'It tossed-and tossed' by Emily Dickinson
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It tossed-and tossed-
A little Brig I knew-o'ertook by Blast-
It spun-and spun-
And groped delirious, for Morn-It slipped-and slipped-
As One that drunken-stept-
Its white foot tripped-
Then dropped from sight-Ah, Brig-Good Night
To Crew and You-
The Ocean's Heart too smooth-too Blue-
To break for You-
Editor 1 Interpretation
It Tossed and Tossed: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation by Emily Dickinson
Are you a fan of poetry? Do you love exploring the depth and meaning behind every word, every line, every verse? If so, then you're in for a treat as we delve into the world of Emily Dickinson and her famous poem "It Tossed and Tossed."
At first glance, the poem may seem like a simple description of a stormy night, but upon closer inspection, it reveals a deeper message about the human condition and our struggles in life. Let's take a closer look at each stanza and see what Dickinson is trying to convey.
First Stanza:
It tossed and tossed,-- A little brig I knew, O'ertook by blast, It spun and spun, And groped delirious, for morn.
In the first stanza, we are introduced to the storm and a little brig that is caught in it. The repetition of the words "tossed and tossed" creates a sense of chaos and instability, mirroring the turmoil in the sea. The use of the word "delirious" suggests that the ship is struggling to stay afloat, and the reference to "morn" implies that hope is on the horizon.
However, the line "O'ertook by blast" could also be interpreted as a metaphor for life's challenges. Sometimes we are caught off guard by unexpected events that toss us around and leave us feeling lost and disoriented. We may struggle to find our way back to solid ground, just as the little brig is struggling to stay afloat.
Second Stanza:
Men deemed it odd, To hear it in a place So many leagues from land; Or sinking, 't was upheld By stout and gallant hand.
The second stanza introduces the perspective of other people who are observing the storm from a distance. The use of the word "odd" suggests that they are surprised to hear the commotion of the storm so far away from land. This could be seen as a reflection of how we often distance ourselves from the struggles of others, seeing them as foreign or irrelevant to our own lives.
However, the line "or sinking, 't was upheld by stout and gallant hand" suggests that there are those who are willing to brave the storm and face the challenges head-on. They are the ones who keep us afloat when we are sinking, who provide us with support and guidance when we are lost.
Third Stanza:
'T is a brave little craft, To be fellowless at sea! Alone -- in a night To be in port, Is such a detriment.
The third stanza shifts the focus back to the little brig and highlights the bravery of the ship for facing the storm alone. The use of the word "fellowless" suggests that the ship is isolated and vulnerable, yet it still manages to stay afloat despite the odds. This could be seen as a metaphor for how we often feel when we are facing challenges in life, as if we are all alone in a vast and unpredictable sea.
The line "To be in port, is such a detriment" suggests that sometimes staying in one place and avoiding risks can be more harmful than facing the storm head-on. It is through facing our fears and taking risks that we grow and learn.
Fourth Stanza:
Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most famous and well-known. Dickinson introduces the concept of hope as a bird with feathers that perches in the soul. The use of the word "soul" suggests that hope is a deep and fundamental aspect of our being, something that cannot be easily removed or extinguished.
The line "And sweetest in the gale is heard" suggests that hope is most powerful when we are facing the storm, when things are at their worst. It is during these times that hope can provide us with the strength and courage to keep going, to keep pushing forward despite the odds.
The final two lines of the poem "And sore must be the storm / That could abash the little bird / That kept so many warm" suggest that even the most difficult of storms cannot destroy hope. It is a resilient and powerful force that can keep us warm and comforted even in the darkest of times.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, "It Tossed and Tossed" by Emily Dickinson is a powerful poem that explores the themes of struggle, bravery, and hope. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Dickinson creates a sense of chaos and instability that is mirrored in the struggles of the little brig.
Yet, despite the challenges and obstacles faced by the ship, there is always hope. It is a powerful force that can keep us afloat even in the most difficult of storms. This message is particularly relevant to our lives today, as we face the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
So, the next time you find yourself tossed and turned by the storms of life, remember the little brig and the resilient bird of hope that never stops singing.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry enthusiasts and literary scholars alike have long been captivated by the works of Emily Dickinson, and one of her most intriguing poems is "It tossed-and tossed." This poem is a prime example of Dickinson's unique style, which often features unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in "It tossed-and tossed," and examine how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning.
Firstly, let's take a closer look at the poem's structure. "It tossed-and tossed" is a short poem, consisting of only two stanzas, each with two lines. The poem's brevity is a hallmark of Dickinson's style, as she often used concise language to convey complex ideas. The poem's title, "It tossed-and tossed," is also significant, as it sets the tone for the entire piece. The repetition of the word "tossed" creates a sense of motion and instability, which is echoed throughout the poem.
Moving on to the poem's themes, "It tossed-and tossed" explores the idea of uncertainty and the search for meaning in life. The poem's opening line, "It tossed-and tossed-a little Brig," sets the scene for a ship at sea, struggling against the waves. This image of a ship in turmoil is a metaphor for the human experience, as we navigate the unpredictable waters of life. The ship's movement is also symbolic of the search for purpose and direction, as we are constantly tossed about by the currents of fate.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme, with the lines "The Winds that touched her Topmast / Were so impertinent." Here, Dickinson is commenting on the forces that shape our lives, and how they can often feel intrusive and unwelcome. The "Winds" represent the external pressures and expectations that we face, which can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate. The use of the word "impertinent" is particularly striking, as it suggests a sense of disrespect or disregard for the ship's journey. This mirrors the way that society can often dismiss or belittle our personal struggles and aspirations.
In addition to its themes, "It tossed-and tossed" also features several literary devices that contribute to its meaning. One of the most notable is Dickinson's use of punctuation, which is often unconventional and adds a unique rhythm to the poem. For example, the dash in the poem's title creates a sense of pause and anticipation, while the commas in the second stanza create a sense of breathlessness and urgency.
Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor, which is employed to great effect in the image of the ship at sea. The ship represents the human experience, with its struggles and uncertainties, while the "Winds" symbolize the external forces that shape our lives. This metaphor is particularly effective because it is both relatable and evocative, capturing the sense of being adrift in a vast and unpredictable world.
Finally, it is worth noting the poem's use of language, which is both simple and powerful. Dickinson's choice of words is often sparse, but each one carries a great deal of weight. For example, the use of the word "impertinent" in the second stanza is particularly effective, as it conveys a sense of disrespect and disregard that is both subtle and impactful.
In conclusion, "It tossed-and tossed" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of uncertainty and the search for meaning in life. Through its use of metaphor, unconventional punctuation, and powerful language, the poem captures the sense of being adrift in a vast and unpredictable world. As with much of Emily Dickinson's work, "It tossed-and tossed" is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience in a few short lines.
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