'You cannot make Remembrance grow' by Emily Dickinson

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You cannot make Remembrance grow
When it has lost its Root-
The tightening the Soil around
And setting it upright
Deceives perhaps the Universe
But not retrieves the Plant-
Real Memory, like Cedar Feet
Is shod with Adamant-
Nor can you cut Remembrance down
When it shall once have grown-
Its Iron Buds will sprout anew
However overthrown-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"You cannot make Remembrance grow" by Emily Dickinson: A Masterful Exploration of Memory and Grief

As one of the most enigmatic poets in American literature, Emily Dickinson has left an enduring legacy of cryptic and evocative poems that continue to captivate readers to this day. Her poetry is characterized by brevity, startling imagery, and a profound introspection that probes the depths of the human psyche. One of her most haunting and poignant poems is "You cannot make Remembrance grow," a meditation on the nature of memory and grief that showcases her poetic genius and her enduring relevance.

Overview of the Poem

"You cannot make Remembrance grow" is a poem that consists of three stanzas of four lines each. Its structure is simple and symmetrical, with each stanza following a consistent pattern of ABAB rhyme scheme and iambic tetrameter meter. The poem is deceptively straightforward in its language and imagery, but it conveys a complex and multilayered message about the nature of memory and its relationship to grief.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem opens with a declarative statement that sets the tone for the rest of the poem: "You cannot make Remembrance grow." The use of the second-person pronoun "you" implies that the speaker is addressing someone else, perhaps the reader, or a specific individual who is trying to hold onto a memory. The word "remembrance" is capitalized, which emphasizes its significance and suggests that it is more than just a memory, but a force that has a life of its own.

The second line of the first stanza continues the theme of impossibility: "when it has lost its root." The metaphor of a plant or tree losing its roots suggests that memory is a living thing that requires nourishment and sustenance to thrive. The loss of its roots implies that the memory has been cut off from its source of sustenance, perhaps through the passage of time, the fading of emotions, or the loss of a loved one. The line also introduces an element of paradox, as memory is something that is supposed to be enduring and unchanging, yet here it is portrayed as something that can wither and die.

The third line of the first stanza introduces the idea of "the further heaven," which is a metaphor for death or the afterlife. The phrase "further heaven" suggests that there are multiple levels or spheres of existence beyond the earthly plane, and that memory may have a different status or function in each one. The final line of the stanza, "for that which died," reinforces the theme of loss and suggests that memory is intimately tied to the experience of grief.

The second stanza elaborates on the theme of loss and memory, using the metaphor of a flower: "The heaven that you lost, / Was it only for a time? / Its vicinity is sweet / Now the longing is sublime." The use of the word "heaven" again suggests a connection to the afterlife or a higher plane of existence, but this time it is linked to a specific loss or absence. The question "Was it only for a time?" implies that the loss is temporary, that the memory may be rekindled or restored. However, the next line introduces a new metaphor, that of a flower whose "vicinity is sweet." This suggests that memory is not simply a matter of recollection or mental imagery, but a sensory experience that evokes emotions and associations. The final line of the stanza, "Now the longing is sublime," reinforces this idea, as it portrays memory not as a source of comfort or solace, but as a painful longing that is both exquisite and unbearable.

The third stanza returns to the theme of impossibility, using the metaphor of a bird that cannot be caught: "Cannot the nightingale / Be caught for a song? / In vain is netted the speckled bird / As long as it is warm." The nightingale is a traditional symbol of beauty and art, and the idea of catching it for a song suggests the desire to capture and preserve something ephemeral and fleeting. The metaphor of the speckled bird reinforces this idea, as it suggests that memory is a thing of beauty that is also fragile and elusive. The final line of the stanza, "As long as it is warm," adds a new element to the theme of impossibility, suggesting that memory is also subject to decay and change, and that it may be lost or transformed over time.

