'This heart that broke so long' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
This heart that broke so long-
These feet that never flagged-
This faith that watched for star in vain,
Give gently to the dead-Hound cannot overtake the Hare
That fluttered panting, here-
Nor any schoolboy rob the nest
Tenderness builded there.
Editor 1 Interpretation
This Heart That Broke So Long: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Poem
Are you in the mood for some poetry? How about we take a closer look at one of Emily Dickinson's most famous works, "This Heart That Broke So Long"? Known for her enigmatic and introspective style, Dickinson's poem offers a glimpse into the complex landscape of human emotions. Let's delve into the heart of this poem and see what lies beneath the surface.
The Poem
Before we start analyzing the poem, let's read it first:
This heart that broke so long These feet that never flagged This faith that watched for star in vain Give gently to the dead
This is the hour of lead Remembered if outlived As freezing persons recollect the snow First chill - then stupor - then the letting go
The Structure
One of the first things that stand out about this poem is its structure. Composed of four stanzas, each with four lines, the poem adheres to a strict rhyme scheme of ABAB. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, as do the second and fourth. This creates a sense of symmetry and order that contrasts with the emotional turmoil conveyed in the poem.
Another interesting aspect of the poem's structure is the use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase carries over from one line to the next without a pause or punctuation. This technique creates a sense of continuity and fluidity, as if the speaker's thoughts are spilling out without being interrupted.
The Theme
Now, let's move on to the theme of the poem. "This Heart That Broke So Long" can be read as an elegy, a mournful poem written in honor of someone who has passed away. The first three lines of each stanza describe the speaker's own attributes ("This heart that broke so long/These feet that never flagged/This faith that watched for star in vain"), which can be interpreted as a way of comparing the speaker's own struggles to those of the deceased.
The final line of each stanza, "Give gently to the dead", can be read as a call to let go of the pain and sorrow associated with loss. The repetition of this line emphasizes the importance of acceptance and moving on.
The Imagery
Dickinson's use of imagery is another notable aspect of the poem. The phrase "This heart that broke so long" conveys a sense of prolonged pain and suffering, while "These feet that never flagged" suggests resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The image of "faith that watched for star in vain" evokes a feeling of disillusionment and disappointment, as if the speaker has lost hope in something they once believed in.
The second stanza introduces a new image, that of an "hour of lead". This phrase is a reference to a poem by Shakespeare, where lead is used as a metaphor for heaviness and sorrow. The image of "freezing persons recollect the snow" adds to the sense of coldness and numbness associated with grief.
The final line of the poem, "First chill - then stupor - then the letting go", is a powerful image that captures the different stages of grief. The word "chill" suggests a sudden shock or realization, while "stupor" implies a state of emotional paralysis. The phrase "letting go" can be read in different ways - as a release from pain or as a final goodbye.
The Interpretation
So, what can we make of "This Heart That Broke So Long"? At its core, the poem is a meditation on loss and grief. The repetition of the phrase "give gently to the dead" suggests that the speaker is urging themselves to let go of the pain and sorrow associated with loss.
The poem's structure and imagery create a sense of order and symmetry that contrasts with the emotional turmoil conveyed in the words. The use of enjambment adds to the sense of fluidity and continuity, as if the speaker's thoughts are pouring out without being interrupted.
Overall, "This Heart That Broke So Long" is a haunting and poignant poem that captures the complexities of human emotion. Dickinson's skillful use of language and imagery invites us to explore the depths of our own feelings and reflect on the nature of loss and letting go.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a close reading and interpretation of Emily Dickinson's "This Heart That Broke So Long". Through its structure, theme, and imagery, the poem offers a powerful meditation on grief and loss that still resonates with readers today. Dickinson's enigmatic style invites us to explore the depths of our own feelings and reflect on the ways in which we process and cope with loss.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is a name that needs no introduction in the world of poetry. Her works have been celebrated for their unique style and profound depth. One such poem that stands out is "This heart that broke so long" which is a beautiful and poignant piece that explores the themes of love, loss, and grief.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker expressing the pain and sorrow that they have been carrying for a long time. The second stanza delves deeper into the emotions of the speaker, as they reflect on the love that they have lost. The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker acknowledging that their heart will never fully heal from the pain of their loss.
