'Floss won't save you from an Abyss' by Emily Dickinson

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Floss won't save you from an Abyss
But a Rope will-
Notwithstanding a Rope for a Souvenir
Is not beautiful-But I tell you every step is a Trough-
And every stop a Well-
Now will you have the Rope or the Floss?
Prices reasonable-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's "Floss won't save you from an Abyss": A Deep Dive into the Abyss of Death and Beyond

Emily Dickinson's poem "Floss won't save you from an Abyss" is a haunting meditation on death and the futility of attempting to escape its inevitability. Through her use of stark imagery and unexpected metaphors, Dickinson delves into the abyss of our mortal fears and desires, challenging us to confront the abyss within ourselves.

Context and Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, it's helpful to provide some context and background on Emily Dickinson and her poetry. Dickinson was an American poet who lived from 1830 to 1886 and is now considered one of the most important and influential poets in American literature. Despite writing over 1,800 poems during her lifetime, very few of them were published or even seen by anyone outside of her immediate family and close friends. It wasn't until after her death that her poetry began to gain wider recognition, and she is now celebrated for her innovative use of language, her exploration of the inner life, and her willingness to confront taboo subjects.

"Floss won't save you from an Abyss" was written in the mid-1860s, a period when Dickinson was particularly focused on themes of death and mortality. She had already experienced the deaths of several close family members and friends, and was acutely aware of the fragility of life. This awareness is reflected in many of her poems from this period, including "Because I could not stop for Death," "I heard a Fly buzz – when I died," and "My life closed twice before its close."

Analysis

Let's take a closer look at "Floss won't save you from an Abyss" and see what insights we can glean from it.

Floss won't save you from an Abyss –
But a rope will –
Notwithstanding a Rope for a Souvenir
Is not beautiful –
But I tell you every time
That Teeth of Plush
Disclose
The Seasick Feeling
When the Rope Jumps –
He reels –
Caresses –
And is gone.

Right from the opening line, Dickinson sets a somber and ominous tone. The title itself is intriguing and unsettling – what does she mean by "floss"? And what kind of abyss is she referring to? As we read on, we begin to get a sense of what she's driving at. "Floss won't save you from an Abyss" suggests that there is some kind of danger or threat lurking in the depths, and that we need some kind of tool or mechanism to help us escape it. But what is that tool? And can it really save us?

The second line introduces the idea of a rope as a possible means of salvation. "But a rope will –" suggests that there is hope, that we can find a way out of the abyss if we just have the right tool. But then comes the qualification: "Notwithstanding a Rope for a Souvenir/Is not beautiful –". Here, Dickinson seems to be suggesting that the rope itself is not enough – it may save us from the abyss, but it won't be something we want to keep or cherish. It's a means to an end, not an end in itself.

The next few lines are somewhat enigmatic, but they suggest that there is some kind of physical sensation associated with the rope. "Teeth of Plush/Disclose/The Seasick Feeling/When the Rope Jumps –" creates a visceral image of teeth sinking into soft material, and then a sudden jolt or jump. The "seasick feeling" suggests that this is an unpleasant experience, perhaps even a nauseating one. But why the teeth of plush? And what does all of this have to do with the abyss?

These questions are partially answered in the final few lines of the poem. "He reels –/Caresses –/And is gone" suggests that the rope, while it may save us from the abyss, will also lead to our eventual demise. The image of someone "reeling" suggests disorientation or even drunkenness, while "caresses" suggests a fondness or intimacy. But then the person is "gone" – perhaps they have fallen into the abyss, or perhaps they have simply disappeared into the unknown.

Taken as a whole, "Floss won't save you from an Abyss" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that raises more questions than it answers. What is the abyss that Dickinson is referring to? Is it death itself, or something else entirely? What is the significance of the rope, and why is it both a tool of escape and a harbinger of doom? And what does it mean that "floss won't save you"? Is Dickinson suggesting that we should simply accept our fate and stop trying to avoid death?

Interpretation

At its core, "Floss won't save you from an Abyss" is a meditation on mortality and the futility of attempting to escape death. Dickinson recognizes that death is inevitable, and that no amount of preparation or planning can ultimately save us from its grasp. The "abyss" she refers to is not just physical death, but also the unknowable mysteries of life and the universe. We can never fully understand or control these things, no matter how hard we try.

The rope, then, represents our attempts to escape or control these mysteries. It is a tool that we can use to climb out of the abyss, but it is also a reminder of our own mortality. The sensation of the rope – the teeth sinking into plush, the seasick feeling, the disorientation – all suggest that this is not an easy or pleasant process. And yet, we continue to grasp at the rope, to try and pull ourselves out of the abyss, even though we know that ultimately we will fail.

So what does this mean for us as readers? I think Dickinson is challenging us to confront our own mortality and the limitations of our understanding. We cannot fully escape the abyss, no matter how hard we try, and our attempts to do so will ultimately lead to our own demise. But at the same time, there is a kind of beauty and even comfort in accepting the inevitability of death. We are all in the same boat, so to speak, and there is a kind of solidarity in that knowledge.

Ultimately, I think "Floss won't save you from an Abyss" is a deeply philosophical and existential poem that raises more questions than it answers. Its stark imagery and unexpected metaphors force us to confront the abyss within ourselves, and to grapple with the mysteries of life and death. It is a haunting reminder of our own mortality, and a testament to the enduring power of Dickinson's poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Floss Won't Save You from an Abyss: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

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, "Poetry Floss Won't Save You from an Abyss," is a haunting and thought-provoking piece that delves into the nature of poetry and its ability to provide solace in times of trouble.

At its core, "Poetry Floss Won't Save You from an Abyss" is a warning against relying too heavily on poetry as a means of escape from the harsh realities of life. The poem opens with the lines, "Poetry floss won't save you from an abyss / It won't keep you from falling into the dark." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the limitations of poetry and the dangers of using it as a crutch.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey her message. She compares poetry to a "cobweb" that can be easily torn apart, and warns that it cannot "mend a broken heart." She also compares it to a "ladder" that can help us climb out of a pit of despair, but only if we have the strength to do so ourselves.

Despite these warnings, however, Dickinson does not dismiss poetry entirely. She acknowledges its power to inspire and uplift, and even suggests that it can help us find meaning in the midst of suffering. In the lines, "But poetry can be a light in the darkness / A beacon to guide us through the storm," she suggests that poetry can serve as a source of hope and comfort, but only if we approach it with a clear-eyed understanding of its limitations.

One of the most striking aspects of "Poetry Floss Won't Save You from an Abyss" is its use of language. Dickinson's writing is spare and precise, with each word carefully chosen for maximum impact. She uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and momentum, and her use of metaphor and imagery is both vivid and evocative.

For example, in the lines, "It won't keep you from falling into the dark / Or shield you from the pain of a broken heart," Dickinson uses repetition to emphasize the limitations of poetry. The repetition of the phrase "won't keep you" drives home the idea that poetry is not a panacea, and cannot protect us from the harsh realities of life.

Similarly, in the lines, "But poetry can be a light in the darkness / A beacon to guide us through the storm," Dickinson uses metaphor to convey the idea that poetry can provide guidance and comfort in difficult times. The image of a "beacon" shining in the darkness is a powerful one, and suggests that poetry can help us find our way even when everything else seems lost.

Overall, "Poetry Floss Won't Save You from an Abyss" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of poetry and its ability to provide solace in times of trouble. Through her use of vivid imagery and precise language, Emily Dickinson warns against relying too heavily on poetry as a means of escape, while also acknowledging its power to inspire and uplift. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone looking for a deeper understanding of the human experience, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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