'How fortunate the Grave' by Emily Dickinson
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How fortunate the Grave—
All Prizes to obtain—
Successful certain, if at last,
First Suitor not in vain.
Editor 1 Interpretation
How fortunate the Grave by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive
It’s always a pleasure to revisit Emily Dickinson’s poetic universe, especially when one chances upon a gem such as “How fortunate the Grave”. This poem, like many others in Dickinson’s oeuvre, is a meditation on death and the afterlife. However, what sets this poem apart is its unique portrayal of death as a liberating force that frees the soul from the constraints of earthly existence. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes, motifs, and imagery of “How fortunate the Grave” to uncover its hidden meanings and its relevance to our contemporary times.
Form and Structure
Before we explore the poem’s content, it’s worth noting its form and structure. Dickinson’s style is known for its brevity, often using short lines and stanzas to convey complex ideas. “How fortunate the Grave” is no exception, with just two quatrains or four-line stanzas. The poem follows an ABCB rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. The meter is predominantly iambic trimeter, with three stressed syllables followed by three unstressed syllables. This creates a sing-song rhythm that adds to the poem’s light and playful tone, despite its heavy subject matter.
Themes and Motifs
The central theme of “How fortunate the Grave” is death and the afterlife, but this is not portrayed as a bleak or terrifying prospect. Instead, Dickinson presents death as a positive force that allows the soul to soar beyond the earthly realm. This is conveyed through the poem’s use of motifs, such as birds and the sky. In the first stanza, Dickinson writes, “How fortunate the Grave— / All Prizes to obtain— / Successful certain, if at last, / First Suitor not in vain.” Here, the “Grave” is personified as a suitor, waiting patiently for the beloved to accept its offer. The “Prizes” are the rewards of death, which the speaker sees as a certainty. The use of the word “fortunate” suggests that the speaker sees death as a desirable outcome, rather than something to be feared.
The motif of birds is also present in the poem, with the speaker imagining the soul as a bird that can finally fly free after death. In the second stanza, Dickinson writes, “To earn the Purple Cloak, / It [the soul] would suffice / But every little Bird that sings / Is Robe enough for me.” The “Purple Cloak” is a symbol of royalty or nobility, which the soul would earn after death. However, the speaker sees even the humblest bird as a sufficient garment for her soul. This suggests that the speaker has a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature and the simple pleasures of life, even in death.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of love and devotion. The speaker sees death as a lover who has been waiting patiently for her to accept its proposal. This is evident in the phrase “First Suitor not in vain” and the personification of the Grave as a suitor. The speaker seems to have a sense of inevitability about death, as if it is a natural part of the cycle of life and love.
Imagery
The imagery in “How fortunate the Grave” is rich and varied, with a focus on the natural world. The use of birds, flowers, and the sky creates a sense of lightness and freedom, even in the face of death. The speaker seems to be in awe of the beauty of the natural world, finding comfort in its simplicity and purity.
In the first stanza, the Grave is personified as a patient suitor, waiting for the beloved to accept its offer. This creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, as if death is something to be eagerly awaited. The use of the word “Prizes” to describe the rewards of death suggests that the speaker sees these rewards as valuable and worth striving for.
In the second stanza, the speaker imagines the soul as a bird that can finally fly free after death. This creates a sense of movement and liberation, as if the soul is no longer weighed down by the constraints of earthly existence. The use of the phrase “every little Bird that sings” suggests that the speaker sees even the smallest and simplest things in nature as beautiful and valuable.
Interpretation
So, what does “How fortunate the Grave” mean? On the surface, it is a poem about death and the afterlife, but it is also a meditation on the beauty and simplicity of life. The speaker seems to have a deep appreciation for the natural world, finding comfort and joy in its simplicity and purity. Death is not portrayed as something to be feared or dreaded, but as a natural part of the cycle of life and love.
The use of the motif of birds is particularly significant, as it creates a sense of lightness and freedom that is often absent from discussions of death. The speaker seems to be saying that even in death, there is beauty and joy to be found in the natural world.
Relevance to Contemporary Times
“How fortunate the Grave” may have been written over a century ago, but its themes and motifs are still relevant to our contemporary times. In an age where death is often portrayed as something to be feared or avoided at all costs, Dickinson’s poem offers a different perspective. It reminds us that death is a natural part of the cycle of life and that there is beauty and joy to be found in the natural world, even in the face of death.
