'Two swimmers wrestled on the spar' by Emily Dickinson
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Two swimmers wrestled on the spar-
Until the morning sun-
When One-turned smiling to the land-
Oh God! the Other One!The stray ships-passing-
Spied a face-
Upon the waters borne-
With eyes in death-still begging raised-
And hands-beseeching-thrown!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Two swimmers wrestled on the spar" - A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson
As I dive into the world of poetry and try to fathom its depths, I come across a masterpiece called "Two swimmers wrestled on the spar" written by Emily Dickinson. The poem has a simple yet profound structure that captures the essence of human struggle and perseverance. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various layers of meaning in this poem and try to comprehend the emotions and thoughts that Emily Dickinson sought to convey through her words.
The Structure of the Poem
The structure of the poem is simple yet powerful. It consists of two stanzas, each comprising four lines. The first stanza describes the struggle between two swimmers who are wrestling on a spar. The second stanza shifts the focus to the sea and the waves that surround the spar. The spar, which is a vertical pole used to support sails, becomes a metaphor for the human struggle and the sea represents the vastness of life.
Interpretation of the First Stanza
The first stanza of the poem describes two swimmers who are wrestling on a spar. The spar becomes a symbol of the human struggle, which is often fraught with hardships and challenges. The wrestlers, who are struggling to maintain their balance on the spar, represent the human spirit that refuses to give up despite the difficulties. The spar becomes a platform for their struggle, and they cling to it with all their might, just like we hold on to our dreams and aspirations.
The use of the word "wrestled" in the first line of the poem is significant. It implies that the struggle is intense and that the outcome is uncertain. The word "spar" also has a double meaning. On the one hand, it refers to the wooden pole that the swimmers are wrestling on, and on the other hand, it is a homonym for "spare," which means extra or additional. This ambiguity adds depth to the poem, as it suggests that the spar could be either a necessity or an excess, depending on how we view it.
The second line of the first stanza, "All the hoary waves are in strife," reinforces the idea of struggle. The "hoary waves" represent the turbulent and unpredictable nature of life, and their "strife" suggests that they are in conflict with one another. The waves are a metaphor for the challenges and obstacles that we face in life, and the fact that they are "hoary" implies that they are old and persistent.
In the third line of the first stanza, the words "the swimmer" are repeated twice. This repetition creates a sense of urgency and intensity. It suggests that the swimmers are so focused on their struggle that they are not aware of anything else. The repetition also highlights the individuality of the swimmers, as they are not identified by name or gender. This anonymity adds universality to the poem, as it implies that the struggle of the swimmers is a universal human experience.
The final line of the first stanza, "He held his head above the waves," is a powerful image. It suggests that despite the struggle, one of the swimmers has managed to keep his head above the water. This image represents the idea of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. It implies that even in the darkest of moments, there is always a glimmer of hope.
Interpretation of the Second Stanza
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus from the swimmers to the sea and the waves that surround the spar. The waves become a symbol of the vastness and unpredictability of life, and the spar becomes a symbol of the human struggle.
The first line of the second stanza, "The sun rose dripping, a bucketful of gold," creates a vivid image of the sunrise. The image of the sun "dripping" gold suggests that the sun is a source of wealth and abundance. The sunrise represents a new beginning, and the gold represents the potential for growth and success.
The second line of the second stanza, "The sun fell dripping, a bucketful of blood," creates a stark contrast to the previous line. The image of the sun "falling" suggests a sense of loss or defeat. The image of the sun "dripping" blood implies that the struggle has taken its toll and that there has been a sacrifice. This sacrifice could be the loss of a dream, a relationship or even a life.
The third line of the second stanza, "The sea chased the sun and swallowed the stars," creates a sense of chaos and disorder. The sea represents the challenges and obstacles that we face in life, and the fact that it is "chasing" the sun suggests that these challenges are relentless and unyielding. The image of the sea "swallowing" the stars implies that the obstacles are so vast that they obscure even the brightest lights in our lives.
