'The Frost of Death was on the Pane-' by Emily Dickinson
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The Frost of Death was on the Pane-
"Secure your Flower" said he.
Like Sailors fighting with a Leak
We fought Mortality.Our passive Flower we held to Sea-
To Mountain-To the Sun-
Yet even on his Scarlet shelf
To crawl the Frost begun-We pried him back
Ourselves we wedged
Himself and her between,
Yet easy as the narrow Snake
He forked his way alongTill all her helpless beauty bent
And then our wrath begun-
We hunted him to his Ravine
We chased him to his Den-We hated Death and hated Life
And nowhere was to go-
Than Sea and continent there is
A larger-it is Woe-
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Frost of Death was on the Pane: A Critical Analysis
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her work has been the subject of many literary analyses. In this paper, we will examine one of her most famous poems, "The Frost of Death Was on the Pane," and delve into its meaning, literary devices, and overall impact.
Background
Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1830. Despite being a prolific poet throughout her life, she only published a handful of poems during her lifetime. After her death in 1886, her sister discovered over 1,800 poems that Emily had written, many of which were published posthumously. Today, she is considered one of the most important and influential poets in American literature.
"The Frost of Death Was on the Pane" was written in 1864, during a particularly difficult time in Emily's life. Her father had recently suffered a stroke, and she was struggling with her own health issues. The poem reflects her feelings of despair and hopelessness during this time.
Analysis
The poem is written in four stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter.
The Frost of Death was on the Pane,
"Secure your Flower" said he.
Like Sailors fighting with a Leak
We fought Mortality.
The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. The "Frost of Death" is a metaphor for the inevitability of death, and the use of personification ("said he") gives death a voice and agency. The second line, "Secure your Flower," is a reference to a tradition in which flowers are covered to protect them from frost. The implication is that death is coming for the speaker, and they must prepare themselves for the inevitable.
The third line, "Like Sailors fighting with a Leak," is a simile that compares the struggle against death to a sailor trying to keep water out of a ship. The use of a nautical metaphor is interesting, as it implies that the speaker is adrift in a sea of despair. The use of "we" suggests that the struggle against death is a collective one, and that the speaker is not alone in their fight.
Each second we could die
And every second swerve
"Chance" forsook us as a Tree
And drove away with Love.
The second stanza continues the metaphor of the ship at sea, with the speaker suggesting that death could come at any moment. The use of "swerve" is particularly effective, as it implies a sudden and unexpected change in direction. In the third line, "Chance" is personified and portrayed as a capricious force that has abandoned the speaker. The use of "Tree" as a metaphor for stability and rootedness is interesting, as it suggests that the speaker has lost their moorings and is adrift. The final line, "And drove away with Love," is a poignant one, as it suggests that even love is not enough to protect us from death.
We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground--
The Roof was scarcely visible--
The Cornice--in the Ground.
The third stanza introduces a new metaphor, that of a house. The house is a symbol for the body, and the "Swelling of the Ground" suggests that death is already beginning to claim the speaker. The use of "scarcely visible" and "in the Ground" suggest that the speaker is fading away and becoming one with the earth.
Since then--'tis Centuries--and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity--
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the speaker reflecting on the passage of time since they first realized that death was coming for them. The use of "Centuries" is hyperbolic, but it conveys the idea that time has stretched out and become meaningless. The final two lines are particularly powerful, as they suggest that death is not just a physical event, but a spiritual one as well. The use of "Eternity" suggests that death is not the end, but a transition into something else.
Conclusion
"The Frost of Death Was on the Pane" is a powerful and haunting poem that speaks to the universal human experience of mortality. Emily Dickinson's use of metaphor, simile, and personification creates a vivid and evocative portrait of a person struggling to come to terms with their own mortality. The poem is both bleak and hopeful, suggesting that while death is inevitable, it is not the end.
Emily Dickinson's legacy as a poet is secure, and her work continues to be celebrated and studied today. "The Frost of Death Was on the Pane" is just one example of her mastery of language and her ability to speak to the human experience in a timeless and universal way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Frost of Death was on the Pane: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. Among her many masterpieces, "The Frost of Death was on the Pane" stands out as a hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving piece of poetry. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and delve into the mind of the enigmatic poet who created it.
