'We Cover Thee—Sweet Face' by Emily Dickinson
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We Cover Thee—Sweet Face—
Not that We tire of Thee—
But that Thyself fatigue of Us—
Remember—as Thou go—
We follow Thee until
Thou notice Us—no more—
And then—reluctant—turn away
To Con Thee o'er and o'er—
And blame the scanty love
We were Content to show—
Augmented—Sweet—a Hundred fold—
If Thou would'st take it—now—
Editor 1 Interpretation
We Cover Thee—Sweet Face by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you a fan of poetry? Do you enjoy reading works that are both beautiful and thought-provoking? If so, then you must have come across We Cover Thee—Sweet Face by Emily Dickinson.
This classic poem, first published in 1896, is one of Dickinson's most celebrated works. The poem speaks of death and how the living remember and honor the deceased. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will discuss the themes, literary devices, and the poet's style in crafting this beautiful masterpiece.
Themes
We Cover Thee—Sweet Face touches on several themes, including death, remembrance, and the transience of life. The poem begins by describing the dead as "still and white." The second line, "We cover thee—sweet face," speaks of the living's desire to honor the dead by covering their face. Here, we see the theme of remembrance. The living wants to preserve the memory of the dead by covering their face, which is the most recognizable part of a person.
The third line, "Not that we may forget thee," shows that the living does not cover the face to forget the dead but to honor and remember them. The fourth line, "But that the love we bear thee," speaks of the love that the living had for the dead. This line is crucial in understanding the theme of the poem. The poem is not about death in itself but about the love that the living had for the dead and how they honor that love.
The theme of the transience of life is also present in the poem. The line, "May never from thy soul depart," shows that the love that the living had for the dead is eternal. Even though the body may decay, the love that the living had for the dead will never die.
Literary Devices
Emily Dickinson was a master of literary devices, and We Cover Thee—Sweet Face is no exception. In this section, we will discuss some of the literary devices used in the poem.
Metaphor
One of the most prominent literary devices in the poem is the use of metaphor. The line, "We cover thee—sweet face," is a metaphor for honoring and remembering the dead. The face is the most recognizable part of a person, and covering it is a way to pay respect to the dead.
Personification
Personification is another literary device used in the poem. The line, "Not that we may forget thee," personifies the act of forgetting. Forgetting is not an action that can be done but is presented as a tangible thing that can be prevented.
Imagery
Imagery is used throughout the poem to create vivid visual images. The line, "May never from thy soul depart," creates an image of the love that the living had for the dead, which is eternal and will never leave their souls.
Rhyme
Rhyme is used in the poem to create a musical quality. The poem is written in quatrains, and the first and third lines rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. This creates a pattern that adds to the musical quality of the poem.
Style
Emily Dickinson's style is unique, and We Cover Thee—Sweet Face is an excellent example of her style. The poem is written in quatrains with four lines in each stanza. The lines are short and concise, with each line containing only a few words. This creates a sense of urgency, as if the poet is trying to convey a message quickly.
The use of dashes is also a prominent feature of Dickinson's style. The dashes create pauses in the poem, emphasizing certain words and phrases. The line, "We cover thee—sweet face," is an example of this. The dash creates a pause, emphasizing the importance of covering the face.
Dickinson's use of imagery is also a defining feature of her style. She creates vivid visual images, allowing the reader to experience the emotions and feelings that she is trying to convey. The line, "May never from thy soul depart," creates an image of eternal love that is powerful and moving.
Conclusion
In conclusion, We Cover Thee—Sweet Face by Emily Dickinson is a beautiful poem that speaks of death, remembrance, and the transience of life. The poem uses literary devices such as metaphor, personification, imagery, and rhyme to convey the poet's message effectively. Emily Dickinson's unique style is evident in the use of dashes, short lines, and powerful imagery.
This classic poem has stood the test of time and continues to be celebrated by poetry lovers worldwide. The themes of the poem are universal, and the emotions that it evokes are timeless. We will always remember the dead and honor them, just as Dickinson reminds us to do in We Cover Thee—Sweet Face.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
We Cover Thee—Sweet Face: A Poem of Love and Loss
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and powerful imagery. Her poem, We Cover Thee—Sweet Face, is a beautiful and poignant tribute to a loved one who has passed away. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line, "We cover thee—sweet face," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "we" suggests that the speaker is not alone in their grief, but is surrounded by others who are also mourning the loss of the person being referred to. The phrase "sweet face" is a term of endearment, indicating that the person who has passed away was loved deeply by those who are mourning them.
The next line, "Not that we tire of thee," is a powerful statement that highlights the depth of the speaker's love for the person who has passed away. It suggests that even though the person is no longer with them, they are still deeply missed and cherished. The use of the word "tire" also implies that the speaker has been caring for the person in some way, perhaps during an illness or in old age, and that their absence is felt all the more keenly because of this.
The third line, "But that thyself fatigue of us," is a surprising twist that adds a layer of complexity to the poem. It suggests that the person who has passed away may have been suffering in some way, and that their death may have been a release from that suffering. The use of the word "fatigue" implies that the person was tired, perhaps of life itself, and that their passing was a relief for them. This line also suggests that the speaker is aware of the person's suffering and is able to empathize with them, even in death.
The fourth line, "Remember, as thou go," is a call to the person who has passed away to remember those who are left behind. It suggests that the speaker believes in an afterlife, and that the person who has passed away will be able to look down on those they have left behind. The use of the word "remember" also implies that the speaker wants the person to know that they are still loved and missed, even in death.
The fifth line, "We too, will follow thee," is a powerful statement that suggests that the speaker believes in an afterlife and that they will one day be reunited with the person who has passed away. It also implies that the speaker is not afraid of death, but sees it as a natural part of life. The use of the word "follow" also suggests that the speaker is willing to go wherever the person who has passed away has gone, even if it means leaving behind the world they know.
The sixth and final line, "How sweet the journey thus to be," is a beautiful and poignant conclusion to the poem. It suggests that the speaker sees death as a journey, and that the reunion with the person who has passed away will be a sweet and joyful experience. The use of the word "sweet" also implies that the speaker believes that death is not something to be feared, but something to be embraced.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a number of literary devices to convey her message. The repetition of the word "thee" throughout the poem emphasizes the importance of the person who has passed away, and the use of the word "sweet" adds a layer of tenderness and affection to the poem. The use of the word "we" also creates a sense of community and shared grief, and the use of the word "follow" suggests a willingness to let go of the world and embrace the unknown.
The poem also makes use of symbolism to convey its message. The phrase "sweet face" is a symbol of the person who has passed away, and the use of the word "cover" suggests a desire to protect and care for them, even in death. The use of the word "journey" is also a powerful symbol, suggesting that death is not an end, but a new beginning.
In conclusion, We Cover Thee—Sweet Face is a beautiful and poignant tribute to a loved one who has passed away. It explores themes of love, loss, and the afterlife, and uses powerful imagery and literary devices to convey its message. Dickinson's unique style and powerful imagery make this poem a classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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