'The Frost of Death was on the Pane—' by Emily Dickinson

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The Frost of Death was on the Pane—
"Secure your Flower" said he.
Like Sailors fighting with a Leak
We fought Mortality.

Our passive Flower we held to Sea—
To Mountain—To the Sun—
Yet even on his Scarlet shelf
To crawl the Frost begun—

We pried him back
Ourselves we wedged
Himself and her between,
Yet easy as the narrow Snake
He forked his way along

Till all her helpless beauty bent
And then our wrath begun—
We hunted him to his Ravine
We chased him to his Den—

We hated Death and hated Life
And nowhere was to go—
Than Sea and continent there is
A larger—it is Woe—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Frost of Death was on the Pane by Emily Dickinson

"Out of sight? What of that? / See the Bird - reach it!" These are the last two lines of the poem "The Frost of Death was on the Pane" by Emily Dickinson. They are enigmatic and profound, they are the conclusion of a poem that explores the relationship between life and death, between sight and the unseen, and between the material world and the spiritual one. This poem is a wonderful example of how Emily Dickinson combined her unique style with her philosophical and metaphysical concerns to create a poetic universe that challenges and inspires the reader.

Context and Interpretation

"The Frost of Death was on the Pane" was written in 1863, a year that was marked by the American Civil War and the death of two of Emily Dickinson's close friends, Charles Wadsworth and Benjamin Franklin Newton. Dickinson was also going through a spiritual crisis, she was questioning her faith and her place in the world. These events and concerns are reflected in the poem, which can be read as an exploration of the themes of mortality, faith, and spirituality.

The poem opens with a vivid image of death: "The Frost of Death was on the Pane". The use of the word "frost" creates a sense of coldness, stillness, and finality. The fact that the frost is on the "pane" suggests that death is not only outside, but also inside, it is a part of the speaker's world. The "pane" can also be read as a metaphor for the barrier between life and death, between the material and the spiritual world.

The second stanza introduces the image of a bird that is "out of sight". The bird can be interpreted as a symbol of life, freedom, and spirituality. The fact that it is out of sight suggests that it is not visible, that it belongs to the spiritual world. The speaker then asks a rhetorical question: "What of that?" This question can be read as an expression of the speaker's resignation and acceptance of death. It can also be read as a challenge to the reader: what does it matter if the bird is out of sight? Can we still reach it? Can we still connect with the spiritual world even if we cannot see it?

The next stanza introduces the image of a "veil" that separates the speaker from the bird. The veil can be read as a symbol of the material world, of the physical barriers that prevent us from accessing the spiritual world. The fact that the veil is "doubled" suggests that it is thick and impenetrable. The speaker then asks another rhetorical question: "Who knows but the world may end tonight?" This question can be read as an expression of the speaker's fear and uncertainty. It can also be read as a reminder that death can come at any moment, that we should always be prepared to face it.

The final stanza contains the enigmatic and profound lines: "Out of sight? What of that? / See the Bird - reach it!" These lines can be read as an expression of the speaker's hope and faith. They can also be read as a challenge to the reader: can we see the bird? Can we reach it? Can we connect with the spiritual world even if it is out of sight?

Literary Analysis

"The Frost of Death was on the Pane" is a poem that is characterized by Emily Dickinson's unique style and voice. The poem is composed of four stanzas, each containing three lines. The rhyme scheme is irregular, with the first and third lines of each stanza rhyming. The meter is also irregular, with lines of different lengths and stresses. This irregularity creates a sense of unpredictability and spontaneity, it reflects the speaker's emotional state and her exploration of complex themes.

The images and symbols used in the poem are also characteristic of Emily Dickinson's style. The use of the image of frost creates a sense of coldness and stillness that is reminiscent of death. The use of the image of a bird creates a sense of freedom and spirituality that is in contrast with the material world. The use of the veil as a symbol of the barrier between life and death, between the material and the spiritual world, is also a recurring theme in Emily Dickinson's poetry.

The use of rhetorical questions is another characteristic of Emily Dickinson's style. These questions create a sense of intimacy and engagement with the reader, they challenge the reader to think and feel along with the speaker. The use of these questions also reflects the speaker's uncertainty and her search for meaning and understanding.

The enigmatic and profound lines at the end of the poem are a wonderful example of Emily Dickinson's ability to create ambiguity and open-endedness. The lines can be interpreted in many different ways, they can be seen as an expression of hope, faith, and resilience, they can also be seen as a challenge to the reader to connect with the spiritual world, or they can be seen as a reminder of the limitations of human perception and understanding.

Conclusion

"The Frost of Death was on the Pane" is a beautiful and profound poem that explores the themes of mortality, faith, and spirituality. Emily Dickinson's unique style and voice are evident in the irregular rhyme scheme, meter, and use of rhetorical questions. The poem's images and symbols create a vivid and powerful atmosphere that reflects the speaker's emotional state and her search for meaning and understanding. The enigmatic and profound lines at the end of the poem are a wonderful example of Emily Dickinson's ability to create ambiguity and open-endedness. This poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's talent as a poet and her ability to express complex ideas and emotions in a beautiful and profound way.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Frost of Death was on the Pane: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is a renowned American poet who is known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of life in her poems. One of her most famous works is "The Frost of Death was on the Pane," a poem that explores the theme of death and its impact on the living. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning of the poem and its significance in the context of Dickinson's body of work.

The poem begins with the line "The Frost of Death was on the Pane," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "frost" is significant as it connotes a sense of coldness and stillness, which is often associated with death. The fact that the frost is on the pane suggests that it is separating the speaker from the outside world, creating a sense of isolation and detachment.

The second line of the poem reads, "Secure your Flower for Winter." This line can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible meaning is that the speaker is advising the reader to prepare for the inevitability of death. The "flower" could be a metaphor for life, and the act of securing it for winter could represent the need to prepare for the end of life.

The third line of the poem, "The Flower of Death, too, blooms," reinforces the theme of death and its inevitability. The use of the word "flower" again suggests the fragility and transience of life, while the fact that it blooms even in death highlights the cyclical nature of life and death.

The fourth line of the poem, "Secure the last Delay," is perhaps the most enigmatic. It could be interpreted as a call to action, urging the reader to make the most of their time before death comes. Alternatively, it could be seen as a warning against procrastination, reminding the reader that death can come at any moment and that there is no time to waste.

The fifth and final line of the poem, "The need of the Poor,—eremite,—," is perhaps the most difficult to interpret. The word "eremite" means a hermit or recluse, which could suggest that the speaker is referring to someone who has withdrawn from society and is living a solitary life. The phrase "the need of the Poor" could be interpreted as a call to help those who are less fortunate, or it could be seen as a reminder that even those who are isolated and alone have a need for companionship and connection.

Overall, "The Frost of Death was on the Pane" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of death and its impact on the living. Through the use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson creates a sense of isolation and detachment that underscores the fragility and transience of life. The poem is a reminder that death is an inevitable part of life, and that we must prepare ourselves for its arrival.

In the context of Dickinson's body of work, "The Frost of Death was on the Pane" is a prime example of her unique style and her ability to capture the essence of life in her poetry. Her use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and her ability to convey complex emotions and ideas in a few short lines is truly remarkable.

In conclusion, "The Frost of Death was on the Pane" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of the theme of death and its impact on the living is timeless, and its use of metaphor and imagery is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet. Whether read as a call to action or a warning against procrastination, this poem is a powerful reminder of the fragility and transience of life, and the need to prepare ourselves for the inevitable.

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