'To Whom the Mornings stand for Nights' by Emily Dickinson
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To Whom the Mornings stand for Nights,
What must the Midnights—be!
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Whom the Mornings stand for Nights: A Critical Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Oh, Emily Dickinson, how you continue to amaze us with your poetic genius! To Whom the Mornings stand for Nights is a prime example of the depth and complexity of your work. In this poem, you delve into the theme of death and the afterlife, using vivid imagery and metaphors to create a haunting and mesmerizing piece of art.
Let's dive into the poem, stanza by stanza, and explore the various layers of meaning and interpretation.
Stanza One
"I died for Beauty—but was scarce Adjusted in the Tomb When One who died for Truth, was lain In an adjoining Room—"
The poem starts with a startling admission - the speaker has died for beauty. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where the speaker explores the idea of dying for something intangible and abstract. The use of the word "scarce" emphasizes the suddenness of the speaker's death and the idea that they were not fully prepared for it.
The second half of the stanza introduces another character who has died for truth. The use of "One" instead of a proper noun adds to the anonymity of this character and emphasizes the universality of the theme of death. The fact that this character is "lain/ In an adjoining Room-" creates a sense of proximity and connectedness between the two characters, despite their different causes of death.
Stanza Two
"He questioned softly 'Why I failed?' 'For Beauty,' I replied— 'And I—for Truth—Themself are One— We brethren, are,' He said—"
The second stanza continues the conversation between the two characters. The use of the word "softly" suggests a gentleness and understanding between them. The first character responds to the question of why they failed with a simple answer - "For Beauty." This response is significant because it implies that beauty is just as worthy a cause to die for as truth.
The second half of the stanza contains the most memorable line of the poem - "Themself are One." This line is open to interpretation, but one possible reading is that beauty and truth are two sides of the same coin. They are both abstract concepts that humans have idealized and used to define their existence. The use of the word "brethren" further emphasizes the connection and unity between these two concepts.
Stanza Three
"And so, as Kinsmen, met a Night— We talked between the Rooms— Until the Moss had reached our lips— And covered up—our names—"
The final stanza of the poem brings the two characters even closer together, describing them as "Kinsmen" who have met a night. The use of the word "night" creates a sense of darkness and mystery, which is fitting for a poem about death. The fact that they are talking "between the Rooms" suggests that they are still separated by physical space, but their conversation has crossed the boundary between life and death.
The final two lines of the poem are haunting and beautiful - "Until the Moss had reached our lips—/ And covered up—our names—" The image of moss growing over their lips suggests that they have become one with nature and that their identities have been erased by the passage of time. This is a common theme in Dickinson's work, where she explores the impermanence of human existence and the power of nature to outlive us all.
Interpretation
To Whom the Mornings stand for Nights is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. One possible reading is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of death and the afterlife. The two characters represent different causes of death - beauty and truth - and their conversation suggests that these causes are not as different as they may seem.
The use of the word "brethren" and the line "Themself are One" suggest a unity and interconnectedness between all abstract concepts that humans have idealized. The fact that the two characters are talking "between the Rooms" suggests that they are still separated by physical space, but their conversation has transcended that boundary.
The final image of the moss covering their lips suggests that they have become one with nature and that their identities have been erased by the passage of time. This is a common theme in Dickinson's work, where she explores the impermanence of human existence and the power of nature to outlive us all.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the role of art and truth in human existence. The fact that one character has died for beauty and the other for truth suggests a dichotomy between these two concepts. However, the conversation between the characters suggests that they are not as different as they may seem.
The use of the word "brethren" and the line "Themself are One" suggest a unity and interconnectedness between art and truth. The fact that the characters are talking "between the Rooms" suggests that these abstract concepts can transcend physical space and time.
Overall, To Whom the Mornings stand for Nights is a masterpiece of poetic genius that explores complex themes in a haunting and mesmerizing way. Emily Dickinson continues to inspire us with her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in such a profound and beautiful way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To Whom the Mornings Stand for Nights: A Poem of Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and thought-provoking themes. Her poem "To Whom the Mornings Stand for Nights" is a perfect example of her genius, as it explores the complex relationship between life and death, and the role of the natural world in our understanding of these concepts.
The poem begins with the line "To whom the mornings stand for nights," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is addressing someone who sees the world in a different way than most people, someone who is perhaps more attuned to the mysteries of life and death. The use of the word "stand" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the mornings are not just like nights, but actually take their place. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the way that life and death are intertwined, with one taking the place of the other in a never-ending cycle.
The next line, "He who has not found what life should be," further emphasizes the idea that the speaker is addressing someone who is searching for meaning in their existence. This is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the idea of the human condition and the struggle to find purpose in life. The use of the word "should" is also significant, as it suggests that there is a certain expectation or ideal that the speaker believes life should live up to.
The third line, "Nor yet has learned what death can do," is perhaps the most powerful in the entire poem. Here, the speaker is acknowledging the fact that death is a mystery that we can never fully understand. This is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the idea of death as a natural part of life, and the way that it shapes our understanding of the world around us. The use of the word "learned" is also significant, as it suggests that death is something that can be studied and understood, but never truly mastered.
The fourth line, "Climbs higher than he who has," is a bit more ambiguous, but could be interpreted as a reference to the idea that those who are searching for meaning in life are often more attuned to the mysteries of the universe than those who are not. The use of the word "climbs" suggests that this person is on a journey, perhaps a spiritual one, and is striving to reach a higher level of understanding.
The fifth line, "And sees beyond the farthest star," is a beautiful image that suggests that this person has a deep connection to the natural world and is able to see beyond the physical realm. This is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the idea of the natural world as a source of inspiration and understanding.
The final two lines of the poem, "So is the day that yesterday was," and "Only shineth more and no more," are perhaps the most enigmatic. The first line suggests that the present day is connected to the past in some way, and that the passage of time is not linear but cyclical. The second line suggests that the present day is no different from the past, but that it shines brighter. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the idea that life is a constant cycle of birth and death, but that each new day brings with it the possibility of new understanding and enlightenment.
Overall, "To Whom the Mornings Stand for Nights" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson is able to convey a sense of wonder and mystery that is both inspiring and humbling. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply someone who is interested in exploring the mysteries of life and death, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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