''Tis One by One-the Father counts' by Emily Dickinson
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'Tis One by One-the Father counts-
And then a Tract between
Set Cypherless-to teach the Eye
The Value of its Ten-Until the peevish Student
Acquire the Quick of Skill-
Then Numerals are dowered back-
Adorning all the Rule-'Tis mostly Slate and Pencil-
And Darkness on the School
Distracts the Children's fingers-
Still the Eternal RuleRegards least Cypherer alike
With Leader of the Band-
And every separate Urchin's Sum-
Is fashioned for his hand-
Editor 1 Interpretation
'Tis One by One-the Father counts: A Close Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson, a reclusive poet of the 19th century, wrote about 1,800 poems in her lifetime. Her works are characterized by their unconventional syntax, unusual punctuation, and themes that explore mortality, pain, and the mysteries of life. In this essay, we will examine one of her lesser-known poems, 'Tis One by One-the Father Counts, and interpret it in the context of her body of work.
Poem Summary
'Tis One by One-the Father Counts is a short poem consisting of just four lines. Here is the full text:
'Tis One by One—the Father counts—
And then a Tract between
Set Cypherless—to teach the Eye
The Value of its Ten—
At first glance, the poem appears to be about counting and the value of numbers. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the poem is using counting as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of death.
Analysis
The first line of the poem, "'Tis One by One—the Father counts—" establishes the tone and theme of the poem. The use of the word "Father" suggests a divine presence overseeing the counting, which could be interpreted as a reference to God or a higher power. The act of counting is a metaphor for the passage of time, with each count representing a moment that is lost forever.
In the second line, the poem takes a turn with the introduction of the word "Tract." This word has multiple meanings, including a written work and a piece of land. In this context, it could be interpreted as a reference to the afterlife or a spiritual journey. The "Tract between" the counts could represent the space between moments or the transition between life and death.
The third line, "Set Cypherless—to teach the Eye," is perhaps the most challenging line of the poem to interpret. The word "Cypherless" means without a code or key, which could mean that the moments being counted are without meaning or purpose. The phrase "to teach the Eye" could be interpreted as a reference to enlightenment or understanding. The value of the moments being counted is not in their numerical value, but in the lessons they teach us about the nature of life and death.
The final line, "The Value of its Ten," brings the poem full circle by returning to the theme of counting and the value of numbers. It could be interpreted as a reminder that life is finite, and each moment we have is precious. The number ten has significance in many cultures, representing completeness or perfection. In this context, it could represent the completeness of life, with each moment counting towards a complete experience.
Interpretation
'Tis One by One-the Father Counts is a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The act of counting is used as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life, with each moment representing a lost opportunity. The "Tract between" the counts could represent the spiritual journey between life and death, and the lessons we learn along the way.
The phrase "Set Cypherless—to teach the Eye" suggests that the value of life is not in its numerical value, but in the lessons it teaches us about the nature of existence. The use of the word "Eye" could be a reference to enlightenment or understanding, suggesting that by living life to the fullest, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world around us.
The final line, "The Value of its Ten," reminds us that life is finite, and each moment we have is precious. By living in the moment and cherishing each experience, we can make the most of our time on earth.
Conclusion
'Tis One by One-the Father Counts is a masterful example of Emily Dickinson's ability to use language to explore complex ideas. The poem's use of counting as a metaphor for the passage of time is both simple and profound, reminding us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of each moment. By contemplating the themes of this poem, we can gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and the mysteries of existence.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson's poem 'Tis One by One-the Father counts is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that explores the concept of death and the afterlife. The poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death and the idea that each person's life is counted by a higher power. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in the poem, as well as the historical context in which it was written.
The poem begins with the line 'Tis One by One-the Father counts', which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word 'Father' suggests a religious context, and the idea that someone is counting each person's life implies that there is a higher power at work. This idea is reinforced in the second line, which reads 'And in a Bags and Bands he puts'. The use of the word 'Bags' suggests that each person's life is contained within a physical object, which is then stored away. This creates a sense of finality and inevitability, as if each person's fate is already sealed.
The poem then goes on to describe the process of counting each person's life. The third line reads 'A precious thing-a precious thing', which suggests that each life is valuable and important. This is reinforced in the fourth line, which reads 'The "dearest"-Object in the eye'. The use of the word 'dearest' suggests that each person is loved and cherished, even in death. This creates a sense of comfort and reassurance, as if each person's life has meaning and purpose.
The fifth line of the poem reads 'The Living-Look upon the Dead', which suggests that the poem is written from the perspective of someone who is still alive. This creates a sense of distance and separation between the living and the dead, as if they exist in different worlds. The sixth line reads 'And then they lay them side by side', which suggests that the dead are treated with respect and dignity, even in death. This creates a sense of reverence and solemnity, as if each person's life is worth remembering.
The seventh line of the poem reads 'And "he" is just as near', which suggests that the higher power who is counting each person's life is always present. The use of the word 'he' reinforces the religious context of the poem, and creates a sense of comfort and reassurance. The eighth line reads 'As now we lying lie', which suggests that the speaker is imagining their own death. This creates a sense of vulnerability and mortality, as if the speaker is confronting their own mortality.
The ninth line of the poem reads 'And weeping so to lie in vain', which suggests that the speaker is mourning the loss of their own life. This creates a sense of sadness and regret, as if the speaker is lamenting the fact that their life will soon be over. The use of the word 'vain' suggests that the speaker feels that their life has been wasted, or that they have not achieved everything they wanted to achieve.
The final two lines of the poem read 'And if they only knew they slept/With those just deemed asleep-They'd waken'. These lines suggest that the dead are not truly gone, but are simply sleeping. The use of the word 'waken' suggests that the dead will one day rise again, and that death is not the end. This creates a sense of hope and optimism, as if the speaker believes in an afterlife or a higher power that will bring them back to life.
In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of repetition, imagery, and symbolism. The repetition of the phrase 'a precious thing' creates a sense of emphasis and importance, as if each person's life is truly valuable. The use of imagery, such as the bags and bands that contain each person's life, creates a sense of physicality and tangibility, as if each person's life is a tangible object that can be stored away. The use of symbolism, such as the word 'Father' and the idea of counting each person's life, reinforces the religious context of the poem and creates a sense of higher power at work.
In terms of historical context, the poem was written in the mid-19th century, a time when death was a common occurrence and people often had to confront their own mortality. The poem reflects this sense of mortality and the idea that each person's life is finite. It also reflects the religious beliefs of the time, which emphasized the idea of an afterlife and a higher power that controlled the fate of each person.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem 'Tis One by One-the Father counts is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that explores the themes of death, mortality, and the afterlife. The poem makes use of repetition, imagery, and symbolism to create a sense of importance and value around each person's life. It also reflects the religious beliefs of the time, which emphasized the idea of an afterlife and a higher power that controlled the fate of each person. Overall, the poem is a powerful reflection on the inevitability of death and the idea that each person's life is valuable and important.
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