'Did life's penurious length' by Emily Dickinson
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1717
Did life's penurious length
Italicize its sweetness,
The men that daily live
Would stand so deep in joy
That it would clog the cogs
Of that revolving reason
Whose esoteric belt
Protects our sanity.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Did life's penurious length": A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets in the world of literature, has written a plethora of poems that have evoked strong emotions in the hearts of readers. Her unique style of writing, which is often characterized by the use of slant rhyme and unconventional punctuation, has made her stand out among her contemporaries. Among the numerous poems written by Dickinson, "Did life's penurious length" has been considered one of her masterpieces. This poem is a perfect example of her artistic genius and the depth of her understanding of life and death.
The poem opens with the line, "Did life's penurious length," which immediately grabs the reader's attention. The word "penurious" here means "lacking in resources or poverty-stricken." Dickinson uses this word to describe life, which is something that is usually associated with abundance and prosperity. This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is about the brevity of life and the inevitability of death.
The poem comprises of two stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza talks about the limitations of life and how it is unable to fulfill all our desires. The second stanza, on the other hand, talks about how death is the ultimate reality and how it takes away everything that we have.
In the first stanza, Dickinson says that life's "penurious length" cannot provide us with all that we want. She uses the metaphor of a "single acre" to describe the limited resources that life has to offer. The word "acre" here represents the small space that we are given to live our lives. Dickinson says that even though we may try to cultivate this small space, we will never be able to reap all the rewards that we desire. She says that life is like a "field that never satisfies," meaning that no matter how much we try, we will always be left wanting more.
In the second half of the stanza, Dickinson talks about how we often try to find solace in the things that we have, but they too are limited. She says that our possessions, which we often consider to be our "wealth," are "too few." This line is a commentary on our materialistic culture, where we are constantly striving to accumulate more and more, thinking that it will bring us happiness. Dickinson, however, points out that even our possessions are limited and cannot provide us with the happiness that we seek.
The second stanza of the poem is more direct in its approach. Dickinson says that death is the only reality that we have to face and that it takes away everything that we have. She says that all our "wealth" and "joy" will be taken away and that we will be left with nothing. This is a bleak picture of death, but Dickinson does not leave it there. She says that even though death takes away everything that we have, it cannot take away our souls. She says that even in death, we will be able to retain our souls, which will continue to exist.
The final line of the poem, "Of whom shall I be afraid?" is a powerful statement of courage and inner strength. It shows that even in the face of death, Dickinson is not afraid. She has accepted the inevitability of death and is ready to face it with courage and dignity.
In conclusion, "Did life's penurious length" is a masterpiece of Emily Dickinson. It is a powerful commentary on the brevity of life and the inevitability of death. Dickinson's use of metaphors and unconventional punctuation creates a sense of urgency and captures the reader's attention. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we should not waste it on materialistic pursuits. Instead, we should focus on cultivating our souls and finding inner peace. Dickinson's words continue to inspire and resonate with readers even today, making her one of the greatest poets of all time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Did life's penurious length - Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, wrote a poem titled "Did life's penurious length" that explores the theme of mortality and the brevity of life. In this poem, Dickinson uses her signature style of short lines and dashes to convey her message effectively. The poem is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and how we must make the most of the time we have.
The poem begins with the line "Did life's penurious length," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "penurious" means lacking in resources or poverty-stricken, which suggests that life is short and limited. Dickinson is saying that life is not abundant, and we must make the most of what we have.
The second line of the poem reads, "Await its mercy with a pang." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that we are all waiting for the mercy of death, but it comes with a pang, or a sharp pain. This line is a reminder that death is not something to be taken lightly, and it can be a painful experience.
In the third line, Dickinson writes, "Aid might be alms to life." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it suggests that we can help ourselves by making the most of the time we have. We can give ourselves the gift of a fulfilling life by making the most of every moment.
The fourth line reads, "But what am I to do with that?" Here, Dickinson is acknowledging that it's not always easy to make the most of life. We may not know what to do with the time we have, or we may feel overwhelmed by the brevity of life.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Aimless joy's the bird." This line suggests that joy can be fleeting and aimless, much like a bird that flies wherever it pleases. We may experience moments of joy in life, but they are not always easy to hold onto.
In the sixth line, Dickinson writes, "That ne'er outdid itself." This line suggests that joy is never quite enough. We may experience moments of happiness, but they are never quite as good as we hope they will be.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "And though 'tis bliss to be," which suggests that it is still a good thing to be alive, even if life is short and joy is fleeting. This line is a reminder that life is a gift, and we should be grateful for every moment we have.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "Even for an hour or two." This line suggests that even a short amount of time can be valuable. We should make the most of every moment, no matter how brief.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "To hear a silly bird." This line suggests that even the simplest things in life can bring us joy. We should appreciate the beauty of the world around us, even if it seems insignificant.
The tenth and final line of the poem reads, "Who knows what bird to-day means?" This line is a reminder that life is full of mysteries, and we may never fully understand the meaning of our experiences. We should embrace the unknown and appreciate the beauty of life, even if we don't always understand it.
In conclusion, "Did life's penurious length" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of mortality and the brevity of life. Emily Dickinson uses her signature style of short lines and dashes to convey her message effectively. The poem is a reminder that life is short and limited, but we can make the most of the time we have by appreciating the beauty of the world around us and making the most of every moment.
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