'How the Waters closed above Him' by Emily Dickinson
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How the Waters closed above Him
We shall never know—
How He stretched His Anguish to us
That—is covered too—
Spreads the Pond Her Base of Lilies
Bold above the Boy
Whose unclaimed Hat and Jacket
Sum the History—
Editor 1 Interpretation
How the Waters Closed above Him: An In-Depth Analysis
Oh, how thrilling it is to dive into the depths of Emily Dickinson's poetry, to unravel the intricate layers of meaning and emotion hidden within her seemingly simple words. And one of the most enigmatic pieces in her repertoire is undoubtedly "How the Waters closed above Him," a hauntingly beautiful poem that leaves a profound impact on the reader.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the heart of this masterpiece, exploring its themes, motifs, literary devices, and the very essence of its soul-stirring message. So, let us take a deep breath and plunge into the depths of this wondrous poem.
The Structure and Form of the Poem
Before we delve into the meaning of the poem, let us first take a look at its structure and form. Emily Dickinson was known for her unique style of writing, and "How the Waters closed above Him" is no exception. The poem is composed of three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, with the second and fourth lines rhyming. The meter is mostly iambic, with occasional deviations.
The poem's brevity, simplicity, and precise structure belie its emotional depth and complexity. The use of short, four-line stanzas gives the poem a sense of tightness and containment, as if the words are struggling to contain the vastness of the emotions they express. The rhyme scheme also gives the poem a musical quality, adding to its lyrical beauty.
The Theme of Death and Immortality
The overarching theme of "How the Waters closed above Him" is death and immortality. The poem describes the moment when a person dies and is submerged beneath the waters, leaving behind their mortal body and ascending to a realm beyond our physical world. The poem is not merely a description of death but also a meditation on its significance and what lies beyond it.
The image of the waters closing above the person carries a powerful metaphorical weight. The waters represent the boundary between life and death, the veil that separates our mortal existence from the afterlife. The fact that the poem describes the waters as closing above the person suggests that death is not merely a passive event but an active one, a crossing over from one realm to another.
The poem also explores the idea of immortality, the belief that the soul transcends death and lives on in a spiritual world. The line, "He rose; he disappeared" suggests that the person's spirit has ascended beyond our physical world, leaving behind the mortal body. The image of rising also suggests a spiritual ascent, a journey towards a higher realm.
The Persona of the Poem
The persona of the poem is ambiguous and open to interpretation. It is not clear whether the speaker is a third-person observer or someone who has experienced the moment of death themselves. However, it is evident that the speaker is someone who is deeply aware of the significance of the moment and the emotions that it evokes.
The use of the pronoun "He" in the poem adds to its ambiguity. It is not clear who "He" refers to, whether it is a specific person or a universal symbol of humanity. This ambiguity allows the reader to project their own experiences and emotions onto the poem, making it more personal and relatable.
The Motifs of Nature and Spirituality
The motifs of nature and spirituality are prevalent throughout the poem, adding a deeper layer of meaning to its themes. The image of the waters closing above the person is a natural one, evoking the cyclical nature of life and death, the ebb and flow of the tides. The fact that the poem describes the person's spirit ascending beyond our physical world adds a spiritual dimension to the natural imagery, suggesting that the two are intertwined.
The poem's use of color imagery also adds to its spiritual dimension. The line, "The colors of the water's woof" suggests that the waters have a deeper, symbolic meaning beyond their physical appearance. The fact that the colors are described as a "woof" suggests that they are part of a larger, interconnected fabric of existence, a tapestry that weaves together the physical and spiritual realms.
The Literary Devices of the Poem
Emily Dickinson was a master of literary devices, and "How the Waters closed above Him" is no exception. The poem is rich in imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, which add to its emotional depth and complexity.
The use of metaphor is prevalent throughout the poem. The waters closing above the person is a metaphor for death and the crossing over to the afterlife. The image of rising is a metaphor for the person's spiritual ascent beyond our physical world. The use of color imagery is also a metaphor, suggesting that the colors of the water carry a deeper, symbolic meaning.
The use of alliteration is also prevalent in the poem. The line, "The waters kissed his forehead cold" uses the repetition of the "k" sound to create a sense of coldness and finality. The use of iambic meter also adds to the poem's musical quality, creating a rhythm that mirrors the ebb and flow of the tides.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "How the Waters closed above Him" is a masterpiece of poetic expression, a hauntingly beautiful meditation on the themes of death and immortality. The poem's brevity, precise structure, and use of literary devices add to its emotional depth and complexity, making it a profound experience for the reader. The poem's use of natural and spiritual imagery, combined with its rich symbolism and metaphor, creates a tapestry of meaning that weaves together the physical and spiritual realms of existence. Emily Dickinson's unique style and voice shine through in this poem, reminding us of the power of poetry to explore the deepest mysteries of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
How the Waters Closed Above Him: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem, "How the Waters Closed Above Him," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of loss and grief in a way that is both haunting and beautiful.
The poem tells the story of a man who drowns in the sea, and the way in which his body is consumed by the water. Dickinson's use of language is both vivid and evocative, painting a picture of the man's final moments that is both tragic and awe-inspiring.
The poem begins with the line, "How the Waters closed above Him," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "closed" is particularly powerful, as it suggests a sense of finality and inevitability. The man's fate is sealed, and there is nothing that can be done to change it.
As the poem continues, Dickinson describes the man's body being consumed by the water. She writes, "And how the little boys grew cold / And rattled in the sand." This image is both haunting and beautiful, as it captures the sense of loss and grief that the man's death has caused. The use of the word "rattled" is particularly effective, as it suggests a sense of finality and decay.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a variety of poetic techniques to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, she uses repetition to emphasize certain words and phrases, such as "closed" and "little boys." She also uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the man's final moments, such as the image of his body being consumed by the water.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Dickinson uses language to create a sense of ambiguity and mystery. For example, she writes, "And then the windows failed, and then / I could not see to see." This line is both beautiful and haunting, as it suggests a sense of loss and confusion. The use of the word "failed" is particularly effective, as it suggests a sense of finality and inevitability.
Overall, "How the Waters Closed Above Him" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of loss and grief in a way that is both haunting and beautiful. Dickinson's use of language is both vivid and evocative, painting a picture of the man's final moments that is both tragic and awe-inspiring. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and it remains one of her most powerful and enduring works.
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