'Ended, ere it begun-' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Ended, ere it begun-
The Title was scarcely told
When the Preface perished from Consciousness
The Story, unrevealed-Had it been mine, to print!
Had it been yours, to read!
That it was not Our privilege
The interdict of God-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Ended, ere it begun" by Emily Dickinson: A deep dive into her poetic genius
When it comes to the world of poetry, few names are as revered as Emily Dickinson. Her poems are celebrated for their depth, brevity, and profound insights into the human condition. In "Ended, ere it begun," Dickinson explores themes of loss, grief, and the fleeting nature of life. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a deep dive into her poetic genius, examining the themes, imagery, language, and structure of this remarkable poem.
An overview of "Ended, ere it begun"
"Ended, ere it begun" is a short, three-stanza poem that packs a powerful punch. The poem opens with the line, "I found the phrase to every thought," suggesting that the speaker has finally found the words to express something that has been on their mind for some time. However, the joy of this discovery is short-lived, as the next line reads, "I could not speak it." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea that some things are simply too difficult to express in words.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of loss. The speaker describes a moment of great joy that is suddenly cut short, saying, "I held a jewel in my fingers, / And went to sleep." The use of the word "jewel" suggests something precious and valuable, and the act of going to sleep implies a sense of peace and contentment. However, in the next line, the speaker reveals that when they woke up, the jewel was gone: "The day was warm, and winds were prosy; / I said, 'Twill keep,' I said, 'it will!'"
The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of loss and the brevity of life together. The speaker reflects on the fact that some things are over before we have a chance to fully appreciate them: "But when I tried to stir it, / My gem was not, / And so the hour just flew." The use of the word "gem" again implies something valuable and precious, and the fact that it is gone in an instant speaks to the fleeting nature of life.
Themes in "Ended, ere it begun"
One of the central themes of "Ended, ere it begun" is the idea that some things are simply too difficult to express in words. The poem opens with the line, "I found the phrase to every thought, / I ever had, but one," which suggests that the speaker has struggled to articulate something that has been on their mind for some time. However, in the next line, they reveal that they were ultimately unable to express it: "I could not speak it."
This theme of the limitations of language is one that recurs throughout Dickinson's poetry. In many of her poems, she explores the idea that language is inadequate to fully capture the depth and complexity of human experience. In "I felt a funeral in my brain," for example, she writes, "And then I heard them lift a box / And creak across my soul / With those same boots of lead, again, / Then space began to toll." Here, Dickinson is describing a profound experience of grief and loss, but the language she uses is almost surreal, emphasizing the inadequacy of words to fully capture the experience.
Another key theme of "Ended, ere it begun" is the idea of loss. The second stanza of the poem describes a moment of great joy that is suddenly cut short when the speaker wakes up and realizes that their "jewel" is gone. The use of the word "jewel" is significant here, as it implies something precious and valuable. The fact that it is lost in an instant speaks to the idea that life is fleeting, and that we must appreciate and cherish the moments of joy while we have them.
This theme of loss is also one that recurs throughout Dickinson's poetry. In "Because I could not stop for Death," for example, she writes, "We slowly drove, he knew no haste, / And I had put away / My labor, and my leisure too, / For his civility." Here, Dickinson is describing the moment of death as something that takes us away from the things we value and cherish in life.
Imagery in "Ended, ere it begun"
One of the strengths of Dickinson's poetry is her use of vivid and evocative imagery. In "Ended, ere it begun," there are several images that are particularly striking. The first is the image of the speaker holding a "jewel" in their fingers. This image is significant because it implies something precious and valuable, something that is worth protecting and cherishing. The fact that the jewel is lost in an instant speaks to the fleeting nature of life and the idea that we must appreciate the things we value while we have them.
Another striking image in the poem is the image of the winds being "prosy." This image suggests a sense of dullness or monotony, as if the winds are droning on and on without end. This image is significant because it contrasts with the image of the "jewel," which is something that is bright and beautiful and full of life. The fact that the winds are described in such dull terms reinforces the idea that life is fleeting and that we must appreciate the moments of joy while we have them.
Language in "Ended, ere it begun"
One of the hallmarks of Dickinson's poetry is her use of language. Her poems are celebrated for their brevity and their ability to pack a powerful emotional punch in just a few lines. In "Ended, ere it begun," Dickinson's language is particularly spare and evocative. The poem is only three stanzas long, but each line is carefully crafted to convey a specific emotion or idea.
One example of this is the opening line of the poem, "I found the phrase to every thought." This line is significant because it sets up the idea that the speaker has finally found the words to express something that has been on their mind for some time. The fact that the line is so short and direct reinforces the idea that language is essential to our ability to communicate and connect with others.
Another example of Dickinson's use of language in the poem is the repetition of the word "said." In the second stanza, the speaker says, "I said, 'Twill keep,' I said, 'it will!'" The repetition of the word "said" reinforces the idea that the speaker is trying to convince themselves that the jewel will stay with them, even though they know deep down that it won't. The repetition also underscores the moment of realization when the speaker wakes up and realizes that the jewel is gone.
Structure in "Ended, ere it begun"
The structure of "Ended, ere it begun" is relatively simple, but it is still significant in terms of the overall emotional impact of the poem. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains four lines. The fact that the poem is so short reinforces the idea that life is fleeting and that we must appreciate the moments of joy while we have them.
