'An honest Tear' by Emily Dickinson
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An honest Tear
Is durabler than Bronze—
This Cenotaph
May each that dies—
Reared by itself—
No Deputy suffice—
Gratitude bears
When Obelisk decays
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Honest Tear: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest American poets, wrote a plethora of heartfelt and emotional poems. Her poem "An Honest Tear" is one such poem that showcases her profound understanding of human emotions, especially the emotions of grief and loss. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and literary devices used in "An Honest Tear."
Theme
The theme of "An Honest Tear" revolves around grief and the process of mourning. The poem is about the speaker's experience of shedding an honest tear over a lost loved one. The poem starts with the lines "An honest tear / is so seldom seen, / It is like the rain / in the summer time." The speaker is comparing the shedding of an honest tear to rain in the summer, suggesting that it is a rare and precious occurrence. The poem continues with the speaker describing their experience of crying and how it made them feel. The speaker says that shedding an honest tear is a "balm" that soothes the soul and helps them cope with the loss.
The poem's theme is not only about the experience of mourning but also about the importance of expressing emotions honestly. The speaker suggests that crying is a natural and healthy way of dealing with grief and encourages honesty in expressing one's emotions. The poem ends on a hopeful note, with the speaker saying that shedding an honest tear can lead to healing and peace.
Language
The language used in "An Honest Tear" is simple but elegant. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, with short lines and dashes, creating a sense of fragmentation and ambiguity. The poem is written in the first person, which adds a personal touch to the poem, making it more relatable and emotional. The language used in the poem is highly metaphorical, with the speaker comparing shedding an honest tear to rain in the summer and a balm that soothes the soul.
The poem's language is highly emotive, with the speaker describing the experience of shedding an honest tear in great detail. The speaker says that shedding an honest tear is like "the relief the flowers feel / when they have quenched their thirst." The comparison of the speaker's tears to the flowers' relief creates a beautiful image in the reader's mind and adds a sense of depth and richness to the poem.
Literary Devices
Dickinson uses several literary devices in "An Honest Tear" to enhance the poem's emotional impact. One such device is metaphor. The speaker uses metaphors like "an honest tear is like the rain in the summer time" and "shedding an honest tear is like a balm that soothes the soul." These metaphors create a beautiful image in the reader's mind and add depth and richness to the poem.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "an honest tear" is repeated throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the importance of honesty in expressing one's emotions and reinforces the theme of the poem.
The poem also uses personification. The speaker personifies flowers, saying that they feel relief when they quench their thirst. This personification adds a sense of warmth and humanity to the poem, making it more relatable and emotional.
Interpretation
"An Honest Tear" is a moving and emotional poem that captures the essence of grief and mourning. The poem's theme revolves around the importance of expressing emotions honestly, especially in times of loss and grief. The speaker encourages the reader to shed an honest tear, suggesting that it is a natural and healthy way of coping with loss.
The poem's language is simple but elegant, with Dickinson's signature style of short lines and dashes creating a sense of fragmentation and ambiguity. The poem's use of metaphor, repetition, and personification adds depth and richness to the poem, making it more powerful and emotional.
Overall, "An Honest Tear" is a beautiful and heartfelt poem that showcases Dickinson's profound understanding of human emotions. The poem's themes of grief and the importance of expressing emotions honestly make it a timeless piece of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
An Honest Tear: A Poem of Sorrow and Acceptance
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, wrote a plethora of poems that explored the themes of love, death, and nature. Among her works, "An Honest Tear" stands out as a poignant and heartfelt expression of grief and acceptance. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson captures the essence of human emotions and the power of tears to heal and console.
The poem begins with a simple yet powerful statement: "An honest tear is an angel's dew." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that tears are not a sign of weakness or shame but rather a divine manifestation of our humanity. The use of the word "honest" implies that there are other types of tears that are not genuine or sincere, perhaps shed for show or manipulation. But an honest tear, according to Dickinson, is pure and true, like the dew that falls from the heavens.
The second line of the poem reinforces this idea by comparing tears to the "dew on the rose." Here, Dickinson uses a metaphor to suggest that tears, like dew, are a natural and necessary part of life. Just as dew nourishes the rose and helps it grow, tears can nourish our souls and help us heal from emotional wounds. The use of the rose as a symbol of beauty and fragility also suggests that tears can be a sign of vulnerability and sensitivity, qualities that are often undervalued in our society.
The third and fourth lines of the poem introduce the theme of sorrow and loss: "When diamond drops salute the morning's light, The rosebud's blush is lost in nature's dew." Here, Dickinson uses the image of diamond drops to suggest that tears can be precious and valuable, like diamonds. The use of the word "salute" also implies that tears can be a sign of respect or reverence, perhaps for someone or something that has been lost. The second half of the stanza suggests that tears can also be a sign of acceptance and surrender. The rosebud's blush, which represents its beauty and vitality, is lost in nature's dew, suggesting that tears can help us let go of our attachment to worldly things and embrace the natural cycle of life and death.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem continue this theme of acceptance: "The dewdrop, pearl-like, melts away in air, And leaves the rose to bloom and blush anew." Here, Dickinson uses another metaphor to suggest that tears, like dewdrops, are fleeting and impermanent. Just as a dewdrop melts away in the air, tears can evaporate and disappear, leaving us with a renewed sense of hope and resilience. The use of the word "pearl-like" also suggests that tears can be a source of beauty and grace, even in the midst of sorrow and pain.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem introduce a new image: "Thus, in the morn of life, our tears are given, Watering the heart, that else would faint and die." Here, Dickinson suggests that tears are not just a response to loss and grief but also a necessary part of our growth and development. The use of the phrase "morn of life" implies that tears are most common in our youth, when we are still learning and growing. The image of tears watering the heart suggests that tears can be a source of nourishment and strength, helping us to overcome adversity and find meaning in our struggles.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem continue this theme of growth and resilience: "And the wild-flower, moist with morning's dew, Rises more brightly when the sun is nigh." Here, Dickinson uses the image of a wildflower to suggest that tears can help us grow and flourish, even in difficult circumstances. The use of the word "moist" suggests that tears can be a source of moisture and vitality, helping us to thrive in the face of adversity. The image of the sun rising also suggests that tears can be a sign of hope and optimism, reminding us that there is always a new day and a new opportunity to bloom.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem introduce a new image: "Thus, oft, the heart, in sadness, droops and dies, If tears, like dew, be given, it will arise." Here, Dickinson suggests that tears can be a source of resurrection and renewal, helping us to overcome even the deepest sadness and despair. The use of the word "oft" implies that tears are a common response to sadness and loss, but the use of the word "if" suggests that tears are not a guarantee of healing and growth. Rather, it is the honest and sincere tears, like dew, that have the power to revive and restore the heart.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem conclude with a powerful statement: "And bloom afresh, ere sorrow can return, Or the sad heart, its mournful lesson learn." Here, Dickinson suggests that tears can help us learn from our sorrows and move on to a brighter future. The use of the word "bloom afresh" implies that tears can be a source of renewal and regeneration, helping us to overcome even the most profound grief and loss. The use of the phrase "mournful lesson" suggests that tears can be a source of wisdom and insight, helping us to understand the deeper meaning of our suffering and find a path forward.
In conclusion, "An Honest Tear" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of grief, acceptance, and renewal. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Dickinson captures the essence of human emotions and the power of tears to heal and console. The poem reminds us that tears are not a sign of weakness or shame but rather a divine manifestation of our humanity, and that through our tears, we can find the strength and resilience to overcome even the most profound sorrow and loss.
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