'Before He comes we weigh the Time!' by Emily Dickinson

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Before He comes we weigh the Time!
'Tis Heavy and 'tis Light.
When He depart, an Emptiness
Is the prevailing Freight.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Analysis: Before He comes we weigh the Time! by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American history. Her contribution to literature is invaluable, and her works continue to resonate with readers across generations. One of her most notable works is the poem "Before He comes we weigh the Time!" which explores themes of time, death, and judgment. In this literary analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem, its structure, themes, and literary devices.

Summary

"Before He comes we weigh the Time!" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, with each stanza having two lines. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker seems to be addressing herself or another person. The poem revolves around the idea that before the arrival of a higher power, time is weighed and evaluated, and this evaluation determines the fate of individuals.

Structure

The structure of the poem is simple, with only four stanzas, each consisting of two lines. The poem has no rhyme or meter, which gives it a free-flowing feel. The lack of strict structure also allows the reader to focus on the meaning of the poem rather than the form.

Literary Devices

Dickinson employs various literary devices to convey the theme of the poem. One of the most notable is metaphor, where she compares time to a scale. The scale represents the evaluation of an individual's life, and the weight determines their fate. Dickinson also uses imagery, where she describes the approach of a higher power and the weighing of time. The image of the scale is vividly depicted, and the reader can imagine the scales tipping and the consequences of the weight.

Another literary device that Dickinson uses is personification. She personifies time, making it an active participant in the evaluation of life. The personification of time gives it a sense of agency, as though it has a will of its own. This adds to the urgency of the poem, as the reader is reminded that time is constantly ticking away.

Themes

The poem explores several themes, including time, judgment, and death. The central theme of the poem is time, and its importance in evaluating an individual's life. The poem suggests that time is not just a measure of duration but is also a measure of worth. The speaker implies that time is not something to be wasted, as it will be weighed and evaluated in the end.

The poem also explores the theme of judgment. The speaker suggests that before the arrival of a higher power, time is evaluated, and individuals are judged based on the weight of their life. The idea of judgment adds a sense of urgency to the poem, reminding the reader that their actions have consequences.

Finally, the poem explores the theme of death. The arrival of a higher power suggests that death is imminent, and that it is important to live life to the fullest before it is too late. The idea of death is not explicitly stated in the poem, but it is implied through the references to judgment and the weighing of time.

Interpretation

The poem "Before He comes we weigh the Time!" can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the reader's perspective. One interpretation is that the poem is a reminder to live life to the fullest and not waste time. The speaker suggests that time is constantly ticking away and that it is important to make every moment count. This interpretation is reinforced by the reference to death and judgment, which suggest that the consequences of wasting time are severe.

Another interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death. The arrival of a higher power suggests that death is imminent and that it is important to evaluate one's life before it is too late. This interpretation is reinforced by the use of personification, where time is given agency, suggesting that it is an unstoppable force.

A third interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the human condition. The speaker suggests that before the arrival of a higher power, individuals are evaluated based on the weight of their life. This evaluation suggests that there is a worth attached to human life, and that it is important to make a positive impact on the world. This interpretation is reinforced by the use of metaphor, where time is compared to a scale, suggesting that human life has a tangible value.

Conclusion

"Before He comes we weigh the Time!" is a thought-provoking and poignant poem that explores themes of time, judgment, and death. The poem's lack of structure allows the reader to focus on the powerful imagery and the message that Dickinson is conveying. The use of literary devices such as metaphor, personification, and imagery adds to the urgency of the poem, reminding the reader that time is constantly ticking away. The poem can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the reader's perspective, but ultimately it is a reminder to live life to the fullest and make every moment count.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Before He comes we weigh the Time! is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a reflection of the poet's thoughts on the importance of time and how it should be valued before the arrival of a significant event or person. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning of the poem and explore its various literary devices.

The poem begins with the line "Before He comes we weigh the Time!" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "He" suggests that the arrival of a person is imminent, and the speaker is urging the reader to value their time before this event occurs. The exclamation mark at the end of the line adds emphasis and urgency to the message.

The second line of the poem, "When Him we weigh, ourselves the Pound," is a metaphor that compares the arrival of this person to the act of weighing oneself. The use of the word "Pound" suggests that this person is significant and has a considerable impact on the speaker's life. The metaphor also implies that the speaker is aware of the weight of this person's arrival and is preparing themselves accordingly.

The third line of the poem, "Even though the Vanishings of Noon," is a reference to the passing of time. The word "Vanishings" suggests that time is fleeting and that the speaker is aware of its transience. The use of the word "Noon" is significant as it represents the midpoint of the day, and the passing of noon signifies the passing of time.

The fourth line of the poem, "Precede the Afternoons of June," is a continuation of the metaphor of time passing. The use of the word "Precede" suggests that the speaker is aware of the passing of time and is preparing for the arrival of the significant event or person. The reference to the "Afternoons of June" is significant as it represents a time of growth and change, which could be a metaphor for the arrival of the significant event or person.

The fifth line of the poem, "And the Hoar Frost on the Hills," is a reference to the changing of the seasons. The use of the word "Hoar Frost" suggests that the speaker is aware of the changing of the seasons and is preparing for the arrival of the significant event or person. The reference to the "Hills" is significant as it represents a place of stability and permanence, which could be a metaphor for the speaker's life.

The sixth line of the poem, "It is easier to know," is a statement of fact. The use of the word "easier" suggests that the speaker is aware of the difficulty of preparing for the arrival of the significant event or person. The statement also implies that the speaker is aware of the importance of time and is willing to put in the effort to prepare for the arrival.

The seventh line of the poem, "Than it is to tell," is a continuation of the previous line. The use of the word "tell" suggests that the speaker is aware of the difficulty of conveying the importance of time to others. The statement also implies that the speaker is aware of the importance of time and is willing to put in the effort to prepare for the arrival.

The eighth line of the poem, "The Time we stop to fill," is a reference to the act of filling time. The use of the word "stop" suggests that the speaker is aware of the importance of taking a break and filling time with meaningful activities. The statement also implies that the speaker is aware of the importance of time and is willing to put in the effort to prepare for the arrival.

The ninth line of the poem, "Is doubly more than all the Time," is a statement of fact. The use of the word "doubly" suggests that the speaker is aware of the importance of filling time with meaningful activities. The statement also implies that the speaker is aware of the importance of time and is willing to put in the effort to prepare for the arrival.

The tenth line of the poem, "When God's first swift," is a reference to the arrival of the significant event or person. The use of the word "God's" suggests that the arrival is significant and has a divine purpose. The reference to the word "swift" suggests that the arrival is sudden and unexpected.

The eleventh line of the poem, "Anointed Feet," is a reference to the arrival of a divine being. The use of the word "Anointed" suggests that the arrival is significant and has a divine purpose. The reference to the word "Feet" suggests that the arrival is physical and tangible.

The twelfth line of the poem, "The Anguish in the Garden," is a reference to the biblical story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The use of the word "Anguish" suggests that the arrival is significant and has a profound impact on the speaker. The reference to the Garden of Gethsemane suggests that the arrival is a spiritual experience.

In conclusion, Poetry Before He comes we weigh the Time! is a classic poem that explores the importance of time and the value of preparing for significant events or people. The poem uses various literary devices such as metaphors, references to biblical stories, and imagery to convey its message. The poem's message is timeless and relevant, and it serves as a reminder to value our time and prepare for the arrival of significant events or people in our lives.

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