'Those who have been in the Grave the longest' by Emily Dickinson

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Those who have been in the Grave the longest-
Those who begin Today-
Equally perish from our Practise-
Death is the other way-Foot of the Bold did least attempt it-
It-is the White Exploit-
Once to achieve, annuls the power
Once to communicate-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

"Those who have been in the Grave the longest" is a poem written by the American poet Emily Dickinson. It was first published in 1896, after her death. The poem is a reflection on death and what happens to us after we die. Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a powerful and haunting picture of death and its aftermath.

Literary Analysis

The poem begins with the lines: "Those who have been in the Grave the longest / Those who begin Today", immediately setting up a contrast between those who have been dead for a long time and those who are just beginning their journey into death. This contrast is also reflected in the use of the present tense for those who are just beginning and the past tense for those who have been dead for a long time.

The use of the word "Grave" in the first line is significant. It suggests a sense of finality, of something that is permanent and unchanging. This is reinforced by the use of the word "longest", which implies that those who have been dead for a long time are truly gone and have left this world behind.

Dickinson then moves on to describe what happens to those who have been dead for a long time. She writes: "The Night freshens, and the / Morning is like a Mountain". The use of the word "freshens" suggests that something is being renewed or revitalized. This is reinforced by the image of the morning being like a mountain, which suggests something solid, enduring and timeless.

Dickinson then goes on to describe how the dead are able to communicate with the living. She writes: "Communicating this Sunrise / To those who never felt it". The use of the word "Communicating" suggests that the dead are able to reach out to the living and share their experience of the sunrise. This is a powerful image, suggesting that death is not the end, but merely a transition to a different state of being.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as Dickinson describes what happens to those who are just beginning their journey into death. She writes: "And when the second Night comes / We must die like the first". The use of the word "must" suggests that this is an inevitability, something that cannot be avoided. This is reinforced by the image of the second night coming, which suggests that death is not a one-time event, but something that we must face again and again.

Dickinson then goes on to describe what happens to the dead after they have passed into the next world. She writes: "The new Sunrise that happens / Will grant only a new Day". This suggests that there is no escape from death, that even in the next world, there is only the passage of time, and the inevitability of death.

The poem ends with the lines: "To die of thirst / Is the most difficult feat of all". This is a powerful image, suggesting that death is not just a physical process, but a spiritual one as well. The idea of dying of thirst suggests a sense of desperation and hopelessness, of being trapped in a situation where there is no escape.

Interpretation

The contrast between those who have been dead for a long time and those who are just beginning their journey into death is significant. It suggests that death is not a one-time event, but something that we must face again and again.

The idea that the dead are able to communicate with the living is also significant. It suggests that death is not the end, but merely a transition to a different state of being.

The darker tone of the poem, as Dickinson describes what happens to those who are just beginning their journey into death, is also significant. It suggests that death is not something to be taken lightly, but something that we must prepare for.

The final image of dying of thirst is a powerful one. It suggests that death is not just a physical process, but a spiritual one as well. It suggests that we must be prepared for both the physical and spiritual aspects of death.

Conclusion

"Those who have been in the Grave the longest" is a powerful reflection on death and what happens to us after we die. Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a haunting picture of death and its aftermath. The poem reminds us that death is not the end, but merely a transition to a different state of being. It is a reminder that we must be prepared for both the physical and spiritual aspects of death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Those who have been in the Grave the longest" is a masterpiece that showcases her unique style and poetic genius. This poem is a meditation on death and the afterlife, and it explores the idea that those who have been dead the longest are the ones who have the most knowledge and wisdom about the mysteries of life and death.

The poem begins with the line "Those who have been in the Grave the longest," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "grave" instead of "death" or "afterlife" is significant because it emphasizes the physicality of death and the fact that the body is buried in the ground. This line also suggests that there are different levels of experience and knowledge in the afterlife, and that those who have been dead the longest have a deeper understanding of what lies beyond.

The next line, "Those who begin Today," contrasts sharply with the first line and highlights the idea that death is a process that everyone goes through, regardless of their age or experience. This line suggests that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather something that is a natural part of life.

The third line, "Equally perish from our view," reinforces the idea that death is a universal experience that affects everyone, regardless of their status or position in life. This line also suggests that death is a great equalizer, and that in death, all people are equal.

The fourth line, "As the oldest of the new," is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it seems to suggest that those who are born after someone has died are somehow connected to that person and their experience. This line may also suggest that those who are born after someone has died have a different perspective on life and death than those who were alive at the same time as the deceased.

The fifth line, "And the newest of the old," reinforces the idea that death is a process that everyone goes through, regardless of their age or experience. This line also suggests that those who are old have a different perspective on life and death than those who are young.

The sixth line, "In us the same impression grows," suggests that everyone who experiences death is affected by it in some way, and that this experience leaves a lasting impression on us. This line also suggests that death is a transformative experience that changes us in some way.

The seventh line, "That fevered stress," is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it seems to suggest that the experience of death is a stressful one, and that it can be overwhelming and intense.

The eighth line, "And height of suffering," reinforces the idea that death is a painful and difficult experience, and that it can cause great suffering.

The ninth line, "Which fewest people know," suggests that the experience of death is something that is difficult to understand and that few people have a true understanding of what it is like.

The tenth line, "We plough the fields and scatter," is a reference to a hymn that is often sung at funerals. This line suggests that even in the face of death, life goes on, and that we must continue to live our lives and carry on with our daily activities.

The eleventh line, "As when a little child," is a reference to a biblical passage that suggests that we must have faith like a child in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. This line suggests that we must have faith in the afterlife and trust that those who have died are in a better place.

The twelfth line, "We stop to gather pleasure," suggests that even in the face of death, we must continue to find joy and pleasure in life.

The thirteenth line, "It is berrying and harvesting," reinforces the idea that life goes on, even in the face of death. This line also suggests that there is a cycle to life and death, and that death is a natural part of that cycle.

The fourteenth line, "And those they left behind," suggests that those who have died are not forgotten, and that they continue to have an impact on the lives of those who are still alive.

The fifteenth line, "A better resurrection," is a reference to a biblical passage that suggests that those who have died will be resurrected in a better place. This line suggests that death is not the end, but rather a new beginning.

The final line, "When He who died returns," is a reference to the second coming of Christ, and suggests that there is hope for a better future beyond death.

In conclusion, "Those who have been in the Grave the longest" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the mysteries of life and death. This poem is a meditation on the afterlife and the idea that those who have been dead the longest have a deeper understanding of what lies beyond. Through its use of language and imagery, this poem suggests that death is a natural part of life, and that even in the face of death, we must continue to find joy and pleasure in life. Ultimately, this poem offers hope for a better future beyond death, and suggests that death is not the end, but rather a new beginning.

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