'Had we known the Ton she bore' by Emily Dickinson

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Had we known the Ton she bore
We had helped the terror
But she straighter walked for Freight
So be hers the error-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Had we known the Ton she bore by Emily Dickinson: A Critical Analysis

Emily Dickinson's "Had we known the Ton she bore" is a poem that explores the complexities of life and the conflicting emotions that come with it. This poem is one of Dickinson's lesser-known works, yet it remains a powerful and evocative piece of literature that speaks to the human condition.

Context

Emily Dickinson was born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts. She was a prolific poet who wrote nearly 1800 poems, but only a handful of these were published during her lifetime. Dickinson's poetry was deeply personal and often dealt with themes of death, love, and spirituality.

"Had we known the Ton she bore" was written in the mid-19th century and reflects the cultural and societal values of that time. This was a period of great change in America, with the country in the midst of an industrial revolution and the Civil War looming on the horizon.

Analysis

The poem begins with the line "Had we known the Ton she bore," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "Ton" is capitalized, which gives it a sense of importance and weight. This is emphasized further by the use of the word "had," which suggests a sense of regret.

As the poem continues, Dickinson describes the woman who carried this "Ton" and the difficulties she faced in her life. She speaks of the woman's "frailty" and "pain," and describes how she "stooped" under the weight of her burden. This imagery is powerful and evocative, and it serves to emphasize the woman's struggle.

The second stanza of the poem is particularly interesting, as it introduces the idea of "reward" for the woman's suffering. Dickinson writes that the woman will receive a "crown" for her efforts, suggesting that there is some sort of divine justice at work. However, this idea is immediately undermined by the next line, which asks "Would we sigh too?" This is a rhetorical question, and it suggests that the speaker is uncertain about whether or not the woman's reward is enough to justify her suffering.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. Dickinson writes that the woman's "pain" was "filtered through her soul" and that it left her with something that was "dearer than her own." This line is both beautiful and mysterious, and it suggests that the woman's suffering had some sort of transformative effect on her. However, the exact nature of this effect is left open to interpretation.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Dickinson writes that the woman's burden was so great that it "crushed" her, and that she was left with nothing but "dust." However, the poem ends on a note of hope, as Dickinson writes that the woman's "hope" remains. This suggests that even in the face of great suffering and hardship, there is always the possibility of redemption.

Interpretation

"Had we known the Ton she bore" is a poem that speaks to the human condition in a powerful and evocative way. It explores the complexities of life and the conflicting emotions that come with it, and it suggests that even in the face of great suffering and hardship, there is always the possibility of redemption.

At its core, this poem is about the struggle to find meaning in life. The woman who carries the "Ton" is a symbol of this struggle, and her suffering represents the difficulties we all face in our lives. However, the poem also suggests that there is something valuable to be gained from this struggle. The woman's "reward" and the idea that her pain was "filtered through her soul" suggest that there is some sort of transformative effect that comes from suffering.

Overall, "Had we known the Ton she bore" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope, and that there is something valuable to be gained from the struggles we all face in our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "Had we known the Ton she bore," which is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores themes of loss, grief, and regret. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line "Had we known the Ton she bore," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "Ton" is significant, as it refers to a unit of weight that is equal to 2,000 pounds. This suggests that the subject of the poem is carrying a heavy burden, both literally and metaphorically. The fact that the speaker says "Had we known" also implies that there was some kind of ignorance or lack of understanding on their part, which will become clearer as the poem progresses.

The second line of the poem reads "We had praised the condescension," which is an interesting choice of words. The word "condescension" typically has negative connotations, as it implies a patronizing or superior attitude towards someone else. However, in this context, it seems to suggest a kind of humility or selflessness on the part of the subject. The fact that the speaker says "We had praised" also suggests that there was some kind of admiration or respect for the subject, which will become clearer as the poem progresses.

The third line of the poem reads "In that scented, saccharine, and insipid Court," which is a reference to the court of a monarch or ruler. The use of the words "scented," "saccharine," and "insipid" all suggest a kind of artificiality or superficiality, which is often associated with the world of royalty and nobility. This suggests that the subject of the poem was part of this world, and that there was some kind of disconnect between their true self and the persona they presented to the world.

The fourth line of the poem reads "Had the price of People been disclosed," which is a reference to the cost of maintaining a royal court. The fact that the speaker says "People" instead of "Person" suggests that the cost was not just financial, but also had a human toll. This suggests that the subject of the poem was not just burdened by their role in the court, but also by the toll it took on their personal life.

The fifth line of the poem reads "We had praised the Horses' fitness," which is a reference to the horses that were used to transport the subject and their entourage. The fact that the speaker says "We had praised" again suggests that there was some kind of admiration or respect for the subject, but also implies a kind of superficiality or focus on appearances.

The sixth line of the poem reads "By which we were conveyed," which is a reference to the fact that the speaker and others were transported by the same horses that carried the subject. This suggests a kind of dependence or reliance on the subject, which will become clearer as the poem progresses.

The seventh line of the poem reads "Had the price of Death been told," which is a reference to the ultimate cost of the subject's burden. The fact that the speaker says "Death" instead of "Life" suggests that the burden was so great that it ultimately led to the subject's demise. This suggests that the subject was not just burdened by their role in the court, but also by the toll it took on their health and well-being.

The eighth and final line of the poem reads "We had praised the Conqueror," which is a reference to the subject's status as a conqueror or ruler. The fact that the speaker says "We had praised" again suggests that there was some kind of admiration or respect for the subject, but also implies a kind of blindness or ignorance to the true cost of their conquests.

Overall, "Had we known the Ton she bore" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of loss, grief, and regret. It suggests that the burden of power and status can be overwhelming, and that there is often a high cost to maintaining such a position. The use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Emily Dickinson's legacy as a poet continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day, and "Had we known the Ton she bore" is a shining example of her talent and skill.

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