'Of Death I try to think like this—' by Emily Dickinson
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Of Death I try to think like this—
The Well in which they lay us
Is but the Likeness of the Brook
That menaced not to slay us,
But to invite by that Dismay
Which is the Zest of sweetness
To the same Flower Hesperian,
Decoying but to greet us—
I do remember when a Child
With bolder Playmates straying
To where a Brook that seemed a Sea
Withheld us by its roaring
From just the Purple Flower beyond
Until constrained to clutch it
If Doom itself were the result,
The boldest leaped, and clutched it—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Of Death I try to think like this by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Poem
Oh, the beauty of Emily Dickinson's poetry never ceases to amaze me! The way she weaves words together to create intricate tapestries of emotions, thoughts, and ideas is simply breathtaking. And her poem, "Of Death I try to think like this," is no exception. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine this classic poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and hidden meanings.
Summary of the Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let's first look at the poem's summary:
Of Death I try to think like this—
That in a garden men have known;
Most weary seem noon,
The merriest the grown;
At half-past five
'Twas but a latish noon—
When first we drove up to the door—
Yet somehow, it is duller since—
And now, we pause, before
A House that seems a swelling of the ground;
The roof is scarcely visible—
The cornice—in the ground.
Since then—'tis centuries—and yet
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses' heads
Were toward eternity.
At first glance, the poem seems simple enough. The speaker is reflecting on death and tries to think of it as a natural part of life, just like noon in a garden. The speaker then describes a visit to a house, which seems to have been turned into a tomb, and reflects on the passage of time since that visit. The poem concludes with the speaker reminiscing about the moment when they first realized the inevitability of death.
Themes
The poem's central theme is, of course, death. However, Dickinson's treatment of this theme is far from conventional. Instead of portraying death as a terrifying, dark force, she portrays it as a natural part of life, just like noon in a garden. The garden imagery is significant here because it represents the cycle of life and death. Plants grow, bloom, and eventually wither and die, only to be replaced by new growth. Death, in this sense, is not an end but a part of an ongoing cycle.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the passage of time. The speaker reflects on how time seems to have passed quickly since their first realization of death, even though it has been centuries. This theme ties into the idea of death as a natural part of life. Time moves inexorably forward, just like the cycle of life and death.
Literary Devices
Dickinson employs several literary devices in the poem to convey her themes and ideas. One of the most striking devices is her use of imagery. The garden imagery is central to the poem and serves as a metaphor for the cycle of life and death. The description of the house as a "swelling of the ground" also creates a vivid image of the tomb-like quality of the house. The use of the word "latish" to describe noon is also significant because it suggests that even at the height of life, there is a weariness that sets in.
Another significant device used by Dickinson is her use of syntax. The poem is structured in such a way that it creates a sense of time passing. The first two lines set up the theme of the poem, and then the next three lines describe the weariness of noon and the merriment of growth. The shift to the visit to the house creates a sense of unease and shifts the focus to the inevitability of death. The final lines, with their repetition of "since," create a cyclical structure, tying the poem back to the theme of the cycle of life and death.
Interpretation
Now that we've examined the poem's themes and literary devices, let's try to interpret its meaning. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of death and its relationship to life. Dickinson portrays death as a natural part of life, just like noon in a garden. However, she also recognizes the unease that death can create, as seen in the visit to the house that has been turned into a tomb. The passage of time is also significant because it highlights the inevitability of death. No matter how much time passes, death is always waiting.
The final lines of the poem are particularly haunting. The moment when the speaker first realizes that the horses' heads are "toward eternity" is a moment of profound realization. It is a moment when the speaker understands the inevitability of death and the transience of life. The fact that this moment feels like it was only yesterday, even though it has been centuries, highlights the cyclical nature of life and death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Of Death I try to think like this" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the nature of death and its relationship to life. Dickinson's use of imagery and syntax creates a vivid picture of the cycle of life and death, while her portrayal of death as a natural part of life makes the poem both comforting and unsettling. Ultimately, the poem leaves us with a sense of the transience of life and the inevitability of death, but also with a sense of the beauty and mystery of the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Of Death I try to think like this is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time. The poem is a reflection on the concept of death and how the speaker tries to come to terms with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of the poem.
The poem begins with the speaker stating that she tries to think of death as a kind of journey, a transition from one state of being to another. She says that she imagines death as a carriage ride, where the passenger is taken from one place to another. This metaphorical journey is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it is used here to suggest that death is not an end but a new beginning.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of what happens after death. She says that she imagines death as a kind of sleep, where the body is at rest, and the soul is free to roam. This idea of the soul being free after death is a common theme in many religions and spiritual beliefs. The speaker seems to be suggesting that death is not something to be feared but rather something to be embraced.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to question her own beliefs about death. She says that she is not sure what happens after death and that she is afraid of the unknown. This fear of the unknown is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it is used here to suggest that even the most confident of us can be unsure about what happens after death.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of what it means to be alive. She says that life is a kind of journey, a journey that is full of ups and downs. She suggests that life is not always easy, but it is worth living. This idea of life being a journey is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it is used here to suggest that life is precious and should be cherished.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker comes to a conclusion about death. She says that she tries to think of death as a kind of graduation, a transition from one state of being to another. She suggests that death is not an end but a new beginning, and that we should embrace it with open arms.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a number of literary devices to convey her message. One of the most prominent devices is metaphor. The carriage ride, the sleep, and the graduation are all metaphors that are used to suggest that death is not an end but a new beginning. Another device that is used is repetition. The phrase "Of Death I try to think like this" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's attempt to come to terms with death.
In conclusion, Of Death I try to think like this is a powerful poem that explores the concept of death and how we can come to terms with it. The poem suggests that death is not an end but a new beginning, and that we should embrace it with open arms. Dickinson's use of metaphor and repetition helps to convey this message in a powerful and memorable way. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to explore complex themes in a simple and accessible way.
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