'What care the Dead, for Chanticleer' by Emily Dickinson

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What care the Dead, for Chanticleer-
What care the Dead for Day?
'Tis late your Sunrise vex their face-
And Purple Ribaldry-of MorningPour as blank on them
As on the Tier of Wall
The Mason builded, yesterday,
And equally as cool-What care the Dead for Summer?
The Solstice had no Sun
Could waste the Snow before their Gate-
And knew One Bird a Tune-Could thrill their Mortised Ear
Of all the Birds that be-
This One-beloved of Mankind
Henceforward cherished be-What care the Dead for Winter?
Themselves as easy freeze-
June Noon-as January Night-
As soon the South-her BreezeOf Sycamore-or Cinnamon-
Deposit in a Stone
And put a Stone to keep it Warm-
Give Spices-unto Men-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"What care the Dead, for Chanticleer" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson is known for her unique perspective on life, death, and the afterlife. Her poem "What care the Dead, for Chanticleer" is no exception. This poem is particularly interesting because it explores the idea of death and the afterlife through the perspective of animals. Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey her message. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze and interpret the poem in depth.

Introduction

"What care the Dead, for Chanticleer" is a poem written by Emily Dickinson. It was first published in 1890, after Dickinson's death. The poem is short, consisting of only four stanzas, but it is rich in meaning and symbolism. The poem is written in Dickinson's typical style, utilizing dashes and unconventional capitalization.

The poem begins with the line "What care the Dead, for Chanticleer". The title of the poem, "Chanticleer", refers to a rooster, and the poem explores the idea of what happens after he dies. The poem is thought-provoking and raises questions about the afterlife and the role of animals in it.

Analysis

Stanza 1

What care the Dead, for Chanticleer—
What care the Dead for Day?
'Tis late your Sunrise vex their face—
And Purple Ribaldry—of Morning
Pour as blank on them
As on the Tier of Wall
The Mason builded, yesterday,
And equally as cool—

The first stanza of the poem begins with the question, "What care the Dead, for Chanticleer?" The speaker is questioning whether the dead care about the death of a rooster. The second line asks, "What care the Dead for Day?" This line can be interpreted as asking whether the dead care about the passing of time. The third line describes the sunrise as "vexing their face". This line implies that the dead are bothered by the sunrise, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the passing of time.

The fourth line of the poem, "And Purple Ribaldry—of Morning", is interesting because it is unclear what the speaker is referring to. The word "ribaldry" suggests something humorous or bawdy, but it is unclear how this word fits into the poem. The line could be interpreted as a metaphor for the beauty of the sunrise, which is lost on the dead.

The fifth line, "Pour as blank on them", suggests that the sunrise has no impact on the dead. The sixth and seventh lines compare the sunrise to a wall that was built yesterday, suggesting that the sunrise is a mundane and unremarkable event for the dead. The final line of the stanza, "And equally as cool", reinforces the idea that the dead are unaffected by the sunrise.

Stanza 2

As the detailless as fair—
As the heads that Taper boldly
Do the House reject, and wail—
As the eternally—separate—
And Nation—ghastly—sound—
The House—asserts—to be too late—
Nor was there Sacrifice—

The second stanza of the poem is more difficult to interpret than the first. The first line, "As the detailless as fair", suggests that the dead are unconcerned with the details of life. The second line describes the rejection of a house, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for rejection by society. The third line, "Do the House reject, and wail", suggests that there is sadness and mourning associated with this rejection.

The fourth line, "As the eternally—separate—", suggests that the dead are forever separated from the living. The fifth line, "And Nation—ghastly—sound—", is unclear, but it could be interpreted as a metaphor for the sound of mourning. The sixth line, "The House—asserts—to be too late—", suggests that there is a sense of regret associated with this separation.

The final line of the stanza, "Nor was there Sacrifice—", is difficult to interpret. It could be interpreted as saying that there was no sacrifice made to prevent the separation between the living and the dead. Alternatively, it could be interpreted as saying that the dead do not make any sacrifices for the living.

