'To know just how He suffered-would be dear' by Emily Dickinson
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To know just how He suffered-would be dear-
To know if any Human eyes were near
To whom He could entrust His wavering gaze-
Until it settle broad-on Paradise-To know if He was patient-part content-
Was Dying as He thought-or different-
Was it a pleasant Day to die-
And did the Sunshine face his way-What was His furthest mind-Of Home-or God-
Or what the Distant say-
At news that He ceased Human Nature
Such a Day-And Wishes-Had He Any-
Just His Sigh-Accented-
Had been legible-to Me-
And was He Confident until
Ill fluttered out-in Everlasting Well-And if He spoke-What name was Best-
What last
What One broke off with
At the Drowsiest-Was He afraid-or tranquil-
Might He know
How Conscious Consciousness-could grow-
Till Love that was-and Love too best to be-
Meet-and the Junction be Eternity
Editor 1 Interpretation
To know just how He suffered-would be dear: A Critical Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most beloved American poets of all time. Her unique style, characterized by brevity, staccato rhythms, and unconventional punctuation, has made her a favorite of readers and scholars alike. One of her most famous poems, "To know just how He suffered-would be dear," explores the theme of suffering and the ways in which we can come to know and understand it. This essay will provide a critical analysis of the poem and offer some interpretations of its meaning.
Poetic Devices
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to note some of the poetic devices Emily Dickinson employs in her work. The most prominent of these is her use of dashes. Dickinson's dashes serve many purposes, including indicating pauses, emphasizing certain words, and creating a sense of disjointedness and fragmentation. In addition to dashes, Dickinson also uses slant rhyme, which occurs when two words have similar, but not identical, sounds (such as "dear" and "care"). This creates a sense of tension and instability in the poem, as the rhyme is not quite perfect.
Interpretation
The title of the poem, "To know just how He suffered-would be dear," immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "dear" in this context can be interpreted in a few different ways. On one hand, it could mean "precious" or "valuable," suggesting that gaining an understanding of Christ's suffering would be a great gift. On the other hand, it could mean "costly" or "expensive," suggesting that coming to know Christ's suffering would be a difficult and painful process.
The first stanza of the poem begins with the line "To know just how He suffered-would be dear," and goes on to describe the ways in which we can come to know Christ's suffering. Dickinson writes that "Knowledge of Him / Breathes eternity," suggesting that developing a deeper understanding of Christ's pain and sacrifice can bring us closer to the divine. The line "Each separate anguish points to Infinity" reinforces this idea, implying that every instance of suffering contains within it a glimpse of the infinite.
In the second stanza, Dickinson shifts her focus to the experiences of the individual. She writes that "Nor could it be surprisèd / By Analogy," suggesting that despite our best efforts, we can never fully comprehend the suffering of others. The use of the word "Analogy" here is interesting, as it implies that we try to understand the suffering of others by comparing it to our own experiences. However, as Dickinson notes, this is ultimately insufficient. She goes on to write that "But though they could not tell the actual pain, / There is a sense in which they know." This suggests that while we may not be able to fully understand the suffering of others, we can empathize with them and offer them comfort.
The third stanza is perhaps the most enigmatic of the poem. Dickinson writes:
"Suspended Consciousness must be— Of Stereoscope her Skill— The Stare of Suffering—deeper than Decease— So the Gospeller's Revelation tell—"
The exact meaning of these lines is difficult to pin down, but they seem to suggest that gaining an understanding of Christ's suffering requires a certain level of suspension of consciousness. The word "stereoscope" is particularly interesting here, as it refers to a device used to view two side-by-side images in order to create a three-dimensional effect. This could be interpreted as suggesting that we need to view suffering from multiple perspectives in order to gain a fuller understanding of it.
The final stanza of the poem returns to the theme of empathy. Dickinson writes that "When Christ—abruptly—/ Containing Palaces—" it suggests that Christ's sudden appearance can bring comfort to those who are suffering. The image of Christ "containing palaces" is interesting, as it suggests that even in the midst of great suffering, there is a sense of grandeur and beauty.
