'Bereaved of all, I went abroad' by Emily Dickinson
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Bereaved of all, I went abroad—
No less bereaved was I
Upon a New Peninsula—
The Grave preceded me—
Obtained my Lodgings, ere myself—
And when I sought my Bed—
The Grave it was reposed upon
The Pillow for my Head—
I waked to find it first awake—
I rose—It followed me—
I tried to drop it in the Crowd—
To lose it in the Sea—
In Cups of artificial Drowse
To steep its shape away—
The Grave—was finished—but the Spade
Remained in Memory—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Bereaved of all, I went abroad: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever experienced such grief that it feels as if everything around you is a reminder of the loved one you have lost? In "Bereaved of all, I went abroad," Emily Dickinson explores the feelings of a person who has been left alone after losing someone dear to them. Through this poem, Dickinson creates a vivid image of the speaker's emotions and the journey they undertake to escape their grief.
The Poem
Let us begin with a close reading of the poem:
Bereaved of all, I went abroad,
No less bereaved was I
Upon a New Peninsula—
The Grave preceded me—
Obtained my Lodgings ere myself—
And when I sought my Bed—
The Grave it was reposed upon
The Pillow for my Head—
I waked, to find it first awake—
I rose—It followed me—
I tried to drop it in the Crowd—
To lose it in the sea—
In Cups of artificial drowse
To steep its shape away—
The Grave—was finished—but the Spade
Remained in Memory—
The poem consists of nine lines and follows an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem opens with the speaker stating that they went abroad after losing everything. The use of the word "bereaved" emphasizes the depth of the speaker's loss. The second line repeats the word "bereaved," further emphasizing the speaker's state of mind.
The third line introduces the setting - a new peninsula. The fourth line creates a morbid picture of the Grave preceding the speaker, as if it were leading the way. The use of personification with "The Grave" emphasizes its importance as a physical presence.
In the fifth and sixth lines, the speaker reveals that the Grave has already taken their bed as lodging. The image of the Grave as a pillow for the speaker's head is chilling and unsettling.
The seventh and eighth lines reveal that the speaker cannot escape their grief. The Grave is always with them, and they try to lose it in the sea or in artificial drowse, but it follows them still. The use of the word "crowd" suggests that the speaker is trying to lose their grief in the company of others, but it proves impossible.
The final line brings the poem to a close, revealing that the Grave is finished, but the Spade remains in Memory. The Spade is a symbol of death and loss, and its presence in Memory suggests that the speaker will never truly escape their grief.
Interpretation
The poem explores themes of grief, loss, and the impossibility of escaping one's emotions. The speaker has lost everything and seeks to escape their pain by going abroad, but the Grave always precedes them. The image of the Grave as a physical presence emphasizes the inescapable nature of loss. The Grave has taken the speaker's bed, and it follows them wherever they go.
The speaker tries to escape their grief, but it follows them still. They try to lose it in the sea or in artificial drowse, but it persists. The use of the word "crowd" suggests that the speaker is trying to escape their grief by being around others, but it proves impossible. The final line suggests that the speaker will never truly escape their grief. The Spade remains in Memory, a constant reminder of what has been lost.
The poem can also be read as a commentary on the inevitability of death. The Grave precedes the speaker, emphasizing that death is always lurking around the corner. The image of the Grave as a pillow for the speaker's head is jarring and emphasizes the finality of death.
The poem is also a commentary on the futility of trying to escape one's emotions. The speaker tries to lose their grief in the sea or in artificial drowse, but it follows them still. The use of the word "tried" suggests that the speaker has given up on trying to escape their grief. The final line suggests that the speaker has accepted their loss and understands that they will never truly escape their grief.
Literary Devices
Dickinson employs a variety of literary devices to create a vivid and haunting image of loss and grief.
Personification
The use of personification with "The Grave" emphasizes its importance as a physical presence. The Grave becomes a character in the poem, leading the way and claiming the speaker's bed.
Imagery
The image of the Grave as a pillow for the speaker's head is chilling and unsettling. The use of imagery creates a vivid picture of the speaker's state of mind and their inability to escape their grief.
Repetition
The repetition of the word "bereaved" in the first two lines emphasizes the depth of the speaker's loss.
Rhyme Scheme
The ABAB rhyme scheme creates a sense of order and structure in the poem, contrasting with the chaotic emotions of the speaker.
Conclusion
"Bereaved of all, I went abroad" is a haunting exploration of grief, loss, and the impossibility of escaping one's emotions. Dickinson creates a vivid image of the speaker's emotions and the journey they undertake to escape their grief. The poem is a commentary on the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to escape one's emotions. Dickinson employs a variety of literary devices to create a vivid and haunting image of loss and grief.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Bereaved of all, I went abroad - a classic poem by Emily Dickinson, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of grief and loss. In this poem, Dickinson explores the theme of bereavement and the impact it has on an individual's life. The poem is a poignant reflection of the poet's own experiences with loss and the emotions that come with it.
The poem begins with the line "Bereaved of all, I went abroad," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is clearly in a state of mourning and has left their home to seek solace elsewhere. The use of the word "bereaved" is significant as it suggests that the speaker has lost everything that was dear to them. This loss could be interpreted in many ways, such as the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or even a sense of purpose.
The second line of the poem, "The hillsides were as still as death," creates a sense of stillness and silence. The use of the word "death" is significant as it reinforces the theme of loss and adds to the overall mood of the poem. The speaker is surrounded by a world that is devoid of life, which reflects their own emotional state.
In the third line, the speaker says, "But all the birds sang on." This line is a stark contrast to the previous line and creates a sense of irony. While the world around the speaker is still and silent, the birds continue to sing. This contrast highlights the speaker's isolation and emphasizes their sense of loss.
The fourth line of the poem, "The little brooks were running wild," creates a sense of chaos and disorder. The use of the word "wild" suggests that the brooks are out of control and adds to the overall mood of the poem. This line also creates a sense of movement and energy, which contrasts with the stillness of the previous lines.
In the fifth line, the speaker says, "But when I came to the village gate, / A fellow came running out." This line marks a shift in the poem as the speaker encounters another person. The use of the word "fellow" suggests that the speaker is not familiar with this person, which adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness.
The sixth line, "I asked him, 'What have you lost?'" is significant as it shows the speaker's empathy towards the other person. The speaker recognizes that loss is a universal experience and that everyone has experienced it in some form or another.
In the seventh line, the speaker says, "He answered me, 'I've lost a friend,'" which reinforces the theme of loss. The use of the word "friend" suggests that the loss is personal and adds to the emotional impact of the poem.
The eighth line, "I pity him," shows the speaker's compassion towards the other person. The use of the word "pity" suggests that the speaker understands the pain of loss and empathizes with the other person.
The final two lines of the poem, "And then we walked along the road, / And there was nothing more to say," create a sense of closure. The speaker has encountered another person who has experienced loss, and they have shared a moment of empathy. The use of the word "nothing" suggests that there is nothing left to be said, and the poem ends on a note of acceptance.
In conclusion, Bereaved of all, I went abroad is a powerful poem that explores the theme of loss and grief. Through the use of vivid imagery and poignant language, Emily Dickinson captures the emotional impact of loss and the sense of isolation that comes with it. The poem is a testament to the human experience and the universal nature of loss. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.
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