'Of Death I try to think like this-' by Emily Dickinson
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Of Death I try to think like this-
The Well in which they lay us
Is but the Likeness of the Brook
That menaced not to slay us,
But to invite by that Dismay
Which is the Zest of sweetness
To the same Flower Hesperian,
Decoying but to greet us-I do remember when a Child
With bolder Playmates straying
To where a Brook that seemed a Sea
Withheld us by its roaring
From just the Purple Flower beyond
Until constrained to clutch it
If Doom itself were the result,
The boldest leaped, and clutched it-
Editor 1 Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's "Of Death I Try to Think Like This": A Critical Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's poetry is known for its unique perspective and unorthodox style. Her work often explores themes of life, death, and nature, and her poem "Of Death I Try to Think Like This" is no exception. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the meaning behind this thought-provoking poem.
The Poem
First, let's take a look at the poem itself:
"Of Death I try to think like this— The Well in which they lay us Is but the Likeness of the Brook That menaced not to slay us, But to invite by that Dismay Which is the Zest of sweetness To the same Flower Hesperian, Decoying but to greet us—"
At first glance, this poem may seem difficult to understand. Dickinson's use of language is complex and metaphoric, but as we delve deeper into the poem, we can begin to see the meaning behind her words.
Interpretation
The poem begins with the line, "Of Death I try to think like this." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Dickinson attempts to understand and make sense of death. She is not afraid of death, but rather curious about it.
The next line, "The Well in which they lay us," refers to death as a well. This metaphorical usage of language can be seen as a reference to the final resting place of the dead. However, there is more to this metaphor than just a final resting place.
Dickinson goes on to say, "Is but the Likeness of the Brook." This line illustrates that death is not an end, but rather a continuation. Death is the likeness of the brook, meaning that it is a continuation of life. The brook is a metaphor for life, and death is just a continuation of that life.
The next line, "That menaced not to slay us," is a reference to the fact that death is not something to be feared. Death is not something that is out to get us, but rather a natural part of life.
The line "But to invite by that Dismay" is where the metaphor of the brook really begins to take shape. Dickinson is suggesting that death is inviting us, not to harm us, but to invite us to a new life. The use of the word "Dismay" implies a sense of fear or apprehension, but this is actually the "Zest of sweetness" that Dickinson refers to in the next line.
The final line, "Decoying but to greet us," is a reference to the fact that death is not something to be feared. It is not a decoy to lure us into something that is harmful or dangerous, but rather a way of greeting us and inviting us into a new life.
Symbolism
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses several symbols to convey her meaning. The well is a symbol for death, and the brook is a symbol for life. The use of the word "Likeness" suggests that these two symbols are interconnected and are not separate entities.
The use of the word "Hesperian" in the fourth line is a reference to the Garden of Hesperides, which is a symbol for paradise. This suggests that death is not something to be feared, but rather a gateway to paradise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "Of Death I Try to Think Like This" is a unique and thought-provoking exploration of the concept of death. Through her use of complex language and metaphors, Dickinson suggests that death is not something to be feared, but rather a continuation of life. The use of symbols such as the well and the brook, as well as the reference to the Garden of Hesperides, further reinforces the idea that death is not an end, but rather a gateway to paradise. Overall, this poem is a powerful reminder that death is a natural part of life, and that we should not fear it, but rather embrace it as a continuation of our journey.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry of Death: I try to think like this by Emily Dickinson is a classic piece of literature that explores the theme of death in a unique and thought-provoking way. The poem is a reflection on the speaker's attempts to understand and come to terms with the inevitability of death. In this analysis, we will explore the various literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message and the deeper meaning behind the poem.
The poem begins with the speaker stating that she tries to think about death in a certain way. She says, "I try to think like this - / That there are those who dare not meet / The eye of Death alone -" (lines 1-3). Here, the speaker is acknowledging that death is a frightening and intimidating concept for many people. However, she is suggesting that there are those who are brave enough to face death head-on, even if it means facing it alone.
The use of the word "dare" in this context is significant because it implies that facing death requires courage. The speaker is suggesting that those who are afraid of death are not necessarily weak, but rather they lack the courage to confront it. This idea is reinforced in the next line, where the speaker says, "Before its face they seek / A curtain to be thrown -" (lines 4-5). Here, the speaker is suggesting that many people try to hide from death by seeking a "curtain" to shield them from its gaze. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the various distractions and diversions that people use to avoid thinking about death.
The next stanza of the poem continues this theme, with the speaker stating that she tries to think about death in a different way. She says, "And I am glad, I know not why, / That I can only die / Once -" (lines 6-8). Here, the speaker is acknowledging that death is a natural part of life and that everyone will eventually face it. However, she is also suggesting that there is something liberating about the fact that we only have to die once. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the idea that death is a release from the struggles and hardships of life.
The use of the word "glad" in this context is significant because it implies that the speaker is not afraid of death. Instead, she sees it as a natural and inevitable part of life. This idea is reinforced in the next line, where the speaker says, "It's enough to know of bliss -" (line 9). Here, the speaker is suggesting that there is a certain kind of bliss that comes from accepting the inevitability of death. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the idea that accepting death allows us to fully appreciate the beauty and wonder of life.
The final stanza of the poem brings these themes together, with the speaker stating that she tries to think about death in a way that allows her to appreciate life. She says, "The mirror dimly show us - / The face of immortality / Illuminated - alone -" (lines 10-12). Here, the speaker is suggesting that death is like a mirror that allows us to see the true nature of life. By accepting the inevitability of death, we are able to appreciate the beauty and wonder of life in a way that we might not otherwise be able to.
The use of the word "immortality" in this context is significant because it implies that there is something eternal and timeless about the human experience. The speaker is suggesting that even though we will all eventually die, there is something about the human spirit that transcends death. This idea is reinforced in the final line of the poem, where the speaker says, "And when we for a time / Dimly behold it, / It is not the time, / So much as the capacity, that is expired -" (lines 13-16). Here, the speaker is suggesting that the true value of life is not measured in time, but rather in our capacity to appreciate it.
In conclusion, Poetry of Death: I try to think like this by Emily Dickinson is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of death in a unique and insightful way. Through the use of various literary devices, including metaphor and symbolism, Dickinson is able to convey a deeper meaning behind the poem. Ultimately, the poem is a reflection on the human experience and the importance of living life to the fullest, even in the face of death.
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