'The last Night that She lived' by Emily Dickinson
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The last Night that She lived
It was a Common Night
Except the Dying—this to Us
Made Nature different
We noticed smallest things—
Things overlooked before
By this great light upon our Minds
Italicized—as 'twere.
As We went out and in
Between Her final Room
And Rooms where Those to be alive
Tomorrow were, a Blame
That Others could exist
While She must finish quite
A Jealousy for Her arose
So nearly infinite—
We waited while She passed—
It was a narrow time—
Too jostled were Our Souls to speak
At length the notice came.
She mentioned, and forgot—
Then lightly as a Reed
Bent to the Water, struggled scarce—
Consented, and was dead—
And We—We placed the Hair—
And drew the Head erect—
And then an awful leisure was
Belief to regulate—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Last Night That She Lived: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poetic Masterpiece
Emily Dickinson is an American poet who is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of her time. Her poems are known for their unique style and themes that range from death and immortality to nature and the human condition. One of her most famous works is "The Last Night That She Lived," a poem that explores the final moments of a dying woman. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the hidden meanings of the poem and explore the reasons why it has become such an enduring masterpiece of American literature.
Summary of the Poem
"The Last Night That She Lived" is a short poem consisting of only six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem describes the final moments of a dying woman and the impact that her death has on those around her. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the quietness of the night and the hushed voices of those around the dying woman:
The last night that she lived,
It was a common night,
Except the dying; this to us
Made nature different.
The second stanza introduces the dying woman herself, describing her as "calmly waiting for the heavenly birth" and the "light that never was on land or sea." The third stanza describes the reactions of the people around her, who are "breathless with adoration" and "leaning on her dying breast." The fourth stanza describes the moment of the woman's death and the suddenness of it:
And then the windows failed, and then
I could not see to see.
The fifth stanza describes the aftermath of the woman's death, with the "heavens hurriedly" and the "distant laughter" of people who are unaware of the tragedy that has just occurred. Finally, the sixth stanza concludes the poem with a reflection on the woman's life and her legacy:
The eyes around had wrung them dry,
And breaths were gathering sure
For that last onset, when the king
Be witnessed in his power.
Analysis of the Poem
At its core, "The Last Night That She Lived" is a poem about mortality and the suddenness of death. Dickinson uses imagery and metaphor to explore the theme of death and its impact on those who are left behind. The poem is also notable for its use of language and its exploration of the relationship between nature and the human condition.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way that Dickinson uses nature imagery to explore the theme of death. The first stanza, for example, describes the night as "common" but notes that the presence of death makes it "different." This contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and it is emphasized by the use of natural imagery. Dickinson describes the dying woman as waiting for the "heavenly birth" and the "light that never was on land or sea." This language suggests that death is a natural and inevitable part of the human experience, but it also implies that there is something transcendent and mystical about the moment of death.
In addition to its use of nature imagery, "The Last Night That She Lived" is notable for its exploration of the relationship between life and death. Dickinson suggests that death is not simply the end of life but is, in fact, a continuation of it. The dying woman is described as "calmly waiting for the heavenly birth," which suggests that she is not afraid of death but is instead looking forward to a new and different kind of life. This idea is reinforced by the use of the metaphor of a "light that never was on land or sea." This light represents an unknown and mysterious realm that exists beyond life and death, and it suggests that there is something beyond our human experience that we can only glimpse in moments of transcendence.
Another important aspect of the poem is its exploration of the theme of grief and loss. Dickinson portrays the reactions of the people around the dying woman as "breathless with adoration" and "leaning on her dying breast." This language suggests that the woman is loved and cherished by those around her, and that her death will be a great loss to them. The suddenness of the woman's death is also emphasized by the fourth stanza, which describes the moment when "the windows failed" and the speaker "could not see to see." This language suggests that the moment of death is a sudden and unexpected one, and that it can leave those who are left behind feeling lost and disoriented.