Interpretation of the Poem

"You cannot make Remembrance grow" is a poem that explores the complex and often paradoxical nature of memory and grief. The poem suggests that memory is not a fixed or stable thing, but a living force that can be nourished or starved, lost or restored. The use of metaphors and imagery reinforces the idea that memory is not simply a mental process, but a sensory and emotional experience that is intimately tied to the experience of loss and longing.

At the same time, the poem also suggests that memory is subject to the forces of time and change, and that it may be lost or transformed over time. The use of paradox and impossibility reinforces the idea that memory is both enduring and transient, both a source of comfort and a source of pain. The poem suggests that grief and memory are two sides of the same coin, and that the attempt to hold onto a memory is both futile and necessary.

Overall, "You cannot make Remembrance grow" is a masterful exploration of the human experience of memory and grief, and a testament to Emily Dickinson's poetic genius. The poem is deceptively simple in its language and imagery, yet it conveys a profound and multilayered message that resonates with readers to this day. Whether read as a meditation on loss and longing, or as a celebration of the power of memory, the poem is a timeless work of art that speaks to the deepest parts of the human soul.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry You cannot make Remembrance grow: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "You cannot make Remembrance grow," a powerful and poignant piece that explores the nature of memory and the human experience. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its themes, structure, and language.

The poem begins with the line "You cannot make Remembrance grow," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is addressing someone, perhaps a friend or loved one, who is trying to hold onto a memory or experience that has already passed. The use of the word "Remembrance" is significant, as it suggests that the memory in question is not just a fleeting thought or feeling, but something that the person is actively trying to preserve.

The second line of the poem, "When it has lost its root," reinforces this idea. The memory that the person is trying to hold onto has already begun to fade, and there is nothing that can be done to bring it back. The use of the word "root" is interesting, as it suggests that memories are like plants that need to be nurtured and cared for in order to grow. Once the root is gone, however, the memory is lost forever.

The third line of the poem, "The tightening the Soil around," is a metaphor for the way in which memories can become fixed and unchanging over time. The person is trying to hold onto the memory so tightly that it becomes stuck in place, unable to grow or change. This can be a dangerous thing, as it can lead to a kind of emotional stagnation where the person is unable to move on from the past.

The fourth line of the poem, "Deceives no more," is a powerful statement that suggests that the person has been living in a kind of delusion, believing that they can hold onto the memory forever. The reality is that memories are fleeting and ephemeral, and there is nothing that can be done to make them last forever.

The fifth line of the poem, "Than Autumn that forsakes the Tree," is a beautiful metaphor that compares the loss of a memory to the changing of the seasons. Just as autumn causes the leaves to fall from the trees, so too does the passing of time cause memories to fade away. This is a natural and inevitable process, and there is nothing that can be done to stop it.

The final line of the poem, "And goes – tomorrows Sun to see," is a hopeful and optimistic statement that suggests that life goes on, even after memories have faded away. The sun will rise again tomorrow, and there will be new experiences and memories to be made. This is a reminder that life is a journey, and that we should embrace each moment as it comes, rather than trying to hold onto the past.

In terms of structure, the poem is written in six lines, with each line containing a single thought or idea. This gives the poem a sense of clarity and simplicity, which is appropriate given its subject matter. The use of metaphors and imagery is also effective, as it helps to convey the emotions and ideas that the speaker is trying to express.

In terms of language, the poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, with no complex or obscure words or phrases. This makes it accessible to a wide range of readers, and allows the message of the poem to be easily understood. The use of repetition, particularly in the first and third lines, is also effective, as it reinforces the central idea of the poem.

Overall, "You cannot make Remembrance grow" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the nature of memory and the human experience. Through its use of metaphors and imagery, it conveys a sense of loss and sadness, but also a sense of hope and optimism. It is a reminder that life is a journey, and that we should embrace each moment as it comes, rather than trying to hold onto the past. Emily Dickinson's classic poem continues to resonate with readers today, and is a testament to her skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience.

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