'I measure every grief I meet' by Emily Dickinson
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I measure every grief I meet
With analytic eyes;
I wonder if it weighs like mine,
Or has an easier size.
I wonder if they bore it long,
Or did it just begin?
I could not tell the date of mine,
It feels so old a pain.
I wonder if it hurts to live,
And if they have to try,
And whether, could they choose between,
They would not rather die.
I wonder if when years have piled--
Some thousands--on the cause
Of early hurt, if such a lapse
Could give them any pause;
Or would they go on aching still
Through centuries above,
Enlightened to a larger pain
By contrast with the love.
The grieved are many, I am told;
The reason deeper lies,--
Death is but one and comes but once
And only nails the eyes.
There's grief of want, and grief of cold,--
A sort they call 'despair,'
There's banishment from native eyes,
In sight of native air.
And though I may not guess the kind
Correctly yet to me
A piercing comfort it affords
In passing Calvary,
To note the fashions of the cross
Of those that stand alone
Still fascinated to presume
That some are like my own.
Editor 1 Interpretation
I measure every grief I meet by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated American poets, known for her unique style and deep insights. Her poem "I measure every grief I meet" is a powerful exploration of the human experience of suffering and loss. In this essay, we will explore the meaning and significance of this poem, analyzing its language, structure, and themes.
The meaning of the poem
The poem begins with the line "I measure every grief I meet", which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is someone who is deeply attuned to the emotional experiences of others, and who seeks to understand and empathize with those who are suffering. The phrase "I measure" suggests a process of careful analysis, as if the speaker is taking the measure of each person's grief in order to fully comprehend its depth and complexity.
The poem then goes on to describe the different kinds of grief that the speaker has encountered, from "sorrow" and "pain" to "anguish" and "dread". Each of these emotions is described with vivid imagery that brings it to life, such as the "sob" that tears "the heart's sound apart" or the "frost" that "chills the breath".
In the second stanza, the speaker reveals that they have developed a method of coping with the grief they encounter. They tell us that they "put them in the scale" and "weigh them", as if they are trying to find some kind of objective measure of each person's suffering. This method of measurement is both literal and metaphorical; the speaker may be imagining a set of scales on which they weigh each person's grief, but they are also weighing each emotion in terms of its significance and impact on the individual.
The final stanza of the poem brings a surprising twist, as the speaker reveals that they have encountered a grief that cannot be measured or understood. This is the grief that the speaker themselves feel, described as a "private anguish" that cannot be shared or explained to others. This final revelation adds a layer of complexity to the poem, suggesting that even those who are most attuned to the grief of others can still experience their own pain and isolation.
Themes of the poem
The central theme of "I measure every grief I meet" is the human experience of suffering and loss. Dickinson explores the different ways in which people experience grief, from the initial shock and pain to the more long-lasting feelings of emptiness and despair. She also examines the ways in which people cope with grief, whether through a process of careful analysis and measurement or through more spontaneous and emotional reactions.
Another key theme of the poem is the idea of empathy and understanding. The speaker is someone who is deeply attuned to the emotional experiences of others, and who seeks to understand and empathize with those who are suffering. This theme is particularly relevant in today's world, where empathy and understanding are often in short supply.
Finally, the poem explores the idea of private grief and the difficulty of sharing one's pain with others. This theme is particularly relevant in the age of social media, where people are often expected to share their personal experiences with the world. Dickinson reminds us that there are some emotions that cannot be expressed or shared with others, and that everyone's experience of grief is unique and personal.
Language and structure of the poem
Dickinson's use of language in "I measure every grief I meet" is both vivid and precise. She uses powerful imagery to bring each emotion to life, such as the "sob" that tears "the heart's sound apart" or the "frost" that "chills the breath". This imagery helps to create a sense of emotional intensity and immediacy, drawing the reader into the world of the poem.
The structure of the poem is also carefully crafted, with each stanza building on the one before it. The first stanza sets the scene by introducing the speaker and their method of measuring grief. The second stanza expands on this method, describing how the speaker weighs each emotion in the scales. The final stanza then introduces a new element, the speaker's own private grief, which adds a layer of complexity to the poem.
Conclusion
"I measure every grief I meet" is a powerful and moving exploration of the human experience of suffering and loss. Through vivid imagery and precise language, Dickinson brings each emotion to life, creating a sense of emotional intensity and immediacy. The poem also explores themes of empathy and understanding, reminding us of the importance of connecting with others and sharing our experiences. Finally, the poem highlights the difficulty of expressing and sharing one's own private grief, reminding us of the complexity and uniqueness of each person's experience of pain and loss.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and touch the deepest corners of our souls. One such masterpiece is the poem "I measure every grief I meet" by Emily Dickinson. This poem is a reflection of the poet's perception of grief and how it affects people differently.
The poem begins with the line "I measure every grief I meet" which sets the tone for the entire poem. The speaker is someone who is observant and analytical, and they measure every grief they encounter. This line also suggests that the speaker is someone who is empathetic and tries to understand the pain of others.
