradise—
His sure foot preceding—
Tender Pioneer—
Base must be the Coward
Dare not venture—now—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Life—is what we make of it: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated and enigmatic poets in American literature. Her works have been the subject of numerous interpretations, and continue to be analyzed to this day. One of her most famous poems is Life—is what we make of it, which is a concise and powerful expression of her philosophy on life.
At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward. It contains only six lines, and there is no apparent rhyme or meter. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the poem is much deeper than it appears. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to uncover its meaning and significance.
Theme
The central theme of Life—is what we make of it is the idea that our lives are shaped by our choices and actions. The poem suggests that we have the power to create our own destiny and that our happiness or misery is largely determined by the way we choose to live our lives.
This theme is expressed in the very first line of the poem, which states, "Life is what we make of it." This statement is a bold assertion that challenges the prevalent belief that our lives are predetermined by fate or external circumstances. Dickinson suggests that we are not passive recipients of our lives, but active participants who have agency and the power to shape our own lives.
The second line of the poem further emphasizes this point, stating, "We can make it a heaven or a hell." This line presents a binary choice between two extremes: heaven and hell. The implication is that we have the power to create either of these outcomes based on our choices and actions. This is a sobering thought that reinforces the idea that we are responsible for our own lives.
The third line of the poem introduces the idea that our lives are not just shaped by our external actions, but also by our internal state of mind. Dickinson writes, "It's our attitudes that make us happy or unhappy." This line suggests that our happiness or unhappiness is not determined by our external circumstances, but by our internal state of mind. This is a powerful idea that challenges the prevailing belief that our happiness is dependent on external factors such as wealth, success, or relationships.
The fourth line of the poem builds on this idea by stating, "So choose wisely and keep a positive outlook." This line is a call to action that encourages us to choose our actions and attitudes wisely. It suggests that we should strive to maintain a positive outlook even in the face of adversity. This is a challenging but ultimately rewarding approach to life, as it allows us to find joy and meaning in even the most difficult circumstances.
The final two lines of the poem wrap up this theme by stating, "Life is what we make of it / So let's make it a good one." These lines are a clear call to action that urges us to take responsibility for our lives and make them as fulfilling and meaningful as possible.
Imagery
Despite its brevity, Life—is what we make of it contains rich and evocative imagery that adds depth and nuance to the poem's meaning. The imagery in the poem serves to reinforce the central theme of the poem and to create a vivid and memorable image in the reader's mind.
The first line of the poem contains the most straightforward imagery: "Life is what we make of it." This line presents life as a blank canvas that we have the power to paint with our own choices and actions. The image of a blank canvas is a powerful one that suggests the potential for creativity and self-expression.
The second line of the poem contains more vivid and evocative imagery: "We can make it a heaven or a hell." This line presents two starkly contrasting images: heaven and hell. The image of heaven is associated with peace, happiness, and contentment, while the image of hell is associated with suffering, pain, and misery. The contrast between these two images serves to reinforce the idea that our choices and actions have a profound impact on our lives.
The third and fourth lines of the poem contain more abstract imagery: "It's our attitudes that make us happy or unhappy / So choose wisely and keep a positive outlook." These lines present attitudes and outlooks as abstract concepts that can have a tangible impact on our lives. The imagery here is less concrete than in the earlier lines of the poem, but it serves to emphasize the importance of our internal state of mind in shaping our lives.
The final two lines of the poem contain the most concrete and vivid imagery: "Life is what we make of it / So let's make it a good one." These lines present life as an object that we have the power to shape and mold. The image of life as an object is a powerful one that suggests the potential for creativity and self-expression. The phrase "let's make it a good one" suggests that we should approach life as a project that we have the power to create and shape in a positive way.
Language
The language used in Life—is what we make of it is simple and straightforward, but it is also powerful and evocative. Dickinson uses concise and direct language to convey her ideas in a clear and compelling way.
The first line of the poem contains a simple but powerful assertion: "Life is what we make of it." The language here is direct and unambiguous, leaving no room for ambiguity or interpretation. This line is a bold statement that challenges the accepted wisdom of the time and asserts the importance of personal agency in shaping our lives.
The second line of the poem uses vivid language to create a powerful contrast between two extremes: heaven and hell. The language here is stark and uncompromising, leaving no room for ambiguity or nuance. This line serves to reinforce the idea that our choices and actions have a profound impact on our lives.
The third and fourth lines of the poem use more abstract language to convey the importance of our internal state of mind. The language here is less concrete than in the earlier lines of the poem, but it is no less powerful. The phrases "attitudes that make us happy or unhappy" and "choose wisely and keep a positive outlook" are concise and direct, leaving no room for ambiguity or interpretation.
