''Tis good-the looking back on Grief' by Emily Dickinson
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'Tis good-the looking back on Grief-
To re-endure a Day-
We thought the Mighty Funeral-
Of All Conceived Joy-To recollect how Busy Grass
Did meddle-one by one-
Till all the Grief with Summer-waved
And none could see the stone.And though the Woe you have Today
Be larger-As the Sea
Exceeds its Unremembered Drop-
They're Water-equally-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Tis' good - the looking back on Grief" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned American poets of all time, and her works are still studied and analyzed in literature classrooms across the globe. One of her most poignant poems is "Tis' good - the looking back on Grief," which explores the idea that looking back on painful experiences can be cathartic and even necessary.
In this literary criticism, we will take a closer look at Dickinson's poem, analyzing its themes, symbols, and literary devices. By the end of our discussion, we will have a deeper understanding of what Dickinson was trying to convey in "Tis' good - the looking back on Grief" and how it fits into her larger body of work.
Summary of the Poem
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the poem, let's take a moment to summarize what it's about. "Tis' good - the looking back on Grief" is a short but powerful poem that explores the idea that revisiting painful memories can be a healing experience. The speaker begins by acknowledging that grief is a difficult emotion to bear, but then goes on to suggest that looking back on that grief can provide a sense of closure and peace.
The poem is broken up into three stanzas, each containing four lines. In the first stanza, the speaker sets the tone by saying "Tis' good - the looking back on Grief - / To re-endure a Day - / We thought the Mighty Funeral - / Were all our own." In these lines, she suggests that it's valuable to revisit a painful experience to gain a new perspective on it.
The second stanza expands on this idea, saying "To recollect how we - / Beheld the Feat - the Day - / Emily Dickinson - / Passed - our life away -" Here, the speaker is referring to the death of someone named Emily Dickinson (presumably the poet herself, using the third person). By revisiting this event, the speaker can gain a better understanding of what happened and perhaps find some peace in the process.
The final stanza concludes with the lines "To lose - if One can find again - / To miss - if One shall meet - / The Burglar cannot rob - then - / The Broker cannot cheat." Here, the speaker is saying that even though revisiting grief can be painful, it's ultimately valuable because it allows us to reconnect with what we've lost and find closure.
Themes
Now that we have a basic understanding of the poem, let's take a closer look at its themes. One of the most prominent themes in "Tis' good - the looking back on Grief" is the idea that revisiting painful memories can be a healing experience. The speaker suggests that by re-enduring a difficult day, we can gain a new perspective on what happened and perhaps find some closure in the process.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of loss. The speaker acknowledges that losing someone or something important to us is a painful experience, but that revisiting that loss can help us find what we've lost again.
Finally, there's a theme of the power of memory in the poem. By recollecting a painful experience, the speaker is able to gain a new understanding of what happened and perhaps even find some peace in the process. This suggests that memory is a powerful tool for healing and growth.
Symbols
In addition to its themes, "Tis' good - the looking back on Grief" contains several symbols that help to deepen its meaning. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the idea of the funeral. The speaker suggests that when we're grieving, we feel like the funeral is all our own, meaning that we're the only ones who understand the depth of our pain. By revisiting that funeral, however, we can gain a new perspective on our grief and perhaps find some peace.
Another symbol in the poem is the figure of Emily Dickinson herself. By referring to her own death in the third person, the speaker is able to distance herself from the pain of that loss and examine it from a more objective perspective. This allows her to gain a deeper understanding of what happened and perhaps find some closure in the process.
Finally, there's the symbol of the burglar and the broker. The speaker suggests that by revisiting our grief, we can find something that neither a burglar nor a broker can take away from us. This symbolizes the idea that our memories and experiences are ultimately more valuable than any material possessions we might own.
Literary Devices
Like all of Dickinson's work, "Tis' good - the looking back on Grief" is full of literary devices that help to enhance its meaning. One of the most prominent devices in the poem is repetition. The phrase "To lose - if One can find again -" is repeated twice in the final stanza, emphasizing the importance of finding what we've lost and reclaiming it.
Another literary device in the poem is imagery. The description of the funeral in the first stanza creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind, emphasizing the sense of loss and pain that the speaker is feeling. Similarly, the use of the words "burglar" and "broker" in the final stanza creates a sense of contrast between the material and immaterial, highlighting the idea that our memories and experiences are ultimately more valuable than any possession.