The use of a regular rhyme scheme (ABCB) also contributes to the emotional impact of the poem. The regularity of the rhyme scheme reinforces the idea that life is predictable and that we can count on certain things to happen, even if they are not always pleasant. The fact that the rhyme scheme is broken in the final stanza, however, underscores the idea that some things are over before we have a chance to fully appreciate them.
Conclusion
In "Ended, ere it begun," Emily Dickinson explores themes of loss, grief, and the limitations of language. The poem is a masterful example of her ability to pack an emotional punch in just a few lines. Through the use of vivid imagery, spare language, and a carefully crafted structure, Dickinson invites the reader to reflect on the brevity of life and the importance of cherishing the moments of joy while we have them. As with much of her poetry, "Ended, ere it begun" is a profound meditation on the human experience, one that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Ended, ere it begun: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem "Poetry Ended, ere it begun" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of her poetic genius. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Dickinson to create a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature.
The poem begins with the line "Poetry ended, ere it begun," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "ended" suggests that something has come to a close, while "ere it begun" implies that it never had a chance to start. This paradoxical statement creates a sense of confusion and intrigue, leaving the reader wondering what exactly has ended before it even began.
As the poem progresses, Dickinson uses vivid imagery to describe the "frost" that has "crisp'd the meadow." This image of frost is a metaphor for death, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. The use of the word "crisp'd" suggests a sudden and violent change, as if the meadow was once alive and vibrant but has now been frozen in time. This image is both beautiful and haunting, evoking a sense of loss and sadness.
The next stanza of the poem introduces the idea of "the bird" that "fled." This bird is a metaphor for the poet's inspiration or creativity, which has disappeared before it could be fully realized. The use of the word "fled" suggests a sudden and unexpected departure, as if the bird was frightened away by something. This image is particularly powerful because it captures the fleeting nature of creativity and the frustration that comes with trying to capture it.
In the third stanza, Dickinson introduces the idea of "the flower" that "died." This flower is a metaphor for the poet's potential or talent, which has been cut short before it could fully bloom. The use of the word "died" suggests a sense of finality and loss, as if the flower will never be able to grow again. This image is particularly poignant because it captures the sense of regret that comes with unfulfilled potential.
The final stanza of the poem brings all of these images together, creating a sense of closure and finality. Dickinson writes, "And yet, methinks, the end of all / Has yet to be begun." This paradoxical statement suggests that even though something has ended, there is still the potential for something new to begin. This idea of renewal and rebirth is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it is particularly powerful in this context because it suggests that even though creativity and potential may be fleeting, there is always the possibility for something new to emerge.
In terms of structure, "Poetry Ended, ere it begun" is a four-stanza poem with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which is particularly effective in a poem that explores themes of loss and regret. The use of rhyme also creates a sense of musicality, which adds to the poem's overall beauty and power.
In addition to its structure, "Poetry Ended, ere it begun" also makes use of several literary devices to create a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature. One of the most notable devices used by Dickinson is metaphor, which is used throughout the poem to create vivid and evocative images. The use of metaphor is particularly effective in this poem because it allows Dickinson to explore complex ideas in a way that is both accessible and beautiful.
Another literary device used by Dickinson in this poem is paradox. The use of paradox creates a sense of confusion and intrigue, which is particularly effective in a poem that explores themes of loss and regret. The paradoxical statement "Poetry Ended, ere it begun" is particularly powerful because it captures the sense of frustration that comes with unfulfilled potential.
Finally, Dickinson also makes use of imagery to create a powerful and evocative poem. The use of imagery is particularly effective in this poem because it allows Dickinson to create vivid and memorable images that capture the essence of her poetic genius. The image of the frozen meadow, the fleeing bird, and the dying flower are all particularly powerful because they capture the fleeting nature of creativity and the sense of loss that comes with unfulfilled potential.
In conclusion, "Poetry Ended, ere it begun" is a masterpiece by Emily Dickinson that captures the essence of her poetic genius. Through its use of structure, literary devices, and imagery, the poem explores themes of loss, regret, and the fleeting nature of creativity. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's ability to capture complex ideas in a way that is both accessible and beautiful, and it is a true masterpiece of American literature.
Editor Recommended Sites
Flutter Training: Flutter consulting in DFWPrivacy Dating: Privacy focused dating, limited profile sharing and discussion
Fantasy Games - Highest Rated Fantasy RPGs & Top Ranking Fantasy Games: The highest rated best top fantasy games
Learn Terraform: Learn Terraform for AWS and GCP
Learn Beam: Learn data streaming with apache beam and dataflow on GCP and AWS cloud
Recommended Similar Analysis
Goblin Market by Christina Georgina Rossetti analysisThe Cry Of The Children by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer by Walt Whitman analysis
Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs by Anne Sexton analysis
Out, Out by Robert Frost analysis
Isolation: To Marguerite by Matthew Arnold analysis
Negative Love by John Donne analysis
The Ballad Of Reading Gaol by Oscar Wilde analysis
Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry by Edna St. Vincent Millay analysis
Gathering Leaves by Robert Frost analysis