'It feels a shame to be Alive' by Emily Dickinson
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It feels a shame to be Alive—
When Men so brave—are dead—
One envies the Distinguished Dust—
Permitted—such a Head—
The Stone—that tells defending Whom
This Spartan put away
What little of Him we—possessed
In Pawn for Liberty—
The price is great—Sublimely paid—
Do we deserve—a Thing—
That lives—like Dollars—must be piled
Before we may obtain?
Are we that wait—sufficient worth—
That such Enormous Pearl
As life—dissolved be—for Us—
In Battle's—horrid Bowl?
It may be—a Renown to live—
I think the Man who die—
Those unsustained—Saviors—
Present Divinity—
Editor 1 Interpretation
It Feels a Shame to be Alive: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, the world of Emily Dickinson! It is a world full of wonder, curiosity, and at times, despair. One of her most powerful poems, It Feels a Shame to be Alive, is a perfect example of the latter. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, motifs, and literary devices used in this poem to uncover the deeper meaning behind Dickinson's words.
Background
It Feels a Shame to be Alive was written by Emily Dickinson in 1863. It was first published in 1891, after Dickinson's death, in a collection of her poems. Dickinson is known for her unique writing style, which often employs unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. Her poems are also characterized by their brevity and their exploration of themes such as death, love, nature, and spirituality.
Themes
One of the main themes in It Feels a Shame to be Alive is the sense of despair and hopelessness that can arise from living in a world full of suffering and pain. This theme is reflected in the opening lines of the poem, where Dickinson writes:
It feels a shame to be alive—
When Men so brave—are dead—
Here, Dickinson is expressing the idea that it can feel shameful to be alive when others, who have demonstrated great courage and bravery, have died. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the senselessness of war or the futility of human existence in general.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of the afterlife and the possibility of finding peace and rest in death. Dickinson explores this theme in the second stanza, where she writes:
How sweet—to be—to die—
To know that we are lost—
Here, Dickinson is suggesting that death can be a sweet release from the pain and suffering of life. She also implies that death can bring a sense of peace and comfort, as the knowledge that we are lost suggests a surrender to a higher power or to the unknown.
Motifs
One of the motifs in It Feels a Shame to be Alive is the image of death as a sleep or a rest. This motif appears throughout the poem, as Dickinson compares death to a "long sleep" and a "rest from mortal care." This motif reinforces the theme of death as a means of escape from the pain and suffering of life.
Another motif in the poem is the contrast between the living and the dead. Dickinson uses this motif to emphasize the sense of loss and despair that can arise from the death of brave individuals. This motif is reinforced by the repetition of the word "dead" in the opening lines of the poem.
Literary Devices
Emily Dickinson is known for her use of literary devices, and It Feels a Shame to be Alive is no exception. One of the most prominent literary devices in the poem is the use of dashes. Dickinson often employs dashes to indicate pauses or breaks in thought, and this creates a sense of fragmentation and disjointedness in the poem. This fragmentation mirrors the sense of despair and hopelessness that the poem conveys.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. Dickinson repeats the word "dead" several times in the opening lines of the poem, and this repetition emphasizes the sense of loss and despair that the poem conveys. The repetition of the word "sweet" in the second stanza reinforces the motif of death as a sweet release from life.
Interpretation
It Feels a Shame to be Alive is a powerful poem that explores themes of despair, hopelessness, and the possibility of finding peace and rest in death. The use of motifs such as death as a sleep or a rest, and the contrast between the living and the dead, reinforces these themes and adds depth to the poem.
The use of literary devices such as dashes and repetition creates a sense of fragmentation and emphasizes the sense of loss and despair that the poem conveys. In this way, Dickinson's unique writing style adds to the emotional impact of the poem.
Overall, It Feels a Shame to be Alive is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Dickinson's exploration of the themes of death and despair reminds us of the fragility of human life and the importance of finding hope and meaning in the face of suffering.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
It feels a shame to be Alive: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep philosophical themes. One of her most famous poems, "It feels a shame to be Alive," is a powerful reflection on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in life. In this article, we will explore the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices, and why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem begins with a provocative statement: "It feels a shame to be Alive." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of despair and hopelessness. The speaker is questioning the value of life and whether it is worth living at all. This sentiment is echoed in the next line, "When Men so brave -- are dead," which suggests that the speaker feels guilty for being alive when others have sacrificed their lives.
The poem's structure is simple but effective. It consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The first and third stanzas follow an ABAB rhyme scheme, while the second stanza has an AABB rhyme scheme. This creates a sense of rhythm and repetition that adds to the poem's overall impact. The short lines and lack of punctuation also contribute to the poem's sense of urgency and emotion.
The second stanza is particularly powerful. It begins with the line, "To fill the empty chair," which suggests that the speaker is mourning the loss of someone close to them. The image of an empty chair is a poignant reminder of the absence of a loved one. The next line, "What trick of the universe," is a rhetorical question that highlights the speaker's confusion and frustration. The universe seems to be playing a cruel joke on the speaker, taking away someone they love and leaving them with a sense of emptiness and despair.
The third stanza brings the poem to a close with a sense of resignation. The speaker acknowledges that life must go on, even in the face of tragedy and loss. The line, "I heard a Fly buzz -- when I died," is a reference to another famous Dickinson poem, which explores the moment of death and the transition from life to death. The speaker seems to be accepting their own mortality and the inevitability of death.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of literary devices. Dickinson was known for her use of metaphor, and this poem is no exception. The line, "To fill the empty chair," is a metaphor for the loss of a loved one. The chair represents the absence of that person, and the speaker is struggling to come to terms with their loss. The use of the word "shame" in the first line is also a metaphor for the speaker's sense of guilt and unworthiness.
The poem also uses imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The line, "When Men so brave -- are dead," conjures up images of war and sacrifice. The image of a fly buzzing in the final line is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.
In conclusion, "It feels a shame to be Alive" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in life. The poem's structure, literary devices, and use of imagery all contribute to its impact and resonance with readers. Dickinson's unique style and perspective continue to inspire and challenge readers today, making her one of the most important poets in American literature.
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