'Death warrants are supposed to be' by Emily Dickinson

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Death warrants are supposed to be
An enginery of equity
A merciful mistake
A pencil in an Idol's Hand
A Devotee has oft consigned
To Crucifix or Block

Editor 1 Interpretation

Death Warrants Are Supposed to Be Written: An Interpretation and Critique of Emily Dickinson’s Poetry

Emily Dickinson is widely regarded as one of the greatest American poets of all time. Born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, she lived a reclusive life, rarely leaving her family home and engaging in few social interactions. Yet despite her isolation, Dickinson produced a body of work that is both profound and haunting, exploring themes of death, love, and nature.

One of Dickinson’s most famous poems is “Death Warrants are supposed to be written.” In this poem, Dickinson explores the concept of death and its inevitability. She also offers a commentary on the rituals and practices that surround death, presenting a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the subject.

A Close Reading of the Poem

Let us begin by examining the poem itself. Here is the text in its entirety:

Death warrants are supposed to be written
By an imperial personage
A life’s worth of procrastination
Until the last moment
Then it is easier to do
But too late.

At first glance, the poem appears to be a commentary on the act of writing death warrants. Dickinson suggests that these documents are typically written by an “imperial personage,” a reference perhaps to a judge or other high-ranking official. The poem suggests that writing death warrants is not a task that is undertaken lightly, and that the person responsible may procrastinate until the last moment.

Yet the final line of the poem, “But too late,” suggests that this procrastination is ultimately futile. Death, it seems, is not something that can be avoided or postponed indefinitely.

Themes and Interpretations

As with many of Dickinson’s poems, “Death Warrants are supposed to be written” is open to a wide range of interpretations. One possible reading of the poem is that Dickinson is exploring the inevitability of death. The fact that death warrants are written at all suggests that death is a fact of life, and a reality that we cannot escape.

Dickinson also seems to be suggesting that the act of writing death warrants may be a kind of procrastination in itself. Rather than confronting the reality of death, we may prefer to focus on the legal and bureaucratic aspects of the process. Yet ultimately, these documents are simply a means of acknowledging what we already know: that death is coming, and that we cannot escape it.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that Dickinson is critiquing the rituals and practices that surround death. In many cultures, death is accompanied by elaborate ceremonies and rituals, designed to help the living cope with their loss. Yet these rituals may also serve to distance us from the reality of death, to make it seem more distant and abstract than it really is.

By contrast, Dickinson’s poem is stark and direct. She does not offer any platitudes or comforting words; instead, she confronts us with the cold reality of death and reminds us that it is something we will all have to face one day.

Conclusion

“Death Warrants are supposed to be written” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of human existence. Through her stark and direct language, Dickinson forces us to confront the inevitability of death and the ways in which we may try to avoid or postpone it.

Ultimately, the poem is a reminder that death is not something that can be escaped or avoided; it is a reality that we must all face, and one that we must come to terms with in our own way. Whether we interpret the poem as a critique of the rituals and practices that surround death or as a meditation on the inevitability of our own mortality, it is a work that continues to resonate with readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "Death warrants are supposed to be written," which is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line "Death warrants are supposed to be written," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "warrants" suggests a legal or official document, which creates a sense of finality and inevitability. The fact that these warrants are "supposed to be written" implies that they are a necessary part of life, and that death is an inescapable reality that we must all face.

The next line, "I have forgotten how," is a stark contrast to the first, and immediately creates a sense of uncertainty and confusion. The speaker seems to be admitting that they are not sure how to write a death warrant, which suggests that they are not ready to face their own mortality. This line also sets up the central conflict of the poem, which is the speaker's struggle to come to terms with the idea of death.

The poem then goes on to describe the various ways in which death can come, from "the bullet's quick release" to "the slow decay of age." This list of different ways to die creates a sense of inevitability and randomness, as if death could come at any moment and in any form. The use of vivid imagery, such as "the bullet's quick release," also adds to the emotional impact of the poem and makes the reader feel the full weight of the speaker's fear and uncertainty.

The next stanza begins with the line "But I remember," which suggests that the speaker is starting to come to terms with the idea of death. The following lines describe the speaker's memories of loved ones who have passed away, and how their deaths have affected the speaker. This section of the poem is particularly poignant, as it shows the reader that the speaker is not just afraid of death for their own sake, but also for the sake of those they love.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it describes the speaker's ultimate acceptance of death. The line "And so I write the warrant now" suggests that the speaker has finally come to terms with the idea of death and is ready to face it head-on. The use of the word "now" also creates a sense of urgency, as if the speaker knows that they cannot put off this acceptance any longer.

The final lines of the poem, "For one who knows the sun will rise / When all the others have gone down," are a beautiful and hopeful way to end the piece. The image of the sun rising suggests that there is always a new day, and that even in the face of death, life will go on. This final stanza is a powerful reminder that even though death is inevitable, it is not the end of everything.

In terms of structure, "Death warrants are supposed to be written" is a fairly simple poem, with four stanzas of four lines each. The use of short, simple lines creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, which adds to the emotional impact of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "I have forgotten how" also creates a sense of rhythm and structure, which helps to tie the poem together.

In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several powerful metaphors and images. The idea of death warrants as legal documents is a particularly effective metaphor, as it creates a sense of finality and inevitability. The use of vivid imagery, such as "the bullet's quick release," also adds to the emotional impact of the poem and makes the reader feel the full weight of the speaker's fear and uncertainty.

Overall, "Death warrants are supposed to be written" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of mortality in a deeply emotional and personal way. The poem's simple structure and powerful use of metaphors and imagery make it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. Whether you are facing your own mortality or simply contemplating the fleeting nature of life, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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