'A throe upon the features' by Emily Dickinson
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A throe upon the features—
A hurry in the breath—
An ecstasy of parting
Denominated "Death"—
An anguish at the mention
Which when to patience grown,
I've known permission given
To rejoin its own.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Throe Upon the Features: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and the poem "A Throe Upon the Features" is a perfect example of her unique style and thought-provoking themes. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, analyzing its language, structure, and symbolism.
Understanding the Poem: A Throe Upon the Features
Before we explore the intricacies of "A Throe Upon the Features," let's take a moment to understand the poem itself. The poem reads:
A throe upon the features—
A hurry in the breath—
An ecstasy of parting
Betrayed at last by faith—
A dampness on the forehead
Shows an awakening pain—
But a resolute departing,
At nightfall, of the soul.
The poem consists of four quatrains, each with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The language is concise and direct, but the meaning is far from simple. The poem seems to be describing a moment of intense emotion, perhaps even death, and the language is rich in symbolism and metaphor.
The Language of the Poem
One of the most striking aspects of "A Throe Upon the Features" is its language. Dickinson's poetry is often praised for its simplicity and clarity, but this poem is different. The language is still direct and concise, but it is also dense with meaning and metaphor.
The first line of the poem, "A throe upon the features," is a perfect example of this. The word "throe" is an archaic term that means "a severe spasm of pain." This word immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that we are witnessing a moment of intense emotion. The word "features" is also significant, as it refers to the facial features of the subject. This word suggests that the moment of pain is visible on the person's face, adding to the sense of intensity and immediacy.
The second line of the poem, "A hurry in the breath," continues this theme of physicality. The word "hurry" suggests a sense of urgency or panic, while "breath" is a bodily function that is essential to life. The combination of these two words creates a sense of desperation and fear.
The third line of the poem, "An ecstasy of parting," is perhaps the most enigmatic. The word "ecstasy" suggests a sense of joy or rapture, but the phrase "of parting" suggests something more ambiguous. Is the ecstasy caused by the act of parting, or is it a separate emotion altogether? The ambiguity of this line adds to the complexity of the poem, forcing the reader to consider multiple interpretations.
The final line of the first quatrain, "Betrayed at last by faith," is perhaps the most challenging. The word "faith" could refer to religious faith, but it could also refer to trust or belief in a person or idea. The use of the word "betrayed" suggests that this faith has been broken, but it is unclear who or what has caused this betrayal. Once again, Dickinson leaves the reader to grapple with multiple interpretations.
The second quatrain of the poem continues this theme of physicality and ambiguity. The first line, "A dampness on the forehead," suggests a sense of sweat or perspiration, but it is unclear whether this is caused by physical exertion or emotional distress. The phrase "shows an awakening pain" suggests that the dampness is a symptom of pain, but again, the cause of this pain is left unclear.
The third line of the second quatrain, "But a resolute departing," suggests a sense of determination or resolve. The use of the word "departing" suggests that this determination is related to leaving or saying goodbye, but it is unclear who or what is being left behind. Once again, Dickinson leaves the reader to consider multiple interpretations.
The final line of the second quatrain, "At nightfall, of the soul," is perhaps the most significant. This phrase suggests that the departing mentioned in the previous line is not just physical but also spiritual or emotional. The use of the word "soul" suggests that we are witnessing a moment of great significance, perhaps even death.
The Structure of the Poem
The structure of "A Throe Upon the Features" is deceptively simple. The poem consists of four quatrains, each with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The use of a consistent rhyme scheme creates a sense of continuity and balance, but it also serves to emphasize the differences between each quatrain.
The first two quatrains of the poem focus on physicality and immediacy, while the third and fourth quatrains shift to more abstract concepts like faith and the soul. This shift in focus creates a sense of progression, suggesting that the poem is building towards a larger theme or idea.
The final quatrain of the poem is particularly significant. The use of the phrase "At nightfall, of the soul" adds a sense of finality and significance to the poem. The fact that this line is the only one to use a full stop rather than a comma or dash adds to this sense of resolution. The use of the word "soul" suggests that we are witnessing a moment of transcendence or transformation, adding to the power of the poem as a whole.
