'How happy I was if I could forget' by Emily Dickinson
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How happy I was if I could forget
To remember how sad I am
Would be an easy adversity
But the recollecting of Bloom
Keeps making November difficult
Till I who was almost bold
Lose my way like a little Child
And perish of the cold.
Editor 1 Interpretation
How Happy I Was If I Could Forget by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson's poem, "How happy I was if I could forget," is a powerful exploration of the human mind's ability to escape from the pains of reality by losing oneself in memories. The poem is a simple yet profound reflection on the human desire to forget the past and move on, even if it means losing a part of oneself in the process.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, structure, and language of the poem to uncover its hidden meaning and significance. We will analyze the poem line by line, exploring the nuances and implications of each word and phrase, and finally, we will offer our own interpretation of the poem based on our analysis.
Analysis
The poem starts with the speaker expressing her desire to forget her past, saying, "How happy I was if I could forget / To remember how sad I am." The use of the word "happy" in this context is ironic, as it suggests that forgetting one's past can lead to happiness, even though it is a form of self-denial. The speaker's emphasis on the word "if" indicates that forgetting is not easy and that it requires a deliberate effort of will.
The second line, "To remember how sad I am," is a more straightforward expression of the speaker's emotional state. It suggests that the speaker is aware of her sadness and that she is trying to escape from it by forgetting. The use of the word "remember" also highlights the fact that the past is not something that can be easily erased but something that remains with us, despite our efforts to forget.
The third and fourth lines of the poem, "To feel that I'm lighter than air / And happier than I have been," further emphasize the speaker's desire to escape from her past. The use of the metaphor "lighter than air" suggests that forgetting would allow the speaker to rise above her problems and experience a sense of freedom and weightlessness. The use of the word "happier" also suggests that the speaker's past is a source of unhappiness and that forgetting would bring her a sense of joy and relief.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "Would be like hiding my theft / In a shroud of oblivion," shift the tone of the poem from one of longing to one of guilt. The use of the metaphor "hiding my theft" suggests that forgetting is a form of dishonesty, a way of denying responsibility for one's actions. The use of the phrase "shroud of oblivion" is also significant, as it suggests that forgetting is a form of death, a way of burying the past and moving on without fully confronting its consequences.
The final two lines of the poem, "The memory of pain will be duller / And I'll be happier than I have been," bring the poem full circle, returning to the theme of happiness and forgetting. The use of the word "duller" suggests that forgetting will not completely erase the memory of pain but will only make it less acute. The final line, "And I'll be happier than I have been," reiterates the speaker's desire for happiness and suggests that forgetting is the key to achieving it.
Interpretation
At its core, "How happy I was if I could forget" is a poem about the human desire to escape from pain and suffering. The speaker's longing for forgetfulness is a reflection of our own desire to escape from the difficulties and challenges of life, to bury our past and move on without fully confronting its consequences.
However, the poem is also a warning about the dangers of forgetting. The use of the metaphor "hiding my theft" suggests that forgetting is a form of dishonesty, a way of denying responsibility for one's actions. The use of the phrase "shroud of oblivion" also suggests that forgetting is a form of death, a way of burying the past and moving on without fully confronting its consequences.
In this sense, the poem can be seen as a critique of the human tendency to avoid pain and suffering and to seek happiness at all costs. The speaker's desire for forgetfulness is ultimately futile, as it does not allow her to fully confront the sources of her pain and suffering, nor does it allow her to fully appreciate the joys and pleasures of life.
Overall, "How happy I was if I could forget" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that offers a profound reflection on the human condition. Its themes of memory, forgetting, guilt, and happiness are universal and timeless, and its language and imagery are rich and evocative. As such, it remains one of Emily Dickinson's most enduring and insightful works.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
How Happy I Was If I Could Forget: A Poem Analysis
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, wrote a poem titled "How happy I was if I could forget." The poem is a reflection of the speaker's desire to forget a painful memory and move on with life. In this article, we will analyze the poem and explore its themes, literary devices, and overall meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing her desire to forget a painful memory. She says, "How happy I was if I could forget / To remember how sad I am / Would be an easy adversity / But the recollecting of Bloom / Keeps making November difficult / Till I who was almost bold / Lose my way like a little Child / And perish of the cold."
The first two lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is longing for the blissful state of forgetfulness, where she can escape the pain of her memories. She believes that it would be easier to deal with the sadness of the present moment than to remember the happiness of the past. However, the recollection of "Bloom" (which could be a metaphor for a lost love or a happy memory) makes November (a metaphor for a difficult time) even harder to bear. The speaker then compares herself to a lost child who perishes in the cold, emphasizing her vulnerability and helplessness.
The second stanza of the poem continues with the theme of forgetfulness. The speaker says, "Grief is a Mouse / And chooses Wainscot in the Breast / For his Shy House / And baffles quest." Here, the speaker compares grief to a mouse that hides in the walls of the heart, making it difficult to find and deal with. The use of the word "shy" to describe the mouse and its house suggests that grief is a private and personal emotion that is difficult to share with others. The last line, "And baffles quest," implies that the speaker has been trying to find a way to deal with her grief but has been unsuccessful.
In the third stanza, the speaker reflects on the past and the happiness she once felt. She says, "To find the Sea / And be its Slave / Beggarly / Transports / The Royal Own / For I was Rich / And begged I keep / But I was Stingy / And kept." The sea could be a metaphor for freedom or happiness, and the speaker longs to be its slave, suggesting that she wants to be free from the burden of her memories. The use of the word "beggarly" to describe the transports (or emotions) of the sea suggests that the speaker is willing to give up everything to find happiness again. The last two lines of the stanza reveal that the speaker was once rich in happiness but was stingy and kept it to herself, perhaps suggesting that she took her happiness for granted and did not appreciate it enough.
The final stanza of the poem concludes with the speaker's realization that forgetting is not possible. She says, "Remembering all / I saw the Sun go down / 'Tis Twilight / Twilight everywhere / I looked around / And felt his infinite smallness / I felt my own / Breathing now an instance / Closer to Doom." The speaker acknowledges that she cannot forget her memories and instead chooses to remember them all. The sunset and the twilight symbolize the end of something, perhaps the end of her happiness. The speaker then reflects on the infinite smallness of the world and her own mortality, suggesting that her memories are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The last line, "Closer to Doom," emphasizes the speaker's mortality and the inevitability of death.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is rich in metaphors and imagery. The sea, the mouse, the sunset, and the twilight are all metaphors that add depth and meaning to the poem. The use of the word "Bloom" to describe a lost love or a happy memory is also a metaphor that adds to the overall theme of the poem. The imagery of the lost child and the cold emphasizes the speaker's vulnerability and helplessness. The use of the word "breast" to describe the heart adds a personal and intimate touch to the poem.
In conclusion, "How happy I was if I could forget" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the theme of forgetfulness and the pain of remembering. The speaker's desire to forget her memories and move on with life is relatable and universal. The use of metaphors and imagery adds depth and meaning to the poem, and the overall message is one of acceptance and realization. The poem reminds us that memories are a part of life and that we must learn to accept them and move on.
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