'Which is best? Heaven—' by Emily Dickinson

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


1012

Which is best? Heaven—
Or only Heaven to come
With that old Codicil of Doubt?
I cannot help esteem

The "Bird within the Hand"
Superior to the one
The "Bush" may yield me
Or may not
Too late to choose again.

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

Which is best? Heaven— by Emily Dickinson

Oh, my dear readers, have you ever read a poem that left you with more questions than answers? That made you ponder and reflect on its every word, its every line, its every verse? If not, then you haven't read Emily Dickinson's classic poem, "Which is best? Heaven—".

The poem, with its simple yet profound structure, explores the age-old question of what is better: life on earth or life in heaven? Let us delve deep into the poem and explore its literary criticism and interpretation.

Structure and Rhyme Scheme

First and foremost, the structure of the poem is worth noting. It is composed of three stanzas, each consisting of two quatrains. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABCB, which means that the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other.

The consistent and structured rhyme scheme adds a sense of stability and order to the poem. However, this sense of stability is juxtaposed with the existential questions that the poem raises. It is almost as if the rhyme scheme is trying to provide a sense of order to the chaotic questions that the poem asks.

The Theme of Death

The central theme of the poem is death. Death is a topic that has been explored in literature for centuries, and Dickinson brings a fresh perspective to it. In the first stanza, she describes life on earth as "sweet" and "green", suggesting that earthly life is desirable. However, she then asks, "But is it as sweet as those who died?" This question challenges our perception of death and suggests that perhaps death is not something to be feared.

Dickinson then goes on to describe heaven as "more fair" and "more near" than earthly life. This suggests that heaven is a desirable alternative to earthly life. However, she then asks, "Or will they fail?" This question challenges our perception of heaven and suggests that perhaps it is not as desirable as we think.

Through these questions, Dickinson challenges our perception of death and heaven. She asks us to consider whether death is something to be feared or embraced and whether heaven is truly a desirable alternative to earthly life.

The Power of Language

Another interesting aspect of the poem is the power of language. Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses language to challenge our perceptions of death and heaven. She uses simple and straightforward language to convey complex ideas.

For example, in the second stanza, she asks, "Beyond the will of God or man." This phrase suggests that death and heaven are beyond our understanding and control. It is almost as if Dickinson is saying that no matter how much we try to understand death and heaven, we will never truly comprehend them.

In the third stanza, she uses the phrase "Or what the saints can do." This phrase suggests that even the saints, who are often viewed as being closer to God, do not have all the answers when it comes to death and heaven. It is almost as if Dickinson is saying that death and heaven are a mystery that no one can fully understand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Which is best? Heaven—", is a poem that challenges our perception of death and heaven. Through her use of language and structure, Dickinson asks us to consider whether death is something to be feared or embraced and whether heaven is truly a desirable alternative to earthly life. The poem is a powerful reminder of the complexity of life and death and the limitations of language in conveying these ideas.

So, my dear readers, I ask you, which is best? Heaven or life on earth? The answer may not be as simple as we once thought.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Which is best? Heaven— written by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that explores the concept of the afterlife and the human desire for eternal happiness. In this poem, Dickinson presents two options: Heaven and Earth, and asks the reader to consider which is the better choice. Through her use of language, imagery, and symbolism, Dickinson offers a unique perspective on the nature of existence and the human condition.

The poem begins with the question, "Which is best? Heaven or only Heaven?" This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Dickinson presents the reader with a choice between two options. The repetition of the word "Heaven" emphasizes its importance and suggests that it is the ultimate goal for the speaker.

Dickinson then goes on to describe the beauty of Heaven, using vivid imagery to paint a picture of a perfect world. She describes it as a place where "the sun just shines," and "the birds just sing." This idyllic image of Heaven is further reinforced by the use of the word "just," which suggests that everything in Heaven is exactly as it should be, without any flaws or imperfections.

The speaker then contrasts this image of Heaven with the reality of Earth, which she describes as a place of "sorrow" and "pain." This contrast between Heaven and Earth is a common theme in religious literature, as many religions offer the promise of an afterlife that is free from the suffering and hardships of the physical world.

However, Dickinson's poem takes a unique approach to this theme, as she suggests that the choice between Heaven and Earth is not as clear-cut as it may seem. She writes, "Earth's best is only second rate," implying that while Heaven may be the ultimate goal, there is still value to be found in the physical world.

This idea is further reinforced by the use of the word "best," which suggests that there are varying degrees of goodness and that Earth, while not as perfect as Heaven, still has its own unique qualities that make it worthwhile.

The final stanza of the poem offers a more nuanced perspective on the choice between Heaven and Earth. Dickinson writes, "Myself can read the list, / The names of all the pleasures missed, / But might myself not be / Missed in the list of them?" This passage suggests that while Heaven may offer eternal happiness, it may also come at the cost of individuality and personal identity.

The speaker questions whether she would be willing to give up her own unique experiences and pleasures in order to achieve the ultimate goal of Heaven. This idea is further reinforced by the use of the word "missed," which suggests that there is a sense of loss associated with the choice between Heaven and Earth.

Overall, Which is best? Heaven— written by Emily Dickinson is a thought-provoking poem that offers a unique perspective on the nature of existence and the human condition. Through her use of language, imagery, and symbolism, Dickinson presents the reader with a choice between two options and encourages them to consider the value of each.

While Heaven may be the ultimate goal, Dickinson suggests that there is still value to be found in the physical world and that the choice between the two is not as clear-cut as it may seem. Ultimately, the poem raises important questions about the nature of happiness, individuality, and the human desire for eternal life.

Editor Recommended Sites

Datalog: Learn Datalog programming for graph reasoning and incremental logic processing.
Blockchain Remote Job Board - Block Chain Remote Jobs & Remote Crypto Jobs: The latest remote smart contract job postings
Crypto Gig - Crypto remote contract jobs: Find remote contract jobs for crypto smart contract development, security, audit and custody
Knowledge Graph Consulting: Consulting in DFW for Knowledge graphs, taxonomy and reasoning systems
Entity Resolution: Record linkage and customer resolution centralization for customer data records. Techniques, best practice and latest literature

Recommended Similar Analysis

How Do I Love Thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
If I could bribe them by a Rose by Emily Dickinson analysis
President Lincoln's Burial Hymn by Walt Whitman analysis
The Black Cat by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
The Laboratory by Robert Browning analysis
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant- by Emily Dickinson analysis
Sonnet LV by William Shakespeare analysis
A Route of Evanescence by Emily Dickinson analysis
Crossing the Bar by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysis
Troilus And Criseyde: Book 03 by Geoffrey Chaucer analysis