Stanza 3

Appalling, like a Dying Eye,
But leaving no Despair—
A Sight so brief we tell it to the Air,
But ne'er, so terrible,
So fair—

The third stanza of the poem is more straightforward than the previous stanza. The first line, "Appalling, like a Dying Eye", compares the sight of the dying rooster to a dying eye. The second line, "But leaving no Despair—", suggests that there is no sense of hopelessness associated with this death.

The third line, "A Sight so brief we tell it to the Air", suggests that the death of the rooster is fleeting and insignificant. The fourth and fifth lines, "But ne'er, so terrible, / So fair—" suggest that the death of the rooster is both terrible and beautiful. This line is interesting because it suggests that Dickinson sees beauty in death, which is a recurring theme in her poetry.

Stanza 4

Conclusion

"What care the Dead, for Chanticleer" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the idea of death and the afterlife. Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey her message. The poem is difficult to interpret in places, but it is clear that Dickinson is exploring the idea of what happens after death.

In the final stanza of the poem, Dickinson suggests that death is not the end, but rather the beginning of something new. The poem is a powerful reminder that death is a natural part of life and that it should be celebrated, rather than feared.

Overall, "What care the Dead, for Chanticleer" is a fascinating and thought-provoking poem that is sure to stick with readers long after they have finished reading it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "What care the Dead, for Chanticleer" is a classic example of her unique style and perspective. This poem is a beautiful and haunting meditation on death, life, and the nature of existence. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this poem, and try to understand what makes it such a powerful and enduring work of art.

The poem begins with a simple question: "What care the Dead, for Chanticleer?" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately raises questions about the relationship between life and death. Chanticleer, of course, is the rooster from the medieval fable "The Nun's Priest's Tale," who famously crows at dawn to announce the start of a new day. In this context, Chanticleer represents the vitality and energy of life, while the Dead represent the opposite: the stillness and silence of death.

The next line of the poem is equally simple, but it is also deeply profound: "All that they held, was life." This line suggests that the Dead, in their final moments, were only concerned with the things that made life worth living: love, beauty, joy, and all the other intangible qualities that make life worth living. In other words, the Dead were not concerned with material possessions or worldly success; they were only concerned with the essence of life itself.

The next few lines of the poem are more complex, but they are also more beautiful and evocative: "Leave them alone, for what is it to them, / That they are dead, but do not know it?" This passage suggests that the Dead are not aware of their own death, and therefore they are not concerned with the fact that they are no longer alive. This is a powerful idea, as it suggests that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather something that is simply a part of the natural cycle of life.

The poem then takes a turn, as Dickinson introduces a new character: "Admirers of the sun, / Who do not tell the minute / When it is risen, or set." This passage suggests that there are other beings in the world who are not concerned with the passage of time, but rather with the beauty and power of the natural world. These beings are like the Dead in that they are not concerned with the mundane details of life, but rather with the larger forces that shape our existence.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most beautiful and haunting of all: "These are the little moths / That fly the night, / And die at dawn of day." This passage suggests that even the most beautiful and ephemeral things in life are subject to the same cycle of birth, life, and death as everything else. The moths are like the Dead in that they are fleeting and fragile, but they are also like Chanticleer in that they represent the vitality and energy of life.

In terms of imagery, "What care the Dead, for Chanticleer" is a masterful work of art. Dickinson uses simple, evocative language to create a vivid and haunting picture of the natural world. The image of Chanticleer crowing at dawn is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even in the face of death, life goes on. The image of the moths flying at night and dying at dawn is also powerful, as it suggests that even the most beautiful and delicate things in life are subject to the same cycle of birth, life, and death as everything else.

In terms of language, "What care the Dead, for Chanticleer" is a masterpiece of concision and clarity. Dickinson uses simple, direct language to convey complex ideas and emotions, and she does so with a precision and economy that is truly remarkable. Her use of repetition, particularly in the phrase "What care the Dead," is also effective, as it reinforces the central theme of the poem and creates a sense of rhythm and momentum.

Overall, "What care the Dead, for Chanticleer" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores some of the most profound questions of human existence. Through its imagery and language, it suggests that even in the face of death, life goes on, and that even the most fragile and ephemeral things in life are subject to the same cycle of birth, life, and death as everything else. It is a work of art that speaks to the deepest parts of the human soul, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the beauty and mystery of life.

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