Finally, there's the use of metaphor in the poem. The idea of revisiting a painful experience as a way of gaining a new perspective is metaphorically described as "re-enduring a Day." This metaphor helps to create a sense of the cyclical nature of grief and the idea that by revisiting a painful memory, we can gain a new understanding of it.
Conclusion
In "Tis' good - the looking back on Grief," Emily Dickinson explores the idea that revisiting painful memories can be a healing experience. Through her use of themes, symbols, and literary devices, she creates a powerful portrait of grief and loss, highlighting the importance of memory and perspective in the healing process.
As with all of Dickinson's work, there's much more to this poem than meets the eye. By taking a closer look at its themes, symbols, and literary devices, we can gain a deeper understanding of what she was trying to convey and how it fits into her larger body of work. Overall, "Tis' good - the looking back on Grief" is a powerful and moving work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
'Tis good-the looking back on Grief: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and move readers even today. Among her many masterpieces, 'Tis good-the looking back on Grief stands out as a powerful and poignant exploration of the human experience of loss and mourning. In this essay, we will delve into the themes, language, and structure of this remarkable poem, and explore why it remains such a timeless and resonant work of art.
The Themes of 'Tis good-the looking back on Grief
At its core, 'Tis good-the looking back on Grief is a meditation on the nature of grief and the process of healing. The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging the pain and sorrow that comes with loss, describing it as a "bitter-sweet" experience that is both "cold" and "warm." This duality of emotions is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as the speaker reflects on the ways in which grief can be both a source of anguish and a catalyst for growth and transformation.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which the speaker describes the process of healing from grief. Rather than suggesting that time heals all wounds, as is often the case in popular culture, Dickinson portrays healing as a deliberate and active process. The speaker describes how, over time, the pain of grief can become "a solemn thing" that is "sacred" and "holy." This transformation is not automatic, however; it requires a conscious effort on the part of the mourner to "look back" on their grief and find meaning and purpose in it.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of memory and its role in the healing process. The speaker describes how memories of the lost loved one can be both painful and comforting, and how they can help to keep the person alive in the mourner's heart. The poem suggests that it is through these memories that the mourner can find a sense of closure and acceptance, and move forward with their life.
The Language of 'Tis good-the looking back on Grief
One of the most striking aspects of Dickinson's poetry is her use of language, and 'Tis good-the looking back on Grief is no exception. The poem is written in Dickinson's characteristic style, with short lines and sparse punctuation that give it a sense of urgency and intensity. The language is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in imagery and metaphor, creating a vivid and evocative portrait of grief and healing.
One of the most powerful images in the poem is the description of grief as a "bitter-sweet" experience. This metaphor captures the complex and contradictory emotions that come with loss, and suggests that even in the midst of pain and sorrow, there can be moments of beauty and joy. The use of the word "bitter" also suggests the idea of bitterness as a medicine, a substance that can be unpleasant to taste but that can also have healing properties.
Another striking aspect of the language in the poem is the way in which Dickinson uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The phrase " 'Tis good-the looking back on Grief" is repeated several times throughout the poem, each time with a slightly different emphasis or inflection. This repetition creates a sense of continuity and progression, as the speaker moves from acknowledging the pain of grief to finding meaning and purpose in it.
The Structure of 'Tis good-the looking back on Grief
The structure of 'Tis good-the looking back on Grief is simple and straightforward, yet it is also carefully crafted to enhance the poem's themes and language. The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines, and each stanza follows a similar pattern of repetition and variation.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker acknowledging the pain and sorrow of grief. The second stanza introduces the idea of healing and transformation, and the third stanza explores the role of memory in the healing process. The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker reflecting on the importance of looking back on grief and finding meaning and purpose in it.
One of the most interesting aspects of the structure of the poem is the way in which it creates a sense of movement and progression. The repetition of the phrase " 'Tis good-the looking back on Grief" creates a sense of continuity and momentum, as the speaker moves from acknowledging the pain of grief to finding meaning and purpose in it. The final stanza, with its repetition of the phrase "And then 'tis oftentimes the brevity" creates a sense of closure and resolution, as the speaker reflects on the importance of cherishing the memories of the lost loved one.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 'Tis good-the looking back on Grief is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Through its exploration of the themes of grief, healing, memory, and transformation, the poem offers a powerful and poignant meditation on the human experience of loss and mourning. With its simple yet evocative language and carefully crafted structure, the poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human heart.
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