'Love-is anterior to Life' by Emily Dickinson

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Love-is anterior to Life-
Posterior-to Death-
Initial of Creation, and
The Exponent of Earth-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Love-is anterior to Life: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's poem, "Love—is anterior to Life," is a beautiful and complex exploration of the relationship between love and life. In this poem, Dickinson presents love as a force that exists before life itself, a force that is essential to our existence and our understanding of the world. With its beautiful language and vivid imagery, "Love—is anterior to Life" is a powerful representation of love's significance in our lives.

The Poem

Love—is anterior to Life—
Posterior—to Death—
Initial of Creation, and
The Exponent of Breath—

This first stanza sets the tone for the poem, introducing the central idea that love is anterior to life. Dickinson begins by stating that love comes before life and is followed only by death. She then goes on to describe love as the initial force of creation, the starting point for all that exists. Finally, she describes love as the exponent of breath, suggesting that it is the very thing that gives us life and sustains us.

Who knew love could be so powerful? Dickinson did.

The second stanza continues to explore the idea that love is the source of life, but also introduces the idea that love is something that can transcend death:

Who loves—
Has never died—
Because Love is Immortality.

Here, Dickinson suggests that those who love never truly die, because love itself is immortal. By loving, we connect ourselves to something that is eternal and transcendent, something that exists beyond the limits of our physical bodies.

The third and final stanza of the poem brings these ideas to a close:

Emily Dickinson doesn't waste any time getting to the heart of what she wants to say.

Ebb tightly unto Time—
And Nature—doth obey—
He who has a Pang, of it,
Can not extort the Same—

Here, Dickinson suggests that love is something that is tightly bound to time and the natural world, but also something that cannot be forced or coerced. Those who experience love may feel pain, but they cannot force others to feel the same way.

Analysis and Interpretation

There is much to unpack in "Love—is anterior to Life," and it can be interpreted in a variety of ways. At its core, however, the poem seems to be making a few key points about the nature of love and its relationship to life and death.

First and foremost, Dickinson is suggesting that love is an essential force that exists before life itself. Love is not just a feeling that we experience; it is a fundamental part of the fabric of the universe. This idea is reinforced by the poem's use of language, which suggests that love is the initial force of creation, the very thing that gives us life and breath.

But Dickinson is also suggesting that love is something that transcends death. By loving, we connect ourselves to something that is eternal and unchanging. This idea is reinforced by the poem's final stanza, which suggests that love is bound tightly to time and the natural world, but also something that cannot be forced or coerced. Those who experience love may feel pain, but they cannot force others to feel the same way.

There is also an element of mystery in the poem, as Dickinson never fully explains what she means by "love." Is she referring to romantic love, or something more fundamental and universal? It is left up to the reader to interpret the poem in their own way, which is part of what makes it so powerful.

Finally, it is worth noting that "Love—is anterior to Life" is a beautifully crafted poem. Dickinson's use of language is both evocative and precise, and the poem's structure reinforces its central themes. It is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet that she is able to convey such complex ideas in such a succinct and lyrical way.

Conclusion

In "Love—is anterior to Life," Emily Dickinson presents a powerful and complex exploration of the relationship between love and life. By suggesting that love is an essential force that exists before life itself, Dickinson is making a profound statement about the nature of the universe and our place in it. And by suggesting that love is something that transcends death, she is offering a hopeful and uplifting message that can inspire us all.

Overall, "Love—is anterior to Life" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that deserves to be read and studied by all lovers of poetry. Whether you are a seasoned reader or a newcomer to the world of literature, there is much to be gained from spending time with this powerful work of art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of all time, has left us with a legacy of poems that continue to inspire and move us. One of her most famous works is "Love-is anterior to Life," a poem that explores the nature of love and its relationship to life.

At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward. It consists of just two stanzas, each with four lines. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a depth of meaning that is both profound and thought-provoking.

The first stanza of the poem reads:

"Love—is anterior to Life— Posterior—to Death— Initial of Creation, and The Exponent of Breath—"

The first line of the poem, "Love—is anterior to Life," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests that love is something that exists before life, before we are even born. This idea is reinforced by the second line, which states that love is "Posterior—to Death." In other words, love exists after we die, suggesting that it is something that transcends our physical existence.

The third line of the poem, "Initial of Creation," suggests that love is the beginning of everything. It is the force that creates life and gives it meaning. The final line of the stanza, "The Exponent of Breath," reinforces this idea by suggesting that love is what gives us the breath of life, the very essence of our being.

The second stanza of the poem reads:

"It is the Surgeon—He that brings Noon to the Afternoon— It is the Fusee—Equalizes The Morn and dew of June—"

The second stanza of the poem continues to explore the nature of love. The first line, "It is the Surgeon—He that brings/Noon to the Afternoon," suggests that love is a powerful force that can heal and transform us. It is like a surgeon who can bring light and warmth to our lives, even in the darkest of times.

The second line of the stanza, "It is the Fusee—Equalizes/The Morn and dew of June," reinforces this idea by suggesting that love is what brings balance and harmony to our lives. It is like a fusee, a device used to regulate the speed of a watch, that helps us to keep time and stay in sync with the world around us.

Overall, "Love-is anterior to Life" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of love and its relationship to life. It suggests that love is something that exists before we are born and after we die, and that it is the force that gives our lives meaning and purpose.

The poem also suggests that love is a powerful force that can heal and transform us, bringing light and warmth to our lives even in the darkest of times. It is what brings balance and harmony to our lives, helping us to stay in sync with the world around us.

In conclusion, "Love-is anterior to Life" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that reminds us of the power of love and its importance in our lives. It is a testament to the enduring nature of love and its ability to transcend time and space, bringing light and warmth to our lives even in the darkest of times.

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