In conclusion, “How fortunate the Grave” is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that offers a unique perspective on death and the afterlife. Through its use of motifs, imagery, and language, it creates a sense of lightness and freedom that is often absent from discussions of death. Its relevance to our contemporary times is undeniable, reminding us that even in death, there is beauty and joy to be found in the natural world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
How Fortunate the Grave: A Poem of Death and Immortality
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, known for her unique style and themes that explore the mysteries of life and death. In her poem "How fortunate the Grave," Dickinson reflects on the inevitability of death and the possibility of immortality. Through her use of language and imagery, she creates a powerful and thought-provoking meditation on the nature of existence.
The poem begins with the line "How fortunate the Grave," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "fortunate" is an interesting choice, as it suggests that there is something positive or desirable about the grave. This is a surprising sentiment, given that most people view death as a negative and frightening experience. However, Dickinson seems to be suggesting that there is a certain peace and restfulness that comes with death, which can be seen as a kind of fortune.
The second line of the poem reads, "Since He who lie therein / Attended by a cloud." This line introduces the idea of a divine presence, which is often associated with death in many cultures. The "He" referred to here is likely a reference to God or some other higher power, who is said to attend to those who have passed away. The use of the word "cloud" is interesting, as it suggests a kind of ethereal or otherworldly presence. This reinforces the idea that death is not just a physical experience, but a spiritual one as well.
The third and fourth lines of the poem read, "Which not only shield his head / But wrap him round." Here, Dickinson is using imagery to describe the way in which the deceased is protected and enveloped by this divine presence. The use of the word "shield" suggests that there is some kind of danger or threat that the deceased needs protection from. This could be interpreted as a reference to the fear and uncertainty that often accompanies death. However, the fact that the cloud "wraps him round" suggests that there is also a sense of comfort and security that comes with this divine presence.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem read, "Since every grass-blade in the marsh / Preserves its own." Here, Dickinson is drawing a comparison between the way in which the deceased is protected by the divine presence and the way in which every blade of grass in a marsh is able to preserve itself. This is an interesting metaphor, as it suggests that there is a kind of natural order to death and decay. Just as the grass is able to survive and thrive in its environment, so too is the deceased able to find a kind of peace and restfulness in death.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "And to the solemn winter sky / Her faith is plighted." Here, Dickinson is using language to describe the way in which the deceased is able to find a kind of spiritual connection with the world around them. The use of the word "solemn" suggests a kind of reverence or respect for the natural world, while the phrase "her faith is plighted" suggests a kind of commitment or loyalty to this world. This reinforces the idea that death is not just a physical experience, but a spiritual one as well.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem read, "Since God, who made the mind, / Doth here His curtain draw." Here, Dickinson is making a direct reference to the idea of God as the creator of the universe. The use of the word "curtain" suggests that there is a kind of veil or barrier between the physical world and the spiritual world. This reinforces the idea that death is not just a physical experience, but a spiritual one as well.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem read, "And I can tell its texture, / But, not the place of Him." Here, Dickinson is using language to describe the way in which the divine presence is both tangible and intangible. The use of the word "texture" suggests that there is a kind of physicality to this presence, while the phrase "not the place of Him" suggests that it is impossible to locate or define this presence in any specific way. This reinforces the idea that death is a mysterious and unknowable experience.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem read, "Of His residing here / There are no portents." Here, Dickinson is using language to describe the way in which death is a natural and inevitable part of life. The use of the word "portents" suggests that there are no signs or warnings that death is coming. This reinforces the idea that death is a mysterious and unpredictable experience.
The fifteenth and sixteenth lines of the poem read, "But, whatsoever creature / His mansion be." Here, Dickinson is using language to describe the way in which death is a universal experience that affects all living creatures. The use of the word "creature" suggests that all living things are subject to the same fate, regardless of their size or complexity. This reinforces the idea that death is a natural and inevitable part of life.
The final two lines of the poem read, "His transitive residence / Is somewhere, surely, made." Here, Dickinson is using language to suggest that there is a kind of continuity or immortality that exists beyond death. The use of the word "transitive" suggests that death is not an end, but a transition to another state of being. The phrase "somewhere, surely, made" suggests that there is a kind of order or purpose to this transition, even if it is not fully understood.
In conclusion, "How fortunate the Grave" is a powerful and thought-provoking meditation on the nature of death and immortality. Through her use of language and imagery, Emily Dickinson creates a vivid and compelling portrait of the way in which death is both a physical and spiritual experience. While death is often viewed as a negative and frightening experience, Dickinson suggests that there is a certain peace and restfulness that comes with it. This poem is a testament to the power of language and poetry to explore the mysteries of life and death, and to offer comfort and solace in the face of the unknown.
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