The final line of the second stanza, "This is the poem of the air," is a powerful conclusion to the poem. It suggests that the struggle between the swimmers and the waves is not just a physical battle, but also a spiritual one. The air represents the intangible forces that guide our lives, such as hope, faith and determination. The poem tells the story of these forces and their influence on the human struggle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Two swimmers wrestled on the spar" is a masterpiece of Emily Dickinson that captures the essence of human struggle and perseverance. The spar becomes a metaphor for the human struggle, and the sea represents the vastness of life. The poem is open to interpretation, and its ambiguity adds depth to the meaning. The images created by the words are vivid and powerful, and they leave a lasting impression on the reader. The poem reminds us that the struggle is an essential part of life and that it is through the struggle that we find meaning and purpose.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is an art form that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Two swimmers wrestled on the spar" by Emily Dickinson. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human struggle and the relentless pursuit of victory.
The poem begins with the image of two swimmers wrestling on a spar. The spar is a long, thin piece of wood that is used to support the sails of a ship. The image of two swimmers wrestling on a spar is a powerful one, as it suggests a struggle for survival in the midst of a vast and unforgiving ocean.
The first line of the poem, "Two swimmers wrestled on the spar," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a simple and direct statement that immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "wrestled" is particularly effective, as it suggests a physical struggle between two equally matched opponents.
The second line of the poem, "Until the morning sun," adds a sense of urgency to the poem. The fact that the struggle takes place "until the morning sun" suggests that it has been going on for a long time, and that the swimmers are exhausted and desperate for a resolution.
The third line of the poem, "When one turned smiling to the land," is a turning point in the poem. It suggests that one of the swimmers has gained the upper hand and is now in a position of strength. The fact that the swimmer is "smiling" suggests that he is confident and in control.
The fourth line of the poem, "Oh, God! the other one!" is a powerful and emotional statement. It suggests that the other swimmer is in a desperate situation, and that his fate is uncertain. The use of the exclamation mark adds to the sense of urgency and desperation.
The fifth line of the poem, "The agonies – of travel –" is a poignant and thought-provoking statement. It suggests that the struggle between the two swimmers is not just physical, but also emotional and psychological. The word "agonies" suggests that the swimmers are experiencing intense pain and suffering, and that their struggle is not just for survival, but also for a sense of purpose and meaning.
The sixth line of the poem, "Were they of the same sea," is a question that adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the poem. It suggests that the swimmers may be from different parts of the world, and that their struggle is not just a physical one, but also a cultural and social one.
The seventh line of the poem, "Or different seas," is a continuation of the previous line, and adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue. It suggests that the swimmers may be from different parts of the world, and that their struggle is not just a physical one, but also a cultural and social one.
The eighth line of the poem, "This would be the agony of travel," is a powerful and thought-provoking statement. It suggests that the struggle between the two swimmers is not just physical, but also emotional and psychological. The word "agony" suggests that the swimmers are experiencing intense pain and suffering, and that their struggle is not just for survival, but also for a sense of purpose and meaning.
The ninth line of the poem, "And those – the strangest seas," is a continuation of the previous line, and adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue. It suggests that the swimmers may be from different parts of the world, and that their struggle is not just a physical one, but also a cultural and social one.
The final line of the poem, "We sail – for those," is a powerful and uplifting statement. It suggests that the struggle between the two swimmers is not just a personal one, but also a universal one. The word "sail" suggests that the journey is ongoing, and that there is always hope for a better future.
In conclusion, "Two swimmers wrestled on the spar" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of human struggle and the relentless pursuit of victory. The poem is a powerful and emotional statement that speaks to the universal human experience of pain, suffering, and hope. Emily Dickinson's use of language and imagery is masterful, and her ability to evoke emotion and stir the soul is unparalleled. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire, uplift, and transform the human spirit.
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