'Except the Heaven had come so near' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
472
Except the Heaven had come so near—
So seemed to choose My Door—
The Distance would not haunt me so—
I had not hoped—before—
But just to hear the Grace depart—
I never thought to see—
Afflicts me with a Double loss—
'Tis lost—and lost to me—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Except the Heaven had come so near by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's poem "Except the Heaven had come so near" is a powerful and evocative work that captivates readers with its rich imagery and emotional depth. Written during a time of great personal turmoil for the author, this poem explores themes of loss, faith, and the enduring power of love.
Overview of the Poem
"Except the Heaven had come so near" is a short but impactful poem that consists of just six lines. The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the loss of someone or something dear to them, stating that "We never know how high we are / Till we are called to rise." The second half of the poem offers a glimmer of hope, with the speaker suggesting that the absence of their loved one has made them more attuned to the world around them: "And then, if we are true to plan, / Our statures touch the skies."
Analysis of the Poem
At its core, "Except the Heaven had come so near" is a meditation on the nature of loss and the ways in which it can transform us. The first line of the poem, "We never know how high we are / Till we are called to rise," suggests that it is only through the experience of loss that we can truly understand our own strength and resilience. This line can be read as a metaphor for the human experience more broadly, highlighting the ways in which adversity can be a catalyst for personal growth.
The second half of the poem builds on this idea of transformation, suggesting that the absence of their loved one has made the speaker more attuned to the world around them. The line "And then, if we are true to plan, / Our statures touch the skies" implies that through the process of grieving and healing, we can become more fully realized versions of ourselves. The use of the word "true" here is significant, as it suggests that this transformation is contingent on our ability to be honest with ourselves and engage in the difficult work of processing our emotions.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson makes use of rich and evocative imagery to convey the emotional weight of the speaker's experience. The phrase "Except the Heaven had come so near" implies a sense of closeness or intimacy that has been lost, while the final line - "Our statures touch the skies" - suggests a sense of expansiveness and possibility. These images work together to create a sense of emotional depth and complexity that is characteristic of Dickinson's poetry.
Interpretation of the Poem
While "Except the Heaven had come so near" can be read in a number of different ways, one possible interpretation is that the poem is about the transformative power of love. The phrase "Except the Heaven had come so near" suggests that the speaker has experienced a profound connection with someone or something, and that this connection has been lost. However, the final line of the poem implies that this connection has not been entirely severed - rather, it has been transformed into something larger and more expansive.
This interpretation is supported by the use of the phrase "Our statures touch the skies," which implies a sense of uplift and transcendence. The idea that our experiences of love and loss can transform us into something greater than we were before is a powerful one, and it is one that resonates strongly with many readers.
Conclusion
"Except the Heaven had come so near" is a powerful and emotionally resonant poem that speaks to the human experience of love and loss. Through its rich imagery and evocative language, Dickinson manages to convey the transformative power of grief and the enduring nature of love. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexity and depth of human emotion, and it is a work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Except the Heaven had come so near: A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her works are known for their depth, complexity, and beauty. One of her most famous poems is "Except the Heaven had come so near." This poem is a masterpiece of poetic expression, and it has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and readers alike for decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices.
The poem "Except the Heaven had come so near" is a short but powerful piece of poetry. It consists of only four stanzas, each containing two lines. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, which is characterized by its use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. The poem's title is also significant, as it sets the tone for the entire piece. The word "except" suggests that something is missing or lacking, and the phrase "the Heaven had come so near" implies that there is a sense of longing or desire for something greater than what is currently present.
The first stanza of the poem reads:
Except the Heaven had come so near - So seemed to choose my door - The Distance would not haunt me so - I had not hoped before -
In these lines, the speaker suggests that if Heaven were to come closer to her, she would not be haunted by the distance between herself and the divine. The phrase "so seemed to choose my door" implies that the speaker feels as though Heaven is within reach, but not quite within her grasp. The use of the word "choose" suggests that the speaker believes that she has been selected by Heaven for some purpose or mission. The final line of the stanza, "I had not hoped before," suggests that the speaker has not previously had faith or hope in the possibility of Heaven coming closer to her.
The second stanza reads:
But just to hear the grace depart - I never thought to see - Afflicts me with a Double loss - 'Tis lost - and lost to me -
In these lines, the speaker suggests that the mere thought of Heaven departing from her is distressing. The use of the word "grace" suggests that the speaker believes that Heaven brings with it a sense of peace, comfort, and goodness. The phrase "I never thought to see" implies that the speaker did not expect to experience Heaven's grace in the first place. The final two lines of the stanza suggest that the speaker feels as though she has lost something twice over - first, the grace of Heaven, and second, the possibility of ever experiencing it again.
The third stanza reads:
Heaven is so far of the Mind That were the Mind dissolved - The Site - of it - by Architect Could not again be proved -
In these lines, the speaker suggests that Heaven is a concept that exists only in the mind. The phrase "Heaven is so far of the Mind" implies that the speaker believes that Heaven is a distant and abstract idea. The use of the word "dissolved" suggests that the speaker believes that the mind is capable of transcending its physical limitations and experiencing something beyond the material world. The final two lines of the stanza suggest that even if the mind were to dissolve, the site of Heaven could not be proven by any physical means.
The final stanza reads:
'Tis not with tongues to tell - Then, if the Soul should sue - The Silence of the Answer -er -drown - The last - the least - reply
In these lines, the speaker suggests that the experience of Heaven is beyond words. The phrase "'Tis not with tongues to tell" implies that the speaker believes that language is inadequate to describe the experience of Heaven. The use of the word "sue" suggests that the speaker believes that the soul has a right to seek out Heaven. The final two lines of the stanza suggest that even if the soul were to seek out Heaven, the answer would be drowned out by silence, and the reply would be insignificant.
In conclusion, "Except the Heaven had come so near" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of faith, hope, and the human desire for something greater than what is currently present. The poem's use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax adds to its complexity and depth. The poem's title sets the tone for the entire piece, suggesting a sense of longing or desire for something greater. The poem's four stanzas each offer a unique perspective on the experience of Heaven, and the final stanza suggests that the experience of Heaven is beyond words. Overall, "Except the Heaven had come so near" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that continues to captivate and inspire readers today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Sheet Music Videos: Youtube videos featuring playing sheet music, piano visualizationManaged Service App: SaaS cloud application deployment services directory, best rated services, LLM services
Learn AWS / Terraform CDK: Learn Terraform CDK, Pulumi, AWS CDK
Data Lineage: Cloud governance lineage and metadata catalog tooling for business and enterprise
Container Tools - Best containerization and container tooling software: The latest container software best practice and tooling, hot off the github
Recommended Similar Analysis
Excelsior by Walt Whitman analysisLove and A Question by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Face Lift by Sylvia Plath analysis
Andrea del Sarto by Robert Browning analysis
On Another's Sorrow by William Blake analysis
Weakest Thing, The by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Contemplations by Anne Bradstreet analysis
After Apple Picking by Robert Frost analysis
Elegy V: His Picture by John Donne analysis
Two Tramps In Mud Time by Robert Frost analysis