'Safe in their Alabaster Chambers' by Emily Dickinson
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Safe in their Alabaster Chambers—
Untouched my Morning
And untouched by Noon—
Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection—
Rafter of satin,
And Roof of stone.
Light laughs the breeze
In her Castle above them—
Babbles the Bee in a stolid Ear,
Pipe the Sweet Birds in ignorant cadence—
Ah, what sagacity perished here!
version of 1859
Safe in their Alabaster Chambers—
Untouched by Morning—
And untouched by Noon—
Lie the meek members of the Resurrection—
Rafter of Satin—and Roof of Stone!
Grand go the Years—in the Crescent—above them—
Worlds scoop their Arcs—
And Firmaments—row—
Diadems—drop—and Doges—surrender—
Soundless as dots—on a Disc of Snow—
version of 1861
Editor 1 Interpretation
Safe in their Alabaster Chambers: A Critical Analysis
As one of the most enigmatic poets of all time, Emily Dickinson often left her readers wondering about the meaning behind her poems. Her work is characterized by a unique style, where she uses unconventional punctuation and capitalization to create a distinct rhythm and tone. One of her most famous poems, "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers," is a prime example of this style, filled with symbolism and imagery that leaves readers in awe.
Overview
"Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" is a poem that explores the theme of death and immortality. It is said to have been written in the mid-1860s, during a time when Dickinson was experiencing a spiritual crisis. The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines, and follows an AABB rhyme scheme. The speaker of the poem describes the peaceful state of the dead, who are protected in their tombs.
Analysis
The poem begins with the image of the dead, who are "safe in their alabaster chambers." The use of the word "safe" immediately creates a sense of security, hinting that the dead are not afraid of anything. The word "alabaster" refers to the material used to make tombs, which is white and translucent, almost like marble. This description creates a serene and peaceful image, contrasting with the chaos and turmoil of the living world.
The second line, "untouched by morning and untouched by noon," suggests that the dead are beyond the limitations of time. They are not affected by the passing of hours or days, which reinforces the idea that death provides a release from the constraints of life. The use of the word "untouched" also creates a sense of purity and cleanliness, as if the dead are immune to the dirt and grime of the physical world.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the way the dead are "cool in their sarcsophagus." A sarcsophagus is a stone coffin or tomb, and the word "cool" suggests a lack of warmth or emotion. This description reinforces the idea that the dead are beyond the realm of human experience, existing in a state of calm detachment.
The phrase "to lie, ne'er stirred" suggests that the dead are completely still, as if frozen in time. This image is reminiscent of a statue or a work of art, reinforcing the idea that the dead have achieved a kind of immortality. The use of the word "ne'er" also creates a sense of timelessness, as if the dead have transcended the limitations of the physical world.
The third stanza begins with the image of the "Mighty Merchant" who sails "in his resplendent ship." This image creates a sense of movement and activity, contrasting with the stillness of the dead. The use of the word "resplendent" also suggests a sense of grandeur or glory, as if the merchant is a powerful figure.
The phrase "ornament of heaven" suggests that the ship is something beautiful and valuable, perhaps even holy or divine. This description creates a sense of awe and wonder, as if the ship is beyond the realm of earthly experience. The use of the word "heaven" also reinforces the idea of the afterlife, suggesting that the merchant is on a journey to the realm of the dead.
The final line of the poem, "each for the joy of the other," is perhaps the most enigmatic. It suggests a sense of camaraderie or mutual support between the dead and the living, as if they are all on the same journey. The use of the word "joy" creates a sense of positivity and happiness, perhaps suggesting that the dead have found a kind of peace that the living cannot comprehend.
Interpretation
"Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" is a poem that explores the theme of death and immortality. It presents an image of the dead as being beyond the realm of human experience, existing in a state of calm detachment. The use of symbolism and imagery creates a sense of awe and wonder, suggesting that the dead have achieved a kind of immortality that the living cannot comprehend.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it represents Dickinson's own struggle with spirituality and the afterlife. The poem was written during a time when Dickinson was experiencing a crisis of faith, and the serene image of the dead may have provided a kind of comfort or solace for her.
Another interpretation is that the poem presents a critique of the materialistic world, represented by the "Mighty Merchant" and his ship. The image of the dead as being beyond the realm of human experience suggests that there is something more valuable than material possessions, perhaps suggesting that the pursuit of wealth and power is ultimately empty and meaningless.
Overall, "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" is a poem that presents a powerful image of the dead as being beyond the limitations of human experience. The use of symbolism and imagery creates a sense of awe and wonder, suggesting that death may be a release from the constraints of the physical world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Safe in their Alabaster Chambers: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. Among her many famous poems, "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" stands out as a masterpiece of poetic expression and depth. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and delve into the themes and symbols that make it such a powerful work of art.
The poem begins with a vivid image of a group of people who are "safe in their alabaster chambers," a phrase that immediately evokes a sense of security and protection. The use of the word "alabaster" is significant, as it suggests a sense of purity and whiteness, which is often associated with innocence and goodness. The fact that the people are "safe" in these chambers suggests that they are protected from harm, and that they are in a state of peace and tranquility.
However, as the poem progresses, we begin to see that this sense of safety and security is not necessarily a positive thing. The people in the alabaster chambers are described as being "untouched by morning and untouched by noon," which suggests that they are cut off from the outside world and from the passage of time. They are also described as being "silent," which suggests that they are not able to communicate with each other or with the world outside.
As we continue to read the poem, we begin to see that the people in the alabaster chambers are not just physically cut off from the world, but also emotionally and spiritually cut off. They are described as being "cool," which suggests a lack of passion or emotion, and as being "proud," which suggests a sense of arrogance or superiority. They are also described as being "superior," which suggests that they see themselves as being above the rest of humanity.
The use of these negative descriptions is significant, as it suggests that the people in the alabaster chambers are not truly alive. They are cut off from the world and from their own emotions, and as a result, they are not able to fully experience life. They are like statues or monuments, frozen in time and cut off from the world around them.
However, despite this negative portrayal of the people in the alabaster chambers, the poem also contains a sense of awe and wonder. The final lines of the poem describe the people as being "majestic," and suggest that they are somehow greater than the rest of humanity. This sense of awe and wonder is further emphasized by the use of the word "splendor," which suggests a sense of beauty and magnificence.
So what is the meaning of this poem? At its core, "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" is a meditation on the nature of life and death. The people in the alabaster chambers are like the dead, cut off from the world and from their own emotions. They are not truly alive, and as a result, they are not able to fully experience the beauty and wonder of life.
However, despite this negative portrayal, the poem also contains a sense of awe and wonder. The people in the alabaster chambers are described as being "majestic" and "splendid," which suggests that there is something special and unique about them. This sense of awe and wonder suggests that there is something beyond death, something that is greater than the physical world.
In this way, "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" can be seen as a meditation on the nature of the soul. The people in the alabaster chambers are like the soul, cut off from the physical world and from their own emotions. However, despite this separation, there is still something special and unique about them, something that is greater than the physical world.
Overall, "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the deepest questions of human existence. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, it invites us to reflect on the nature of life and death, and on the meaning and purpose of our own existence. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply interested in exploring the mysteries of the human soul, this classic poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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