Symbolism and Interpretation
As we have already discussed, "A Throe Upon the Features" is a richly symbolic and metaphorical poem. The use of physical symptoms like sweating and rapid breathing suggests a sense of immediacy and intensity, while the use of abstract concepts like faith and the soul suggests a larger idea or theme.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is describing a moment of death or spiritual transformation. The use of the phrase "At nightfall, of the soul" suggests that we are witnessing a moment of transition or change. The physical symptoms like sweating and rapid breathing could be interpreted as the body's reaction to this change, while the use of the word "faith" suggests a sense of loss or betrayal.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is describing a moment of separation or parting. The use of the word "ecstasy" suggests that this separation is not necessarily negative, but it is still intense and emotional. The use of the phrase "resolute departing" suggests that the subject of the poem is leaving with a sense of determination or resolve, perhaps suggesting that this separation is necessary for growth or transformation.
Conclusion: Dickinson's Power and Influence
"A Throe Upon the Features" is a powerful example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and thought-provoking themes. The poem is deceptively simple, but it is rich in symbolism and metaphor, forcing the reader to consider multiple interpretations.
Dickinson's influence on modern poetry cannot be overstated, and "A Throe Upon the Features" is a perfect example of why her work continues to resonate with readers today. The poem is both timeless and universal, exploring themes of love, loss, and transformation that are still relevant today.
In conclusion, "A Throe Upon the Features" is a masterpiece of American poetry that continues to inspire and challenge readers today. Dickinson's legacy as a poet and thinker lives on in this powerful and thought-provoking poem, and its impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Throe Upon the Features: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, the renowned American poet, is known for her unique style of writing that is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. Her poems are often cryptic and require a deep understanding of the context and symbolism to fully appreciate their beauty. One such poem that stands out is "A Throe Upon the Features," a masterpiece that showcases Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions through her words.
The poem begins with the line, "A throe upon the features," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "throe" is a powerful one, meaning a severe spasm of pain or anguish. The fact that this throe is upon the features suggests that it is a physical manifestation of an emotional pain. Dickinson's use of this word is significant as it conveys the intensity of the emotion that the speaker is feeling.
The second line of the poem reads, "A hurry in the breath." This line is significant as it suggests that the speaker is struggling to breathe, possibly due to the intensity of the emotion they are feeling. The word "hurry" is also significant as it suggests a sense of urgency, as if the speaker is trying to catch their breath before the emotion overwhelms them.
The third line of the poem reads, "An ecstasy of parting." This line is significant as it suggests that the emotion the speaker is feeling is related to a separation or a goodbye. The word "ecstasy" is also significant as it suggests a sense of euphoria or intense pleasure, which is an unusual emotion to associate with parting. This suggests that the speaker is experiencing a complex mix of emotions, including both pain and pleasure.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "An endeavor from distraction." This line is significant as it suggests that the speaker is trying to distract themselves from the emotion they are feeling. The word "endeavor" suggests a sense of effort or struggle, which suggests that the speaker is finding it difficult to distract themselves from their emotions. This line also suggests that the emotion the speaker is feeling is overwhelming and difficult to deal with.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "An atmosphere of death." This line is significant as it suggests that the emotion the speaker is feeling is related to death. The word "atmosphere" suggests a sense of environment or surroundings, which suggests that the speaker is surrounded by death or is in a place where death is present. This line also suggests that the emotion the speaker is feeling is related to a loss or a sense of finality.
The sixth and final line of the poem reads, "Which like a needle bore." This line is significant as it suggests that the emotion the speaker is feeling is like a needle, piercing them and causing them pain. The word "needle" is significant as it suggests a sense of sharpness or precision, which suggests that the emotion the speaker is feeling is intense and focused.
Overall, "A Throe Upon the Features" is a powerful and complex poem that showcases Emily Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions through her words. The poem is significant as it explores the complex mix of emotions that can be associated with separation and loss, including pain, pleasure, and a sense of finality. The poem is also significant as it uses powerful imagery and symbolism to convey the intensity of the emotion the speaker is feeling, including the use of the word "throe" to suggest a severe spasm of pain or anguish, and the use of the word "needle" to suggest a sense of sharpness or precision. Overall, "A Throe Upon the Features" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to captivate readers with its beauty and complexity.
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