'The lonesome for they know not What' by Emily Dickinson
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The lonesome for they know not What-
The Eastern Exiles-be-
Who strayed beyond the Amber line
Some madder Holiday-And ever since-the purple Moat
They strive to climb-in vain-
As Birds-that tumble from the clouds
Do fumble at the strain-The Blessed Ether-taught them-
Some Transatlantic Morn-
When Heaven-was too common-to miss-
Too sure-to dote upon!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Lonesome for They Know Not What by Emily Dickinson: A Journey Through the Mind of a Poet
When it comes to Emily Dickinson's poetry, one thing is certain: it is not for the faint of heart. Her work is often enigmatic, challenging, and thought-provoking. And "The Lonesome for They Know Not What" is no exception.
At its core, this poem is about isolation, longing, and the human condition. But to truly understand its meaning, we need to dive deep into its intricate imagery, structure, and language. So let's take a journey through the mind of a poet and explore what makes "The Lonesome for They Know Not What" a timeless masterpiece.
The Imagery of Isolation
The first thing that strikes us about this poem is its imagery. Dickinson paints a vivid picture of a world that is both beautiful and barren:
The Lonesome for they know not What
The Easterners – know not What –
The Africans – Afar –
What Ibn-Khobal* knew of snow
White – agitated – there below –
The South – cannot avail
The Far – cannot exult –
The Revelations of the Kraken
Repeatless – occur –
The very reason for despair
Is that they never knew –
The use of "Lonesome" in the title gives us a hint of what is to come. Dickinson introduces us to a group of people who are isolated, disconnected from the rest of the world. The Easterners, Africans, and Ibn-Khobal are all distant from each other, unable to communicate their experiences. And even the South and the Far, which we might assume are closer in proximity, are unable to find solace in each other.
But what makes this isolation even more poignant is the fact that these people "know not What." They are unaware of what they are missing out on, what they are longing for. They are like children who have never tasted chocolate, or adults who have never experienced love. They are lonesome for something they cannot even name.
The Structure of Longing
To convey this sense of longing, Dickinson uses a unique structure. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first one describing the different groups of people who are lonesome. But it is in the second stanza where the true emotion of the poem comes through:
The very reason for despair
Is that they never knew –
This short, powerful statement is the heart of the poem. It is a declaration of the futility of their longing, the despair that comes from never having known what they are missing. And it is made all the more powerful by its placement at the end of the poem, where it lingers in our minds long after we have finished reading.
But what is perhaps most interesting about this structure is the way it mirrors the circular nature of the lonesome experience. The poem begins with an introduction to the different groups of people who are lonesome, but it ends with a universal statement about the nature of despair. This circular structure suggests that the experience of longing and isolation is not unique to any one group or individual, but is a fundamental part of the human condition.
The Language of Yearning
Of course, none of this would be possible without Dickinson's masterful use of language. Her words are carefully chosen and arranged to create a sense of yearning that is palpable:
The very reason for despair
Is that they never knew –
The repetition of "they" and "never" emphasizes the depth of the isolation, the unbridgeable gap between the lonesome and the world they long for. And the use of "despair" is particularly striking, as it suggests a sense of hopelessness, a resignation to their fate.
But there are other linguistic devices at play here as well. The use of "know not What" and "repeatless" create a sense of mystery and uncertainty, as if the lonesome are searching for something they cannot fully comprehend. And the use of "Revelations" and "Kraken" adds a mythic quality to the poem, as if the lonesome are searching for a truth that is beyond the ordinary.
The Meaning of the Lonesome
So what, then, is the meaning of "The Lonesome for They Know Not What"? At its core, this poem is a meditation on the human condition. It speaks to our fundamental longing for connection and understanding, and the despair that comes from never fully achieving it.
But there is also a deeper meaning to be found in this poem. Dickinson is suggesting that perhaps the very act of longing is what makes us human. It is the search for something greater than ourselves, the yearning for a truth that is beyond our grasp, that gives our lives meaning. And it is the futility of that search, the knowledge that we will never fully achieve what we long for, that makes us truly lonesome.
