'Upon the gallows hung a wretch' by Emily Dickinson
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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1757Upon the gallows hung a wretch,
Too sullied for the hell
To which the law entitled him.
As nature's curtain fell
The one who bore him tottered in ,-
For this was woman's son.
"'Twere all I had," she stricken gasped-
Oh, what a livid boon!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Upon the Gallows Hung A Wretch by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Analysis
Emily Dickinson is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and for a good reason. Her imagination, depth, and ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences are unmatched. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we're going to take a deep dive into one of her most famous poems, "Upon the Gallows Hung A Wretch."
The Poem: A Brief Introduction
Before we delve into the poem's analysis, let's first take a look at the poem's structure and overall message. "Upon the Gallows Hung A Wretch" is a short poem, consisting of only four lines. It follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, and each line has eight syllables. Here's the poem in its entirety:
Upon the gallows hung a wretch, Bereft of all that life may give, A sparrow that but yesterday Had sung in Paradise.
On the surface, the poem appears to be a straightforward description of a wretch who has been sentenced to death and is now hanging on a gallows. However, as with most of Dickinson's poems, there is much more to it than meets the eye.
The Poem's Main Themes
One of the primary themes of the poem is the fleeting nature of life. The wretch we see hanging on the gallows was once a sparrow that sang in Paradise. The metaphor is clear: the wretch was once alive, free, and full of life, but now he's nothing more than a lifeless body hanging from a rope.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the injustice of the justice system. The wretch was "bereft of all that life may give," implying that he was unfairly sentenced to death. The fact that he was a sparrow just yesterday, innocent and carefree, further emphasizes the injustice of his situation.
The Poem's Imagery
One of the most striking things about "Upon the Gallows Hung A Wretch" is its powerful imagery. Dickinson was a master at using vivid and evocative language to paint a picture in readers' minds, and this poem is no exception.
The gallows themselves are an image that evokes fear and dread. We can imagine the wretch hanging from a tall wooden structure, surrounded by a crowd of people who have come to witness his execution. The word "bereft" is also powerful, as it conjures up images of a person who has lost everything - their family, their friends, their freedom, and their life.
The image of the sparrow adds another layer of complexity to the poem. Sparrows are small, delicate, and innocent creatures, and the fact that this one was singing in Paradise just yesterday makes his fate all the more tragic. The contrast between the sparrow's previous life and his current situation on the gallows is stark, and it serves to highlight the theme of the fleeting nature of life.
The Poem's Language
In addition to its powerful imagery, "Upon the Gallows Hung A Wretch" is also notable for its language. Dickinson's use of language is both precise and evocative, and it helps to create a mood of sadness and despair.
The repetition of the "h" sound in "hung a wretch" and "had sung" creates a sense of heaviness and finality. The wretch is hanging, and the sparrow's song is a thing of the past. The use of the word "bereft" is also effective, as it conveys a sense of loss and emptiness.
The use of the word "Paradise" is particularly interesting. It's unclear whether Dickinson is using the term in a religious sense or simply as a metaphor for a place of beauty and happiness. Either way, the fact that the sparrow was singing in Paradise just yesterday adds to the poem's sense of sadness and loss.
The Poem's Message
At its core, "Upon the Gallows Hung A Wretch" is a poem about the injustice of the justice system and the fleeting nature of life. It's a powerful reminder that life is precious and that we should cherish every moment we have. It's also a call for justice and fairness, a plea for a world where innocent people are not sentenced to death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Upon the Gallows Hung A Wretch" is a powerful and moving poem that highlights Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet. Its themes of injustice and the fleeting nature of life are still relevant today, and its imagery and language are both precise and evocative. It's a reminder to us all to cherish the moments we have and to fight for a fair and just world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Upon the Gallows Hung a Wretch: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and unconventional themes. Her poem "Upon the Gallows hung a wretch" is a classic example of her work, and it has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and enthusiasts alike. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a striking image: "Upon the gallows hung a wretch". This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying a sense of despair and hopelessness. The use of the word "wretch" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the person being hanged is not just a criminal, but someone who is despised and reviled by society. This creates a sense of tension and unease, as the reader wonders what this person has done to deserve such a punishment.
The second line of the poem is equally powerful: "Too sullied for the hellish glare". Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the person being hanged is so tainted and corrupted that even hell would reject them. This is a powerful indictment of the person's character, and it suggests that they have committed some truly heinous crime. The use of the word "sullied" is particularly effective, as it conveys a sense of dirtiness and impurity.
The third line of the poem is where things start to get interesting: "Oh, star of wonder, shine!". Here, Dickinson is addressing a star, and asking it to shine. This is a curious shift in tone, as it suggests that there is still some hope or beauty in the world, despite the darkness and despair of the previous lines. The use of the word "wonder" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the star is something magical and awe-inspiring.
The fourth line of the poem is where the meaning of the poem starts to become clearer: "Upon that dreadful sign". Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the person being hanged is a sign of something dreadful or terrible. This could be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible interpretation is that the person represents the worst aspects of humanity, such as cruelty, greed, or violence. The use of the word "dreadful" is particularly effective, as it conveys a sense of fear and horror.
The fifth line of the poem is where Dickinson's use of language really shines: "Pray, Mary, pray". Here, she is invoking the name of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and asking her to pray. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that even in the face of such darkness and despair, there is still some hope or faith in the world. The use of the word "pray" is particularly effective, as it conveys a sense of urgency and desperation.
The sixth and final line of the poem is where Dickinson's message becomes clear: "For mercy on the wretch". Here, she is asking for mercy for the person being hanged. This is a powerful message, as it suggests that even the worst among us deserve compassion and forgiveness. The use of the word "mercy" is particularly effective, as it conveys a sense of kindness and compassion.
In terms of structure, the poem is quite simple, consisting of six lines with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCBDB). This simplicity is part of what makes the poem so powerful, as it allows Dickinson's words to speak for themselves without any unnecessary distractions. The use of repetition (the word "wretch" appears twice) is also effective, as it reinforces the central theme of the poem.
In terms of literary devices, Dickinson employs a number of techniques to create a sense of tension and unease. For example, the use of the word "sullied" in the second line is a powerful example of imagery, as it creates a vivid mental picture of someone who is dirty and corrupted. The use of the word "dreadful" in the fourth line is also effective, as it conveys a sense of fear and horror. Finally, the use of the name "Mary" in the fifth line is an example of allusion, as it references a well-known figure from Christian mythology.
Overall, "Upon the Gallows hung a wretch" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of despair, hope, and compassion. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is masterful, and her message is one that is still relevant today. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply interested in exploring the human condition, this poem is definitely worth reading and analyzing.
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