'The waters chased him as he fled' by Emily Dickinson
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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1749The waters chased him as he fled,
Not daring look behind-
A billow whispered in his Ear,
"Come home with me, my friend-
My parlor is of shriven glass,
My pantry has a fish
For every palate in the Year"-
To this revolting bliss
The object floating at his side
Made no distinct reply.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Waters Chased Him as He Fled: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When I first read Emily Dickinson's poem, "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled," I was struck by its haunting imagery and powerful metaphorical meaning. The poem's title alone is enough to evoke a sense of urgency and desperation, and the words that follow only deepen the emotional impact. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices that make this poem a classic of American literature.
The Poem's Structure and Form
Before delving into the poem's content, it's worth examining its structure and form. "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled" is written in three stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABCB, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. This structure gives the poem a musical quality, as if it were meant to be sung or recited aloud.
Additionally, the poem's meter is irregular, with some lines containing as few as three stressed syllables and others containing as many as six. This adds to the poem's sense of urgency and instability, as if the speaker is struggling to maintain a steady rhythm in the face of chaos.
The Poem's Themes
At its core, "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled" is a poem about the destructive power of nature and the human desire to escape it. The poem's title alone suggests a sense of pursuit and danger, as if the speaker is describing a chase scene in a thriller movie. However, the poem's true power lies in its ability to convey both the physical and emotional impact of this pursuit.
One of the poem's key themes is the idea of inevitability. The waters are described as "chasing" the subject, as if they are an unstoppable force. The use of the word "chase" also implies intent and aggression, as if the waters are actively seeking to harm the subject. This creates a sense of tension and danger, as if the subject's fate is already sealed.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of escape. The subject is described as "fleeing" and "running," suggesting a desperate attempt to avoid the waters. However, the poem makes it clear that this escape is ultimately futile. The waters are described as "pursuing" and "overwhelming," suggesting that the subject's efforts are ultimately in vain.
Finally, the poem hints at the powerlessness of the human spirit in the face of natural forces. Even as the subject flees, he is described as "low," as if his spirit has been broken by the pursuit. This suggests that even the strongest and most determined of humans are ultimately at the mercy of nature.
The Poem's Symbolism
In addition to its themes, "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled" is rich with symbolism. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the water itself. Water is a common symbol in literature, often representing life, death, or rebirth. In this poem, however, water symbolizes the destructive power of nature. The water is described as "pursuing" and "overwhelming," suggesting a force that is both aggressive and unstoppable.
Another symbol in the poem is the subject's flight. Flight is often used in literature to symbolize freedom, but in this poem, it represents a desperate attempt to escape the inevitable. The subject is described as "fleeing" and "running," suggesting a sense of urgency and desperation. However, the use of the word "fleeing" also implies a sense of shame or guilt, as if the subject is trying to escape a past mistake.
Finally, the poem's use of color is also significant. The water is described as "deepening" and "green," suggesting a sense of mystery and danger. Green is often used in literature to symbolize jealousy or envy, but in this context, it represents the destructive power of nature.
The Poem's Literary Devices
In addition to its structure, themes, and symbolism, "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled" also employs a number of literary devices to enhance its impact. One of the most notable devices in the poem is the use of repetition. The phrase "the waters chased him" is repeated twice in the poem, emphasizing the inevitability and power of the pursuit.
Another literary device used in the poem is the use of alliteration. The phrase "deepening green" is an example of this, with the repeated "d" and "g" sounds creating a sense of depth and danger. Additionally, the use of internal rhyme in the second and fourth lines of each stanza creates a sense of musicality and rhythm.
Finally, the poem's use of metaphor is also significant. The water is described as "pursuing" and "overwhelming," suggesting a force that is both human-like and unstoppable. This creates a sense of tension and danger, as if the water is a living being with its own motives and desires.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the destructive power of nature and the human desire to escape it. Through its themes, symbolism, and literary devices, the poem creates a sense of urgency and desperation that is both timeless and universal. Whether read aloud or quietly to oneself, this classic of American literature remains a testament to the power of poetry to move and inspire.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Waters Chased Him as He Fled: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, the famous American poet, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most celebrated works is the poem "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled," which is a hauntingly beautiful piece that delves into the themes of life, death, and the inevitability of change.
The poem begins with the line "The waters chased him as he fled," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "chased" creates a sense of urgency and danger, while the word "fled" suggests that the subject of the poem is running away from something. This opening line is a powerful metaphor for the human experience, as we are all constantly running from something, whether it be our fears, our past, or our mortality.
The second line of the poem, "Not daring trust the sea," further emphasizes the danger that the subject is facing. The sea is often used as a symbol for the unknown and the unpredictable, and in this case, it represents the inevitability of change and the uncertainty of the future. The subject of the poem is afraid to trust the sea, which can be interpreted as a fear of the unknown and a reluctance to embrace change.
The third line of the poem, "He coursed zigzag on the sands," introduces the idea of movement and change. The subject is no longer running in a straight line, but is instead moving in a zigzag pattern. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the twists and turns that life often takes, and the need to be adaptable and flexible in the face of change.
The fourth line of the poem, "With fevered plaintive lips," introduces the idea of emotion. The subject is described as having "fevered plaintive lips," which suggests that he is in a state of distress or anguish. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the emotional turmoil that we all experience at various points in our lives.
The fifth line of the poem, "To reach the yellow goal," introduces the idea of a goal or destination. The subject is not simply running away from something, but is instead running towards something. The use of the word "yellow" is significant, as it is often associated with the sun and with warmth and happiness. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment in life.
The sixth and final line of the poem, "And perish on the shoal," brings the poem to a close with a sense of finality and inevitability. The subject has reached his goal, but has also perished on the shoal. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the inevitability of death, and the idea that no matter how hard we try to avoid it, it is ultimately something that we cannot escape.
Overall, "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, it encourages us to reflect on our own lives and the challenges that we face, and to embrace change and uncertainty as an integral part of the journey. Emily Dickinson's masterful use of language and her ability to convey complex ideas in a concise and evocative manner make this poem a true masterpiece of American literature.
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