'Perhaps they do not go so far' by Emily Dickinson
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Perhaps they do not go so far
As we who stay, suppose—
Perhaps come closer, for the lapse
Of their corporeal clothes—
It may be know so certainly
How short we have to fear
That comprehension antedates
And estimates us there—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Perhaps they do not go so far: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, wrote over 1,800 poems throughout her life. Famed for her unconventional style, Dickinson's poems often challenged traditional poetic conventions and explored themes such as death, love, and nature. One such poem that stands out is "Perhaps they do not go so far," which is a masterpiece in its own right. This literary criticism and interpretation will delve into the depths of the poem, analyzing its style, themes, and literary devices.
Poem Analysis
Perhaps they do not go so far As we who stay, suppose— Perhaps come closer, for the lapse Of their corporeal clothes—
Step timidly around the sea Of doubt and you will find How everywhere their feet have been, The waters there, unkind.
The poem begins with the line "Perhaps they do not go so far," which sets the tone for the entire poem. Dickinson uses the word "perhaps" to convey uncertainty, suggesting that what she is about to say is not definitive but rather open to interpretation. The second line, "As we who stay, suppose," contrasts those who stay with those who leave, creating a division between the living and the dead. Dickinson uses the word "suppose" to indicate that the living can only surmise what happens when people die, creating a sense of mystery.
In the third line, "Perhaps come closer, for the lapse," Dickinson uses the word "lapse" to describe the death of the body. She suggests that the dead may come closer to the living once they shed their physical body, implying that they may not be as far away as we think. In the next line, "Of their corporeal clothes," Dickinson uses the metaphor of clothing to describe the body, suggesting that the body is merely a temporary vessel that the soul inhabits.
The next stanza begins with the line, "Step timidly around the sea," which suggests that we should approach the mystery of death with caution. Dickinson uses the metaphor of the sea to describe the unknown, suggesting that we should tread carefully. The line "Of doubt and you will find" suggests that doubt is a natural part of the process of exploring the unknown. When we overcome our doubts, we can begin to see the truth.
The final two lines of the poem are the most powerful. Dickinson writes, "How everywhere their feet have been, / The waters there, unkind." Here, she uses the metaphor of water to describe the journey of the dead. The dead have traveled everywhere, leaving behind footprints. However, the waters are unkind, suggesting that the journey is not easy. This metaphor underscores the idea that the journey into the unknown is challenging, but it is worth exploring.
Themes
One of the main themes of the poem is the exploration of the unknown. Dickinson uses the metaphor of the sea to describe the mystery of death and the unknown. She suggests that we should approach the unknown with caution and overcome our doubts to see the truth. The poem also explores the idea of the afterlife, suggesting that the dead may be closer to us than we think.
Another theme of the poem is the impermanence of the physical body. Dickinson uses the metaphor of clothing to describe the body, suggesting that it is merely a temporary vessel for the soul. The poem emphasizes the idea that the soul lives on beyond the physical body, suggesting that we should focus on the spiritual rather than the physical.
Literary Devices
The poem employs several literary devices to convey its meaning. Dickinson uses metaphor extensively throughout the poem, especially the metaphor of the sea to describe the unknown. She also uses the metaphor of clothing to describe the body, emphasizing the impermanence of the physical body.
Dickinson also uses the word "perhaps" throughout the poem to convey uncertainty, creating a sense of mystery. Her use of enjambment, where a line of poetry flows into the next without punctuation, creates a sense of continuity, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and death.
Interpretation
"Perhaps they do not go so far" is a powerful poem that explores the mystery of death and the unknown. Through her use of metaphor and uncertainty, Dickinson underscores the idea that the journey into the unknown is challenging but worth exploring. The poem also emphasizes the impermanence of the physical body and the importance of focusing on the spiritual rather than the physical.
Overall, "Perhaps they do not go so far" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Dickinson's unconventional style and exploration of deep themes make this poem a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and challenge readers for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Perhaps they do not go so far is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. The poem is a beautiful piece of literature that explores the theme of love and its complexities. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.
The poem is a short one, consisting of only two stanzas, each with four lines. The brevity of the poem is a testament to Dickinson's ability to convey a powerful message in a few words. The first stanza reads:
Perhaps they do not go so far As we who stay, suppose Perhaps come closer, for the lapse Of their corporeal clothes
The first line of the poem, "Perhaps they do not go so far," sets the tone for the entire poem. The use of the word "perhaps" suggests uncertainty, as if the poet is not entirely sure of what she is saying. This uncertainty is further emphasized in the second line, where Dickinson writes, "As we who stay, suppose." Here, the poet is suggesting that those who stay behind may not fully understand what those who have passed on are experiencing.
The third line of the poem, "Perhaps come closer, for the lapse," is where the poem takes a turn. The use of the word "closer" suggests that those who have passed on may not be as far away as we think. The word "lapse" refers to the passing of time, suggesting that as time goes on, those who have passed on may become closer to us.
The final line of the stanza, "Of their corporeal clothes," is where the poem's meaning becomes clear. The word "corporeal" refers to the physical body, suggesting that those who have passed on have shed their physical bodies and are now free from the constraints of the physical world. This line is a powerful one, as it suggests that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new state of being.
The second stanza of the poem reads:
Than we, who toss upon the fret Of life's confused sea The other's faith, may be, at best But the remote degree
The second stanza of the poem is where Dickinson explores the theme of love. The first line of the stanza, "Than we, who toss upon the fret," suggests that those who have passed on are free from the struggles of life. The word "fret" refers to the worries and anxieties that we experience in life, suggesting that those who have passed on are free from these burdens.
The second line of the stanza, "Of life's confused sea," is a metaphor for the chaos and confusion of life. The use of the word "sea" suggests that life is like an ocean, with its ups and downs, its calm and stormy moments.
The third line of the stanza, "The other's faith, may be, at best," is where Dickinson explores the theme of love. The word "faith" refers to the trust and belief that we have in others. The use of the word "other" suggests that Dickinson is referring to the love that we have for others. The phrase "may be, at best" suggests that our love for others may not be enough, that there may be something more.
The final line of the poem, "But the remote degree," is where the poem's meaning becomes clear. The phrase "remote degree" suggests that there is a distance between us and those we love, that we can never fully understand them. This line is a powerful one, as it suggests that love is a complex and mysterious thing, something that we can never fully comprehend.
In terms of literary devices, Dickinson uses several in this poem. The use of the word "perhaps" throughout the poem suggests uncertainty, as if the poet is not entirely sure of what she is saying. This uncertainty is further emphasized by the use of the word "may" in the second stanza.
The use of metaphors is also prevalent in the poem. The phrase "life's confused sea" is a metaphor for the chaos and confusion of life, while the phrase "the other's faith" is a metaphor for the love that we have for others.
The poem's structure is also worth noting. The poem consists of only two stanzas, each with four lines. The brevity of the poem is a testament to Dickinson's ability to convey a powerful message in a few words.
In conclusion, Perhaps they do not go so far is a beautiful poem that explores the theme of love and its complexities. The poem suggests that those who have passed on may not be as far away as we think, that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new state of being. The poem also suggests that love is a complex and mysterious thing, something that we can never fully comprehend. Dickinson's use of literary devices such as metaphors and uncertainty adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a powerful piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
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