'Drowning is not so pitiful' by Emily Dickinson
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Drowning is not so pitiful
As the attempt to rise
Three times, 'tis said, a sinking man
Comes up to face the skies,
And then declines forever
To that abhorred abode,
Where hope and he part company—
For he is grasped of God.
The Maker's cordial visage,
However good to see,
Is shunned, we must admit it,
Like an adversity.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Drowning is not so pitiful: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Oh, what a wonder it is to read the works of Emily Dickinson! Her poems are like gems, with intricate facets that shine and sparkle no matter how many times you look at them. One such gem is her poem, "Drowning is not so pitiful". In just six lines, Dickinson manages to convey a complex mix of emotions and ideas that challenge our expectations and make us think deeply about life, death, and everything in between. So, let's dive in and explore this poem in detail!
The Poem at a Glance
Before we begin our deep dive, let's take a quick look at the poem itself:
Drowning is not so pitiful
As the attempt to rise.
Three times, 't is said, a sinking man
Comes up to face the skies,
And then declines forever
To that abhorred abode
Where hope and he part company—
For he is grasped of God.
At first glance, the poem seems simple enough. It talks about drowning and how it is not as pitiful as the attempt to rise. The next three lines describe a sinking man who tries to come up for air three times before finally sinking forever. The final two lines suggest that the drowning man is "grasped of God", implying that he has met his maker.
The Surface Meaning
To truly appreciate Dickinson's poetry, we need to go beyond the surface and look for the deeper meanings and themes that she is exploring. So, let's start with the surface meaning of this poem.
At its simplest level, the poem is about drowning and the terrible struggle to stay afloat in water. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that drowning itself is not the worst thing that can happen to a person. It is the desperate attempt to rise that is truly pitiful. This is a counterintuitive idea, as we normally think of drowning as a tragic and horrible way to die. But Dickinson is asking us to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper implications of drowning.
The next few lines describe a man who tries to come up for air three times before finally sinking forever. This reinforces the idea that drowning is a difficult and painful experience. The final two lines suggest that the man who drowns is "grasped of God", implying that he has met his maker. This could be seen as a comforting thought, suggesting that even in death, we are not alone and that there is a higher power that is watching over us.
The Deeper Meaning
Now that we have looked at the surface meaning of the poem, let's dive deeper and explore the various themes and ideas that Dickinson is exploring.
The Futility of Struggle
One of the key themes in this poem is the futility of struggle. Dickinson seems to be saying that it is better to accept one's fate than to struggle against it. The drowning man is struggling to stay afloat, but ultimately, he is unable to do so. Similarly, in life, we often struggle against things that are beyond our control, such as death, illness, or the passage of time. Dickinson is reminding us that there comes a point when we must stop struggling and accept what is happening to us.
The Transience of Life
Another theme that Dickinson explores in this poem is the transience of life. The image of the sinking man who tries to come up for air three times before finally sinking forever is a powerful metaphor for the brevity of life. We are all like the drowning man, struggling to stay alive in a vast sea of time. But ultimately, we will all sink beneath the waves and be lost to the world forever. This is a sobering thought, but one that we must confront if we are to truly appreciate the value of life.
The Role of God
The final theme that Dickinson explores in this poem is the role of God in our lives. The idea that the drowning man is "grasped of God" suggests that there is a higher power that is watching over us, even in our darkest moments. This is a comforting thought, as it suggests that we are never truly alone, no matter how dire our circumstances may be. But it also raises deeper questions about the nature of God and the afterlife. Is God truly watching over us, or is this just wishful thinking? What happens to us after we die? Dickinson doesn't give us any easy answers, but she does invite us to ponder these questions and seek our own answers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Drowning is not so pitiful" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges our expectations and makes us think deeply about life, death, and the human condition. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson explores themes such as the futility of struggle, the transience of life, and the role of God in our lives. By doing so, she invites us to confront our own mortality and consider the deeper meaning of our existence. So, the next time you read this poem, take a moment to dive deeper and explore the many layers of meaning that lie beneath the surface. You may just find a hidden gem that sparkles in a whole new way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Drowning is not so pitiful: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unconventional style, unique use of language, and profound insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems, "Drowning is not so pitiful," is a powerful meditation on the nature of death and the human experience.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "Drowning is not so pitiful / As the attempt to rise." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Dickinson is suggesting that the act of drowning itself is not as terrible as the struggle to stay afloat. This is a powerful metaphor for the human experience. Life is full of struggles and challenges, and sometimes it can feel like we are drowning in them. But it is the effort to keep going, to keep fighting, that is truly difficult.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme. Dickinson writes, "Three times, 'tis said, a sinking man / Comes up to face the skies." This is a reference to the idea that when a person is drowning, they will often struggle to stay afloat three times before finally succumbing to the water. But Dickinson is not just describing a physical phenomenon here. She is also suggesting that in life, we often face multiple challenges before we finally give up. We may try and fail several times before we finally succeed or accept defeat.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Dickinson writes, "A hand from the other side / Extends to help him down." This is a reference to the idea of death. When a person is drowning, they may feel like they are being pulled down into the water. But Dickinson suggests that there is a hand reaching out to help them down, to guide them into the afterlife. This is a powerful image, and it suggests that death is not something to be feared. Instead, it is a natural part of the human experience, and there is comfort in the knowledge that we will not face it alone.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together. Dickinson writes, "The dying need but little, dear, / A glass of water's all." This is a reference to the idea that when a person is dying, they do not need much. They do not need material possessions or wealth. All they need is a simple glass of water. This is a powerful reminder that in the end, it is not our possessions or achievements that matter. It is the relationships we have with others, the love we give and receive, and the memories we create.
Overall, "Drowning is not so pitiful" is a powerful meditation on the human experience. It reminds us that life is full of struggles and challenges, but it is the effort to keep going that is truly difficult. It suggests that death is not something to be feared, but rather a natural part of the human experience. And it reminds us that in the end, it is not our possessions or achievements that matter, but the relationships we have with others. Emily Dickinson's poem is a timeless reminder of the beauty and fragility of life, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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