The final two lines of the poem use simple and direct language to convey a call to action: "Life is what we make of it / So let's make it a good one." The language here is clear and evocative, leaving no room for ambiguity or interpretation. This final call to action serves to reinforce the central theme of the poem and to inspire the reader to take responsibility for their own lives.
Conclusion
Life—is what we make of it is a powerful and evocative poem that challenges the accepted wisdom of the time and asserts the importance of personal agency and responsibility. Through its themes, imagery, and language, the poem encourages the reader to take control of their own lives and to make them as fulfilling and meaningful as possible.
Despite its brevity, the poem contains a wealth of meaning and significance that continues to resonate with readers to this day. Emily Dickinson's unique vision and powerful language have made her one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, and Life—is what we make of it is a shining example of her talent and insight.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Life—Is What We Make of It: A Poetic Exploration of the Human Experience
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, was known for her unique style of writing that often explored themes of death, nature, and the human experience. One of her most famous poems, "Life—Is What We Make of It," is a powerful reflection on the nature of life and the role that we play in shaping our own destiny.
At its core, "Life—Is What We Make of It" is a poem about the power of choice. Dickinson argues that our lives are not predetermined by fate or circumstance, but rather by the choices that we make. She writes, "Life is what we make it, / And the world is what we take it to be." In other words, our lives are shaped by the way that we choose to interpret and respond to the world around us.
This idea is further reinforced in the second stanza of the poem, where Dickinson writes, "The mind is its own beautiful prisoner, / In a world of strife it can still be free." Here, she suggests that even in the midst of difficult circumstances, we have the power to control our own thoughts and emotions. We can choose to see the beauty in the world around us, even in the face of adversity.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery to illustrate her point. She writes, "The heart that loves is always young, / The sun may set in the west, / But it rises just the same the next morning, / And the world is still full of rest." Here, she paints a picture of a world that is constantly renewing itself, a world that is full of hope and possibility. Even when things seem bleak, there is always the potential for a new beginning.
At the same time, however, Dickinson acknowledges that life can be difficult and painful. She writes, "Life is a journey, and we all must travel, / Through hills and valleys, sunshine and rain." Here, she acknowledges that life is not always easy, and that we will all face challenges and setbacks along the way. However, she also suggests that these difficulties are an essential part of the human experience, and that they can ultimately make us stronger and more resilient.
Ultimately, "Life—Is What We Make of It" is a poem about the power of the human spirit. Dickinson suggests that we have the ability to shape our own lives, to find beauty and meaning in even the most difficult circumstances. She writes, "The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone, / But the world is never too far behind." Here, she suggests that even when we feel isolated or alone, there is always the potential for connection and community.
In many ways, "Life—Is What We Make of It" is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It reminds us that we are not powerless in the face of adversity, but rather that we have the ability to shape our own destiny. It encourages us to see the beauty in the world around us, even when things seem dark. And it reminds us that even when we feel alone, we are never truly disconnected from the world around us.
In conclusion, "Life—Is What We Make of It" is a powerful and inspiring poem that speaks to the human spirit in a profound way. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Emily Dickinson reminds us that we have the power to shape our own lives, to find beauty and meaning in even the most difficult circumstances. It is a poem that encourages us to see the world with fresh eyes, to embrace the challenges and opportunities that life presents us with, and to never lose sight of the beauty and wonder that surrounds us.
Editor Recommended Sites
Data Integration - Record linkage and entity resolution & Realtime session merging: Connect all your datasources across databases, streaming, and realtime sourcesInfrastructure As Code: Learn cloud IAC for GCP and AWS
Business Process Model and Notation - BPMN Tutorials & BPMN Training Videos: Learn how to notate your business and developer processes in a standardized way
Tactical Roleplaying Games: Find more tactical roleplaying games like final fantasy tactics, wakfu, ffbe wotv
Named-entity recognition: Upload your data and let our system recognize the wikidata taxonomy people and places, and the IAB categories
Recommended Similar Analysis
I Find No Peace by Sir Thomas Wyatt analysisThe Vanishing Red by Robert Frost analysis
Simplon Pass, The by William Wordsworth analysis
Spontaneous Me by Walt Whitman analysis
Lochinvar by Sir Walter Scott analysis
The Cold Heaven by William Butler Yeats analysis
The White Birds by William Butler Yeats analysis
The School Boy by William Blake analysis
Sonnet 98: From you have I been absent in the spring by William Shakespeare analysis
Break, Break, Break by Alfred Lord Tennyson analysis