'Now I knew I lost her-' by Emily Dickinson
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Now I knew I lost her-
Not that she was gone-
But Remoteness travelled
On her Face and Tongue.Alien, though adjoining
As a Foreign Race-
Traversed she though pausing
Latitudeless Place.Elements Unaltered-
Universe the same
But Love's transmigration-
Somehow this had come-Henceforth to remember
Nature took the Day
I had paid so much for-
His is Penury
Not who toils for Freedom
Or for Family
But the Restitution
Of Idolatry.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Now I knew I lost her" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century. Her unique style of writing, marked by its brevity, vivid imagery, and raw emotions, has earned her a place in the canon of American literature. One of her most haunting and poignant poems is "Now I knew I lost her," which captures the agony of losing someone you love. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes, symbols, and language of this classic poem, and try to unravel its many layers of meaning.
The Poem
Now I knew I lost her — Not that she was gone — But Remoteness travelled On her Face and Tongue.
Alien, though adjoining As a Forbidding Lawn — Chronicled, forever, On that length of norn —
Emily Dickinson
Interpretation
The poem opens with the line "Now I knew I lost her," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker has experienced a loss, but it is not the physical absence of the person that is being mourned, but rather a sense of emotional distance that has crept in between them. The second line, "Not that she was gone," reinforces this idea, and suggests that the speaker's loss is more internal than external.
The third and fourth lines, "But Remoteness travelled / On her Face and Tongue," add a layer of complexity to the poem. The word "remoteness" suggests a sense of separation, but the fact that it is "travelled" on the person's face and tongue means that it is something that is visible and tangible. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the loss of intimacy between the speaker and the other person. There is a sense that they are still physically present, but emotionally distant.
The image of an "Alien, though adjoining / As a Forbidding Lawn" is particularly striking, and highlights the sense of disconnection between the two people. The use of the word "alien" suggests that the person is no longer familiar to the speaker, and the simile of the "forbidding lawn" suggests that there is something impenetrable and unapproachable about them. The use of capital letters for "Alien" and "Forbidding Lawn" adds emphasis to these images, and reinforces their importance in the poem.
The final two lines, "Chronicled, forever, / On that length of norn," are particularly poignant. The word "chronicled" suggests that the loss has been recorded or documented, and the fact that it is "forever" suggests that it is something that can never be undone. The phrase "On that length of norn" is particularly intriguing, as it is not clear what "norn" means. Some interpretations suggest that it is a misspelling of "mourn," which would fit with the overall theme of the poem, while others suggest that it is a reference to the Norse mythological concept of the Norns, who were responsible for shaping the destinies of individuals. Either way, the sense of finality and inevitability in this line is palpable.
Themes
The themes of loss and separation are central to this poem. The speaker is mourning the loss of someone they love, but it is not a physical loss. Instead, it is a loss of intimacy and emotional connection, which is perhaps even more devastating. The language and imagery in the poem suggest that this is not a recent loss, but something that has been building over time. The fact that it is "chronicled, forever" suggests that it is something that has been etched into the speaker's psyche, and will never be forgotten.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is that of alienation. The use of the word "alien" to describe the other person suggests that they are no longer familiar or recognizable to the speaker. The fact that they are described as "adjoining" but "forbidding" suggests that there is a sense of distance and inaccessibility that has developed between them. This theme of alienation is further reinforced by the use of the word "remoteness" to describe the emotional distance between the two people.
Symbols
There are several symbols in the poem that add to its overall meaning. The use of the word "remoteness" is a powerful symbol for the emotional distance between the two people. The fact that it "travelled / On her Face and Tongue" suggests that this is something that is visible and tangible, rather than just a feeling.
The simile of the "forbidding lawn" is another powerful symbol in the poem. A lawn is something that is usually associated with openness and accessibility, but the use of the word "forbidding" suggests that there is something impenetrable and unapproachable about the other person. This symbol reinforces the overall theme of alienation and emotional distance.
The phrase "On that length of norn" is also a symbol in the poem. The fact that it is not clear what "norn" means adds to its mysterious and haunting quality. Whether it is a misspelling of "mourn" or a reference to the Norns of Norse mythology, it is a symbol of the finality and inevitability of loss.
Language
The language in the poem is simple and direct, but it is also powerful and evocative. The use of the word "remoteness" to describe the emotional distance between the two people is particularly effective, as it suggests a sense of physical separation, even though the other person is still present. The use of the simile of the "forbidding lawn" is also effective, as it conjures up a vivid image of something that is usually open and welcoming, but is now impenetrable and unapproachable.
The use of capital letters for "Alien" and "Forbidding Lawn" adds emphasis to these images, and reinforces their importance in the poem. The final line, "On that length of norn," is also effective, as it is mysterious and haunting. The fact that it is not clear what "norn" means adds to its overall impact, and reinforces the finality and inevitability of loss.
Conclusion
"Now I knew I lost her" is a haunting and poignant poem that captures the agony of losing someone you love. The use of language and imagery is simple and direct, but powerful and evocative. The poem explores themes of loss, separation, and alienation, and uses symbols such as "remoteness," the "forbidding lawn," and "norn" to reinforce its overall meaning. The final line, "On that length of norn," is particularly haunting and mysterious, and reinforces the finality and inevitability of loss. This is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Now: I Knew I Lost Her by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep emotional themes. One of her most famous poems, "I Knew I Lost Her," is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the pain of separation.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "I knew I lost her." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of sadness and regret. The speaker is clearly mourning the loss of someone they loved deeply, and the pain of that loss is palpable throughout the poem.
As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on the time they spent with the person they lost. They remember the moments of joy and happiness they shared, and the deep connection they felt. However, these memories are tinged with sadness, as the speaker realizes that those moments are now gone forever.
The poem is filled with powerful imagery that helps to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, the line "The dimming of the bright sea" is a powerful metaphor for the loss of something beautiful and vibrant. The sea, which is often associated with life and vitality, is now dimming and fading away, just as the speaker's love has faded away.
Another powerful image in the poem is the line "The dying of the light." This line is a reference to a famous poem by Dylan Thomas, and it is often interpreted as a metaphor for the end of life. In the context of "I Knew I Lost Her," this line can be seen as a metaphor for the end of the speaker's relationship with the person they loved.
Throughout the poem, the speaker's emotions are raw and intense. They are filled with a sense of longing and regret, and they are struggling to come to terms with the loss they have experienced. However, there is also a sense of acceptance in the poem. The speaker knows that they cannot change what has happened, and they must learn to live with the pain of their loss.
Overall, "I Knew I Lost Her" is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the pain of love and loss. Emily Dickinson's unique style and use of imagery help to convey the speaker's emotions in a way that is both powerful and poignant. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of loss and separation.
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