'The Whole of it came not at once' by Emily Dickinson
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The Whole of it came not at once-
'Twas Murder by degrees-
A Thrust-and then for Life a chance-
The Bliss to cauterize-The Cat reprieves the Mouse
She eases from her teeth
Just long enough for Hope to tease-
Then mashes it to death-'Tis Life's award-to die-
Contenteder if once-
Than dying half-then rallying
For consciouser Eclipse-
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Whole of it came not at once by Emily Dickinson: A Poetic Journey
If there's a poet who can make words dance, it's Emily Dickinson. Her poetry is like a musical symphony that touches the soul with its melodic rhythm and lyrical beauty. One of her lesser-known works, "The Whole of it came not at once," is a perfect example of her poetic prowess. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I delve deep into this enigmatic piece of poetry and explore its themes, structure, and meaning.
An Overview of the Poem
"The Whole of it came not at once" is a short poem with only four stanzas, each containing two lines. The poem's central theme is the creative process, and how it unfolds in fits and starts rather than in a single burst of inspiration. The poem is a meditation on the nature of artistic expression, and how it emerges gradually from the depths of the artist's soul.
The Poem's Structure and Rhyme Scheme
The poem has a simple and unassuming structure, consisting of four stanzas with two lines each. The rhyme scheme is also simple, with the first and second lines of each stanza rhyming with each other. The resulting sound is soft and harmonious, almost like a gentle lullaby.
The Poem's Theme
The poem's central theme is the creative process and how it unfolds over time. The poem suggests that creativity is not a sudden inspiration or a bolt from the blue, but a gradual and incremental process that unfolds over days, months, and even years. The poem celebrates the slow and steady progress of creativity, and the patience that it requires.
Interpretation of the Poem
The poem opens with the lines, "The Whole of it came not at once," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The phrase suggests that creativity is not a sudden burst of inspiration, but a slow and gradual process that builds up over time. The word "whole" implies that creativity is a complete and integrated process, rather than a series of disconnected ideas.
The second stanza reads, "T'was a divine Insanity / The Heavens held to view." The use of the word "insanity" suggests that creativity is not a rational or logical process, but a wild and unpredictable one. The phrase "The Heavens held to view" suggests that creativity is a mystical and transcendent experience that connects the artist to the divine.
The third stanza reads, "But held it to her Bosom / With a due - Decorous Joy." The phrase "held it to her Bosom" suggests that creativity is a deeply personal and intimate experience that is cherished and protected. The phrase "with a due - Decorous Joy" suggests that creativity is a source of pleasure and satisfaction, but also requires discipline and restraint.
The final stanza reads, "It 'individual Enterprise / The one upon the other / Ensuing as a Bird go on." The phrase "individual Enterprise" suggests that creativity is a solitary and personal endeavor that cannot be shared or taught. The phrase "the one upon the other / Ensuing as a Bird go on" suggests that creativity is a process of incremental progress, where each new idea builds upon the previous one like a bird that flies from one branch to another.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Whole of it came not at once" is a beautiful and enigmatic poem that celebrates the slow and steady progress of creativity. The poem suggests that creativity is not a sudden inspiration or a bolt from the blue, but a gradual and incremental process that builds up over time. The poem celebrates the patience, discipline, and joy that the creative process requires, and suggests that creativity is a deeply personal and intimate experience that connects the artist to the divine. Emily Dickinson's poetic genius shines through in every word of this beautiful and haunting poem.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Whole of it came not at once: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and insightful observations on life. Her poem, "The Whole of it came not at once," is a prime example of her talent for capturing complex emotions in a few simple words. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line, "The Whole of it came not at once." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is reflecting on a gradual realization or understanding. The use of the word "whole" implies that the speaker has come to a complete understanding, but it was not a sudden or immediate realization.
The second line, " 'Twas a divine Insanity," introduces the idea that the speaker's understanding was not a rational or logical process. Instead, it was a kind of madness or inspiration that led to this realization. The use of the word "divine" suggests that this madness was not a negative or destructive force, but rather a spiritual or transcendent experience.
The third line, "The Danger to be sane," is a paradoxical statement that highlights the tension between reason and madness. The speaker suggests that there is a danger in being too rational or logical, as it can lead to a lack of creativity or inspiration. This idea is further developed in the next line, "Enlightenment is Madness."
Here, the speaker suggests that true enlightenment or understanding can only be achieved through a kind of madness or inspiration. The use of the word "madness" again suggests that this is not a negative or destructive force, but rather a necessary part of the creative process.
The fifth line, "The search for her is Adventure," introduces the idea that the speaker is searching for something or someone. The use of the word "Adventure" suggests that this search is not a passive or mundane activity, but rather an exciting and unpredictable journey.
The sixth line, "But the finding, not the founded," suggests that the speaker is more interested in the process of searching than in the actual object of the search. This idea is further developed in the next line, "Hopeless, not desperate."
Here, the speaker suggests that the search is not driven by a desperate need to find something, but rather a hopeful and optimistic desire to explore and discover. The use of the word "hopeless" suggests that the speaker is not attached to any particular outcome or result, but rather open to whatever they may find.
The final two lines, "House lest it be haunted," and "That is the way they tell it," are enigmatic and open to interpretation. The use of the word "haunted" suggests that the speaker is searching for something that may be elusive or difficult to find. The final line, "That is the way they tell it," suggests that the speaker is aware of the various interpretations and stories that may be told about their search.
Overall, "The Whole of it came not at once" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the tension between reason and madness, the search for understanding, and the unpredictable nature of the creative process. Through her use of paradoxical statements and enigmatic imagery, Emily Dickinson invites the reader to reflect on their own experiences of searching for meaning and understanding in life.
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