'Bereaved of all, I went abroad' by Emily Dickinson
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Bereaved of all, I went abroad-
No less bereaved was I
Upon a New Peninsula-
The Grave preceded me-Obtained my Lodgings, ere myself-
And when I sought my Bed-
The Grave it was reposed upon
The Pillow for my Head-I waked to find it first awake-
I rose-It followed me-
I tried to drop it in the Crowd-
To lose it in the Sea-In Cups of artificial Drowse
To steep its shape away-
The Grave-was finished-but the Spade
Remained in Memory-
Editor 1 Interpretation
Bereaved of All, I Went Abroad: An In-Depth Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works, which were mostly written during the 19th century, have gained a reputation for their unique style, unconventional themes, and elusive meanings. One of her most poignant and enigmatic poems is "Bereaved of All, I Went Abroad." In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem.
The Poem
Bereaved of all, I went abroad, No less bereaved was I Upon a New Peninsula— The Grave preceded me— Obtained my lodgings ere myself— And when I sought my bed— The Grave it was reposing made— The pillow for my head—
I waked, to find it first awake— I rose—It followed me— I tried to drop it in the crowd— To lose it in the sea— In cups of artificial drowse To sleep its shape away— The Grave—was finished—But the Spade Remained in Memory—
Analysis:
The poem begins with the speaker stating that she went abroad after being bereaved of all. The word "all" is significant because it suggests that the speaker has lost everything that was important to her. The use of the word "bereaved" also implies that the speaker has experienced a profound loss. The fact that the speaker went abroad after this loss suggests that she is seeking some sort of solace or escape. However, the second line of the poem suggests that the speaker was no less bereaved when she arrived at her destination. The use of repetition here emphasizes the sense of loss and grief that the speaker is experiencing.
The third line of the poem introduces the idea of the grave. The fact that the grave "preceded" the speaker suggests that death was a significant factor in her loss. The use of the word "peninsula" is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is isolated and cut off from the rest of the world. The idea of being cut off from the world is further emphasized in the fourth line of the poem, where the speaker states that the grave obtained her lodgings before she did.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem describe the speaker's first encounter with the grave. The fact that the grave is "reposing made" suggests that it has a sense of agency or intentionality. The use of the word "reposing" also suggests that the grave is at peace, whereas the speaker is not. The idea of the grave being the "pillow for my head" is significant because it implies that death is a comfort to the speaker.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem describe the speaker's attempt to escape from the grave. The fact that the grave "followed" the speaker suggests that it is a persistent presence in her life. The use of the word "drop" suggests that the speaker is trying to rid herself of the grave, as if it were a physical object. The fact that the speaker tries to lose the grave in the sea suggests that she is seeking some sort of cleansing or renewal. The use of the word "artificial" in the ninth line of the poem suggests that the speaker is trying to numb herself to the pain of her loss.
The final two lines of the poem describe the speaker's realization that the grave is a permanent presence in her memory. The use of the word "finished" suggests that the grave has completed its work, which is to remind the speaker of her loss. The fact that the spade remains in memory suggests that the speaker will never be able to forget the pain of her loss.
Interpretation
"Bereaved of All, I Went Abroad" is a complex and multi-layered poem that deals with themes of loss, grief, and mortality. The poem can be read as a metaphor for the human experience of death and the struggle to come to terms with it. The poem suggests that death is a persistent and inescapable presence in our lives, and that it is something that we can never truly escape from.
The fact that the poem is written in the first person suggests that it is a personal reflection on the part of the speaker. It is possible that the speaker is Emily Dickinson herself, and that the poem is a reflection on her own experiences of loss and grief. The fact that the poem is so personal and introspective makes it all the more powerful.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The repetition of the word "bereaved" emphasizes the sense of loss and grief that the speaker is experiencing. The repetition of the word "grave" reinforces the idea that death is a constant presence in the speaker's life. The repetition of the phrase "I went abroad" suggests that the speaker is trying to escape from her pain, but that she is ultimately unsuccessful.
The fact that the grave "preceded" the speaker suggests that death is something that we cannot escape from, no matter how hard we try. The fact that the speaker tries to lose the grave in the sea suggests that she is seeking some sort of renewal or rebirth, but that this is ultimately futile. The fact that the grave is a "pillow for my head" suggests that death is a comfort to the speaker, but that it is also a source of pain.
The final two lines of the poem suggest that the speaker has come to accept the fact that the grave is a permanent presence in her life. The fact that the spade remains in memory suggests that the pain of loss is something that we can never truly forget. The fact that the poem ends on this note of acceptance suggests that the speaker has come to terms with her loss, but that it is still a source of pain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Bereaved of All, I Went Abroad" is a powerful and evocative poem that deals with themes of loss, grief, and mortality. The poem can be read as a metaphor for the human experience of death and the struggle to come to terms with it. The poem's use of repetition, metaphor, and introspection makes it a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and vision.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Bereaved of all, I went abroad" is a masterpiece that showcases her unique style and poetic genius. In this poem, Dickinson explores the themes of loss, grief, and the search for meaning in a world that can often seem cruel and indifferent.
The poem begins with the speaker stating that they have been "bereaved of all," suggesting that they have experienced a profound loss or tragedy that has left them feeling empty and alone. The use of the word "bereaved" is significant, as it implies a sense of mourning and grief that is often associated with death or other forms of loss.
Despite their pain, the speaker decides to "go abroad," suggesting that they are seeking some kind of escape or solace from their troubles. This could be interpreted as a physical journey, but it could also be seen as a metaphorical journey of self-discovery and healing.
As the poem continues, the speaker describes the world around them in vivid detail, painting a picture of a natural landscape that is both beautiful and indifferent to their suffering. They describe the "purple host" of flowers that bloom in the fields, the "distant hills" that rise up in the distance, and the "azure sky" that stretches out above them.
Despite the beauty of their surroundings, the speaker remains haunted by their grief, and they describe themselves as a "stranger" in this world. This sense of alienation and disconnection is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it reflects her own struggles with mental illness and social isolation.
As the poem reaches its conclusion, the speaker reflects on the nature of their grief and the search for meaning in a world that can often seem meaningless. They describe their pain as a "thorn" that has pierced their heart, and they wonder if there is any purpose to their suffering.
In the final lines of the poem, the speaker suggests that they have found some kind of solace or comfort in their journey. They describe themselves as a "pilgrim" who has found a "shelter" in the natural world, and they suggest that their grief has given them a deeper appreciation for the beauty and wonder of life.
Overall, "Bereaved of all, I went abroad" is a powerful and moving poem that explores some of the most profound questions of human existence. Through her use of vivid imagery and poetic language, Emily Dickinson invites us to contemplate the nature of grief, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that can often seem cold and indifferent. Whether we are struggling with our own pain and suffering or simply seeking a deeper understanding of the human experience, this poem is a timeless reminder of the power of poetry to inspire, comfort, and heal.
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