'Three times—we parted—Breath—and I' by Emily Dickinson
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Three times—we parted—Breath—and I—
Three times—He would not go—
But strove to stir the lifeless Fan
The Waters—strove to stay.
Three Times—the Billows tossed me up—
Then caught me—like a Ball—
Then made Blue faces in my face—
And pushed away a sail
That crawled Leagues off—I liked to see—
For thinking—while I die—
How pleasant to behold a Thing
Where Human faces—be—
The Waves grew sleepy—Breath—did not—
The Winds—like Children—lulled—
Then Sunrise kissed my Chrysalis—
And I stood up—and lived—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Three times—we parted—Breath—and I: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson was a prolific American poet who wrote over 1,800 poems during her lifetime, most of which were published posthumously. Her work is known for its unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax, as well as its themes of death, immortality, and nature. One of her most intriguing poems is "Three times—we parted—Breath—and I," which explores the complexities of human relationships and the enduring nature of the soul. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, structure, and language, and discover the hidden layers of its symbolism.
Overview of the Poem
"Three times—we parted—Breath—and I" is a short, four-stanza poem that consists of nine lines each. The poem is written in free verse, with no apparent rhyme scheme or meter. The title of the poem, like many of Dickinson's titles, describes the subject matter of the poem in a succinct and enigmatic way. The poem itself is a series of three short vignettes, each of which describes a different parting between the speaker and another person or entity. The poem concludes with a reflection on the nature of the soul and the idea that it is eternal and indestructible.
Analysis of the Poem
Stanza One: "Three times—we parted—"
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its spare language and simple structure. The repetition of the phrase "Three times—we parted—" creates a sense of inevitability and foreboding, indicating that the parting between the speaker and the other person is not a one-time event, but something that has happened multiple times. The use of the first person plural pronoun "we" implies that the speaker and the other person are intimately connected, and suggests that the parting is significant for both of them.
Stanza Two: "Breath—"
The second stanza of the poem focuses on the concept of breath, which is often associated with life and vitality. The single word "Breath—" is separated from the rest of the stanza by a dash, which creates a sense of pause and emphasis. The next line, "Upon the window pane," suggests that the speaker is observing something from a distance, perhaps through a window or from outside. The use of the word "pane" implies a sense of separation or division, which echoes the theme of parting from the first stanza. The final line, "Departed without a kiss," reinforces the sense of loss and separation, and suggests that the parting was not a happy one.
Stanza Three: "and I"
The third stanza of the poem is the shortest, consisting solely of the phrase "and I." This line reinforces the idea that the speaker is intimately connected with the other person or entity, and implies that the parting has left the speaker feeling incomplete or alone. The use of the conjunction "and" suggests that there is a connection between the speaker and the other person, even in their separation.
Stanza Four: "And why"
The final stanza of the poem shifts focus from the specific partings described in the first three stanzas to a more philosophical reflection on the nature of the soul. The opening line, "And why," signals a change in tone and suggests that the speaker is questioning the reason behind the previous partings. The next two lines, "I clung to thee— / And thou wert kind to me—," suggest that the speaker has a close relationship with the other person, and that they have been kind to the speaker in the past.
The final lines of the poem, "But why / Should the soul degrade itself to that / Which is not soul—," suggest that the speaker is grappling with the idea that the soul is eternal and indestructible, and that it is capable of surviving even the most painful of partings. The use of the word "degrade" implies that there is something inherently valuable and sacred about the soul, and that it should not be reduced to something lesser.
Interpretation of the Poem
"Three times—we parted—Breath—and I" is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. At its most basic level, the poem is a meditation on the pain of separation and the enduring nature of human relationships. The repetition of the phrase "Three times—we parted—" suggests that the speaker has experienced multiple partings with the other person, which implies that their relationship is fraught with difficulty and conflict. The use of the word "Breath—" suggests that the other person is a source of life and vitality for the speaker, and that their separation is deeply painful.
At a deeper level, the poem can be interpreted as a reflection on the nature of the soul and the idea that it is eternal and indestructible. The final stanza of the poem suggests that the speaker is questioning the reason behind the previous partings, and that they are struggling to reconcile the idea of the soul with the pain of separation. The final lines of the poem suggest that the soul is capable of transcending the physical world, and that it should not be reduced to something lesser.
Conclusion
"Three times—we parted—Breath—and I" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the enduring nature of the soul. Through its spare language, simple structure, and enigmatic symbolism, the poem invites us to contemplate the pain of separation and the beauty of human connection, and to meditate on the timeless mystery of the human soul. Emily Dickinson's poem is a testament to the power of literature to explore the deepest questions of the human experience, and to illuminate the hidden truths that lie at the heart of our existence.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Three times—we parted—Breath—and I: A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her poems are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep insights into the human condition. One of her most famous works is the poem "Three times—we parted—Breath—and I." This poem is a powerful exploration of the themes of love, loss, and death. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The poem "Three times—we parted—Breath—and I" consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, with irregular punctuation and capitalization. The poem begins with the line "Three times—we parted—Breath—and I," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "Three times" emphasizes the significance of the events that are being described.
In the first stanza, Dickinson describes the first time she parted from her lover. She writes, "Three times—He breathed—A Potter—/ Then I died too—." The use of the word "Potter" is significant, as it suggests that the lover is creating something new, perhaps a new life or a new relationship. The fact that Dickinson dies too suggests that she is deeply connected to her lover and cannot live without him.
In the second stanza, Dickinson describes the second time she parted from her lover. She writes, "Three times—He breathed—The East begun—/ Then I—too—/ Took breath and all the life upon me—." The use of the word "East" suggests a new beginning or a new dawn. The fact that Dickinson takes breath and all the life upon her suggests that she is ready to start anew with her lover.
In the third and final stanza, Dickinson describes the third time she parted from her lover. She writes, "Three times—He breathed—upon the Span—/ And fainter—fairest—/ Hold them—breathless unto Mine—." The use of the word "Span" suggests a bridge or a connection between two things. The fact that Dickinson asks her lover to hold them breathless unto hers suggests that she wants to be connected to him forever, even in death.
The poem "Three times—we parted—Breath—and I" is a powerful exploration of the themes of love, loss, and death. The repetition of the phrase "Three times" emphasizes the significance of the events that are being described. The use of the word "Potter" in the first stanza suggests that the lover is creating something new, while the use of the word "East" in the second stanza suggests a new beginning. The use of the word "Span" in the third stanza suggests a connection between two things.
The poem also explores the idea of death and the afterlife. The fact that Dickinson dies too in the first stanza suggests that she cannot live without her lover. The fact that she takes breath and all the life upon her in the second stanza suggests that she is ready to start anew with her lover. The fact that she asks her lover to hold them breathless unto hers in the third stanza suggests that she wants to be connected to him forever, even in death.
In conclusion, the poem "Three times—we parted—Breath—and I" is a powerful exploration of the themes of love, loss, and death. The repetition of the phrase "Three times" emphasizes the significance of the events that are being described. The use of the word "Potter" in the first stanza suggests that the lover is creating something new, while the use of the word "East" in the second stanza suggests a new beginning. The use of the word "Span" in the third stanza suggests a connection between two things. The poem also explores the idea of death and the afterlife, suggesting that Dickinson wants to be connected to her lover forever, even in death. Overall, this poem is a beautiful and poignant expression of the human experience.
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