'The right to perish might be thought' by Emily Dickinson
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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1692The right to perish might be thought
An undisputed right-
Attempt it, and the Universe
Upon the opposite
Will concentrate its officers-
You cannot even die
But nature and mankind must pause
To pay you scrutiny.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Right to Perish Might Be Thought: A Critical Interpretation
As I sat down to read Emily Dickinson's "The Right to Perish Might Be Thought," I was struck by the power and depth of her words. This poem is not an easy read - it demands careful attention and focus - but it rewards the reader with a rich and complex meditation on life, death, and the human experience. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem.
Context and Background
Before we delve into the poem itself, it's worth taking a moment to consider Emily Dickinson's life and work. Born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, Dickinson lived a mostly reclusive life, rarely leaving her family home and only publishing a handful of poems during her lifetime. However, after her death in 1886, her sister discovered a cache of over 1,800 poems that Dickinson had written over the course of her life. These poems, which range from whimsical and playful to deeply philosophical and introspective, have made Dickinson one of the most celebrated and studied poets in American literature.
"The Right to Perish Might Be Thought" was written in 1862, during a period of intense personal and social upheaval for Dickinson. The United States was embroiled in the Civil War, and Dickinson's own family was deeply divided over the issue of slavery. Additionally, Dickinson was struggling with her own spiritual and philosophical beliefs, having recently experienced a crisis of faith that left her questioning the existence of God.
Analysis
Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. "The Right to Perish Might Be Thought" is a deeply introspective and philosophical meditation on the nature of life and death. The poem is structured around a series of questions and assertions, as Dickinson grapples with the idea of what it means to be alive and what it means to die.
The poem opens with the assertion that "The right to perish might be thought / A privilege of soul." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that death may not be a punishment or a tragedy, but rather a release from the burdens of life. Dickinson goes on to ask a series of questions that explore the tension between life and death, between the physical and the spiritual.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of paradox and contradiction. Dickinson suggests that "The preference to die / Is the privilege of those / Who never felt to live." On the surface, this seems like a somewhat nihilistic view - why bother living at all if death is preferable? However, Dickinson is not advocating for a life of despair and hopelessness. Rather, she is suggesting that those who have truly experienced the fullness of life, with all its joys and sorrows, may not be so quick to embrace death. It is only those who have never truly lived who might find solace in the idea of oblivion.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson also grapples with the role of God in human life. She suggests that "The privilege to die / Is nothing less than that / To live - nor more." This implies that death is neither a reward nor a punishment, but rather a natural part of the human experience. However, Dickinson also questions whether God plays a role in determining when and how we die. She asks, "Has God a privilege to die / If His own species burst?" This is a complex and thought-provoking question that suggests a tension between the idea of a benevolent God and the reality of human suffering and mortality.
One of the most powerful lines in the poem comes towards the end: "The privilege to know / Was forfeited by thrift." This suggests that those who are too concerned with preserving their own lives, with clinging to every moment, may miss out on the deeper truths of existence. By being too focused on the material world, they may fail to recognize the spiritual richness and complexity of life. This is a deeply challenging idea, and one that invites the reader to question their own priorities and beliefs.
Interpretation
So what are we to make of "The Right to Perish Might Be Thought"? At its core, this poem is a meditation on the nature of life and death, and the tension between the physical and the spiritual. Dickinson suggests that death may not be a tragedy, but rather a release from the burdens of life. However, she also acknowledges the deep complexity and mystery of human existence, and the ways in which our own mortality forces us to confront the deeper questions of our existence.
One of the key themes of this poem is the tension between the material and the spiritual. Dickinson suggests that those who are too focused on preserving their own lives, on clinging to the physical world, may miss out on the deeper truths of existence. This is a challenging idea, and one that invites the reader to consider their own priorities and values. Are we too concerned with the material aspects of life, at the expense of our spiritual and emotional well-being?
Another important theme of this poem is the role of God in human life. Dickinson questions whether God plays a role in determining when and how we die, and whether our own mortality is a reflection of some deeper divine plan. This is a complex and challenging idea, and one that invites the reader to consider their own beliefs about faith and spirituality.
