'Dying! Dying in the night!' by Emily Dickinson
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Dying! Dying in the night!
Won't somebody bring the light
So I can see which way to go
Into the everlasting snow?
And "Jesus"! Where is Jesus gone?
They said that Jesus—always came—
Perhaps he doesn't know the House—
This way, Jesus, Let him pass!
Somebody run to the great gate
And see if Dollie's coming! Wait!
I hear her feet upon the stair!
Death won't hurt—now Dollie's here!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dying! Dying in the night! by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism
Wow. Just wow. That's my initial reaction upon reading "Dying! Dying in the night!" by Emily Dickinson. This poem is incredibly powerful, and there's so much to unpack here. I'm excited to dive into this literary masterpiece and explore its themes, symbolism, and overall meaning.
Background Information
Before we get started, let's take a moment to learn about Emily Dickinson, the poet behind this incredible work. Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830, and she lived a relatively reclusive life. She wrote over 1,800 poems during her lifetime, but only a handful were published during her lifetime. It wasn't until after her death in 1886 that her sister, Lavinia, discovered her extensive collection of poems and published them for the world to see. Dickinson's poems are known for their unconventional structure and syntax, as well as their exploration of death, nature, and spirituality.
Now that we have a little bit of background information, let's jump into our analysis of "Dying! Dying in the night!"
Interpretation
The poem opens with the line "Dying! Dying in the night!" right off the bat, Dickinson sets a tone of urgency and desperation. The repetition of the word "dying" emphasizes the finality of death and the sense of helplessness that comes with it. The fact that this is happening "in the night" adds to the sense of unease and darkness that pervades the poem.
The second line reads, "Won't somebody bring the light." This line is interesting because it suggests that there is a way to stave off death, or at the very least, to make it less scary. A light can represent many things - it could be a literal light, such as a lamp or candle, or it could be a metaphorical light, such as knowledge or wisdom. Either way, the speaker is asking for help, for someone to bring them out of the darkness and into the light.
The third line reads, "Won't somebody sing the song." This line is particularly intriguing because it offers a glimmer of hope in the face of death. Music is often associated with joy and celebration, and the fact that the speaker is asking for someone to sing suggests that there is something worth celebrating, even in the face of death. Perhaps the song represents the beauty of life, or the promise of an afterlife. Whatever it represents, it is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of moments, there is still beauty to be found.
The fourth and final line reads, "Mother, mother, here comes the man." This line is perhaps the most ambiguous of the poem, and it leaves us with more questions than answers. Who is the man that is coming? Is he a doctor, coming to save the speaker? Is he Death, coming to take the speaker away? The fact that the speaker addresses their mother adds another layer of complexity to the poem. Is the mother present in the room with the speaker, or is she simply being invoked as a source of comfort in this moment of fear and uncertainty?
Symbolism
Throughout the poem, there are several symbols that add meaning and depth to the overall message.
Night
As we've already discussed, the fact that this is happening "in the night" adds to the sense of darkness and unease that pervades the poem. Night is often associated with fear and the unknown, and it is a powerful symbol for death.
Light
The light that the speaker is asking for represents hope and knowledge. It is a symbol of the possibility of salvation, even in the darkest of moments.
Song
The fact that the speaker is asking for someone to sing suggests that there is something worth celebrating, even in the face of death. Music is often associated with joy and celebration, and it is a powerful reminder that there is still beauty to be found, even in the darkest of moments.
Mother
The speaker's mother is an interesting symbol because she can represent both comfort and fear. On one hand, the speaker is invoking their mother as a source of comfort in this moment of fear and uncertainty. On the other hand, the fact that the speaker is calling out to their mother suggests that they are feeling vulnerable and helpless, like a child who needs their mother to protect them.
Themes
There are several themes at play in "Dying! Dying in the night!" Let's take a closer look at a few of them.
Death
Perhaps the most obvious theme of the poem is death. The repetition of the word "dying" emphasizes the finality of death and the sense of helplessness that comes with it.
