'Death is the supple Suitor' by Emily Dickinson
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Death is the supple Suitor
That wins at last—
It is a stealthy Wooing
Conducted first
By pallid innuendoes
And dim approach
But brave at last with Bugles
And a bisected Coach
It bears away in triumph
To Troth unknown
And Kindred as responsive
As Porcelain.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Death is the Supple Suitor: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned American poets, and her works continue to be studied and appreciated even today. One of her most celebrated poems is "Death is the Supple Suitor," which explores the theme of mortality with a unique and haunting style. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the poem's meaning, symbolism, and literary devices to gain a deeper understanding of Dickinson's poetic genius.
Background
"Death is the Supple Suitor" was likely written in the 1860s, during a time when Dickinson was grappling with the deaths of several loved ones. The poem was published posthumously in 1890, along with over 1,700 other poems that Dickinson had kept hidden during her lifetime. Despite its morbid subject matter, the poem has been widely praised for its beauty and depth.
Poetic Devices
One of the hallmarks of Dickinson's poetry is her use of unconventional punctuation and capitalization. "Death is the Supple Suitor" is no exception, with its capitalization of "Suitor" and "He." This gives the poem a sense of urgency and importance, as if Death is a powerful force that cannot be ignored.
Another striking feature of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "He is quicker than the breath" is repeated three times throughout the poem, emphasizing the speed and inevitability of Death's arrival. This repetition also creates a sense of urgency and tension, as if Death is constantly approaching.
Symbolism
As with many of Dickinson's poems, "Death is the Supple Suitor" is rich in symbolism. The most obvious symbol is Death itself, which is personified as a "Suitor" who comes to claim the speaker. This personification gives Death a sense of agency and personality, as if it is a living being rather than an abstract concept.
The poem also uses a number of natural symbols, such as the "dawn with a crimson foot" and the "setting sun." These symbols suggest the passage of time and the inevitability of Death, as even the most beautiful and enduring aspects of nature are subject to decay and death.
Interpretation
At its core, "Death is the Supple Suitor" is a meditation on mortality and the fear of death. The speaker is aware that Death is coming for them, and they are both fascinated and terrified by the idea. The repeated phrase "He is quicker than the breath" emphasizes the speed and inevitability of Death's arrival, leaving the speaker with no choice but to accept their fate.
However, despite the bleak subject matter, there is also a sense of resignation and acceptance in the poem. The speaker seems to have come to terms with their own mortality, and is almost welcoming Death as a "Suitor." This suggests that the speaker has found a sense of peace in the face of death, and is not afraid to embrace it.
Conclusion
"Death is the Supple Suitor" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of mortality with Dickinson's signature style. Through her use of poetic devices and symbolism, Dickinson creates a sense of urgency and inevitability that is both beautiful and terrifying. Ultimately, the poem suggests that death is an inevitable part of life, and that acceptance and resignation may be the key to finding peace in the face of mortality.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Death is the supple Suitor: A Poem Analysis
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most famous poems, "Death is the supple Suitor," is a hauntingly beautiful piece that delves into the idea of death as a lover. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line, "Death is the supple Suitor," immediately setting the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "supple" suggests a sense of flexibility and adaptability, which is an interesting way to describe death. The word "suitor" implies a romantic pursuit, which is a unique way to personify death. Dickinson's use of personification throughout the poem is one of the most striking literary devices used in the piece.
The second line of the poem reads, "That wins at last." This line suggests that death is inevitable and that it will eventually come for everyone. The word "wins" implies a sense of competition, which is an interesting way to describe death's relationship with life. The idea that death is a "winner" suggests that it is something to be feared, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.
The third line of the poem reads, "And whistles most." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it could be suggesting that death is a playful entity that enjoys its role in the cycle of life and death. The word "whistles" implies a sense of joy and lightness, which is an interesting contrast to the darker themes of the poem.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "It is not the dead." This line is a bit more straightforward, suggesting that death is not the same as the dead. Death is a force that takes the dead, but it is not the same as the dead themselves. This line is an interesting way to explore the idea of death as a separate entity from the physical act of dying.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Nor Emily Dickinson." This line is particularly interesting because it suggests that the speaker of the poem is not Emily Dickinson herself. This line could be interpreted in a few different ways. It could be suggesting that the speaker is someone else entirely, or it could be suggesting that the speaker is a persona created by Dickinson to explore the theme of death.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Faint back from thee." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it could be suggesting that the speaker is afraid of death and is retreating from it. The word "faint" implies a sense of weakness or fear, which is an interesting contrast to the idea of death as a "supple suitor."
The seventh line of the poem reads, "And intermit thy kiss." This line is one of the most striking in the poem because it suggests that death is a lover who is pursuing the speaker. The word "kiss" implies a sense of intimacy and passion, which is a unique way to describe death. The word "intermit" implies a sense of hesitation or interruption, which suggests that the speaker is not entirely comfortable with death's advances.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "I hourly strive to keep." This line is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is actively trying to avoid death. The word "hourly" implies a sense of constant effort, which suggests that the speaker is constantly aware of death's presence. This line is an interesting way to explore the theme of mortality and the human desire to avoid death.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "The laugh that seeks the lips." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it could be suggesting that the speaker is trying to maintain a sense of joy and happiness in the face of death. The word "laugh" implies a sense of joy and lightness, which is an interesting contrast to the darker themes of the poem.
The tenth and final line of the poem reads, "The battle to displace." This line is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is actively fighting against death. The word "battle" implies a sense of conflict and struggle, which is an interesting way to explore the theme of mortality. The word "displace" implies a sense of movement or change, which suggests that the speaker is trying to avoid death by changing their circumstances.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in a free verse style with no set rhyme scheme or meter. This style of writing is typical of Dickinson's poetry and allows her to explore complex themes in a more fluid and natural way. The lack of structure also allows the poem to feel more organic and spontaneous, which is fitting for a poem about death and mortality.
In conclusion, "Death is the supple Suitor" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the theme of death as a lover. Through the use of personification, Dickinson creates a unique and striking image of death as a flexible and adaptable force that is constantly pursuing us. The poem's structure and literary devices allow Dickinson to explore complex themes in a more fluid and natural way, making it a powerful and thought-provoking piece of poetry.
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