'I heard a Fly buzz—when I died' by Emily Dickinson
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I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air—
Between the Heaves of Storm—
The Eyes around—had wrung them dry—
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset—when the King
Be witnessed—in the Room—
I willed my Keepsakes—Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable—and then it was
There interposed a Fly—
With Blue—uncertain stumbling Buzz—
Between the light—and me—
And then the Windows failed—and then
I could not see to see—
Editor 1 Interpretation
I heard a Fly buzz—when I died by Emily Dickinson: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry
Oh, wow! What a beautiful and haunting poem! Emily Dickinson's "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died" is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry that explores the theme of mortality and the afterlife in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
The Poem
The poem is composed of four stanzas of four lines each, and follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABCB. The speaker of the poem describes their own death, and how in the last moment of their life, a fly buzzing around the room becomes a focal point of their attention:
I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air—
Between the Heaves of Storm—
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the eerie and unsettling atmosphere that will pervade the speaker's account of their own death. The second stanza describes the presence of mourners in the room, who are waiting for the speaker's final breath. The third stanza describes the moment of death itself, when the fly becomes the only thing the speaker can see or hear:
The Eyes around—had wrung them dry—
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset—when the King
Be witnessed—in the Room—
The fourth and final stanza describes the aftermath of the speaker's death, as their consciousness fades away and the fly continues to buzz on:
I willed my Keepsakes—Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable—and then it was
There interposed a Fly—
The Interpretation
At its core, "I heard a Fly buzz—when I died" is a meditation on mortality and the unknown that comes after death. The poem is a vivid portrayal of the experience of dying, and the way that even the most mundane details can become magnified and significant in the face of death. The fly buzzing around the room becomes a symbol of the unknown and the unknowable, a reminder that even in the midst of the most profound moments of life, there is always an element of chaos and uncertainty.
The poem is notable for its use of enjambment and caesura, which give the lines a sense of urgency and fragmentation. The poem's meter is irregular, with lines varying in length and stress, adding to the sense of unease and disorientation that pervades the poem. The poem's structure also mirrors the experience of dying, with the final stanza fading away into nothingness, much like the speaker's consciousness.
The poem's use of symbolism is also significant. The fly buzzing around the room is a metaphor for death itself, a pest that cannot be swatted away or avoided. The stillness in the room is like the stillness before a storm, suggesting that something momentous is about to happen. The mourners in the room are described as having "wrung [their eyes] dry," suggesting that they are already grieving the speaker's impending death.
The use of the word "King" in the third stanza is also significant. The capitalization of the word implies that it is being used in a religious context, and suggests that the speaker is preparing to meet their maker. The presence of the fly at this moment is particularly poignant, as it seems to suggest that even in the face of the divine, there is still an element of the unknown and the unpredictable.
The Significance
"I heard a Fly buzz—when I died" is a significant poem because it explores universal themes that are relevant to people of all ages and backgrounds. The poem speaks to the fear and uncertainty that we all feel when confronted with our own mortality, and reminds us that even in the midst of our most profound moments, there is always an element of the unknown.
The poem is also significant because of its literary and poetic qualities. Emily Dickinson was a master of metaphysical poetry, and her use of language, imagery, and symbolism in this poem is truly remarkable. The poem's structure and meter are perfectly suited to its subject matter, and the use of enjambment and caesura adds to the poem's sense of urgency and fragmentation.
Conclusion
"I heard a Fly buzz—when I died" is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry that explores the theme of mortality and the afterlife in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. The poem's use of language, imagery, and symbolism is truly remarkable, and serves to underscore the poem's central message about the unknown and the unpredictable nature of death.
Overall, this poem is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry or the human condition. It is a deeply moving and thought-provoking work of art that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Heard a Fly Buzz—When I Died: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "I Heard a Fly Buzz—When I Died" is a masterpiece of her work. The poem is a haunting and powerful meditation on death, and it has captivated readers for generations. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the moment of their death. They are lying on their deathbed, surrounded by loved ones, waiting for the end to come. But instead of a peaceful passing, the speaker is interrupted by the buzzing of a fly. This seemingly insignificant detail becomes the focus of the poem, and it takes on a powerful symbolic meaning.
The fly in the poem represents the intrusion of the mundane into the sacred space of death. It is a reminder that even in the most profound moments of life, the world continues to turn, and the trivialities of everyday existence persist. The fly is also a symbol of decay and corruption, as it is often associated with death and decay.
As the poem continues, the speaker describes the scene around them. The room is still and quiet, and the only sound is the buzzing of the fly. The speaker's loved ones are gathered around them, but they are distant and uninvolved. The speaker is alone in their moment of death, and the only company they have is the fly.
The imagery in the poem is stark and powerful. Dickinson uses simple, direct language to create a vivid picture of the scene. The room is described as "stillness" and "the eyes around had wrung them dry." The use of the word "wring" suggests a sense of emotional exhaustion and despair. The loved ones are drained of emotion, and they are unable to offer comfort or support to the dying speaker.
The poem's central theme is the idea of the afterlife. The speaker is waiting for the moment of their death, but they are uncertain about what comes next. They describe the moment of death as a "last Onset" and wonder what lies beyond. The uncertainty of the afterlife is a common theme in Dickinson's work, and it reflects her own struggles with faith and spirituality.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker describes the moment when the fly "interposed" between them and the light. This moment is a metaphor for the speaker's transition from life to death. The fly represents the final barrier between the speaker and the afterlife, and its buzzing is a reminder of the fragility of life.
The final line of the poem, "And then the Windows failed—and then / I could not see to see—," is a powerful conclusion to the poem. The speaker has passed beyond the barrier of the fly, and they are now in the afterlife. The use of the word "Windows" suggests a sense of finality and closure, as if the speaker has passed through a final threshold.
In conclusion, "I Heard a Fly Buzz—When I Died" is a masterpiece of Emily Dickinson's work. The poem is a powerful meditation on death, the afterlife, and the fragility of life. The use of imagery and symbolism is masterful, and the poem's themes are universal and timeless. It is a poem that continues to captivate readers and inspire new generations of poets and writers.
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