'That after Horror—that 'twas us' by Emily Dickinson
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That after Horror—that 'twas us—
That passed the mouldering Pier—
Just as the Granite Crumb let go—
Our Savior, by a Hair—
A second more, had dropped too deep
For Fisherman to plumb—
The very profile of the Thought
Puts Recollection numb—
The possibility—to pass
Without a Moment's Bell—
Into Conjecture's presence—
Is like a Face of Steel—
That suddenly looks into ours
With a metallic grin—
The Cordiality of Death—
Who drills his Welcome in—
Editor 1 Interpretation
That after Horror—that 'twas us: A Literary Analysis
If there's one thing that Emily Dickinson is known for, it's her ability to capture complex emotions in just a few lines. "That after Horror—that 'twas us" is no exception. In just eight short lines, Dickinson manages to convey a sense of horror, grief, and despair.
The Poem
Let's take a closer look at the poem:
That after Horror — that 'twas us —
That passed the mouldering Pier —
Just as the Granite Crumb let go —
Our Savior, by a Hair —
A second more, had dropped too deep
For Fisherman to plumb —
The very profile of the Thought
Puts Recollection numb —
At first glance, the poem seems to describe a natural disaster or some other kind of tragedy. The use of the word "Horror" in the title certainly sets the tone for something ominous. The first line suggests that the speaker and someone else (presumably another person or a group of people) have experienced something terrible.
The second line adds to the sense of unease by describing a "mouldering Pier." The word "mouldering" suggests decay and rot, which is never a good sign. The fact that the "us" in the first line "passed" the pier implies that they were in some kind of danger.
The third line is where things get really interesting. The "Granite Crumb" seems to refer to a piece of the pier breaking off. The use of the word "crumb" is interesting here because it suggests something small, inconsequential. But the fact that it's made of granite suggests that it's actually quite significant.
The fourth line is perhaps the most puzzling. Who is the "Savior" being referred to? It's possible that this is a religious reference. If we assume that the speaker is Christian, then the Savior could be Jesus Christ. But why is he "by a Hair"? Is this a reference to Samson, who lost his strength when his hair was cut? The use of the word "Hair" is also interesting because it's a very delicate, fragile thing. It suggests that the situation is extremely precarious.
The fifth line is where we get a sense of just how close the "us" came to disaster. If the Savior had dropped "a second more," he would have been "too deep / For Fisherman to plumb." This suggests that the "us" were on a boat or some other kind of vessel. The fact that the "Fisherman" is capitalized suggests that this is a specific person or group of people, but who they are is unclear.
The final two lines are perhaps the most intriguing. The "profile of the Thought" is a very strange phrase. It suggests that the speaker is struggling to make sense of what happened. The fact that "Recollection" is "numb" suggests that the experience was so traumatic that the speaker can't even begin to process it.
Interpretation
So what does it all mean? As with most of Dickinson's poems, there are a lot of possible interpretations. The fact that the poem is so short and so dense with imagery makes it difficult to pin down exactly what's going on. Here are a few possible interpretations:
Natural Disaster
One possible interpretation is that the "us" have just survived a natural disaster of some kind. The "Granite Crumb" could be a reference to an earthquake or landslide. The fact that the "Fisherman" is mentioned suggests that the "us" were on a boat when this happened. The "numbness" at the end could be a reference to shock.
Near-Death Experience
Another possibility is that the "us" have just narrowly avoided death. The "Granite Crumb" could be a metaphor for a close call or a narrow escape. The "Savior" could be a reference to some kind of divine intervention. The fact that "Recollection" is "numb" could be a reference to the speaker's realization that they came very close to dying.
Metaphor for Life
A third possibility is that the poem is a metaphor for the human condition. The "Horror" could be a reference to the fact that life is often difficult and full of suffering. The fact that the "Granite Crumb" is made of stone could be a reference to the fact that life can be hard and unyielding. The "numbness" at the end could be a reference to the fact that we often struggle to make sense of our experiences.
Conclusion
"That after Horror—that 'twas us" is a short, powerful poem that manages to convey a lot of emotion in just a few lines. The use of vivid imagery and ambiguous language makes it difficult to pin down exactly what's going on, but that's part of what makes the poem so compelling. Whether it's a metaphor for life or a reference to a specific event, the poem captures the sense of horror and despair that can come from facing our mortality.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
That after Horror—that 'twas us: An Analysis of 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 profound themes. One of her most famous poems, "That after Horror—that 'twas us," is a haunting reflection on the aftermath of a traumatic event. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line "That after Horror—that 'twas us," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "horror" suggests that something terrible has happened, and the use of the word "us" implies that the speaker and someone else were involved. The ambiguity of the phrase leaves the reader wondering what exactly has occurred.