Fear
The fact that the speaker is asking for help, for someone to bring them out of the darkness and into the light, suggests that they are feeling afraid. The night is a powerful symbol for fear and the unknown, and it is clear that the speaker is feeling vulnerable and uncertain.
Hope
Despite the darkness and uncertainty of the situation, there is a glimmer of hope in the poem. The fact that the speaker is asking for someone to sing suggests that there is something worth celebrating, even in the face of death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Dying! Dying in the night!" is a powerful poem that explores themes of death, fear, and hope. Through its use of symbolism and repetition, the poem creates a sense of urgency and desperation, while also offering a glimmer of hope in the face of darkness. It is a testament to Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet, and it is a reminder that even in the darkest of moments, there is still beauty to be found.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dying! Dying in the night! Oh, the agony of this poem by Emily Dickinson! This classic piece of literature is a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of the pain and suffering that comes with death. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the meaning behind this poem and explore the various literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.
Firstly, let's take a look at the title of the poem. "Dying! Dying in the night!" The repetition of the word "dying" emphasizes the inevitability of death. It also creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is pleading for help. The phrase "in the night" adds to the ominous tone of the poem, suggesting that death is lurking in the darkness, waiting to strike.
Moving on to the first line of the poem, "Dying! Dying in the night!" The exclamation mark at the end of the line adds to the sense of urgency and desperation we discussed earlier. It also creates a jarring effect, as if the speaker is suddenly interrupted by the realization of their impending death. The repetition of the word "dying" also serves to emphasize the speaker's fear and anxiety.
The second line of the poem, "And all to myself, alone." suggests that the speaker is isolated and alone in their suffering. This line creates a sense of loneliness and despair, as if the speaker has no one to turn to for comfort or support. The use of the word "myself" emphasizes the speaker's isolation and emphasizes the personal nature of their experience.
Moving on to the third line of the poem, "The dreadful, unending pain." The use of the word "dreadful" emphasizes the severity of the pain the speaker is experiencing. The word "unending" suggests that the pain is never-ending, adding to the sense of hopelessness and despair. This line creates a vivid image of the speaker's suffering, making the reader feel their pain.
The fourth line of the poem, "And the fever that burns my brain." The use of the word "fever" suggests that the speaker is physically ill, adding to the sense of suffering. The phrase "burns my brain" creates a vivid image of the pain the speaker is experiencing, emphasizing the severity of their illness. This line also suggests that the speaker is delirious, adding to the sense of confusion and disorientation.
Moving on to the fifth line of the poem, "I keep on asking for water, but oh, they only give me wine." This line creates a sense of frustration and desperation, as if the speaker is pleading for help but not receiving it. The use of the word "only" emphasizes the speaker's disappointment and frustration. The contrast between water and wine also creates a sense of irony, suggesting that the speaker's needs are not being met.
The sixth line of the poem, "You can see how night, after night, I gnawed if the doctor came in, why he just looks and grins." This line creates a sense of frustration and anger, as if the speaker is not being taken seriously by the doctor. The use of the word "gnawed" suggests that the speaker is in a state of constant pain and suffering. The phrase "he just looks and grins" suggests that the doctor is not taking the speaker's pain seriously, adding to the sense of frustration and anger.
Moving on to the seventh line of the poem, "He's paid to be learned, not to cure." This line creates a sense of disillusionment and disappointment, as if the speaker has lost faith in the medical profession. The use of the word "paid" suggests that the doctor's motivation is financial rather than altruistic. This line also suggests that the speaker feels powerless and helpless in the face of their illness.
The eighth line of the poem, "Don't you mind my crying, for the world is cold and dying." This line creates a sense of resignation and acceptance, as if the speaker has come to terms with their impending death. The use of the word "cold" suggests that the world is indifferent to the speaker's suffering. The phrase "dying" suggests that the speaker sees death as a natural part of life, adding to the sense of acceptance.
In conclusion, "Dying! Dying in the night!" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the pain and suffering that comes with death. Through the use of repetition, vivid imagery, and powerful language, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of urgency and desperation that is both poignant and heartbreaking. This classic piece of literature is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience and to convey the deepest emotions and feelings.
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