'These held their Wick above the West-' by Emily Dickinson

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These held their Wick above the West-
Till when the Red declined-
Or how the Amber aided it-
Defied to be defined-Then waned without disparagement
In a dissembling Hue
That would not let the Eye decide
Did it abide or no-

Editor 1 Interpretation

These held their Wick above the West

A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry

Emily Dickinson's poetry is like a puzzle. It's full of imagery, symbolism, and deep meanings hidden beneath the surface. In "These held their Wick above the West," Dickinson uses the image of a lighthouse to explore themes of hope, perseverance, and the human struggle to find meaning in life.

The poem begins with the line, "These held their Wick above the West." The "these" are the lighthouses, and the "wick" is the light that they hold. The fact that the wick is held "above the West" is significant. The West is often associated with the end of the day, with darkness and death. By holding their wick above the West, the lighthouses represent a beacon of hope and light in the darkness. They are a symbol of endurance and perseverance in the face of adversity.

The image of the lighthouse also has religious connotations. In the Bible, Jesus is often referred to as the "light of the world." The lighthouses in Dickinson's poem could be seen as a secular version of this idea. They represent the goodness and hope that exists in the world, even in the darkest of times.

The second stanza of the poem reads, "Till Day unto itself be-crimsoned." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret. "Be-crimsoned" could mean "stained with blood," which would give the line a more ominous tone. However, it could also mean "colored with crimson," which would suggest a more positive connotation. Either way, the line seems to suggest that the lighthouses continue to shine their light until the day itself is transformed in some way.

The third stanza reads, "While Autumn looked away." Autumn is often associated with death and decay, so the fact that it "looked away" from the lighthouses could be seen as a metaphor for the idea that hope and light can exist even in the face of death.

The final stanza of the poem reads, "Leveled as a Burr / And then, and then, / Scarce-Caterpillar swings / Free on this Tree." This stanza is perhaps the most difficult to interpret. "Leveled as a Burr" could mean that the lighthouses have been destroyed, or it could mean that they have fulfilled their purpose and are no longer needed. The "Scarce-Caterpillar" could represent the idea of transformation and rebirth, or it could be a symbol of the fleeting nature of life.

Overall, "These held their Wick above the West" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and light to be found. The lighthouses in the poem represent the best of humanity: our ability to endure, to persevere, and to find meaning and purpose in life. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem is sure to resonate with readers for generations to come.

In conclusion, Dickinson through her poetry, has touched the hearts of many with her unique style of writing. Even though her work was not appreciated in her time, it has become a timeless masterpiece that speaks to the hearts of all generations. She has used the image of a lighthouse in "These held their Wick above the West", to remind us of the hope and light that exists in the world, even in the darkest of times. It is a poem that inspires hope and gives us the courage to keep going, no matter what comes our way.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "These held their Wick above the West" is a masterpiece that showcases her unique style and poetic genius. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores themes of death, nature, and the afterlife, using vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to create a haunting and unforgettable work of art.

The poem begins with the line "These held their Wick above the West," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "wick" is a reference to a candle or a lamp, and the fact that it is being held above the West suggests that the sun is setting and darkness is approaching. This image of light and darkness is a recurring motif throughout the poem, and it serves to underscore the central theme of death and the afterlife.

The second line of the poem reads, "Till when the Red declined." Here, Dickinson is referring to the setting sun, which is often depicted as red or orange as it sinks below the horizon. The use of the word "declined" is significant, as it suggests a gradual fading away or a slow descent into darkness. This is a powerful metaphor for the process of dying, which is often a slow and painful experience.

The third line of the poem reads, "Or how the Amber aided it." Here, Dickinson is referring to the color of the sky as the sun sets, which often takes on a golden or amber hue. This image of the sky turning amber is a metaphor for the afterlife, which is often depicted as a place of warmth and light. The fact that the amber is aiding the sun suggests that the afterlife is a place of comfort and solace for those who have passed away.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Till when the Hero missed the West." Here, Dickinson is introducing a new character into the poem: the Hero. It is unclear who or what the Hero represents, but it is likely a reference to a person who has died. The fact that the Hero is missing the West suggests that they are no longer able to see the sunset, which is a metaphor for their passing into the afterlife.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "The Occident begun." Here, Dickinson is using the word "Occident" as a synonym for the West, which is often associated with death and the afterlife. The fact that the Occident has begun suggests that the Hero has passed into the afterlife and is now beginning a new journey.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "The Twilight touched the Earth." Here, Dickinson is using the image of twilight to represent the moment of death. Twilight is a time of transition between day and night, and it is often associated with mystery and the unknown. The fact that the twilight is touching the Earth suggests that death is a natural part of the cycle of life, and that it is something that we must all eventually face.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "The Lightning, by the Chasm stood." Here, Dickinson is introducing a new image into the poem: that of lightning standing by a chasm. This is a powerful and evocative image, as lightning is often associated with power and energy, while a chasm is a symbol of the unknown and the abyss. The fact that the lightning is standing by the chasm suggests that death is a moment of great power and energy, but also of great mystery and uncertainty.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "The Thunder, rolled like Beads." Here, Dickinson is using the image of thunder to represent the sound of death. Thunder is a loud and powerful sound, and it is often associated with the wrath of the gods. The fact that the thunder is rolling like beads suggests that death is a moment of great significance, and that it is something that we must all eventually face.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "Till the Distance would not hold." Here, Dickinson is using the image of distance to represent the separation between the living and the dead. The fact that the distance would not hold suggests that death is a moment of great transformation, and that it is something that can bridge the gap between the living and the dead.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "The Housewives, startled, stirred." Here, Dickinson is introducing a new character into the poem: the Housewives. It is unclear who or what the Housewives represent, but it is likely a reference to the living who are left behind after someone dies. The fact that the Housewives are startled and stirred suggests that death is a moment of great upheaval and change, and that it can have a profound impact on those who are left behind.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "The Waters, calmly bore." Here, Dickinson is using the image of water to represent the passage of time. Water is a powerful and ever-changing force, and it is often associated with the cycle of life and death. The fact that the waters are calmly bearing suggests that death is a natural part of the cycle of life, and that it is something that we must all eventually face.

The twelfth line of the poem reads, "And Bayonet, and Sword." Here, Dickinson is using the image of weapons to represent the violence and brutality of death. Bayonets and swords are both weapons of war, and they are often associated with death and destruction. The fact that they are mentioned in the poem suggests that death is a violent and traumatic experience, and that it can have a profound impact on those who witness it.

The thirteenth line of the poem reads, "In Ringlets, they run." Here, Dickinson is using the image of ringlets to represent the cycle of life and death. Ringlets are circular in shape, and they are often associated with the idea of infinity and eternity. The fact that they are running suggests that death is a continuous and ongoing process, and that it is something that we must all eventually face.

The final line of the poem reads, "Till the Girls, wept, their Dolls." Here, Dickinson is using the image of girls weeping over their dolls to represent the grief and sadness that comes with death. The fact that the girls are weeping suggests that death is a deeply emotional and traumatic experience, and that it can have a profound impact on those who are left behind.

In conclusion, "These held their Wick above the West" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores themes of death, nature, and the afterlife. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Emily Dickinson creates a work of art that is both beautiful and profound. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate great literature, this poem is a must-read that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

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