'The Dust behind I strove to join' by Emily Dickinson
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The Dust behind I strove to join
Unto the Disk before-
But Sequence ravelled out of Sound
Like Balls upon a Floor-
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Mystical Journey of Emily Dickinson's "The Dust behind I strove to join"
Emily Dickinson is a celebrated poet known for her captivating and mystical works that often explore themes of death, nature, and the human experience. "The Dust behind I strove to join" is one of her lesser-known poems but is a masterpiece in its own right. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the meaning behind the poem and its significance in the larger context of Dickinson's works.
Overview of the Poem
"The Dust behind I strove to join" is a short poem consisting of only five lines. It was written by Dickinson in the 1860s and was published posthumously in a collection of her works. The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, using dashes and unconventional capitalization to emphasize certain words and phrases.
The Dust behind I strove to join,
Unto the Disk before—
Refused to let me join their Choirs—
Although I pleaded more and more—
And as I could not sing, I swore
Forsook their conclave rare—
And, like a Homeward Bee, flew where
The Burdens of the Beggar Bore—
The poem begins with the speaker expressing their desire to join "The Dust behind" and "the Disk before," which can be interpreted as a reference to death and the afterlife. However, the speaker is met with resistance and is "Refused to let me join their Choirs" despite their pleading. Unable to join, and feeling rejected, the speaker "Forsook their conclave rare" and flew away "like a Homeward Bee" to where "The Burdens of the Beggar Bore."
Analysis of the Poem
At its core, "The Dust behind I strove to join" is a poem about rejection and the search for belonging. The speaker desires to join the afterlife, but they are met with resistance from those who have already passed on. This rejection can be viewed as a metaphor for the difficulties of finding one's place in the world, even in death.
The use of the words "choirs" and "conclave" suggests a sense of exclusivity, as if the afterlife is only available to a select few. The speaker's pleading and ultimate rejection highlight the idea that death may be just as challenging to navigate as life itself. This interpretation is reinforced by the contrast between the "conclave rare" and "The Burdens of the Beggar Bore," which suggests that the speaker ultimately finds solace in the struggles of the living.
The metaphor of the Homeward Bee is also significant. Bees are known for their diligent and purposeful behavior, always working towards a goal. In the context of the poem, the Homeward Bee represents the speaker's determination to find their place in the world, even if it means leaving behind what they thought they wanted. The Burdens of the Beggar Bore may not be ideal, but they are a tangible reality that the speaker can take comfort in.
The use of dashes and unconventional capitalization is also noteworthy. Dickinson often used these techniques to emphasize certain words or phrases and to create a sense of fragmentation or disjointedness in her works. In "The Dust behind I strove to join," the dashes draw attention to the moments of rejection and the speaker's changing emotions. The unconventional capitalization of "Forsook" also emphasizes the importance of the speaker's decision to turn away from what they thought they wanted.
Interpretation of the Poem
"The Dust behind I strove to join" can be interpreted in many ways, but at its core, it is a poem about the difficulties of finding one's place in the world. The speaker's desire to join the afterlife represents a longing for belonging, but their rejection highlights the challenges of achieving that sense of belonging.
However, the poem also suggests that there may be comfort in the struggles of life. The Burdens of the Beggar Bore may not be ideal, but they are a tangible reality that the speaker can take comfort in. This interpretation is particularly relevant in light of Dickinson's own struggles with depression and isolation.
Overall, "The Dust behind I strove to join" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the complexities of the human experience. It is a testament to Dickinson's ability to capture the essence of the human condition in just a few short lines and a reminder of the enduring power of her works.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Dust behind I strove to join: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to captivate readers with their depth, complexity, and beauty. Among her many masterpieces is the poem "The Dust behind I strove to join," which is a powerful meditation on the nature of life, death, and the human condition. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and examine its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with the line "The Dust behind I strove to join," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is clearly on a journey, and is striving to reach some kind of destination. However, the use of the word "dust" suggests that this journey is not a physical one, but rather a spiritual or metaphysical one. The dust represents the ephemeral nature of life, and the fact that all things must eventually return to the earth.
The next line, "Unto the Disk of Day," reinforces this idea, as it suggests that the speaker is striving to reach the light of day, or the realm of the living. However, the use of the word "disk" is interesting, as it implies that the light of day is not a solid or tangible thing, but rather a kind of abstract concept or idea. This reinforces the idea that the speaker is on a spiritual journey, rather than a physical one.
The third line, "Which hath not come to pass, because / I could not stop for Death," is perhaps the most famous and powerful line in the poem. It suggests that the speaker is being pursued by Death, and that she is unable to stop or slow down. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, as she often explores the idea of death as an inevitable and unstoppable force. However, the use of the word "because" is interesting, as it suggests that the speaker is not entirely powerless in the face of death. She is not being forced to join the dust against her will, but rather is unable to stop because of some internal or external force.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's journey through life, as she passes various landmarks and experiences various emotions. She sees the "Fields of Gazing Grain," which represent the abundance and fertility of life, and the "Setting Sun," which represents the end of life and the approach of death. She also sees the "Schools of Children," which represent the innocence and joy of youth, and the "Gazing Grain," which represents the wisdom and experience of old age.
Throughout these descriptions, the speaker maintains a sense of detachment and distance, as if she is observing these things from a great distance or from a different plane of existence. This reinforces the idea that she is on a spiritual journey, and that she is not entirely bound by the physical world.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most enigmatic and mysterious. The speaker says that she has "had but one / The House where I was born," which suggests that she has only had one true home in her life. However, the use of the word "but" is interesting, as it implies that this home is not enough, or that there is something missing. The final line, "The Moon drew up her Curtain," is also intriguing, as it suggests that the speaker is about to enter a new phase of existence, or that she is about to be reunited with something or someone she has lost.
Overall, "The Dust behind I strove to join" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. It is a meditation on life, death, and the nature of the soul, and it invites readers to contemplate their own mortality and the meaning of their lives. Through its vivid imagery, complex language, and haunting beauty, this poem continues to inspire and captivate readers more than a century after it was written.
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