'Immortal is an ample word' by Emily Dickinson
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Immortal is an ample word
When what we need is by
But when it leaves us for a time
'Tis a necessity.
Of Heaven above the firmest proof
We fundamental know
Except for its marauding Hand
It had been Heaven below.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Immortal is an Ample Word by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson is a celebrated American poet, born in Massachusetts in 1830. Dickinson's poetry was marked by her concise and often enigmatic style, which explored themes of spirituality, nature, and mortality. Among her most famous works is "Immortal is an Ample Word," a poem that highlights Dickinson's fascination with the concept of immortality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine Dickinson's poem and explore the various literary devices she employs to convey her ideas.
Synopsis
"Immortal is an Ample Word" is a poem that consists of two stanzas, with four lines each. The poem opens with the line, "Immortal is an ample word," which sets the stage for the exploration of the concept of immortality. The first stanza goes on to describe the different ways in which people have attempted to achieve immortality, from the building of monuments to the writing of books. However, the poet suggests that these efforts fall short of true immortality, which can only be achieved through the eternal existence of the soul.
The second stanza continues this exploration, focusing on the idea that the soul is immortal because it is a part of God. The poet suggests that the soul is "a portion of the Eternal," and therefore cannot be destroyed by death. In the final lines of the poem, Dickinson emphasizes the importance of recognizing the immortality of the soul, as it allows us to confront the inevitability of death with a sense of peace and acceptance.
Literary Devices
Throughout the poem, Dickinson employs various literary devices to convey her ideas effectively. One of the most evident devices is repetition. The phrase "Immortal is an ample word" is repeated twice in the first stanza, and the word "immortal" is used several times throughout the poem. This repetition serves to emphasize the central theme of the poem: the nature of immortality.
Another literary device that Dickinson employs is metaphor. In the first stanza, she compares the attempts of people to achieve immortality to the building of monuments and the writing of books. This metaphor helps to convey the idea that these efforts fall short of true immortality, which can only be achieved through the eternal existence of the soul.
Dickinson also uses imagery to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. For example, in the second stanza, she describes the soul as "a portion of the Eternal," which conjures up images of infinity and eternity. This imagery helps to reinforce the idea that the soul is immortal because it is a part of something that is infinite and timeless.
Finally, Dickinson employs personification in the final lines of the poem. She writes, "Death is but a different name for God," which suggests that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather a natural part of the cycle of life. By personifying death in this way, Dickinson is able to convey a sense of acceptance and peace in the face of mortality.
Interpretation
The central theme of "Immortal is an Ample Word" is the nature of immortality. Dickinson suggests that true immortality can only be achieved through the eternal existence of the soul, which is a part of God. The poet contrasts this idea with the attempts of people to achieve immortality through the building of monuments and the writing of books. She suggests that these efforts fall short of true immortality because they are temporal and finite.
One interpretation of this poem is that it is a reflection on the transience of human existence. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that, despite our attempts to leave a lasting mark on the world, ultimately, everything we do will be forgotten, and we will be forgotten along with it. However, by recognizing the immortality of the soul, we can find comfort in the fact that there is something eternal within us that will never die.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the nature of God. Dickinson suggests that the soul is a part of God and, therefore, cannot be destroyed by death. By emphasizing the eternal nature of the soul, the poet is also highlighting the eternal nature of God. In this way, the poem can be seen as a celebration of the divine and an affirmation of the power of faith.
Conclusion
"Immortal is an Ample Word" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of immortality. Through the use of repetition, metaphor, imagery, and personification, Emily Dickinson is able to convey her ideas effectively. Ultimately, the poem suggests that true immortality can only be achieved through the eternal existence of the soul, which is a part of God. By recognizing this, we can find comfort in the face of mortality and embrace the cycle of life and death with a sense of peace and acceptance.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Immortal is an ample word, written by the legendary poet Emily Dickinson, is a poem that explores the concept of immortality and the power of words. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line "Immortal is an ample word," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "immortal" is a powerful word that conveys the idea of something that is eternal and everlasting. Dickinson uses this word to explore the concept of immortality and its significance in our lives. She suggests that the word "immortal" is not just a word, but a concept that holds great power and meaning.
The second line of the poem reads, "When what we need is by." Here, Dickinson suggests that what we need is already present in our lives, but we fail to recognize it. She implies that we are so focused on the idea of immortality that we fail to appreciate the present moment and the things that are already in our lives. Dickinson is urging us to live in the present and appreciate what we have, rather than constantly striving for something that may or may not exist.
The third line of the poem reads, "Not extra an eternity." Here, Dickinson suggests that immortality is not something that can be added to our lives as an extra feature. It is not something that can be bought or earned. Immortality is a concept that exists within us, and it is up to us to recognize it and embrace it.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "But nature concentrates her eye." Here, Dickinson suggests that nature is the key to understanding the concept of immortality. She implies that nature has a way of concentrating our attention and helping us to see the beauty and significance of the world around us. Nature has a way of reminding us that we are a part of something greater than ourselves and that our lives are connected to the natural world.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "On just sustaining him." Here, Dickinson suggests that the key to immortality is sustaining ourselves. She implies that we need to focus on sustaining ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually in order to achieve immortality. Dickinson is urging us to take care of ourselves and to focus on our own well-being, rather than constantly striving for something that may or may not exist.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "I'm mortal, but was called." Here, Dickinson suggests that even though we are mortal, we are still called to something greater than ourselves. She implies that we all have a purpose in life, and it is up to us to discover what that purpose is. Dickinson is urging us to embrace our mortality and to use our time on earth to fulfill our purpose and make a difference in the world.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "What is all the rest I've done / Compared with that immortal work." Here, Dickinson suggests that our mortal accomplishments are insignificant compared to the work we do to achieve immortality. She implies that the work we do to achieve immortality is the most important work we can do in our lives. Dickinson is urging us to focus on the work that will make a lasting impact on the world, rather than on the temporary accomplishments that we may achieve in our mortal lives.
The ninth and final line of the poem reads, "I'm mortal, but the least / Raised up by this my breath." Here, Dickinson suggests that even though we are mortal, we have the power to raise ourselves up through our words and actions. She implies that our breath, our words, and our actions have the power to make a lasting impact on the world. Dickinson is urging us to use our words and actions to make a positive difference in the world and to leave a lasting legacy.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of nine lines, each with a varying number of syllables. The poem does not follow a strict rhyme scheme, but there are some instances of internal rhyme and repetition. For example, the repetition of the phrase "I'm mortal" in lines six and nine emphasizes the poem's central theme of mortality and the power of words.
Dickinson also uses several literary devices in the poem to convey her message. For example, she uses personification when she suggests that nature has the ability to concentrate its eye. She also uses metaphor when she compares our mortal accomplishments to the work we do to achieve immortality. Additionally, Dickinson uses repetition to emphasize the poem's central theme and to create a sense of rhythm and flow.
In conclusion, Immortal is an ample word is a powerful poem that explores the concept of immortality and the power of words. Dickinson uses her unique style of writing to convey her message and to urge us to embrace our mortality and focus on the work that will make a lasting impact on the world. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's talent as a poet and her ability to convey complex ideas in a simple and powerful way.
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