'Safe in their alabaster chambers,' by Emily Dickinson
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Safe in their alabaster chambers,
Untouched by morning and untouched by noon,
Sleep the meek members of the resurrection,
Rafter of satin, and roof of stone.
Light laughs the breeze in her castle of sunshine;
Babbles the bee in a stolid ear;
Pipe the sweet birds in ignorant cadences, --
Ah, what sagacity perished here!
Grand go the years in the crescent above them;
Worlds scoop their arcs, and firmaments row,
Diadems drop and Doges surrender,
Soundless as dots on a disk of snow.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Safe in Their Alabaster Chambers: A Critical Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson's poem, "Safe in Their Alabaster Chambers," is a masterful work of art that has intrigued readers for decades. With its metaphors and complex language, the poem is a puzzle that demands to be solved, a mystery that requires unraveling. In this article, we will examine the various literary elements and themes present in the poem, and we will attempt to unravel its meaning.
Overview of the poem
"Safe in Their Alabaster Chambers" is a short poem that consists of two stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem was first published in 1859, and it is believed to have been written earlier. Here is the full text of the poem:
Safe in their Alabaster Chambers –
Untouched by Morning –
And untouched by Noon –
Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection –
Rafter of satin – and Roof of stone –
Stately the Altar shines –
Haughty the Chalice –
Burnished – and cool –
Gleams the Sapphire – rich and rare –
As Zoas – with the Emerald –
Mumbles the Martyrdom – at the very foot of the Saints –
Occurred the meek members of the Resurrection –
No more the dazzling days –
No more the endless hours –
The days of our years –
Like drops of dew –
Glitter – fall –
Vanish –
Ignoble –
All.
At first glance, the poem seems to be about death and the afterlife. The first stanza describes the dead as being "safe in their Alabaster Chambers," while the second stanza talks about an altar, a chalice, and a martyrdom. However, Dickinson's poems are never straightforward, and there is much more to "Safe in Their Alabaster Chambers" than meets the eye.
Analysis of the poem
The metaphor of the "Alabaster Chambers"
The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem: "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers." The phrase "Alabaster Chambers" is a metaphor for the grave, and it is a masterful choice of words. Alabaster is a type of stone that is often used in sculptures and architecture. It is translucent and has a milky-white color, which gives it a delicate and ethereal appearance. By describing the graves as "Alabaster Chambers," Dickinson is suggesting that death is not something to be feared, but rather something that is beautiful and ethereal.
The use of personification
In the first stanza, Dickinson personifies Morning and Noon as if they were living beings. She describes the dead as being "Untouched by Morning" and "Untouched by Noon," as if these entities have the power to harm or disturb them. This personification serves to emphasize the stillness and silence that surrounds the dead, and it contributes to the poem's overall sense of peace and tranquility.
The symbolism of the altar, chalice, and martyrdom
The second stanza of the poem introduces three powerful symbols: an altar, a chalice, and a martyrdom. The altar and chalice are both associated with Christianity, and are often used in religious rituals. The martyrdom, on the other hand, is a symbol of suffering and sacrifice. By including these symbols in the poem, Dickinson is exploring the complex relationship between death and religion. The fact that the altar is described as "Stately" and the chalice as "Haughty" suggests that Dickinson views religion as a powerful force that can offer solace and comfort to the living, but can also be oppressive and domineering.
The use of alliteration and rhyme
Dickinson's use of alliteration and rhyme is one of the most striking features of the poem. Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds, while rhyme is the repetition of vowel sounds. In "Safe in Their Alabaster Chambers," Dickinson uses both of these techniques to create a musical and rhythmic poem. For example, the words "Rafter of satin" and "Roof of stone" are alliterative, while the words "Burnished" and "cool" rhyme. The use of alliteration and rhyme adds to the poem's sense of beauty and elegance.
The theme of mortality
The theme of mortality is central to "Safe in Their Alabaster Chambers." Dickinson acknowledges the inevitability of death, but suggests that it is not something to be feared. Instead, she presents death as a natural and necessary part of life, a transition from one state of being to another. The phrase "the meek members of the Resurrection" suggests that the dead are not gone forever, but rather are awaiting a new form of existence. This theme of mortality is also reflected in the final stanza of the poem, where Dickinson compares the days of our lives to "drops of dew" that "Glitter – fall – Vanish – Ignoble – All." This image of transience and impermanence reinforces the idea that life is fleeting and that death is a natural part of the cycle of life.
