'As One does Sickness over' by Emily Dickinson
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As One does Sickness over
In convalescent Mind,
His scrutiny of Chances
By blessed Health obscured-As One rewalks a Precipice
And whittles at the Twig
That held Him from Perdition
Sown sidewise in the CragA Custom of the Soul
Far after suffering
Identity to question
For evidence't has been-
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, As One does Sickness
Emily Dickinson's "Poetry, As One does Sickness" is a poem that delves deep into the mind of a poet, exploring the way that poetry takes hold of a person and affects them in a way that is similar to illness. In this poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery, powerful language, and a unique perspective to create a piece of literature that offers a glimpse into the world of the poet.
The poem begins with the opening lines, "Poetry is sickness, the pangs of it." This statement immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the idea that poetry is not just a hobby or a pastime, but something that consumes the poet completely. The use of the word "pangs" is particularly effective, as it implies a physical pain that is often associated with illness.
As the poem continues, Dickinson compares poetry to other forms of illness, noting that it "seizes us by degrees" and that "we who lived in it, feel ignorant of the size of the attack." These lines suggest that poetry is something that creeps up on the poet, gradually taking hold of them until they are completely consumed by it. The use of the word "attack" is also powerful, as it implies that the poet is helpless in the face of this force.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a variety of metaphors and similes to describe the way that poetry affects the poet. For example, she compares it to a fever, noting that it "burns hot" and "subdues" the poet. She also compares it to a storm, saying that it "whirls and pauses" and that the poet is left "drenched with its passages." These comparisons are effective in creating a vivid image of the poet's experience with poetry, and they help to convey the intensity of the emotions involved.
One of the most interesting aspects of this poem is the way that Dickinson uses language to create a sense of unease and discomfort. For example, she describes poetry as "a disease that must be caught" and notes that it "thrusts itself upon the soul." These phrases are unsettling, as they suggest that the poet is not in control of their own experience with poetry. This idea is further reinforced by the line, "we are nothing, until diseased." This statement implies that the poet is incomplete without poetry, and that they must be consumed by it in order to be whole.
Yet despite the intense emotions that are described in this poem, there is also a sense of beauty and wonder that permeates the text. Dickinson writes about the way that poetry "illumines to our sense" and notes that it "beats upon the mind." These descriptions suggest that poetry is something that enlightens and enriches the poet's life, even as it consumes them.
Overall, "Poetry, As One does Sickness" is a powerful and evocative poem that offers a unique perspective on the world of the poet. Through her use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and unique metaphors, Dickinson creates a piece of literature that is both unsettling and beautiful. In the end, the poem leaves the reader with a sense of awe at the power of poetry and its ability to transform the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry As One does Sickness: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Masterpiece
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her work continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems, Poetry As One does Sickness, is a powerful and evocative piece that explores the nature of creativity and the role of the poet in society. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this masterpiece and explore its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with the line "I felt a Funeral, in my Brain," which immediately sets a somber and ominous tone. The use of the word "funeral" suggests that something has died or is about to die, and the phrase "in my Brain" implies that this is happening within the speaker's mind. This opening line sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the creative process and the toll it can take on the artist.
The second stanza continues this theme, with the speaker describing how "Mourners to and fro / Kept treading - treading - till it seemed / That Sense was breaking through." The use of the word "Mourners" suggests that the speaker is mourning the loss of something, perhaps their own creativity or inspiration. The repetition of the word "treading" creates a sense of relentless, unending movement, which mirrors the way that creative ideas can sometimes feel like they are constantly circling around in the mind without ever fully taking shape.
The third stanza introduces the central metaphor of the poem, with the speaker comparing poetry to a sickness. They describe how "And when they all were seated, / A Service, like a Drum - / Kept beating - beating - till I thought / My Mind was going numb." The use of the word "Service" suggests that the act of writing poetry is a kind of religious or spiritual experience, and the comparison to a drum creates a sense of rhythm and repetition that is reminiscent of the creative process. The line "My Mind was going numb" suggests that the speaker is so consumed by their creative work that they are losing touch with reality.
The fourth stanza continues this theme, with the speaker describing how "And then I heard them lift a Box / And creak across my Soul / With those same Boots of Lead, again, / Then Space - began to toll." The use of the word "Box" suggests that the speaker is being buried or entombed, and the phrase "Boots of Lead" creates a sense of heaviness and weight that mirrors the way that creative work can sometimes feel like a burden. The final line, "Then Space - began to toll," suggests that the speaker is experiencing a kind of existential crisis, as they grapple with the enormity of the creative task before them.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker describing how "As all the Heavens were a Bell, / And Being, but an Ear, / And I, and Silence, some strange Race, / Wrecked, solitary, here." The use of the word "Bell" creates a sense of grandeur and majesty, while the phrase "Being, but an Ear" suggests that the speaker is attuned to the world around them in a way that others are not. The final line, "Wrecked, solitary, here," suggests that the creative process can be a lonely and isolating experience, as the artist struggles to give shape and form to their ideas.
Overall, Poetry As One does Sickness is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the nature of creativity and the toll it can take on the artist. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, it captures the sense of struggle and isolation that can accompany the creative process, while also celebrating the beauty and majesty of the artistic endeavor. As such, it remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.
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