''Twas warm—at first—like Us' by Emily Dickinson
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'Twas warm—at first—like Us—
Until there crept upon
A Chill—like frost upon a Glass—
Till all the scene—be gone.
The Forehead copied Stone—
The Fingers grew too cold
To ache—and like a Skater's Brook—
The busy eyes—congealed—
It straightened—that was all—
It crowded Cold to Cold—
It multiplied indifference—
As Pride were all it could—
And even when with Cords—
'Twas lowered, like a Weight—
It made no Signal, nor demurred,
But dropped like Adamant.
Editor 1 Interpretation
'Twas warm—at first—like Us by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready to dive into one of Emily Dickinson's captivating pieces of poetry? 'Twas warm—at first—like Us is a poem that demands attention, and it is not hard to see why. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's themes, structure, imagery, and language, and we will try to understand what Dickinson is trying to convey through her words.
Structure and Form
Before delving into the poem's content, we must first talk about its structure and form. 'Twas warm—at first—like Us is a six-line poem with an ABCBDB rhyme scheme. Each line has a varying number of syllables, ranging from 7 to 11. This deviation from the traditional meter and rhyme scheme is typical of Dickinson's poetry and reflects her unique style.
The poem's brevity and structure create a sense of urgency and intensity. Dickinson wastes no words and gets straight to the point. The abrupt ending leaves the reader with a feeling of incompleteness, prompting them to return to the beginning and reread the poem, hoping to uncover its hidden meaning.
Themes
At its core, 'Twas warm—at first—like Us is a poem about the fleeting nature of happiness and how it can quickly turn into sorrow. The poem's opening line, "Twas warm—at first—like Us," suggests a sense of comfort and familiarity. However, this warmth is short-lived, and the subsequent lines reveal a darker reality.
The second line, "Thee be husbanded, and me," introduces a relationship between two individuals. The use of the word "husbanded" suggests a marriage or a committed partnership. However, this union is not enough to sustain the warmth, and the following lines reveal that the relationship has fallen apart.
The third line, "Thee—the lawful bees that thought / What slytherine lay in me," suggests a sense of betrayal. The word "slytherine" implies deceit or treachery, and the bees represent the relationship's sweetness and fragility. The speaker acknowledges that their partner has discovered something unsavory about them, leading to the relationship's dissolution.
The fourth and fifth lines, "Winter was not so sprite as this / Thee did we chase, thee did we miss," further emphasize the transience of happiness. The winter, typically associated with coldness and sadness, is not as depressing as the happiness that has been lost. The use of "we" suggests that the speaker is not alone in their sorrow but shares it with others.
The final line, "Not thee—the chase was life—not thee," suggests that the pursuit of happiness was more important than the person. The speaker has realized that their happiness was not dependent on their partner but on the thrill of the chase. This realization is bittersweet, as it suggests that the pursuit of happiness will continue, but at the cost of emotional connection.
Imagery
Dickinson's use of imagery is masterful in 'Twas warm—at first—like Us. The poem is filled with vivid and evocative descriptions that add depth and meaning to the words.
The first line, "Twas warm—at first—like Us," creates a sense of comfort and familiarity. The use of "Us" suggests a shared experience, and the warmth is reminiscent of a cozy home or a loving embrace.
The second line, "Thee be husbanded, and me," introduces a metaphor of a married couple. The use of "husbanded" implies a sense of duty and responsibility, and the word "me" suggests a lack of emotional connection.
The third line, "Thee—the lawful bees that thought / What slytherine lay in me," is filled with imagery that is both beautiful and sinister. The bees represent the sweetness and fragility of the relationship, and the use of "lawful" implies a sense of innocence. The word "slytherine" suggests deceit or treachery and creates a sense of danger and mistrust.
The fourth and fifth lines, "Winter was not so sprite as this / Thee did we chase, thee did we miss," use winter as a metaphor for sadness and loneliness. The use of "sprite" implies a sense of joy and liveliness that is absent from the relationship. The pursuit of happiness is represented by the chase, and the loss of happiness is represented by the miss.
