'They say that "Time assuages"' by Emily Dickinson

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They say that "Time assuages"-
Time never did assuage-
An actual suffering strengthens
As Sinews do, with age-Time is a Test of Trouble-
But not a Remedy-
If such it prove, it prove too
There was no Malady-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's "They say that 'Time assuages'": A deep dive into the human condition

As one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, Emily Dickinson's works are a treasure trove of insights into the human condition. Her poem "They say that 'Time assuages'" is no exception. In this 12-line poem, Dickinson explores the themes of grief, loss, and the passage of time. But beyond the surface-level interpretation lies a deeper, more complex meaning that speaks to the very essence of what it means to be human.

The poem

Before we dive into the interpretation of the poem, let's first take a look at the text itself:

They say that 'Time assuages'—
Time never did assuage—
An actual suffering strengthens
As Sinews do, with age—

Time is a Test of Trouble—
But not a Remedy—
If such it prove, it prove too
There was no Malady—

At first glance, the poem seems to be a commentary on the inadequacy of time as a means of healing from pain and suffering. The opening lines, "They say that 'Time assuages'—/ Time never did assuage—" set the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker appears to be refuting a commonly held belief that time can heal all wounds. Instead, she argues that time only serves to strengthen the pain, just as "actual suffering strengthens/ As Sinews do, with age—."

The following lines deepen this idea, with the speaker referring to time as a "Test of Trouble" rather than a remedy. Here, we see a shift in tone from the previous lines, which had a more definitive, conclusive sound to them. The speaker seems to be acknowledging that time may not be a complete waste in terms of healing, but its effectiveness as a remedy is limited. If time can heal, then there must have been no true malady to begin with.

The deeper meaning

While the poem's surface-level themes of grief and the passage of time are certainly present, there is much more going on beneath the text. To fully understand the poem's deeper meaning, we must first examine the speaker's perspective.

Throughout the poem, the speaker is positioned as someone who has experienced great suffering. The use of the word "actual" in the second line implies that the speaker has experienced pain firsthand, and her assertion that time never assuages suggests that her pain is ongoing. This perspective is further reinforced in the final two lines, where the speaker seems to question the very existence of a malady. If pain can be healed by time, then it wasn't truly a malady to begin with.

So, what does this all mean? At its core, "They say that 'Time assuages'" is a poem about the human experience of suffering. The speaker is arguing that pain and grief are not things that can simply be "assuaged" by the passage of time. Instead, they are integral parts of the human experience that cannot be fully erased or healed. This is a powerful statement, and one that speaks to the very essence of what it means to be human.

The power of language

One of the most striking things about Dickinson's poetry is her use of language. In "They say that 'Time assuages'," she employs a number of rhetorical devices that add to the poem's depth and meaning.

One such device is repetition. The repeated use of the word "time" throughout the poem serves to emphasize its importance as a theme. Similarly, the repetition of the word "prove" in the final two lines emphasizes the speaker's uncertainty about the effectiveness of time as a remedy.

Another device used by Dickinson is metaphor. The comparison of suffering to sinews in the second line is a powerful one, as it suggests that pain is something that can grow stronger and more resilient with time. This metaphor is further deepened by the use of "actual", which implies that the speaker's pain is not metaphorical but real and tangible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "They say that 'Time assuages'" is a powerful exploration of the human experience of suffering. Through her use of language and metaphor, Dickinson creates a poem that is both complex and deeply meaningful. The speaker's position as someone who has experienced great pain gives her words a weight and authority that cannot be ignored.

But perhaps the most striking thing about the poem is its message. By arguing that pain and grief cannot be fully assuaged by time, Dickinson is acknowledging the fundamental truths of the human experience. We will all experience pain and loss at some point in our lives, but it is how we deal with that pain that defines us. For Dickinson, it is not the passage of time that heals us, but rather the strength and resilience we gain from experiencing and surviving that pain.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions and thoughts that are difficult to articulate in any other way. Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, was a master at capturing the complexities of human emotions in her work. In her poem "They say that 'Time assuages'," Dickinson explores the theme of grief and the passage of time. This poem is a beautiful example of how Dickinson's poetry can evoke powerful emotions and leave a lasting impact on the reader.

The poem begins with the line "They say that 'Time assuages'," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "they" suggests that the speaker is referring to a group of people who have experienced grief and are offering advice to others who are going through a similar experience. The word "assuages" means to make less intense or severe, which suggests that the speaker is talking about the healing power of time.

The second line of the poem reads, "Time never did assuage". This line immediately contradicts the first line and sets up a sense of tension in the poem. The use of the word "never" suggests that the speaker has a different perspective on the healing power of time than the group of people mentioned in the first line. This line also suggests that the speaker has experienced grief and has not found that time has lessened the intensity of their emotions.

The third line of the poem reads, "An actual suffering strengthens". This line is a powerful statement about the nature of grief. The use of the word "actual" suggests that the speaker is referring to a physical or tangible form of suffering. The word "strengthens" suggests that the speaker believes that grief can make a person stronger. This line is a reminder that grief is not something to be avoided or ignored, but rather something to be experienced and embraced.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "As sinews do, with age". This line is a metaphor comparing the strengthening of grief to the strengthening of sinews with age. Sinews are the tough, fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones. As we age, our sinews become stronger and more resilient. The use of this metaphor suggests that grief can also become stronger and more resilient with time.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Time is a test of trouble". This line is a powerful statement about the nature of time. The use of the word "test" suggests that time is a challenge that we must face when we are experiencing trouble. This line also suggests that time can be a teacher, helping us to learn and grow from our experiences.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "But not a remedy". This line is a reminder that time is not a cure for grief. The use of the word "remedy" suggests that the speaker believes that grief cannot be cured, but rather must be experienced and processed over time.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "If such it prove, it prove too". This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it seems to suggest that if time does prove to be a remedy for grief, then that is also okay. The use of the word "prove" suggests that the speaker is open to the possibility that time could be a remedy for grief, but is not convinced that it is.

The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "That remedy be null". This line is a powerful statement about the nature of grief and the limitations of time. The use of the word "null" suggests that the speaker believes that time cannot completely heal the wounds of grief. This line is a reminder that grief is a complex and multifaceted emotion that cannot be easily resolved.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "They say that 'Time assuages'" is a powerful exploration of the theme of grief and the passage of time. Through her use of metaphor and powerful language, Dickinson captures the complexities of human emotions and leaves a lasting impact on the reader. This poem is a beautiful example of how poetry can be used to express emotions and thoughts that are difficult to articulate in any other way.

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