Finally, "The Last Night That She Lived" is notable for its exploration of the theme of legacy. The poem concludes with a reflection on the woman's life and the impact that her death will have on those around her. The image of "the king be witnessed in his power" suggests that the dying woman has achieved a kind of immortality, and that her legacy will continue long after her death. This idea is reinforced by the earlier image of the "light that never was on land or sea," which suggests that there are things beyond our human experience that continue to exist even after we are gone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Last Night That She Lived" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of mortality, grief, and legacy. Dickinson's use of natural imagery and metaphor creates a sense of mystery and transcendence, and her exploration of the relationship between life and death suggests that death is not simply the end of life but is, in fact, a continuation of it. The poem's exploration of the theme of grief and loss is also notable, as is its emphasis on the impact that a person's life can have on those around them. Ultimately, "The Last Night That She Lived" is a masterpiece of American literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Last Night that She Lived: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson's poem, "The Last Night that She Lived," is a haunting and powerful exploration of death and the final moments of life. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Dickinson captures the emotions and experiences of a person facing their own mortality, as well as the reactions of those around them. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the poem, as well as the historical and cultural context in which it was written.
The poem begins with a description of the setting: "The last night that she lived / It was a common night / Except the dying; this to us / Made nature different." The use of the word "common" emphasizes the ordinary nature of the night, and the contrast with the impending death creates a sense of tension and unease. The phrase "made nature different" suggests that death has the power to transform the world around us, and that the speaker is acutely aware of this transformation.
The next stanza introduces the dying woman, who is described as "calmly waiting / For the heavenly visitor." This phrase suggests that the woman is at peace with her impending death, and that she sees it as a natural part of the cycle of life. The use of the word "heavenly" also implies that the woman believes in an afterlife, and that she is looking forward to being reunited with loved ones who have passed away before her.
The third stanza introduces the speaker's reaction to the woman's impending death: "Pale brows, still hands and dim hair, / I had a vision of the world, / And all its wonders deep within." The use of the word "vision" suggests that the speaker is experiencing a moment of clarity or insight, and that they are seeing the world in a new way. The description of the woman's physical appearance also emphasizes the fragility and impermanence of life, and the fact that death can come suddenly and unexpectedly.
The fourth stanza introduces the theme of regret: "Till I forgot my size, / And like a little child, / It crept and crept to my surprise, / Until the walls / Were as a strait sky." The use of the phrase "forgot my size" suggests that the speaker is feeling small and insignificant in the face of death, and that they are experiencing a sense of helplessness and vulnerability. The image of the walls becoming like a "strait sky" suggests that the speaker feels trapped and confined, and that they are struggling to come to terms with the reality of death.
The fifth stanza introduces the theme of memory: "A narrow fellow in the grass / Occasionally rides; / You may have met him, did you not, / His notice sudden is." The use of the phrase "narrow fellow in the grass" is a reference to a snake, and the image suggests that the speaker is recalling a specific memory from their past. The fact that the memory is triggered by the woman's impending death suggests that the speaker is reflecting on their own mortality, and that they are trying to make sense of their own life in the face of death.
The sixth stanza introduces the theme of acceptance: "The grass divides as with a comb, / A spotted shaft is seen; / And then it closes at your feet / And opens further on." The use of the phrase "the grass divides" suggests that the speaker is experiencing a moment of clarity or understanding, and that they are accepting the inevitability of death. The image of the grass opening and closing suggests that life goes on, even in the face of death, and that there is a sense of continuity and connection between all living things.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close: "He likes a boggy acre, / A floor too cool for corn, / But when a boy and barefoot, / I more than once at noon / Have passed, I thought, a whip lash / Unbraiding in the sun, / When, stooping to secure it, / It wrinkled, and was gone." The use of the phrase "he likes a boggy acre" suggests that the speaker is once again recalling a specific memory from their past, and that they are using this memory to reflect on the fleeting nature of life. The image of the whip lash unbraiding in the sun suggests that life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and that we never know what the future holds. The fact that the memory ends with the whip lash "wrinkling" and disappearing suggests that life is fragile and impermanent, and that we must cherish every moment we have.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "The Last Night that She Lived" is a powerful exploration of death, memory, and acceptance. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Dickinson captures the emotions and experiences of a person facing their own mortality, as well as the reactions of those around them. The poem is a reminder that life is fragile and impermanent, and that we must cherish every moment we have.
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