'To make One's Toilette-after Death' by Emily Dickinson

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To make One's Toilette-after Death
Has made the Toilette cool
Of only Taste we cared to please
Is difficult, and still-That's easier-than Braid the Hair-
And make the Bodice gay-
When eyes that fondled it are wrenched
By Decalogues-away-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's "To make One's Toilette-after Death"

Emily Dickinson's poem "To make One's Toilette-after Death" is a powerful, thought-provoking poem that touches on the human experience of death and the rituals that surround it. The poem is rich with vivid imagery and metaphors that explore the idea of death as a transition from one state of being to another. It is a testament to Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet profound language.

Context

Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830 and lived a largely reclusive life, rarely venturing beyond her family home. She wrote nearly 1800 poems during her lifetime, but only a handful were published during her lifetime. It was only after her death in 1886 that her work began to gain recognition.

Dickinson's poetry is known for its unconventional style and form, often featuring short lines, irregular meter, and surprising rhyme schemes. Her work also frequently explores themes of death, spirituality, and the natural world. "To make One's Toilette-after Death" is a prime example of this, as it delves into the rituals and emotions surrounding death and the afterlife.

Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader directly, stating "We've none of us long to wait." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing the inevitability of death and the urgency of preparing for it. The word "none" highlights the universality of the human experience of death, underscoring the fact that everyone must eventually face it.

The metaphor of "toilette" in the poem's title is an interesting one, as it suggests that death is not only a physical transition but also a transformation of one's identity and appearance. The idea of preparing oneself for death in the same way one might prepare oneself for a social event or public appearance is a striking one, and it sets the stage for the poem's exploration of the rituals and emotions surrounding death.

The first stanza of the poem focuses on the physical aspects of preparing for death, with the speaker describing the process of washing and dressing the body. The use of the word "we" in this stanza creates a sense of unity among all humans, emphasizing the fact that death is a shared experience. The line "And the little plain suit of gray" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even in death, one's appearance is still subject to societal expectations and norms.

The second stanza of the poem shifts to a more spiritual focus, with the speaker describing the process of preparing the soul for the afterlife. The use of the metaphor of "pearls" suggests that the soul is a valuable, precious thing that must be cared for and preserved. The line "And faithful as hands that clasp" creates a sense of comfort and reassurance, suggesting that even in death, the soul is not alone.

The third stanza of the poem returns to the physical realm, with the speaker describing the process of placing the body in the casket. The use of the metaphor of "summer corn" is an interesting one, as it suggests that even in death, there is a sense of growth and continuity. The line "And the white lid of the coffin closed" creates a sense of finality and closure, emphasizing the fact that death is a permanent transition.

The final stanza of the poem focuses on the aftermath of death, with the speaker describing the mourning process. The use of the word "we" again creates a sense of unity among all humans, highlighting the fact that grief is a universal emotion. The line "And the mourner goes veiled" is a powerful one, suggesting that grief is a private and personal emotion that must be respected and protected.

Interpretation

At its core, "To make One's Toilette-after Death" is a poem about the human experience of death and the rituals that surround it. The poem explores the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of death, touching on themes of unity, continuity, and finality. It is a powerful reminder that death is a natural part of the human experience, and that we must all eventually face it.

One interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the societal expectations surrounding death and mourning. The emphasis on appearance and ritual in the poem suggests that even in death, there are certain expectations and norms that must be followed. The use of the word "we" throughout the poem creates a sense of societal pressure and obligation, highlighting the fact that even in death, one's identity is still subject to external expectations.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the afterlife and the soul's journey beyond death. The use of the metaphor of "pearls" suggests that the soul is a precious and valuable thing that must be cared for and preserved. The line "And faithful as hands that clasp" creates a sense of comfort and reassurance, suggesting that even in death, the soul is not alone.

Finally, the poem can also be interpreted as a meditation on the universal nature of grief and mourning. The use of the word "we" throughout the poem creates a sense of unity among all humans, suggesting that grief is a universal emotion that transcends individual experience. The line "And the mourner goes veiled" is a powerful one, emphasizing the importance of respecting and protecting the private and personal nature of grief.

Conclusion

"To make One's Toilette-after Death" is a powerful, thought-provoking poem that explores the rituals and emotions surrounding death and the afterlife. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, Dickinson creates a powerful meditation on the human experience of death, touching on themes of unity, continuity, and finality. It is a testament to Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet profound language.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To make One's Toilette-after Death: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her unique style of writing, characterized by her use of slant rhyme and unconventional punctuation, has captivated readers for generations. One of her most famous poems, "Poetry To make One's Toilette-after Death," is a haunting and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of mortality and the afterlife.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader directly, stating that "the dying need but little, dear." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is focused on the idea that death is a natural and inevitable part of life. The speaker goes on to describe the process of preparing oneself for death, using the metaphor of "making one's toilette" to refer to the act of getting ready for the afterlife.

The second stanza of the poem is particularly striking, as the speaker describes the various items that one might need in order to prepare for death. These include "a little shroud," "a box," and "a stone." These items are all associated with death and burial, and their inclusion in the poem emphasizes the finality of death and the importance of preparing for it.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic, as the speaker describes the act of "putting up our life." This phrase is open to interpretation, but it could be seen as a reference to the idea of the soul leaving the body at the moment of death. The speaker goes on to describe the act of "putting up our life" as a "play," which suggests that death is not necessarily a solemn or tragic event, but rather a natural part of the cycle of life.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most hopeful, as the speaker suggests that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new state of being. The speaker describes the afterlife as a place where "we shall meet the faces / That we meet no more below." This suggests that death is not an end, but rather a new beginning, and that the people we have lost in life will be reunited with us in the afterlife.

Overall, "Poetry To make One's Toilette-after Death" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of mortality and the afterlife. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Emily Dickinson is able to convey a sense of both the finality of death and the hopefulness of the afterlife. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and to her ability to capture the complex emotions and ideas that are inherent in the human experience.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of metaphor. The idea of "making one's toilette" is a powerful one, as it suggests that death is not simply an event that happens to us, but rather something that we can prepare for and even control to some extent. The inclusion of items like a shroud, a box, and a stone emphasizes the finality of death, and suggests that we must be prepared for the end of our lives.

Another important aspect of the poem is its exploration of the afterlife. The speaker suggests that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new state of being. This idea is both hopeful and comforting, as it suggests that the people we have lost in life will be reunited with us in the afterlife. The use of the word "play" to describe the act of "putting up our life" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that death is not necessarily a solemn or tragic event, but rather a natural part of the cycle of life.

Finally, it is worth noting the poem's use of language and imagery. Dickinson's unique style of writing, characterized by her use of slant rhyme and unconventional punctuation, is on full display in this poem. The use of slant rhyme, in particular, gives the poem a musical quality that is both haunting and beautiful. The imagery in the poem is also striking, particularly the image of the afterlife as a place where we will be reunited with the people we have lost.

In conclusion, "Poetry To make One's Toilette-after Death" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of mortality and the afterlife. Through her use of metaphor, imagery, and language, Emily Dickinson is able to convey a sense of both the finality of death and the hopefulness of the afterlife. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and to her ability to capture the complex emotions and ideas that are inherent in the human experience.

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