'The harm of Years is on him-' by Emily Dickinson
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The harm of Years is on him-
The infamy of Time-
Depose him like a Fashion
And give Dominion room.Forget his Morning Forces-
The Glory of Decay
Is a minuter Pageant
Than least Vitality.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Harm of Years is on Him: A Literary Criticism
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of American literature. Her unique style of writing, characterized by irregular capitalization, unconventional punctuation, and compact language, sets her apart from other poets of her time. Her works often revolve around themes of death, nature, and spirituality, and are known for their introspective and meditative quality. In this literary criticism, we will examine one of her famous poems, "The Harm of Years is on Him," and interpret its meaning.
Background
"The Harm of Years is on Him" is a poem written by Emily Dickinson in 1864. It was first published posthumously in 1890, in the third series of her poems. Dickinson was known for being a recluse, and she rarely left her home in Amherst, Massachusetts. Most of her poems were written in seclusion, and only a few were published during her lifetime. After her death, her sister Lavinia discovered a collection of her poems, and they were published posthumously.
Summary
"The Harm of Years is on Him" is a short poem, consisting of only two stanzas. The poem describes the physical and mental decline of an elderly man. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the man's physical appearance: "The Harm of Years is on him—/ A dull, unvaried stain;" The phrase "Harm of Years" suggests that the man has experienced the wear and tear of life, and that this has taken a toll on his body. The word "dull" implies that he has lost his vitality, while the word "unvaried" suggests that his condition is permanent.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the man's mental state: "And Time drops in Decay/ And shakes his rattling sides." The phrase "Time drops in Decay" suggests that the man's mental faculties are also deteriorating. The word "decay" implies that his mind is slowly disintegrating, while the phrase "shakes his rattling sides" suggests that he is losing control of his body. The poem ends with a bleak image of the man's inevitable decline: "But still Content endures/ And Footage of the Sun/ Discloses to the Morning/ When Glory was begun!" The phrase "Content endures" suggests that despite his physical and mental decline, the man has found a sense of peace. The phrase "Footage of the Sun" suggests that he is reflecting on his life, and that he is coming to terms with his own mortality. The phrase "When Glory was begun!" suggests that he is looking back on his life with a sense of nostalgia, and that he is finding comfort in the memories of his youth.
Analysis
At its core, "The Harm of Years is on Him" is a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The poem is both a lament for the decline of the elderly man and a celebration of his resilience. The phrase "Harm of Years" suggests that the man has lived a long and arduous life, and that this has taken a toll on his body. The word "dull" implies that he has lost his vitality, while the word "unvaried" suggests that his condition is permanent.
The second stanza of the poem describes the man's mental decline. The phrase "Time drops in Decay" suggests that his mind is slowly disintegrating, while the phrase "shakes his rattling sides" suggests that he is losing control of his body. The word "rattling" implies that the man is struggling to breathe, and that his body is failing him. The image is both vivid and unsettling, and it conveys a sense of the man's physical and mental deterioration.
Despite the bleakness of the poem, there is a sense of hope and resilience. The phrase "Content endures" suggests that the man has found peace in his final days. The phrase "Footage of the Sun" suggests that he is reflecting on his life, and that he is coming to terms with his own mortality. The phrase "When Glory was begun!" suggests that he is finding comfort in the memories of his youth, and that he is accepting his fate with dignity.
Interpretation
"The Harm of Years is on Him" is a poem that invites multiple interpretations. On one level, it can be read as a reflection on the effects of aging and the inevitability of death. The poem depicts the physical and mental decline of an elderly man, and it suggests that this decline is an inevitable consequence of the passage of time. The phrase "Harm of Years" suggests that the man has lived a long and arduous life, and that this has taken a toll on his body. The word "dull" implies that he has lost his vitality, while the word "unvaried" suggests that his condition is permanent. The second stanza of the poem describes the man's mental decline, and it suggests that even his mind is succumbing to the ravages of time.
