'I watcher her face to see which way' by Emily Dickinson
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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1667I watcher her face to see which way
She took the awful news-
Whether she died before she heard
Or in protracted bruise
Remained a few slow years with us-
Each heavier than the last-
A further afternoon to fail,
As Flower at fall of Frost.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I Watched Her Face to See Which Way" by Emily Dickinson: A Critical Interpretation
If you're a fan of poetry, Emily Dickinson is a name you've surely heard before. Her unique style and thought-provoking themes have made her one of the most beloved poets in history. "I Watched Her Face to See Which Way" is one of her lesser-known poems, but it's no less captivating than her more famous works. In this essay, I'll be delving into the meaning and literary techniques used in this poem.
The Poem
First, let's take a look at the poem itself:
I watched her face to see which way
She took the awful news,
Whether she died before she heard,
Or died later,—news like these?
Or would she show a sudden flush,
As of a rosy sky,
Sustain a trembling firmament,
And glow, and go away?
Thus, to myself, I pondered,
While the minutes sped,
Till she had taken in the sum,
And dismissed the news she read.
At first glance, the poem seems to be about someone receiving "awful news" and the narrator watching their reaction. But as we delve deeper, we realize there's much more to it than that.
The Interpretation
The first line, "I watched her face to see which way," sets the tone for the entire poem. The narrator is focused, even obsessed, with the subject's reaction. This is significant, as it shows just how important the news is. It's not just any news - it's "awful" news, and the narrator knows that the way the subject reacts will be indicative of just how bad it is.
The use of "awful" is interesting, as it's a word that can mean both "terrible" and "awe-inspiring." This duality sets up a sort of tension in the poem, as we don't know which meaning is intended. Is the news so terrible that it will bring about the subject's death, as the second line suggests? Or is it something so awe-inspiring that it will cause a sudden flush and a glow?
This tension is heightened in the third and fourth lines, where the narrator wonders if the subject will die before hearing the news. This is a dark thought, but it's one that's grounded in reality - we've all heard stories of people who died of shock upon receiving bad news. The fact that the narrator is considering this possibility shows just how serious the news is.
But then, in the fifth and sixth lines, we're given a glimmer of hope. The subject might show a sudden flush and a glow, as if the news is something wonderful. This image is beautiful and hopeful, and it's a stark contrast to the darkness of the previous lines.
The use of "rosy sky" is significant here, as it's a symbol of both beauty and transience. A rosy sky is something that's fleeting - it's only there for a few moments before the sun sets and it disappears. This suggests that the glow the subject might show is something that won't last - it's just a momentary reaction to the news.
The seventh and eighth lines introduce another metaphor - that of a trembling firmament. This is a beautiful image, but it's also one that's fraught with danger. A trembling firmament suggests that the subject is on the verge of falling apart. But at the same time, it's a metaphor that's grounded in reality - we've all felt like our world was shaking when we received bad news.
The final four lines of the poem bring us back to reality. The narrator has been pondering all of these possibilities while the minutes have been ticking by. But finally, the subject takes in the sum of the news and dismisses it. We don't know what the news is, but we do know that the subject has processed it and moved on.
The use of "sum" is interesting, as it suggests that the news was something that could be quantified. This is a contrast to the earlier lines, where the news was something that was almost intangible - it could be terrible, awe-inspiring, or anything in between. But now that the subject has taken in the sum of the news, it's something that can be measured and processed.
Literary Techniques
Now that we've delved into the interpretation of the poem, let's take a look at some of the literary techniques that Dickinson employs.
Metaphor
As we've seen, Dickinson uses metaphor throughout the poem. The use of a rosy sky to describe the subject's potential reaction to the news is a beautiful example of this. It's a metaphor that's both visual and emotional, and it perfectly captures the idea of a sudden, fleeting reaction.
Symbolism
Dickinson also uses symbolism in the poem. The trembling firmament is a symbol of the subject's emotional state. It suggests that the subject is on the verge of falling apart, just as the earth might tremble before an earthquake. This is a powerful image that perfectly captures the tension and fear that often accompany bad news.
Tone
The tone of the poem is one of tension and suspense. From the first line, we're aware that something important is happening. The use of "awful" adds to this tension, as it suggests that the news is something that will have a huge impact. The fact that the narrator is so focused on the subject's reaction also adds to the tension - we're waiting for something to happen, and we don't know what it will be.
Structure
The structure of the poem is interesting, as it's composed of two quatrains. This creates a sense of symmetry that's pleasing to the ear. But at the same time, the second quatrain is slightly shorter than the first. This creates a feeling of imbalance that mirrors the tension and uncertainty of the poem.
Conclusion
"I Watched Her Face to See Which Way" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that showcases Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet. Through her use of metaphor, symbolism, tone, and structure, she creates a sense of tension and suspense that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The duality of "awful" and the fleeting nature of the glowing reaction add to the poem's complexity, and the use of the trembling firmament is a powerful symbol that perfectly captures the emotional state of the subject. Overall, this is a poem that's well worth reading and contemplating.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. It is a medium that allows us to express our deepest thoughts and feelings in a way that is both beautiful and profound. One such poem that captures the essence of poetry is "I watched her face to see which way" by Emily Dickinson. This classic poem is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the complexities of human emotions and the power of observation.
The poem begins with the speaker watching a woman's face to see which way she will turn. The woman is described as having a "quiet eye" and a "gentle look," which suggests that she is a calm and peaceful person. The speaker is fascinated by the woman's face and is eager to see which way she will turn. This simple act of observation is the starting point for a deeper exploration of human emotions and the power of perception.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the nature of perception and how it shapes our understanding of the world around us. The woman's face becomes a metaphor for the way we perceive the world, and the poem suggests that our perception is shaped by our emotions and our experiences. The speaker notes that the woman's face "told a story" and that it was "full of meanings." This suggests that our perception is not just a passive act of observation, but an active process of interpretation and understanding.
The poem also explores the theme of human emotions and how they shape our perception of the world. The woman's face is described as having a "gentle look," which suggests that she is a kind and compassionate person. The speaker notes that the woman's face "changed with every mood," which suggests that our emotions are constantly shaping our perception of the world. This theme is further explored in the final stanza of the poem, where the speaker notes that the woman's face "told of love, and hate, and pride." This suggests that our emotions are not just passive experiences, but active forces that shape our understanding of the world.
The poem also explores the power of observation and how it can shape our understanding of the world. The speaker is fascinated by the woman's face and is eager to see which way she will turn. This act of observation is not just a passive act of looking, but an active process of interpretation and understanding. The speaker notes that the woman's face "told a story" and that it was "full of meanings." This suggests that our perception of the world is not just shaped by our emotions and experiences, but also by our ability to observe and interpret the world around us.
In conclusion, "I watched her face to see which way" is a classic poem that explores the complexities of human emotions and the power of observation. The poem suggests that our perception of the world is shaped by our emotions and experiences, and that our ability to observe and interpret the world around us is a powerful force that can shape our understanding of the world. Emily Dickinson's masterful use of language and imagery makes this poem a timeless masterpiece of poetic expression that continues to inspire and move readers today.
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