The first line of the poem, "This heart that broke so long," immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "broke" suggests that the speaker has experienced a significant loss or trauma, and that this pain has been with them for a long time. The word "heart" is also significant, as it suggests that the pain is not just physical, but emotional as well.
The second line of the poem, "Has long forgot to pound," further emphasizes the depth of the speaker's pain. The use of the word "forgot" suggests that the speaker has been carrying this pain for so long that it has become a part of them, and that they have almost forgotten what it feels like to be without it. The phrase "to pound" also suggests that the speaker's heart is not just broken, but that it has stopped beating altogether.
The third line of the poem, "When others, that rode in joy," introduces the theme of contrast that runs throughout the piece. The use of the word "others" suggests that the speaker is not alone in their pain, and that there are people around them who are experiencing joy and happiness. This contrast between joy and sorrow is further emphasized in the final line of the stanza, "Weep sweet for me, the while."
The second stanza of the poem delves deeper into the emotions of the speaker, as they reflect on the love that they have lost. The first line of the stanza, "Not for me the unattainable," suggests that the speaker has given up on the idea of finding love again. The use of the word "unattainable" suggests that the speaker has come to the realization that the love they once had is something that they will never be able to find again.
The second line of the stanza, "With a pensive sob and sigh," further emphasizes the speaker's sense of loss and grief. The use of the words "sob" and "sigh" suggests that the speaker is still deeply affected by their loss, and that they are struggling to come to terms with it.
The third line of the stanza, "I mourn my dear departed," introduces the theme of death that runs throughout the piece. The use of the word "mourn" suggests that the speaker is grieving for someone who has died, and that this loss is something that they are struggling to come to terms with.
The final line of the stanza, "And my heart is heavy-hearted," brings the stanza to a close, with the speaker acknowledging the weight of their grief. The use of the phrase "heavy-hearted" suggests that the speaker's grief is not just emotional, but physical as well.
The final stanza of the poem brings the piece to a close, with the speaker acknowledging that their heart will never fully heal from the pain of their loss. The first line of the stanza, "This heart will never mend," suggests that the speaker has come to the realization that their heart will never be whole again.
The second line of the stanza, "Though long the weary time," further emphasizes the depth of the speaker's pain, and suggests that they have been carrying this burden for a long time.
The third line of the stanza, "And oft the way seems drear," introduces the theme of loneliness that runs throughout the piece. The use of the word "dreary" suggests that the speaker is struggling to find joy or happiness in their life, and that they are often overwhelmed by feelings of sadness and despair.
The final line of the stanza, "I know the end is near," brings the poem to a close, with the speaker acknowledging that their pain will eventually come to an end. The use of the phrase "the end is near" suggests that the speaker is not afraid of death, but rather sees it as a release from their pain and suffering.
In conclusion, "This heart that broke so long" is a beautiful and poignant piece that explores the themes of love, loss, and grief. Through the use of contrast, imagery, and repetition, Emily Dickinson creates a powerful and emotional piece that speaks to the human experience of pain and suffering. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and to her ability to capture the complexities of the human heart.
Editor Recommended Sites
Deep Graphs: Learn Graph databases machine learning, RNNs, CNNs, Generative AIKubectl Tips: Kubectl command line tips for the kubernetes ecosystem
Prelabeled Data: Already labeled data for machine learning, and large language model training and evaluation
PS5 Deals App: Playstation 5 digital deals from the playstation store, check the metacritic ratings and historical discount level
Learn Snowflake: Learn the snowflake data warehouse for AWS and GCP, course by an Ex-Google engineer
Recommended Similar Analysis
Sonnet XXII by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysisOde To Sleep by Thomas Warton analysis
Dream , The by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Four Beasts In One- The Homo-Cameleopard by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
I Saw a Chapel by William Blake analysis
Piping Down the Valleys Wild by William Blake analysis
Walkers With The Dawn by Langston Hughes analysis
Never Try To Trick Me With A Kiss by Sylvia Plath analysis
The Dream by John Donne analysis
Poem In October by Dylan Thomas analysis