The Frost of Death was on the Pane: A Brief Overview
"The Frost of Death was on the Pane" is a short poem consisting of just four stanzas, each containing two lines. Despite its brevity, the poem manages to convey a powerful message about the nature of death and the inevitability of our own mortality. The poem begins with the image of frost on a window pane, which serves as a metaphor for the cold, lifeless grip of death. The speaker then reflects on the transience of life, and the fact that we are all destined to pass away eventually. The final stanza offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that even in death, we can find a kind of beauty and peace.
The Frost of Death was on the Pane: A Closer Look
To fully appreciate the depth and complexity of "The Frost of Death was on the Pane," we must examine each stanza in turn and consider the various literary devices and themes that Dickinson employs.
Stanza One:
The Frost of Death was on the Pane "Secure your Flower" said he.
The opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, introducing the central metaphor of frost as a symbol of death. The speaker describes the frost as being "on the pane," suggesting that death is a cold, lifeless force that has settled upon the window of life. The second line introduces a mysterious figure who advises the speaker to "secure your Flower." The identity of this figure is left ambiguous, but it could be interpreted as a personification of death itself, or perhaps a wise mentor who is warning the speaker of the inevitability of death.
Stanza Two:
Like Sailors fighting with a Leak We strove against the Sea
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the struggle of life, comparing it to sailors fighting against a leak in their ship. This metaphor suggests that life is a constant battle against the forces of nature, and that we are all struggling to stay afloat in a world that is often hostile and unforgiving. The image of the sea also evokes a sense of vastness and infinity, reminding us of the vastness of the universe and the smallness of our own existence.
Stanza Three:
But one by one the Mast's broke in The Ship was going down
The third stanza marks a turning point in the poem, as the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death. The metaphor of the ship going down suggests that death is a final, irreversible event, and that we are all destined to succumb to its power eventually. The image of the masts breaking one by one also suggests a gradual, inexorable decline, as if death is a slow, creeping force that gradually erodes our vitality and strength.
Stanza Four:
At length a sudden Plunge it gave And Bubbles like a Ball
The final stanza offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that even in death, there can be a kind of beauty and peace. The sudden plunge of the ship into the sea is compared to a ball of bubbles, which suggests a kind of ethereal, otherworldly quality. This image could be interpreted as a metaphor for the soul leaving the body and ascending to a higher plane of existence. The final line, "Cool and Clear," suggests a sense of calm and clarity, as if death has brought a kind of release from the struggles and pains of life.
The Frost of Death was on the Pane: Themes and Literary Devices
"The Frost of Death was on the Pane" is a masterful example of Dickinson's poetic style, which is characterized by its spare, concise language and its use of unconventional punctuation and capitalization. The poem is also notable for its use of metaphor and symbolism, which serve to deepen the meaning and significance of the text.
One of the central themes of the poem is the inevitability of death and the transience of life. Dickinson uses the metaphor of the ship going down to suggest that death is a final, irreversible event, and that we are all destined to succumb to its power eventually. At the same time, however, the poem also suggests that death can be a kind of release, offering a sense of peace and clarity that is absent from the struggles and pains of life.
Another important theme of the poem is the struggle of life, and the sense of isolation and loneliness that often accompanies it. The image of the sailors fighting against the sea suggests that life is a constant battle against the forces of nature, and that we are all struggling to stay afloat in a world that is often hostile and unforgiving. This theme is further reinforced by the use of the metaphor of the frost on the window pane, which suggests a sense of coldness and detachment from the world around us.
Conclusion
"The Frost of Death was on the Pane" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Through its use of metaphor and symbolism, the poem explores some of the most profound and universal themes of human existence, including the inevitability of death, the struggle of life, and the search for meaning and purpose in a world that can often seem cold and indifferent. As we reflect on this hauntingly beautiful poem, we are reminded of the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to offer us a glimpse into the mysteries of life and death.
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