'Let down the Bars, Oh Death-' by Emily Dickinson

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Let down the Bars, Oh Death-
The tired Flocks come in
Whose bleating ceases to repeat
Whose wandering is done-Thine is the stillest night
Thine the securest Fold
Too near Thou art for seeking Thee
Too tender, to be told.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Let down the Bars, Oh Death: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poem

Emily Dickinson, a poet known for her unconventional style and themes, was often criticized during her lifetime for her work. However, today she is celebrated as one of the most influential poets of American literature. One of her most profound and mysterious poems is "Let down the Bars, Oh Death." In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, motifs, and stylistic elements that make this poem a timeless masterpiece.

Background

Before we delve into the poem itself, we need to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson lived during the mid-19th century, a time of great social and cultural change. Her life was marked by tragedy and isolation, and her poetry reflected her innermost thoughts and emotions. "Let down the Bars, Oh Death" was written in 1862, during the Civil War, a time when death was all around her. Her mother had died a few years earlier, and her father was in poor health. Dickinson, who was known for being reclusive, rarely left her home, and death was a constant presence in her life.

Analysis

Title

The title of the poem, "Let down the Bars, Oh Death," immediately sets the tone for the poem. The word "bars" can be interpreted in several ways, such as the bars of a prison, the rods of a gate, or even the bars of a birdcage. Dickinson is inviting Death to "let down" these bars, to release her from her physical and emotional confinement. The use of "Oh Death" also gives the impression of a plea, a cry for help.

Structure

The poem is written in four quatrains, each with an ABCB rhyme scheme. The structure of the poem is simple, yet elegant, with each quatrain building upon the previous one. The poem has a cumulative effect, with each stanza adding more depth and complexity to the theme of death and its relationship to life.

Imagery

Dickinson's use of imagery is one of the most striking aspects of this poem. She uses vivid, often contradictory, images to convey her message. In the first stanza, she compares death to a "kindly stop." Death is often seen as the enemy, the ultimate foe. But Dickinson sees it as a release, a way to escape the trials and tribulations of life. She then goes on to describe death as a "gentle hand," a comforting image that suggests a sense of peace and tranquility.

In the second stanza, Dickinson speaks of the "last Onset," a term that suggests a journey, a final destination. She uses imagery of a carriage ride, with Death as the driver. The idea of a carriage ride is both romantic and eerie, with the sense of being transported to another realm.

The third stanza is perhaps the most enigmatic. Dickinson speaks of the "horses' heads" winding their way through "the Valley dim." The image of horses' heads suggests a sense of motion, of movement towards a destination. The "Valley dim" is a mysterious and eerie image, suggesting a place of shadows and ghosts.

Finally, in the last stanza, Dickinson speaks of "Life's little, lessening room." This is a powerful image, suggesting that life is a limited space, and that death is the ultimate release from this confinement. The final line, "And I shall not room," suggests a sense of finality, of acceptance of the inevitable.

Themes

The central theme of the poem is death, and its relationship to life. Dickinson sees death as a release, a way to escape the trials and tribulations of life. She suggests that death is not the enemy, but rather a kindly stop, a gentle hand that leads us to our final destination.

Another theme of the poem is the passage of time. Dickinson suggests that our time on earth is limited, that life is a "little, lessening room." She sees death as a way to escape this confinement, to be freed from the limitations of the physical world.

Stylistic elements

Dickinson's use of language is both simple and complex. She uses vivid, often contradictory, images to convey her message. Her use of imagery is both romantic and eerie, with a sense of mystery and the unknown. Her use of rhyme and meter is also noteworthy, with a simple ABCB quatrains that build in intensity and emotion.

Conclusion

"Let down the Bars, Oh Death" is one of Emily Dickinson's most profound and mysterious poems. It is a meditation on death, on its relationship to life, and on the passage of time. Dickinson's use of imagery, rhyme, and meter is both simple and complex, creating a sense of mystery and the unknown. The poem is both romantic and eerie, with a sense of finality and acceptance of the inevitable. In short, it is a masterpiece of American literature, a testament to the power of language and the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Let down the Bars, Oh Death- written by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars for decades. This poem is a reflection of Dickinson's thoughts on death and the afterlife. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing death, asking it to "let down the bars." The bars refer to the barriers between life and death. The speaker is asking death to remove these barriers so that they can pass through and enter the afterlife. The use of the word "bars" creates a sense of confinement and restriction, emphasizing the idea that death is a barrier that must be overcome.

The second stanza of the poem continues with the theme of death as a barrier. The speaker describes death as a "tolling bell" that signals the end of life. The use of the word "tolling" creates a sense of finality and inevitability. The tolling bell is a symbol of death, and the speaker is acknowledging that death is an unavoidable part of life.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the afterlife. The speaker describes the afterlife as a "new country." This metaphor emphasizes the idea that the afterlife is a new and unknown territory that the speaker is eager to explore. The use of the word "country" also creates a sense of vastness and expansiveness, emphasizing the idea that the afterlife is a place of infinite possibilities.

The fourth stanza of the poem continues with the theme of the afterlife. The speaker describes the afterlife as a place where there is no more pain or suffering. This idea is emphasized by the use of the word "rest." The afterlife is a place of rest and peace, where the speaker can escape the trials and tribulations of life.

The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the speaker's journey to the afterlife. The speaker describes themselves as a "traveler." This metaphor emphasizes the idea that the speaker is on a journey, and that death is just one step in that journey. The use of the word "traveler" also creates a sense of movement and progress, emphasizing the idea that the speaker is moving towards something greater.

The sixth stanza of the poem continues with the theme of the speaker's journey. The speaker describes themselves as a "pilgrim." This metaphor emphasizes the idea that the speaker is on a spiritual journey, and that death is just one step in that journey. The use of the word "pilgrim" also creates a sense of devotion and dedication, emphasizing the idea that the speaker is committed to their spiritual journey.

The seventh stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the speaker's destination. The speaker describes the afterlife as a place where they will be reunited with loved ones who have passed away. This idea is emphasized by the use of the word "meet." The afterlife is a place where the speaker will be able to meet with those who have gone before them, and be reunited with them.

The eighth and final stanza of the poem concludes with the speaker's final thoughts on death and the afterlife. The speaker acknowledges that death is a natural part of life, and that it is something that must be accepted. The use of the word "kindly" creates a sense of acceptance and resignation, emphasizing the idea that death is not something to be feared, but rather something to be embraced.

In terms of structure, the poem is written in eight stanzas, each with four lines. The use of quatrains creates a sense of symmetry and balance, emphasizing the idea that death is a natural part of life. The poem also has a consistent rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. This creates a sense of musicality and rhythm, emphasizing the idea that death is a natural part of the cycle of life.

In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several metaphors and symbols. The use of the tolling bell as a symbol of death creates a sense of finality and inevitability. The use of the metaphor of the afterlife as a new country emphasizes the idea that death is a journey to a new and unknown territory. The use of the metaphor of the speaker as a traveler and a pilgrim emphasizes the idea that death is just one step in a spiritual journey.

In conclusion, Let down the Bars, Oh Death- written by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that explores the themes of death and the afterlife. The poem is structured in a way that creates a sense of symmetry and balance, and makes use of several literary devices to emphasize its themes. The poem is a reflection of Dickinson's thoughts on death and the afterlife, and is a powerful reminder that death is a natural part of the cycle of life.

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