Conclusion
"Safe in Their Alabaster Chambers" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of mortality, religion, and beauty. Dickinson's use of metaphor, personification, and symbolism creates a rich and evocative poem that demands to be read and re-read. The poem's musicality and rhythm add to its beauty, while its themes speak to the human condition in a profound and meaningful way. Ultimately, "Safe in Their Alabaster Chambers" is a masterpiece of American literature, a testament to Dickinson's talent as a poet, and a testament to the beauty and power of poetry itself.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Safe in their alabaster chambers is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a masterpiece of her literary works and is considered one of the most significant poems of the 19th century. The poem is a reflection of Dickinson's thoughts on death and the afterlife. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line "Safe in their alabaster chambers." The word "safe" suggests that the people in the alabaster chambers are protected from harm. The use of the word "alabaster" is significant as it refers to a white, translucent stone that was often used in ancient times to make tombs and monuments. This suggests that the people in the alabaster chambers are dead and buried in tombs.
The second line of the poem reads, "Untouched by morning and untouched by noon." This line suggests that the people in the alabaster chambers are not affected by the passing of time. They are frozen in time, untouched by the changing of the day.
The third line of the poem reads, "Sleep the meek members of the resurrection." This line suggests that the people in the alabaster chambers are waiting for the resurrection. The use of the word "meek" suggests that they are humble and patient, waiting for their time to come.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Rafter of satin and roof of stone." This line describes the structure of the alabaster chambers. The use of the word "satin" suggests that the chambers are luxurious and comfortable. The use of the word "stone" suggests that they are also strong and durable.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Light laughs the breeze in her castle of sunshine." This line suggests that the outside world is alive and vibrant. The use of the word "castle" suggests that the outside world is grand and majestic. The use of the word "sunshine" suggests that the outside world is bright and cheerful.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Babbles the bee in a stolid ear." This line suggests that the people in the alabaster chambers are deaf to the sounds of the outside world. The use of the word "stolid" suggests that they are unresponsive and uninterested in the outside world.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Pipe the sweet birds in ignorant cadence." This line suggests that the birds are singing without any knowledge of the people in the alabaster chambers. The use of the word "ignorant" suggests that the birds are unaware of the people's existence.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "Ah, what sagacity perished here!" This line suggests that the people in the alabaster chambers were wise and knowledgeable. The use of the word "sagacity" suggests that they had great wisdom and insight. The use of the word "perished" suggests that their knowledge and wisdom are lost forever.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "Grand go the years in the crescent above them." This line suggests that time is passing by, and the people in the alabaster chambers are unaware of it. The use of the word "grand" suggests that time is majestic and powerful. The use of the word "crescent" suggests that time is cyclical and never-ending.
The tenth line of the poem reads, "Worlds scoop their arcs." This line suggests that the world is constantly changing and evolving. The use of the word "scoop" suggests that the world is taking shape and forming new arcs.
The eleventh line of the poem reads, "And, like a gulf, the days engulf." This line suggests that time is like a vast ocean that swallows everything in its path. The use of the word "gulf" suggests that time is deep and endless.
The twelfth line of the poem reads, "What quiet houses, bereft of life!" This line suggests that the alabaster chambers are empty and lifeless. The use of the word "quiet" suggests that there is no sound or movement in the chambers. The use of the word "bereft" suggests that the chambers are lacking something essential.
The thirteenth line of the poem reads, "What sorrows labor at his swift demise." This line suggests that the people in the alabaster chambers experienced great sorrow and pain before their death. The use of the word "labor" suggests that their suffering was intense and prolonged. The use of the word "swift" suggests that their death was sudden and unexpected.
The fourteenth line of the poem reads, "What busy heart, the darling of the spring." This line suggests that the people in the alabaster chambers were once alive and full of life. The use of the word "busy" suggests that they were active and engaged in the world. The use of the word "darling" suggests that they were loved and cherished.
The fifteenth line of the poem reads, "What mirthful madness, then, has gripped the soul." This line suggests that the people in the alabaster chambers experienced moments of joy and madness in their lives. The use of the word "mirthful" suggests that their joy was infectious and contagious. The use of the word "madness" suggests that their joy was wild and uncontrolled.
The sixteenth line of the poem reads, "Which tidings of a tulip bed, or fields of the iris tell." This line suggests that the people in the alabaster chambers were once surrounded by the beauty of nature. The use of the words "tulip bed" and "fields of the iris" suggest that they were surrounded by colorful and vibrant flowers.
In conclusion, Safe in their alabaster chambers is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that reflects Emily Dickinson's thoughts on death and the afterlife. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that capture the essence of life and death. The poem reminds us that life is fleeting and that we should cherish every moment we have. Dickinson's words are timeless and continue to inspire and move readers today.
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