The second line of the poem, "With narrow, probing, eyes," further emphasizes the speaker's analytical nature. The use of the word "narrow" suggests that the speaker is focused and attentive to detail. The word "probing" suggests that the speaker is trying to get to the root of the grief and understand it fully.
The third line of the poem, "I wonder if it weighs like Mine," is where the speaker's empathy comes into play. The use of the word "wonder" suggests that the speaker is curious and wants to understand the grief fully. The use of the word "Mine" suggests that the speaker has experienced grief themselves and is using their own experience to understand the grief of others.
The fourth line of the poem, "Or has an easier size," suggests that the speaker is comparing their own grief to that of others. The use of the word "easier" suggests that the speaker's grief is difficult to bear, and they are wondering if the grief of others is easier to bear.
The fifth line of the poem, "I wonder if they bore it long," suggests that the speaker is wondering how long the grief of others has been present. The use of the word "bore" suggests that the speaker understands that grief is a burden that people carry with them.
The sixth line of the poem, "Or did it just begin," suggests that the speaker is trying to understand if the grief of others is new or if it has been present for a long time. The use of the word "just" suggests that the speaker understands that grief can be sudden and unexpected.
The seventh line of the poem, "I could not tell the date of mine," suggests that the speaker is unsure of when their own grief began. The use of the word "date" suggests that the speaker is trying to understand the timeline of their own grief.
The eighth line of the poem, "It feels so old a pain," suggests that the speaker's grief has been present for a long time. The use of the word "old" suggests that the grief has been present for a significant amount of time.
The ninth line of the poem, "I wonder if it hurts to live," suggests that the speaker understands that grief can be a painful experience. The use of the word "hurts" suggests that the speaker understands that grief can be physically and emotionally painful.
The tenth line of the poem, "And if they have to try," suggests that the speaker understands that people have to work hard to cope with their grief. The use of the word "try" suggests that the speaker understands that coping with grief is not easy.
The eleventh line of the poem, "And whether, could they choose between," suggests that the speaker is wondering if people have a choice in how they cope with their grief. The use of the word "choose" suggests that the speaker understands that people have different coping mechanisms.
The twelfth line of the poem, "It would not be worth while," suggests that the speaker understands that coping with grief is a difficult and painful process. The use of the phrase "worth while" suggests that the speaker understands that the pain of grief is not something that can be easily overcome.
The thirteenth line of the poem, "They say that 'misery loves company,'" suggests that the speaker understands that people often seek comfort in the company of others who are experiencing similar pain. The use of the phrase "misery loves company" suggests that the speaker understands that people often find solace in the shared experience of grief.
The fourteenth line of the poem, "But I would rather be," suggests that the speaker is expressing their own personal preference. The use of the phrase "rather be" suggests that the speaker is making a choice.
The fifteenth line of the poem, "Alone than have," suggests that the speaker would rather be alone than experience the pain of grief. The use of the word "alone" suggests that the speaker understands that coping with grief can be a solitary experience.
The sixteenth line of the poem, "A heart so honest and a heart so true," suggests that the speaker values honesty and truthfulness. The use of the phrase "heart so honest and a heart so true" suggests that the speaker values authenticity and sincerity.
The seventeenth line of the poem, "But let no man," suggests that the speaker is giving advice to others. The use of the phrase "let no man" suggests that the speaker is making a statement of authority.
The eighteenth line of the poem, "Forget his obligation to," suggests that the speaker believes that people have an obligation to be honest and true. The use of the phrase "forget his obligation to" suggests that the speaker believes that people have a responsibility to be authentic and sincere.
The nineteenth line of the poem, "A suffering human soul," suggests that the speaker understands that grief is a universal experience. The use of the phrase "suffering human soul" suggests that the speaker understands that grief is a part of the human experience.
The twentieth line of the poem, "But let him remember," suggests that the speaker is giving advice to others. The use of the phrase "let him remember" suggests that the speaker is making a statement of authority.
The twenty-first line of the poem, "It is by suffering," suggests that the speaker believes that suffering is a necessary part of the human experience. The use of the phrase "by suffering" suggests that the speaker believes that people can learn and grow from their experiences of pain and grief.
The twenty-second line of the poem, "That human beings," suggests that the speaker believes that people are defined by their experiences of pain and grief. The use of the phrase "human beings" suggests that the speaker believes that all people are capable of experiencing pain and grief.
The twenty-third line of the poem, "Are moulded into greatness," suggests that the speaker believes that people can become great through their experiences of pain and grief. The use of the phrase "moulded into greatness" suggests that the speaker believes that people can become stronger and more resilient through their experiences of pain and grief.
In conclusion, "I measure every grief I meet" is a powerful poem that reflects the poet's understanding of grief and its impact on people. The poem is a reflection of the speaker's empathy, analytical nature, and personal experience of grief. The poem suggests that grief is a universal experience that can be painful and difficult to bear, but it is also a necessary part of the human experience that can lead to growth and greatness.
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