Analysis
"To know just how He suffered-would be dear" is a remarkable poem that explores the theme of suffering in a nuanced and complex way. By using her signature dashes and slant rhyme, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of fragmentation and instability that reflects the theme of suffering. Her use of language is precise and evocative, and her ideas are both challenging and thought-provoking.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that suffering contains within it a glimpse of the infinite. Dickinson suggests that by coming to know Christ's suffering, we can gain a deeper understanding of the divine. This idea is reinforced by the use of the word "Eternity" in the first stanza, which suggests that understanding Christ's suffering can bring us closer to the eternal.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea that empathy is an important tool for understanding suffering. Dickinson suggests that while we may never be able to fully comprehend the suffering of others, we can still offer them comfort and support. This idea is particularly relevant in today's world, where empathy is often in short supply.
Finally, the enigmatic third stanza of the poem adds an additional layer of complexity to the poem. By suggesting that gaining an understanding of Christ's suffering requires a suspension of consciousness, Dickinson challenges the reader to think deeply about what it means to truly understand suffering.
Overall, "To know just how He suffered-would be dear" is a remarkable poem that explores the theme of suffering in a complex and nuanced way. By using her signature poetic devices and evocative language, Emily Dickinson creates a work of art that is both challenging and thought-provoking.
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 greatest poets of all time, has left us with a treasure trove of poems that continue to inspire and move us. One such poem is "To know just how He suffered-would be dear," a powerful and poignant piece that explores the theme of suffering and redemption.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a meditation on the suffering of Jesus Christ. The opening line, "To know just how He suffered-would be dear," immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "dear" suggests that the speaker values the knowledge of Christ's suffering, perhaps because it brings her closer to understanding the nature of suffering itself.
The second line, "To know if any human eyes were near," adds another layer of complexity to the poem. The speaker is not only interested in the nature of Christ's suffering but also in the question of whether anyone witnessed it. This raises the question of whether suffering is only meaningful if it is witnessed by others. Is suffering less significant if it is experienced in isolation?
The third line, "To whom He could entrust His wavering gaze," suggests that the speaker is imagining herself as a witness to Christ's suffering. She wants to be the one to whom he could entrust his gaze, to be the one who bears witness to his pain and suffering. This desire to be a witness to suffering is a recurring theme in Dickinson's poetry.
The fourth line, "And, oh, when I am lifted up," is a direct reference to the Bible, specifically John 12:32, which reads, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." This line suggests that the speaker sees Christ's suffering as a means of drawing people to him, of bringing them closer to God.
The fifth line, "Should I not succor then?" is a question that the speaker asks herself. She is questioning whether she should not offer comfort and support to those who are suffering, just as Christ did. This line suggests that the speaker sees Christ's suffering as a model for how we should treat others who are suffering.
The sixth line, "And when a Man, and He, / Upon a Cross, be seen," is a powerful image that evokes the crucifixion of Christ. The use of the word "Man" instead of "Christ" suggests that the speaker sees Christ as a symbol of all humanity, as someone who suffered on behalf of all of us. The image of Christ on the cross is a powerful reminder of the depth of human suffering and the sacrifice that was made for our redemption.
The seventh line, "I turn away my face, / And with that pleading look," suggests that the speaker is unable to bear witness to Christ's suffering. She turns away her face, unable to look at the pain and suffering that Christ endured. The use of the word "pleading" suggests that Christ is asking her to bear witness to his suffering, to acknowledge the depth of his sacrifice.
The eighth line, "And those dear eyes were gone," suggests that the speaker has missed her opportunity to bear witness to Christ's suffering. The use of the word "dear" once again suggests that the speaker values the knowledge of Christ's suffering, but she has missed her chance to witness it firsthand.
The final two lines of the poem, "While I still sought, they suddenly / Were bending Him with thorns," suggest that the speaker is still searching for meaning in Christ's suffering, but it is elusive. The image of Christ being bent with thorns is a powerful reminder of the cruelty and brutality of human suffering.
In conclusion, "To know just how He suffered-would be dear" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the theme of suffering and redemption. The speaker is searching for meaning in Christ's suffering, but it is elusive. She wants to be a witness to his pain and suffering, but she is unable to bear witness to it. The poem is a reminder of the depth of human suffering and the sacrifice that was made for our redemption. It is a powerful meditation on the nature of suffering and the role that it plays in our lives.
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