'She died-this was the way she died' by Emily Dickinson

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She died-this was the way she died.
And when her breath was done
Took up her simple wardrobe
And started for the sun.
Her little figure at the gate
The Angels must have spied,
Since I could never find her
Upon the mortal side.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, She died - This was the Way She Died: A Literary Criticism

Oh, Emily Dickinson! How do I begin to describe her genius? Her poetry is a labyrinth of emotions, thoughts, and musings that come together to create masterpieces of literature. One such poem that has always stood out to me is "Poetry, She died - This was the Way She Died." In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the depths of this poem and discover what makes it so special.

Background

Before diving into the analysis, let's take a moment to understand the context in which this poem was written. Emily Dickinson was a recluse who rarely left her home in Amherst, Massachusetts. She spent most of her life writing poetry, much of which was never published during her lifetime. After her death, her sister Lavinia discovered over 1,700 poems that Emily had written and had kept hidden away in her room. "Poetry, She died - This was the Way She Died" is one of those poems.

The Poem

Poetry, she died - this was the way she died.

A quietness distilled

As twilight long begun,

Or Nature, spending with herself

Sequestered afternoon.

The dusk drew earlier in,

The morning foreign shone -

A courteous, yet harrowing grace,

As guest who would be gone.

And thus, without a wing,

Or service of a keel,

Our summer made her light escape

Into the beautiful.

At first glance, this poem seems to be about the death of poetry. But as we read through it, we realize that it is also a metaphor for the way Emily Dickinson lived her life. She lived a secluded life, hiding away from the world, and this poem captures that essence beautifully.

Analysis

The first line, "Poetry, she died - this was the way she died," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a statement of fact, as if the speaker is telling us that poetry has died, and this is how it happened. But as we read on, we see that the poem is much more than that. It is a reflection of Emily Dickinson's own life and her relationship with poetry.

The second line, "A quietness distilled," creates an image of stillness and calm. It is as if the world has stopped moving, and everything is at peace. This is a stark contrast to the first line, which speaks of death. But death, in this context, is not a violent or dramatic event. It is a quiet, peaceful passing, much like the way Emily Dickinson lived her life.

The third and fourth lines, "As twilight long begun, / Or Nature, spending with herself / Sequestered afternoon," further emphasize the idea of solitude and seclusion. The image of "Nature, spending with herself" is particularly striking, as it suggests that the natural world is content to be alone, just as Emily Dickinson was.

The fifth and sixth lines, "The dusk drew earlier in, / The morning foreign shone," create a sense of disorientation. It is as if the world is shifting, and everything is out of place. The morning, which should be familiar, is now foreign, and the dusk is drawing in earlier than it should. This is a metaphor for the way Emily Dickinson must have felt during her life, as she struggled to fit in with the rest of the world.

The seventh and eighth lines, "A courteous, yet harrowing grace, / As guest who would be gone," introduce the idea of a guest who is leaving. This guest is polite and gracious, but their departure is also harrowing. This could be a metaphor for the way poetry has left Emily Dickinson's life, or it could be a metaphor for Emily Dickinson's own impending departure from the world.

The final four lines, "And thus, without a wing, / Or service of a keel, / Our summer made her light escape / Into the beautiful," bring the poem to a close. The image of "summer" is a metaphor for life, and the idea of a "light escape" is a metaphor for death. The phrase "into the beautiful" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that death is not something to be feared, but something to be embraced. It is a release from the constraints of the world, and a return to something beautiful and pure.

Conclusion

"Poetry, She died - This was the Way She Died" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's life and her relationship with poetry. It is a metaphor for the way she lived, secluded and alone, and the way she died, peacefully and gracefully. The poem is filled with striking imagery and metaphors that create a sense of stillness and calm. It is a tribute to the power of poetry, and a reminder that even in death, there is beauty to be found.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest poets of all time, has left us with a legacy of poems that continue to inspire and move us. One such poem is "She died-this was the way she died," a hauntingly beautiful piece that captures the essence of death and the human experience.

At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple description of a woman's death. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there is much more to this poem than meets the eye. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is masterful, and every word is carefully chosen to convey a deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the line "She died-this was the way she died." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and immediately draws the reader in. The repetition of the word "died" emphasizes the finality of death, and the use of the word "way" suggests that there are different ways to die.

The next line, "And when her breath was done," further emphasizes the finality of death. The use of the word "breath" is significant, as it represents the very essence of life. When someone's breath is done, it means that they have ceased to exist.

The third line, "Took up her simple wardrobe," is a reference to the tradition of dressing the dead in simple clothing for burial. This line also suggests that the woman who died was not wealthy or important, but rather an ordinary person.

The fourth line, "And started for the sun," is a metaphor for the afterlife. The sun is often associated with heaven or the afterlife, and the use of the word "started" suggests that the woman is embarking on a journey to a new realm.

The fifth line, "Her little figure at the gate," is a poignant image that evokes a sense of loneliness and isolation. The use of the word "little" suggests that the woman was small and insignificant, and the image of her standing alone at the gate is a powerful symbol of the finality of death.

The final line, "The Angels,choosing their garments," is a reference to the tradition of angels wearing white robes. This line suggests that the woman has been accepted into heaven, and that the angels are preparing her for her new life.

Overall, "She died-this was the way she died" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of death and the human experience. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is masterful, and every word is carefully chosen to convey a deeper meaning. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions and stir the soul, and it will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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