'We learn it in Retreating' by Emily Dickinson

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We learn it in Retreating
How vast an one
Was recently among us-
A Perished SunEndear in the departure
How doubly more
Than all the Golden presence
It was-before-

Editor 1 Interpretation

We Learn It in Retreating: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poetry

When it comes to Emily Dickinson's poetry, there's no denying that it's some of the most enigmatic, thought-provoking, and beautiful poetry in the English language. Her poems cover a wide range of topics, from love and death to nature and spirituality, and each one is packed with layers of meaning and symbolism that have kept literary scholars busy for decades.

One of her most famous poems is "We Learn It in Retreating," and it's no wonder why. This short poem packs a powerful punch, with its haunting imagery and themes of loss and redemption. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at this poem and explore its deeper meanings.

The Text

First, let's take a look at the text of the poem:

We learn it in Retreating How vast an one Was recently among us. A perished sun

Endears in the departure How doubly more Than all the golden presence It was before!

The Form and Structure

At first glance, "We Learn It in Retreating" appears to be a simple poem in terms of its form and structure. It consists of two stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a strict rhyme scheme of ABCB. However, upon closer inspection, there are some interesting things going on.

For one, the poem is written in iambic trimeter, which means that each line has three feet with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This gives the poem a musical quality and a sense of rhythm.

Another interesting aspect of the poem's form is the use of enjambment. Enjambment is when a sentence or clause runs over into the next line, without any punctuation to indicate a pause. Dickinson uses enjambment in several places throughout the poem, such as in the first line, where "Retreating" runs over into the second line, creating a sense of continuity and fluidity.

The Themes

Now let's move on to the themes of the poem. One of the most prominent themes is that of loss and departure. The poem opens with the line "We learn it in Retreating," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The idea of retreating implies a sense of loss or departure, and this is reinforced in the second line with the phrase "How vast an one / Was recently among us." Here, Dickinson seems to be referring to someone who was once present with the speaker, but has since departed.

This theme of loss is further explored in the second stanza, where Dickinson writes, "Endears in the departure / How doubly more / Than all the golden presence / It was before!" Here, she seems to be saying that the departed one is now more precious and beloved than they ever were when they were present. This idea of loss leading to a deeper appreciation of something is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry.

Another theme that emerges in the poem is that of redemption. While loss and departure are the dominant themes, there is a sense of hope and redemption that runs throughout the poem. This is particularly evident in the phrase "A perished sun," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the departed one. Despite the fact that the sun has perished, it still endears itself to the speaker, suggesting that even in death or departure, there is still the possibility of redemption and beauty.

The Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "We Learn It in Retreating" is its vivid and haunting imagery. Dickinson uses a variety of images and metaphors to convey her themes of loss and redemption.

For example, the phrase "How vast an one / Was recently among us" creates an image of someone who was once a large and imposing presence, but has now become small and distant. This image of someone shrinking or retreating is reinforced by the repetition of the word "retreating" in the first line.

The metaphor of the perished sun is also a powerful one. The sun is often seen as a symbol of life and vitality, and the fact that it has perished suggests a sense of finality and loss. However, the fact that it still endears itself to the speaker in its departure suggests that there is still something beautiful and valuable to be found in loss.

The Interpretation

So what does all of this mean? What is Dickinson trying to say with "We Learn It in Retreating"? As with much of her poetry, there is no single, definitive interpretation. However, here are a few possible readings of the poem:

One interpretation is that the poem is about the loss of a loved one. The departed one could be a friend, family member, or lover, and the speaker is reflecting on their absence. The idea that the departed one is now more beloved than they ever were when they were present could be interpreted as a form of grief or mourning, where the memory of the departed one takes on a greater significance and emotional weight.

Another interpretation is that the poem is about the process of aging and the passage of time. The image of the perished sun could be seen as a metaphor for the speaker's own mortality, and the sense of loss and departure could be interpreted as a reflection on the fleeting nature of life.

Finally, the poem could be seen as a meditation on the power of memory and the ways in which loss can shape our perceptions of the world. The fact that the departed one is now more beloved than they ever were when they were present suggests that our memories of the past can be more powerful and meaningful than the present moment.

Conclusion

"We Learn It in Retreating" is a haunting and powerful poem that explores themes of loss, redemption, and the power of memory. Through its vivid imagery and poignant language, Dickinson creates a sense of atmosphere and emotion that lingers long after the poem has ended. While its meaning may be open to interpretation, there is no denying the beauty and complexity of this masterpiece of poetic expression.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of all time, has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry with her unique style and powerful words. One of her most famous poems, "We learn it in Retreating," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and the human experience. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem, exploring its themes, literary devices, and meanings.

The poem "We learn it in Retreating" is a short but powerful piece that consists of only four stanzas. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the line "We learn it in Retreating" suggesting that the poem is about the lessons we learn from our past experiences. The second stanza expands on this idea, with the line "And love, and life, and pain" indicating that the poem is about the universal experiences of love and pain that we all go through in life.

The third stanza is where the poem really starts to come alive, with Dickinson using powerful imagery to convey her message. The line "It beckons and it baffles" suggests that the lessons we learn from our past experiences are both alluring and confusing. The line "Philosophy don't know" suggests that even the most learned scholars cannot fully understand the complexities of life and the human experience.

The final stanza is where the poem reaches its climax, with Dickinson using the metaphor of a "retreating star" to represent the fleeting nature of life. The line "That never came again" suggests that the lessons we learn from our past experiences are unique and cannot be repeated. The final line, "And infinite it's recess," suggests that the lessons we learn from our past experiences are endless and that we will continue to learn and grow throughout our lives.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is Dickinson's use of imagery. Throughout the poem, she uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey her message. For example, in the third stanza, she uses the image of a "retreating star" to represent the fleeting nature of life. This image is particularly effective because it conveys both the beauty and the transience of life.

Another literary device that Dickinson uses in this poem is metaphor. The metaphor of a "retreating star" is particularly effective because it captures the essence of the poem's message. The star represents the lessons we learn from our past experiences, which are fleeting and cannot be repeated. The metaphor of a "retreating star" also suggests that these lessons are beautiful and alluring, but also mysterious and difficult to understand.

The poem's themes are also worth exploring. One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the idea that we learn from our past experiences. Dickinson suggests that the lessons we learn from our past experiences are essential to our growth and development as individuals. The poem also explores the universal experiences of love and pain, suggesting that these experiences are an integral part of the human experience.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea that life is fleeting and transitory. Dickinson suggests that the lessons we learn from our past experiences are unique and cannot be repeated. The metaphor of a "retreating star" is particularly effective in conveying this theme, as it captures the transience and beauty of life.

In conclusion, "We learn it in Retreating" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of life and the human experience. Through her use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and powerful language, Emily Dickinson conveys a message that is both universal and deeply personal. The poem's themes of learning from our past experiences, the universal experiences of love and pain, and the transience of life are all explored in a way that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in a few short lines.

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