Ultimately, "The Right to Perish Might Be Thought" is a deeply philosophical and introspective poem that challenges us to confront the deepest questions of human existence. Through her use of paradox and contradiction, Dickinson forces us to consider the complexity and mystery of our own mortality, and the ways in which our own priorities and beliefs shape our understanding of life and death. This is a poem that rewards careful attention and thoughtful reflection, and one that continues to resonate with readers over a century after it was written.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Right to Perish Might Be Thought: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of human emotions in her poetry. Her poem, "The Right to Perish Might Be Thought," is a masterpiece that explores the theme of death and the right to choose one's own fate.
The poem begins with the line, "The right to perish might be thought," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is questioning the idea of the right to die and whether or not it is a valid choice for individuals to make. The use of the word "thought" suggests that the speaker is not entirely convinced of the idea, but is open to exploring it further.
The second line of the poem, "As timid as a bird," is a simile that compares the idea of the right to die to a bird that is afraid to leave its nest. This comparison suggests that the speaker sees the idea of the right to die as something that is scary and uncertain, much like a bird leaving its safe and familiar surroundings.
The third line of the poem, "But that the sparrow of the law," introduces the idea of the law and its role in determining whether or not individuals have the right to die. The use of the word "sparrow" suggests that the law is small and insignificant, and that it may not have the power to make such a significant decision.
The fourth line of the poem, "Should jump the height he jumped," is a metaphor that compares the law to a sparrow that is trying to jump as high as a bird. This comparison suggests that the law may not have the ability to make such a significant decision, and that it may be overstepping its boundaries by trying to do so.
The fifth line of the poem, "The little creeper's feet would fail," is a metaphor that compares the law to a creeper that is trying to climb a tree. This comparison suggests that the law may not have the strength or ability to make such a significant decision, and that it may be better suited to other tasks.
The sixth line of the poem, "And he'd perturb the clover," is a metaphor that compares the law to a bird that is disturbing the clover. This comparison suggests that the law may be causing more harm than good by trying to make such a significant decision, and that it may be better to leave the decision up to individuals.
The seventh line of the poem, "And so must you, if you are wise," is a direct address to the reader, suggesting that the speaker is trying to persuade the reader to see things from their perspective. The use of the word "wise" suggests that the speaker believes that their perspective is the correct one, and that the reader should listen to their argument.
The eighth line of the poem, "And so must I, if I," is a continuation of the previous line, suggesting that the speaker is also trying to convince themselves of their argument. The use of the word "I" suggests that the speaker is personally invested in the argument, and that they have a stake in the outcome.
The ninth line of the poem, "Should chance to be a rose," is a metaphor that compares the speaker to a rose. This comparison suggests that the speaker sees themselves as fragile and vulnerable, much like a rose that can easily be damaged or destroyed.
The tenth line of the poem, "Surmise the self-same way," is a direct address to the reader, suggesting that the speaker is trying to convince the reader to see things from their perspective. The use of the word "surmise" suggests that the speaker is asking the reader to imagine themselves in the same situation, and to consider how they would feel.
The eleventh line of the poem, "And so must you, if you are lost," is a direct address to the reader, suggesting that the speaker is trying to persuade the reader to see things from their perspective. The use of the word "lost" suggests that the speaker believes that the reader is currently unsure of their position, and that they need guidance.
The twelfth line of the poem, "The timid grave might be a post," is a metaphor that compares death to a post. This comparison suggests that death is a fixed and unchanging reality, and that individuals must accept it as such.
The thirteenth line of the poem, "As bolder seems the prize," is a direct address to the reader, suggesting that the speaker is trying to persuade the reader to see things from their perspective. The use of the word "bolder" suggests that the speaker believes that their perspective is the more courageous one, and that the reader should follow their lead.
The fourteenth line of the poem, "It is not worth the while to live," is a direct statement that suggests that the speaker believes that life is not worth living if individuals do not have the right to choose their own fate. This statement is a powerful one, and it suggests that the speaker feels very strongly about the issue.
The fifteenth line of the poem, "To earn the station by the sea," is a metaphor that compares death to a station by the sea. This comparison suggests that death is a final destination, and that individuals must work hard to earn their place there.
The sixteenth line of the poem, "Too fair for any man to buy," is a direct statement that suggests that death is something that cannot be bought or sold. This statement is a powerful one, and it suggests that the speaker believes that death is a natural and inevitable part of life.
In conclusion, "The Right to Perish Might Be Thought" is a masterpiece by Emily Dickinson that explores the theme of death and the right to choose one's own fate. The poem is full of powerful metaphors and direct statements that challenge the reader to consider their own perspective on the issue. Dickinson's unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of human emotions make this poem a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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