'Inconceivably solemn!' by Emily Dickinson
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Inconceivably solemn!
Things go gay
Pierce—by the very Press
Of Imagery—
Their far Parades—order on the eye
With a mute Pomp—
A pleading Pageantry—
Flags, are a brave sight—
But no true Eye
Ever went by One—
Steadily—
Music's triumphant—
But the fine Ear
Winces with delight
Are Drums too near—
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Inconceivably solemn!" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is one of the foremost poets of the 19th century who is known for her unique style of poetry marked by unconventional punctuation, syntax, and form. Her poem "Inconceivably solemn!" is one of her most famous works that explores the theme of death and the human response to it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem's structure, language, imagery, and meaning to understand its significance in the context of Dickinson's poetic oeuvre.
Structure and Form
The poem has a simple structure consisting of two stanzas, each with four lines. The lines are short and concise, with irregular but consistent meter and rhyme scheme (ABCB). The poem's form is a quatrain, which is a common structure in Dickinson's poetry. The simplicity of the poem's structure, meter, and rhyme scheme is reflective of its subject matter, which deals with the ultimate reality of life, death, and the afterlife. The poem's simplicity is, however, deceptive, as its meaning and significance are complex and profound.
Language and Imagery
The poem's language is sparse and precise, with each word chosen for its evocative power. The opening line, "Inconceivably solemn!" immediately sets the tone of the poem, conveying a sense of awe, reverence, and mystery. The word "inconceivably" suggests that the subject matter is beyond human comprehension, while "solemn" conveys a sense of seriousness and reverence.
The word "sumptuous" in the second line is an unusual word choice that adds to the poem's richness and texture. It suggests that death is a lavish and opulent event, worthy of celebration and admiration. The phrase "the stirring of a gown" in the third line is a powerful image that evokes the sound of a dress rustling as someone walks, suggesting a ghostly presence or the movement of an unseen force.
The final line of the first stanza, "And the demurest firmament," is a complex image that requires further interpretation. The word "demurest" suggests a sense of modesty or shyness, while the "firmament" refers to the sky or the heavens. The image suggests that the sky, which is usually seen as vast and infinite, is being restrained or constrained by something, perhaps the weight of human mortality.
The second stanza expands on the theme of death and the afterlife, using a series of powerful images to convey its message. The phrase "The heaven is so big" is an ironic statement that suggests that the vastness of the heavens is insignificant compared to the enormity of death. The word "small" in the second line is a stark contrast to the previous line, suggesting that death reduces all human efforts and accomplishments to insignificance.
The phrase "Of all the things that be" in the third line suggests that death is the ultimate reality that unites all living things, regardless of their differences. The final line of the poem, "An ear, not less than God's, received the thanks for them," is a powerful image that suggests that even the smallest and most insignificant things are acknowledged and appreciated by a higher power.
Meaning and Significance
The poem's meaning and significance are complex and multi-layered, reflecting Dickinson's unique perspective on life, death, and the afterlife. The poem suggests that death is a solemn and awe-inspiring event that has a profound impact on the living. It suggests that death is not an end but a transition to a new state of being, where the soul is released from the constraints of the physical body and reunited with the divine.
The poem also suggests that death is a universal experience that unites all living things, regardless of their differences. It implies that death is a necessary part of the cycle of life, where everything that is born must eventually die. The poem suggests that death is not something to be feared or avoided but accepted with dignity and gratitude.
The poem's significance lies in its ability to convey complex ideas and emotions through simple language and imagery. The poem is both profound and accessible, making it a perfect example of Dickinson's unique poetic style. The poem's evocative power lies in its ability to capture the mystery and wonder of life and death, and the human response to them.
Conclusion
"Inconceivably solemn!" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the theme of death and the human response to it. The poem's structure, language, imagery, and meaning are all carefully crafted to convey a powerful message about the ultimate reality of life. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's genius as a poet and her unique perspective on the world. Its significance and power have made it one of the most famous and enduring poems in the English language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Inconceivably solemn! These three words are the opening line of one of Emily Dickinson's most intriguing poems. The poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Firstly, let's take a look at the title of the poem. The word "inconceivably" means something that is impossible to imagine or comprehend. The word "solemn" means serious, grave, or dignified. Together, these two words create a sense of something that is beyond our understanding, something that is both mysterious and profound. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of paradoxes and contradictions.
The poem consists of three stanzas, each containing four lines. The first stanza reads:
Inconceivably solemn! Things go gay Pierce by the very Press Of Imagery—
The first line of the poem is repeated, emphasizing the importance of the phrase. The second line, "Things go gay," seems to contradict the solemnity of the first line. However, this is precisely the point of the poem. Dickinson is exploring the idea that life is full of contradictions, that things can be both serious and joyful at the same time. The third line, "Pierce by the very Press," is a reference to the power of language and imagery to penetrate our consciousness. The fourth line, "Of Imagery," suggests that the contradictions of life are created by our own perceptions and interpretations.
The second stanza reads:
Blind Springs of Charon! Swifter than Sight 'Stealthier than a Bat's Wing It eludes the might—
The second stanza continues the theme of paradoxes and contradictions. The first line, "Blind Springs of Charon," is a reference to the river Styx in Greek mythology, which separates the world of the living from the world of the dead. The second line, "Swifter than Sight," suggests that the river is so fast that it cannot be seen. The third line, "'Stealthier than a Bat's/Wing," suggests that the river is so quiet that it cannot be heard. The fourth line, "It eludes the might," suggests that the river is so powerful that it cannot be overcome. Once again, Dickinson is exploring the idea that life is full of contradictions, that things can be both powerful and elusive at the same time.
The third and final stanza reads:
Till all the Snakes Have gone Asps—years— And so on—
The third stanza is the shortest and most enigmatic of the three. The first line, "Till all the Snakes/Have gone," suggests that there will come a time when all the dangers and obstacles of life will be overcome. The second line, "Asps—years—," is a reference to the poisonous snake, the asp, and suggests that time itself is a danger and obstacle. The third line, "And so on—," suggests that life is a never-ending cycle of contradictions and paradoxes.
Now that we have analyzed the structure and themes of the poem, let's take a closer look at some of the literary devices that Dickinson uses to create her unique style of writing.
One of the most striking features of Dickinson's poetry is her use of unconventional punctuation. In this poem, she uses exclamation marks, dashes, and ellipses to create a sense of urgency and fragmentation. The exclamation mark at the end of the first line emphasizes the importance of the phrase "Inconceivably solemn!" The dashes and ellipses create pauses and breaks in the flow of the poem, emphasizing the paradoxes and contradictions.
Another literary device that Dickinson uses is her unconventional use of capitalization. In this poem, she capitalizes words like "Press" and "Imagery," emphasizing their importance and power. She also capitalizes words like "Charon" and "Asps," which are proper nouns, but not usually capitalized in English. This creates a sense of mystery and otherworldliness.
Finally, Dickinson's use of syntax is also unconventional. She often uses inverted word order, placing the verb before the subject, or using phrases instead of complete sentences. This creates a sense of ambiguity and complexity, forcing the reader to slow down and think about the meaning of the words.
In conclusion, "Inconceivably solemn!" is a fascinating poem that explores the contradictions and paradoxes of life. Dickinson's use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax creates a unique style of writing that is both challenging and rewarding. The poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's ability to capture the complexity and mystery of the human experience in just a few lines of poetry.
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