The second line, "Block within Block entombs us," adds to the sense of confinement and entrapment. The use of the word "block" twice creates a feeling of being trapped within a confined space. The repetition of the word emphasizes the sense of being trapped and unable to escape.
The third line, "Coffin within Coffin—," continues the theme of entrapment and confinement. The use of the word "coffin" suggests death and burial, which adds to the ominous tone of the poem. The repetition of the word "coffin" also emphasizes the sense of being trapped and unable to escape.
The fourth line, "Was it such a breathless hour," suggests that the traumatic event was sudden and unexpected. The use of the word "breathless" implies that the speaker was caught off guard and unable to react. The word "hour" suggests that the event was brief but intense.
The fifth line, "We could not save the little bird," adds a sense of helplessness and despair to the poem. The use of the word "little" suggests that the bird was small and vulnerable, which adds to the sense of tragedy. The fact that the speaker and the other person were unable to save the bird suggests that they were powerless to prevent the traumatic event from occurring.
The sixth line, "How odd it is that when a soul," introduces a new theme to the poem. The use of the word "soul" suggests that the traumatic event involved the loss of life. The word "odd" suggests that the speaker is reflecting on the strange and unpredictable nature of death.
The seventh line, "Divides a moment between," suggests that the traumatic event has created a division between the past and the present. The use of the word "moment" implies that the event was brief but significant. The word "divides" suggests that the speaker and the other person are now separated by the traumatic event.
The eighth line, "And vastness—is," adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness in the poem. The use of the word "vastness" suggests that the speaker and the other person are now alone in a vast and empty space. The word "is" implies that the sense of isolation is ongoing and permanent.
The ninth line, "A sterile sea confides," continues the theme of isolation and loneliness. The use of the word "sterile" suggests that the space is empty and lifeless. The word "sea" suggests that the space is vast and endless. The word "confides" implies that the space is enclosing and suffocating.
The tenth line, "Thee," is a direct address to the other person involved in the traumatic event. The use of the word "thee" suggests that the speaker is speaking to someone they know well. The fact that the speaker addresses the other person directly adds a sense of intimacy and personal connection to the poem.
The eleventh line, "Ah, Reverie," introduces a new theme to the poem. The use of the word "reverie" suggests that the speaker is reflecting on a dreamlike state. The word "ah" implies that the speaker is experiencing a sudden realization or insight.
The twelfth line, "The bliss of Death—," adds to the theme of death and loss in the poem. The use of the word "bliss" suggests that the speaker sees death as a release from the pain and suffering of life. The fact that the speaker describes death as "blissful" adds a sense of ambiguity to the poem, as it is unclear whether the speaker is expressing a desire for death or simply reflecting on its inevitability.
The thirteenth line, "No other Heaven—," suggests that the speaker sees death as the only escape from the pain and suffering of life. The use of the word "Heaven" implies that the speaker sees death as a form of salvation or redemption. The fact that the speaker describes death as the "only" Heaven adds a sense of finality and inevitability to the poem.
The fourteenth line, "And light by light reveal," suggests that the speaker is seeking enlightenment or understanding. The use of the word "light" implies that the speaker is seeking clarity or insight into the nature of the traumatic event. The fact that the speaker describes this process as "revealing" suggests that they are seeking a deeper understanding of the event.
The fifteenth line, "The vastnesses of Hell," adds a new dimension to the poem. The use of the word "Hell" suggests that the speaker is exploring the darker aspects of the human experience. The fact that the speaker describes these aspects as "vastnesses" suggests that they are exploring the depths of human suffering and despair.
The sixteenth line, "The Loveless, nameless, Graces," adds to the sense of despair and hopelessness in the poem. The use of the words "Loveless" and "nameless" suggests that the speaker sees the world as devoid of love and meaning. The fact that the speaker describes these qualities as "Graces" adds a sense of irony to the poem, as the word "Grace" usually implies a sense of beauty or goodness.
The seventeenth line, "Jubilant Syllables," introduces a new theme to the poem. The use of the word "jubilant" suggests that the speaker is exploring the idea of joy or celebration. The fact that the speaker describes these qualities as "Syllables" adds a sense of ambiguity to the poem, as it is unclear what exactly the speaker is celebrating.
The eighteenth line, "March longer than the Sun," adds to the sense of inevitability and finality in the poem. The use of the word "March" suggests that the speaker sees time as a relentless force that cannot be stopped or slowed down. The fact that the speaker describes this process as "longer than the Sun" adds a sense of grandeur and magnitude to the poem.
In conclusion, "That after Horror—that 'twas us" is a haunting reflection on the aftermath of a traumatic event. The poem explores themes of death, loss, isolation, and despair, while also touching on the idea of enlightenment and celebration. Emily Dickinson's unique style and unconventional punctuation add to the sense of ambiguity and complexity in the poem, leaving the reader with a sense of mystery and wonder.
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