On another level, "The Harm of Years is on Him" can be read as a meditation on the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the bleakness of the poem, there is a sense of hope and dignity in the man's final days. The phrase "Content endures" suggests that he has found peace in his final days. The phrase "Footage of the Sun" suggests that he is reflecting on his life, and that he is coming to terms with his own mortality. The phrase "When Glory was begun!" suggests that he is finding comfort in the memories of his youth, and that he is accepting his fate with dignity.
Conclusion
"The Harm of Years is on Him" is a poignant and thought-provoking poem. It reflects on the effects of aging and the inevitability of death, but it also celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. It is a meditation on the passage of time, the nature of memory, and the beauty of life. Dickinson's unique style of writing, characterized by irregular capitalization, unconventional punctuation, and compact language, adds to the power and beauty of the poem. It is a testament to her talent as a poet, and to her enduring legacy as one of the greatest American writers of all time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Harm of Years is on Him: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is a renowned poet who has left an indelible mark on the world of literature. Her poems are known for their depth, complexity, and emotional resonance. One of her most famous works is "The Harm of Years is on Him," a poem that explores the theme of aging and the toll it takes on the human body and mind. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, analyzing its structure, language, and meaning.
Structure
"The Harm of Years is on Him" is a short poem consisting of only four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. This structure gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, which is fitting given the theme of aging and the natural cycle of life.
Language
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of language. Dickinson's language is simple and direct, yet it conveys a deep sense of emotion and meaning. The poem's title, "The Harm of Years is on Him," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "harm" suggests that aging is not just a natural process, but a painful one that can cause physical and emotional damage.
The first stanza of the poem reads:
"The Harm of Years is on him, The Virtue of his Eye Impassioned, too, with faltering, His loyalty, to die."
Here, Dickinson uses the metaphor of the eye to represent the human spirit. The "virtue" of the eye suggests that the spirit is pure and noble, but the "faltering" suggests that it is weakened by the passage of time. The final line, "His loyalty, to die," is a powerful statement that suggests that even in the face of death, the human spirit remains loyal and steadfast.
The second stanza reads:
"The Visionary-minded, The Gentle, and the Brave, The Lovers and the Poets— Their glory, in the Grave."
Here, Dickinson lists several types of people who are affected by the harm of years. The "visionary-minded" are those who have a deep sense of imagination and creativity, while the "gentle" and "brave" are those who possess qualities of kindness and courage. The "lovers and the poets" are those who are driven by passion and emotion. The final line, "Their glory, in the Grave," suggests that even though these people may have achieved great things in life, their true glory is found in death.
The third stanza reads:
"The Judge is like the Owl— Illuminated, too, By his own Wisdom, staring, His feathers, duller, too."
Here, Dickinson uses the metaphor of the owl to represent the aging process. The "judge" is a symbol of authority and wisdom, but even he is affected by the harm of years. The "duller" feathers suggest that his wisdom is fading, and he is no longer as sharp as he once was.
The final stanza reads:
"The Actor, for his Falsehood, His Truest, for his Truth, The poorest, for his Perjury, The Rich Man, for his Youth."
Here, Dickinson suggests that everyone is affected by the harm of years, regardless of their status or accomplishments. The "actor" is a symbol of deception, while the "truest" is a symbol of honesty. The "poorest" is a symbol of poverty, while the "rich man" is a symbol of wealth. The final line, "The Rich Man, for his Youth," suggests that even those who have everything are not immune to the effects of aging.
Meaning
"The Harm of Years is on Him" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of aging and the toll it takes on the human body and mind. Dickinson suggests that even the most noble and virtuous people are affected by the harm of years, and that death is the ultimate equalizer. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we should cherish every moment we have.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Harm of Years is on Him" is a classic poem that explores the theme of aging and the toll it takes on the human body and mind. Dickinson's use of language and metaphor is powerful, and the poem's structure gives it a sense of balance and symmetry. The poem is a reminder that life is short, and that we should make the most of every moment we have.
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