'Read—Sweet—how others—strove' by Emily Dickinson
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Read—Sweet—how others—strove—
Till we—are stouter—
What they—renounced—
Till we—are less afraid—
How many times they—bore the faithful witness—
Till we—are helped—
As if a Kingdom—cared!
Read then—of faith—
That shone above the fagot—
Clear strains of Hymn
The River could not drown—
Brave names of Men—
And Celestial Women—
Passed out—of Record
Into—Renown!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Read--Sweet--how others--strode: A Deeper Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is a name that is synonymous with poetry. Her unique style and voice have captivated readers for centuries. Among her works is the poem "Read--Sweet--how others--strode." This poem is a beautiful exploration of the human condition and the power of reading. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its meaning and significance.
The Poem
Before delving into the poem's interpretation, let's first take a look at the text itself:
Read--Sweet--how others--strode—
The wondrous themes that they—
Were slaughtered in their dreaming,
Or died some other way—
Died on the street, from drugs,
Or in the steady arms
Of a love that drained their strength
And stole their precious charms—
Read—and the thought of others,
Of joy and of despair
Will make us feel less lonely—
And less empty, too, I swear.
At first glance, this poem seems to be a simple call to read and enjoy the stories of others. However, there is much more going on beneath the surface. Let's dive deeper into the themes and meaning of this poem.
Themes
There are several themes present in "Read--Sweet--how others--strode." One of the most prominent is the theme of human suffering. Dickinson acknowledges that the people whose stories we read about often experienced great pain and loss. They may have been "slaughtered in their dreaming" or died in tragic ways. However, despite the darkness of their stories, Dickinson sees value in reading about them. She believes that by reading about these experiences, we can feel less lonely and empty.
This leads us to another theme in the poem— the power of reading to connect us to others. Reading allows us to enter into the lives and experiences of people who are different from us. It allows us to see the world from their perspective and empathize with their struggles. In this way, reading can help us to feel less isolated and more connected to the world around us.
Finally, there is a theme of the value of love. Dickinson acknowledges that love can be draining and can even lead to our downfall. However, she also recognizes the power of love to give our lives meaning and make us feel alive. Love is a precious charm that can be stolen from us, but it is also something that we should cherish and hold onto.
Interpretation
With these themes in mind, let's take a closer look at the poem and explore what Dickinson is trying to say.
The first line of the poem, "Read--Sweet--how others--strode," is a call to action. Dickinson is urging us to read the stories of others and learn from their experiences. She uses the word "sweet" to emphasize the pleasure that can come from reading. However, she quickly acknowledges that the stories we read may not always be pleasant. The people whose stories we read may have suffered greatly.
Dickinson then goes on to list some of the ways in which people may have died or suffered. She mentions drug addiction, street violence, and love that drains our strength. These images are stark and powerful, and they serve to underline the theme of human suffering that runs throughout the poem.
However, despite these dark images, Dickinson sees value in reading about them. She believes that by reading about the pain and struggles of others, we can feel less alone and empty. This is an important idea in the poem. Dickinson is suggesting that reading can be a way of connecting with others and finding meaning in our own lives.
Towards the end of the poem, Dickinson returns to the theme of love. She acknowledges the pain and loss that can come from love, but she also recognizes its power to give our lives meaning. Love is a precious charm that can be stolen from us, but it is also something that we should cherish and hold onto.
Overall, "Read--Sweet--how others--strode" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem. It explores themes of human suffering, the power of reading to connect us to others, and the value of love. Dickinson's unique voice and style make this poem a true masterpiece of literature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Read--Sweet--how others--strode" is a poem that has much to teach us about the human condition. By reading about the experiences of others, we can connect with them and find meaning in our own lives. Dickinson's beautiful language and powerful imagery make this poem a true masterpiece of literature. So, let us take up her call to action and read the stories of others. Who knows what we might learn?
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Read—Sweet—how others—strove is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the theme of individuality and the struggle to be unique in a world that values conformity. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of this poem and explore the literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line "Read—Sweet—how others—strove—" which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "sweet" in this line is interesting as it creates a sense of irony. The word "sweet" is usually associated with pleasant things, but in this context, it is used to describe the struggle of others. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a commentary on the difficulties of being unique in a world that values conformity.
The second line of the poem, "Till we are stouter—what they—ploughed—Who knows—if any—sought us—" is a reflection on the efforts of those who have come before us. The word "stouter" is used to describe the growth and development of the individual. The line suggests that the struggles of those who have come before us have made us stronger, but at the same time, it questions whether anyone has sought us out. This line is a commentary on the fact that even though we may be influenced by those who have come before us, we are ultimately responsible for our own growth and development.
The third line of the poem, "Or to what corner—they be fled—" is a reflection on the fact that those who have come before us may have disappeared or moved on. This line suggests that we cannot rely on the past to guide us, but must forge our own path.
The fourth line of the poem, "Who has the right to say—" is a rhetorical question that challenges the notion of conformity. The line suggests that no one has the right to tell us how to live our lives or what to believe. This is a powerful statement that speaks to the importance of individuality and the right to self-expression.
The fifth line of the poem, "What ultimate success—" is a reflection on the idea of success. The line suggests that success is subjective and that we must define it for ourselves. This is an important message as it challenges the notion that success is defined by external factors such as wealth or status.
The sixth line of the poem, "Who dared to doubt—of me—" is a reflection on the doubts and criticisms that we may face as individuals. The line suggests that we should not let the doubts of others hold us back, but instead, we should have the courage to pursue our dreams and aspirations.
The seventh line of the poem, "That I—should come to be—" is a reflection on the idea of existence. The line suggests that our existence is a result of our own choices and actions. This is an important message as it challenges the notion that our lives are predetermined by external factors.
The eighth line of the poem, "The proud—Arrogance—of Youth—" is a reflection on the arrogance and confidence of youth. The line suggests that youth is a time of exploration and self-discovery, but it also warns against the dangers of arrogance and overconfidence.
The ninth line of the poem, "The tumult—of the soul—" is a reflection on the inner turmoil and conflict that we may experience as individuals. The line suggests that this inner turmoil is a natural part of the human experience and that we must learn to navigate it in order to grow and develop.
The tenth and final line of the poem, "That spurns the—quiet—poise—" is a reflection on the importance of balance and poise. The line suggests that while it is important to be true to ourselves and pursue our dreams, we must also maintain a sense of balance and composure in order to be successful.
In terms of literary devices, Dickinson uses a variety of techniques to convey her message. One of the most prominent techniques is the use of rhetorical questions. Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses rhetorical questions to challenge the reader's assumptions and encourage them to think critically about the themes and ideas presented in the poem.
Another literary device used by Dickinson is the use of irony. The use of the word "sweet" in the first line of the poem is an example of this. By using a word that is usually associated with pleasant things to describe the struggles of others, Dickinson creates a sense of irony that draws the reader in and encourages them to think more deeply about the themes of the poem.
Finally, Dickinson uses repetition to emphasize certain themes and ideas throughout the poem. The repetition of the word "strove" in the first line of the poem is an example of this. By repeating this word, Dickinson emphasizes the struggle of others and encourages the reader to think about the challenges they face in their own lives.
In conclusion, Read—Sweet—how others—strove is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of individuality and the struggle to be unique in a world that values conformity. Through the use of rhetorical questions, irony, and repetition, Dickinson challenges the reader's assumptions and encourages them to think more deeply about the themes and ideas presented in the poem. This is a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today and serves as a reminder of the importance of being true to ourselves and pursuing our dreams, even in the face of adversity.
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