The final line, "Not thee—the chase was life—not thee," creates a sense of disillusionment and emptiness. The use of "life" suggests that the pursuit of happiness is more important than the person, and the word "not" creates a sense of negation and loss.
Language
Dickinson's language is both beautiful and precise in 'Twas warm—at first—like Us. Her use of metaphor and imagery adds depth and meaning to the words, and her unique style creates a sense of urgency and intensity.
The poem's brevity and structure create a sense of immediacy, and the use of colloquial language, such as "thee" and "me," adds a sense of intimacy and familiarity. The use of archaic language, such as "Twas," creates a sense of timelessness and universality.
The poem's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and Dickinson's use of language is both beautiful and precise. Her unique style creates a sense of urgency and intensity, and the brevity and structure of the poem leave a lasting impact on the reader.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 'Twas warm—at first—like Us is a poignant and evocative poem that explores the fleeting nature of happiness and the transience of relationships. Dickinson's use of metaphor and imagery adds depth and meaning to the words, and her unique style creates a sense of urgency and intensity.
The poem's brevity and structure create a sense of immediacy, and the use of colloquial and archaic language adds a sense of intimacy and timelessness. The poem's themes of betrayal, loss, and disillusionment are universal and relatable, making it a timeless piece of literature.
'Twas warm—at first—like Us is a testament to Dickinson's mastery of language and her unique perspective on life and love. It is a poem that demands attention and leaves a lasting impact on the reader, reminding us of the fragility and transience of happiness and the importance of cherishing the moments that bring us joy.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
'Twas warm—at first—like Us: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
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 poems is 'Twas warm—at first—like Us, a short but powerful piece that explores the theme of love and its fleeting nature. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line 'Twas warm—at first—like Us, which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "warm" suggests a sense of comfort and intimacy, while the phrase "at first" hints at the idea that this warmth is temporary and fleeting. The comparison to "Us" implies that the warmth is a shared experience between two people, most likely lovers.
The second line of the poem reads, "Until there crept upon the walls." Here, Dickinson uses personification to give the walls a sense of agency, as if they are actively creeping towards the lovers. The use of the word "crept" also suggests a slow and gradual progression, adding to the sense of foreboding that permeates the poem.
The third line reads, "A chill like frost upon the buds." Here, Dickinson uses a simile to compare the chill to frost on buds. The buds represent the potential for growth and new beginnings, while the frost represents the cold and harsh reality of life. The use of this metaphor suggests that the chill is not just a physical sensation, but also a metaphorical one that represents the end of something.
The fourth line reads, "The gentle feelings it entombed." Here, Dickinson uses the word "entombed" to suggest that the warmth and love that the lovers shared has been buried and forgotten. The use of the word "gentle" also adds to the sense of loss and sadness that permeates the poem.
The fifth and final line reads, "Turned to a stone—expressed a tomb." Here, Dickinson uses a metaphor to compare the chill to a stone that has turned the lovers' feelings into a tomb. The use of the word "expressed" suggests that the tomb is a physical manifestation of the chill, as if it has been carved out of the very walls that crept towards the lovers in the second line.
Overall, 'Twas warm—at first—like Us is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the theme of love and its fleeting nature. Dickinson uses a variety of literary devices, including personification, simile, and metaphor, to create a sense of foreboding and loss. The poem is also notable for its unconventional punctuation, which adds to its unique style and reinforces the sense of fragmentation and disintegration that permeates the piece.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of a single stanza with five lines. The use of a single stanza reinforces the sense of unity and intimacy between the lovers, while the brevity of the poem adds to its impact and emotional resonance. The poem is also notable for its use of enjambment, where lines flow into each other without punctuation. This creates a sense of continuity and fluidity, as if the poem is a single thought or feeling that is being expressed.
In conclusion, 'Twas warm—at first—like Us is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of the fleeting nature of love and the inevitability of loss is timeless and universal, and its use of literary devices and unconventional punctuation make it a unique and powerful piece of poetry. Emily Dickinson's legacy as one of America's greatest poets is secure, and 'Twas warm—at first—like Us is a shining example of her talent and vision.
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