'Suspense-is Hostiler than Death' by Emily Dickinson

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

Suspense-is Hostiler than Death-
Death-tho'soever Broad,
Is Just Death, and cannot increase-
Suspense-does not conclude-But perishes-to live anew-
But just anew to die-
Annihilation-plated fresh
With Immortality-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Suspense-is Hostiler than Death: A Literary Criticism

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her works are known for their unique style, vivid imagery, and deep philosophical musings. One of her most famous poems, "Suspense-is Hostiler than Death," is a prime example of her literary genius. In this literary criticism, we will explore the meaning behind this poem, its literary devices, and its relevance to our lives.

The Poem

The poem "Suspense-is Hostiler than Death" consists of three stanzas, each with two lines. Here is the poem in its entirety:

Suspense-is Hostiler than Death- Death-tho'soever Broad, Is Just Death, and cannot increase- Suspense-does not conclude-

But perishes-to live anew- But just anew to die- Annihilation-plated fresh Among the Ruby-finite,

Misery's Heir-his dross to thee Infinity-a-flawless gem Markets-are not of guessing Jewels-are not of giving-

The poem is written in Dickinson's typical style, with unconventional capitalization, punctuation, and phrasing. The poem's form is interesting, with each stanza consisting of two lines, which are separated by a dash in the first stanza and a hyphen in the second and third stanzas. The poem's title, "Suspense-is Hostiler than Death," is also intriguing, as it sets the tone for the poem's theme.

Themes and Interpretation

The theme of the poem is suspense, which Dickinson portrays as an enemy that is more hostile than death. The poem is a commentary on the human condition – our fear of the unknown, our obsession with mortality, and our struggle to find meaning in life. Dickinson suggests that suspense is more dangerous than death because it is unpredictable and indefinite. Death, on the other hand, is final and certain.

The poem's first stanza establishes the contrast between suspense and death. Dickinson writes, "Suspense-is Hostiler than Death- / Death-tho'soever Broad, / Is Just Death, and cannot increase- / Suspense-does not conclude-." Here, Dickinson suggests that while death may be broad and all-encompassing, it is also just and cannot increase. Suspense, on the other hand, is hostile and does not conclude. This creates a sense of unease and uncertainty, which is further explored in the second stanza.

The second stanza of the poem explores the consequences of suspense. Dickinson writes, "But perishes-to live anew- / But just anew to die- / Annihilation-plated fresh / Among the Ruby-finite," suggesting that suspense is a form of annihilation that creates a cycle of birth and death. Suspense leads to a perpetual state of anxiety, which eventually results in a form of spiritual death. This is reinforced by the imagery of the "Ruby-finite," which represents the infinity of misery and despair.

The final stanza of the poem explores the idea of infinity and the futility of human endeavor. Dickinson writes, "Misery's Heir-his dross to thee / Infinity-a flawless gem / Markets-are not of guessing / Jewels-are not of giving-," suggesting that our lives are insignificant in the face of infinity. The "flawless gem" represents the infinite, while the "misery's heir" represents humanity's futile attempts to find meaning in a world that is ultimately meaningless. The final two lines of the poem suggest that it is futile to try to understand the workings of the universe because the universe is beyond human comprehension.

Literary Devices

Dickinson is known for her use of literary devices, and "Suspense-is Hostiler than Death" is no exception. Here are some of the literary devices used in the poem:

• Apostrophe: The poem uses apostrophe, which is when the speaker addresses an imaginary or absent person or object. In this case, the speaker addresses suspense and death as if they are living beings.

• Enjambment: The poem uses enjambment, which is when a sentence or phrase runs over into the next line without punctuation. This creates a sense of flow and continuity in the poem.

• Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to create a sense of unease and uncertainty. The imagery of the "Ruby-finite" and the "flawless gem" reinforces the themes of infinity and futility.

• Metaphor: The poem uses metaphor to compare suspense to death. The metaphor of suspense as an enemy that is more hostile than death creates a sense of tension and unease.

• Paradox: The poem uses paradox, which is a statement that seems to contradict itself but may be true in a deeper sense. The paradox of "perishing to live anew" and "annihilation-plated fresh" reinforces the idea that suspense leads to a spiritual death.

Relevance to Our Lives

Although "Suspense-is Hostiler than Death" was written over a century ago, its themes and messages are still relevant today. In our modern world, we are constantly bombarded with information, both good and bad. We live in a society that is obsessed with mortality, yet we often fail to appreciate the beauty and significance of life.

