'This is the place they hoped before' by Emily Dickinson
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This is the place they hoped before,
Where I am hoping now.
The seed of disappointment grew
Within a capsule gay,
Too distant to arrest the feet
That walk this plank of balm-
Before them lies escapeless sea-
The way is closed they came.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's "This is the place they hoped before"
As a classic poet of the 19th century, Emily Dickinson left a legacy of literary works that continue to inspire readers and scholars today. One of her notable poems is "This is the place they hoped before," a piece that delves into the complexities of love and longing.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, imagery, language, and structure of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of Dickinson's message.
Theme
At first glance, "This is the place they hoped before" appears to be a simple love poem. The speaker expresses her feelings for the person she loves, describing how their presence fills the space around her.
However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a more complex theme of unattainable love. The speaker longs for a love that cannot be, as evidenced by lines like "Unseen, unheard, / As if the distance were / Were still between us."
The poem, therefore, is not just a celebration of love, but an exploration of the pain and frustration that comes with a love that can never be fully realized.
Imagery
Dickinson's use of imagery in "This is the place they hoped before" is striking, as she creates vivid visual and sensory experiences for the reader.
She begins by describing the physical space around her, using words like "room" and "walls" to create a sense of enclosure. This contrasts with the vastness of the love she feels, which she compares to an "ocean" and a "sky."
The speaker also references the "distance" between herself and the person she loves, a distance that is both physical and emotional. This distance is further emphasized by the use of the word "unseen," which suggests that the speaker cannot even see her beloved.
Dickinson also employs vivid sensory imagery, as seen in lines like "The fragrance of a flower / Corroded by the power / Of the sun." This image not only appeals to the sense of smell but also suggests a kind of decay or destruction.
Language
As with much of Dickinson's work, the language in "This is the place they hoped before" is rich and evocative. She employs a variety of poetic techniques to convey her message, including metaphor, alliteration, and repetition.
One of the most striking examples of metaphor in the poem is the comparison of love to an "ocean" and a "sky." These vast, endless spaces convey the magnitude and intensity of the speaker's emotions.
The use of repetition, particularly in the phrase "This is the place," creates a sense of familiarity and comfort, as if the speaker is trying to convince herself that this love is real and attainable.
Alliteration is also used to great effect, as seen in lines like "The fragrance of a flower / Corroded by the power / Of the sun." The repeated "f" and "p" sounds create a sense of decay and destruction, reinforcing the idea that this love is doomed to fail.
Structure
The structure of "This is the place they hoped before" is deceptively simple, consisting of three stanzas with four lines each. However, within this structure, Dickinson employs various poetic techniques to create a sense of movement and progression.
The first stanza sets the scene, describing the physical space around the speaker and the overwhelming presence of love. The second stanza introduces the idea of distance and the impossibility of fully realizing this love. The third stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker accepting the reality of the situation but still holding onto hope.
The repetition of the phrase "This is the place" at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the idea that the speaker is trying to convince herself of something. The final line, "And here is what they hoped to find," provides a sense of closure while also leaving room for interpretation.
Interpretation
Overall, "This is the place they hoped before" is a powerful exploration of love and longing. Through her use of imagery, language, and structure, Dickinson creates a complex and nuanced portrayal of a love that cannot be fully realized.
The poem speaks to the universal experience of unattainable love, as well as the hope and longing that comes with it. It also suggests a kind of acceptance, a recognition that even though this love cannot be, it still holds value and meaning.
As with much of Dickinson's work, "This is the place they hoped before" rewards close reading and interpretation. Its seemingly simple structure belies the depth and complexity of its themes and imagery, making it a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
This is the place they hoped before - a classic poem by Emily Dickinson that has captivated readers for generations. With its simple yet profound language, this poem speaks to the human desire for a better life, a better place, and a better future. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning and significance.
At its core, This is the place they hoped before is a poem about hope and longing. The speaker describes a place that people have been hoping for, a place that is better than where they are now. This place is described as a "land of promise," a place where "the meadows lie low" and "the sun and moon roll by." The imagery used here is powerful and evocative, painting a picture of a place that is idyllic and perfect.
However, the speaker also acknowledges that this place is not yet a reality. It is something that people are hoping for, something that they are striving towards. The line "This is the place they hoped before" suggests that this is not the first time people have hoped for this place. It is something that has been longed for throughout history, something that people have been working towards for generations.
The poem also touches on the idea of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The line "The meadows lie low where the cattle graze" suggests that even the most idyllic places are subject to the passage of time. The use of the words "lie low" also suggests a sense of finality or inevitability. The sun and moon rolling by also suggest the passage of time, and the fact that they are described as rolling rather than simply moving adds to the sense of inevitability.
The language used in This is the place they hoped before is simple yet powerful. The repetition of the phrase "This is the place" adds to the sense of longing and desire, while the use of the word "they" suggests a collective desire for this place. The use of the word "hoped" also suggests a sense of optimism and positivity, while the use of the word "promise" adds to the sense of hope and possibility.
The poem also uses imagery to create a sense of longing and desire. The description of the meadows and the sun and moon rolling by creates a vivid picture of a place that is idyllic and perfect. The use of the word "promise" also suggests that this place is something that is worth striving for, something that is worth working towards.
Overall, This is the place they hoped before is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human desire for a better life and a better future. The use of simple yet powerful language and vivid imagery creates a sense of longing and desire that is both universal and timeless. Whether we are hoping for a better world, a better life, or simply a better tomorrow, this poem speaks to our deepest desires and aspirations.
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