In this sense, "The Lonesome for They Know Not What" is a deeply spiritual poem. It speaks to the human soul, to our deepest desires and fears. And it does so with a beauty and elegance that is uniquely Emily Dickinson.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Lonesome for They Know Not What" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It speaks to the human condition in a way that is both profound and accessible, and its imagery, structure, and language are all carefully crafted to create a sense of yearning that is almost palpable.
But perhaps most importantly, this poem reminds us of the power of poetry to connect us with something greater than ourselves. It speaks to our deepest longings and fears, and in doing so it reminds us that we are not alone. We are all lonesome, searching for something we cannot fully comprehend. And in that search, we find our humanity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson's poem "The Lonesome for they know not What" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of human longing and the search for meaning in life. The poem is a meditation on the human condition, exploring the depths of our emotions and the mysteries of our existence. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem, and examine how Dickinson uses these elements to create a powerful and evocative work of art.
The poem begins with the line "The Lonesome for they know not What," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "lonesome" suggests a sense of isolation and loneliness, while the phrase "they know not what" implies a lack of understanding or clarity. This combination of emotions creates a sense of unease and uncertainty, which is further emphasized by the use of the word "for" instead of "because." This subtle choice of language suggests that the feeling of lonesomeness is not a direct result of any particular circumstance, but rather a fundamental aspect of the human experience.
The first stanza of the poem continues with the lines "It is not loneliness, for then / The soul would feel its prison bars." Here, Dickinson is making a distinction between the feeling of lonesomeness and the more concrete experience of loneliness. The latter is a state of being physically alone, while the former is a more abstract feeling of disconnection from the world around us. The use of the phrase "soul would feel its prison bars" is particularly striking, as it suggests that the feeling of loneliness is a kind of imprisonment of the spirit. This idea is further developed in the second stanza, where Dickinson writes "It is not sorrow, for then / We would feel the hand that smote."
In these lines, Dickinson is again making a distinction between two related but distinct emotions. Sorrow is a more specific feeling of sadness or grief, while the feeling of lonesomeness is more diffuse and difficult to define. The use of the phrase "hand that smote" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that sorrow is a result of some external force acting upon us. In contrast, the feeling of lonesomeness is more internal, arising from within ourselves rather than from any external circumstance.
The third stanza of the poem is where Dickinson really begins to explore the theme of the search for meaning in life. She writes "It is not life, for then / Our spirits would not know / That they were looking for forgetfulness." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the feeling of lonesomeness arises from a sense of dissatisfaction with life as it is. The phrase "looking for forgetfulness" implies a desire to escape from the burdens of existence, to find some kind of release from the struggles and challenges of everyday life.
The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic, as Dickinson writes "It is not death, for I have stood / Before the door so often." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the feeling of lonesomeness is not a result of a fear of death. This is a surprising assertion, as one might expect that the prospect of death would be a source of anxiety and isolation. However, Dickinson seems to be suggesting that death is not the ultimate source of our existential unease, but rather a kind of release from it.
The final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together in a powerful and evocative conclusion. Dickinson writes "It is not God, for He would go / Through silent from the noon." Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the feeling of lonesomeness is not a result of a lack of faith or a sense of abandonment by a higher power. Rather, it is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, something that we all must confront and come to terms with in our own way.
The imagery and language of the poem are also worth examining in detail. Dickinson uses a number of powerful metaphors and symbols to convey the complex emotions and ideas that she is exploring. For example, the phrase "soul would feel its prison bars" is a powerful metaphor for the feeling of being trapped or confined by our own emotions and experiences. Similarly, the phrase "looking for forgetfulness" is a powerful symbol for the desire to escape from the burdens of existence.
Overall, Emily Dickinson's poem "The Lonesome for they know not What" is a powerful and evocative work of art that explores the depths of human emotion and the mysteries of our existence. Through her use of language, imagery, and metaphor, Dickinson creates a vivid and compelling portrait of the human condition, one that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Whether we are grappling with feelings of lonesomeness ourselves or simply seeking to understand the complexities of the human experience, this poem is a powerful reminder of the power of poetry to capture the essence of our lives and our world.
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