Dickinson's poem is a reminder that suspense and anxiety can be more harmful than death itself. We often spend too much time worrying about the unknown, instead of embracing the present moment. The poem encourages us to live in the present and not to be consumed by the fear of the unknown.

The poem's final stanza is also a reminder of the futility of human endeavor. We often try to find meaning in our lives, yet we are ultimately insignificant in the face of infinity. However, this does not mean that our lives are meaningless. Rather, it encourages us to appreciate the beauty and significance of our lives, despite their fleeting nature.

Conclusion

In "Suspense-is Hostiler than Death," Emily Dickinson uses vivid imagery, literary devices, and unconventional phrasing to explore the themes of suspense, mortality, and the futility of human endeavor. The poem is a timeless reminder of the dangers of anxiety and the importance of living in the present. It is a celebration of life, despite its impermanence, and a call to appreciate the beauty and significance of our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of all time, was a master of this craft. Her poem "Suspense-is Hostiler than Death" is a prime example of her ability to create suspense and tension through her words.

The poem begins with the line "Suspense-is Hostiler than Death," immediately setting the tone for what is to come. The word "hostiler" is particularly striking, as it suggests a sense of aggression and hostility. This sets the stage for a poem that is not only suspenseful but also potentially dangerous.

The next line, "Death's half-parted lips are kind," is a stark contrast to the first. It suggests that death is not something to be feared, but rather something that is peaceful and gentle. This contrast between the hostility of suspense and the kindness of death creates a sense of unease in the reader. It is as if the poem is warning us that the unknown is always more frightening than the known.

The third line, "And valor-Perished from the field-" adds to this sense of unease. The word "valor" suggests bravery and courage, but the fact that it has perished from the field suggests that there is something dangerous and deadly lurking there. The use of the word "field" also adds to this sense of danger, as it suggests a battlefield where soldiers have fallen.

The fourth line, "The first-unkindness that we know-" is particularly powerful. It suggests that suspense is the first unkindness that we experience in life. This is a profound statement, as it suggests that suspense is not just a feeling, but a fundamental part of the human experience. It is something that we all must face at some point in our lives.

The fifth line, "Doth smite the spirit-" is equally powerful. It suggests that suspense is not just a mental state, but something that physically affects us. The word "smite" suggests a violent blow, and the fact that it is directed at the spirit suggests that it is something that strikes at the very core of our being.

The sixth line, "With a pain-that chokes," is perhaps the most visceral of all. It suggests that suspense is not just uncomfortable, but something that is physically painful. The word "chokes" suggests a constriction of the throat, as if the very act of suspense is suffocating us.

The final two lines of the poem, "And courage-films the soul-" and "The waiting-drips with dread-" bring the poem to a powerful conclusion. The first line suggests that courage is what allows us to face the suspense that we encounter in life. It is what gives us the strength to endure the pain and discomfort that comes with not knowing what will happen next.

The second line, "The waiting-drips with dread," is a haunting image. It suggests that the waiting itself is something that is filled with dread. It is not just the outcome that we fear, but the very act of waiting for it to happen.

Overall, "Suspense-is Hostiler than Death" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of suspense and the fear of the unknown. Emily Dickinson's use of language is masterful, creating a sense of tension and unease that is palpable. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience and reminds us that, no matter how brave we may be, there is always something that can strike fear into our hearts.

Editor Recommended Sites

Low Code Place: Low code and no code best practice, tooling and recommendations
Crypto Rank - Top Ranking crypto alt coins measured on a rate of change basis: Find the best coins for this next alt season
Knowledge Graph Consulting: Consulting in DFW for Knowledge graphs, taxonomy and reasoning systems
Developer Painpoints: Common issues when using a particular cloud tool, programming language or framework
Graphdb Taxonomy: Graph Database Taxonomy and Ontology Management

Recommended Similar Analysis

Choices by Carl Sandburg analysis
The Fly by William Blake analysis
my sweet old etcetera... (X) by e.e. cummings analysis
Alphonso Of Castile by Ralph Waldo Emerson analysis
Song by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Lancelot And Elaine by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysis
A City's Death By Fire by Derek Walcott analysis
France : An Ode by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
A Song For St. Cecilia's Day, 1687 by John Dryden analysis
Stanzas Written On The Road Between Florence And Pisa by Lord Byron analysis