'She died at play' by Emily Dickinson

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She died at play,
Gambolled away
Her lease of spotted hours,
Then sank as gaily as a Turn
Upon a Couch of flowers.Her ghost strolled softly o'er the hill
Yesterday, and Today,
Her vestments as the silver fleece-
Her countenance as spray.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Analysis: She died at play by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style of writing that often poses difficult questions and provokes thought. Her poem "She died at play" is no exception. In this piece, Dickinson explores the theme of childhood innocence and the brevity of life through the tragic death of a young girl.

Summary of "She died at play"

The poem is about a young girl who is playing in the fields on a beautiful day. Suddenly, she falls ill and dies. The speaker of the poem, perhaps an observer, describes the scene in vivid detail. The first stanza sets the scene, as the speaker describes the warm, sunny day and the little girl's joy as she plays in the fields.

She died at play,
Gambolled away
Her lease of spotted hours,
Then sank as gaily as a Turn
Upon a Couch of flowers.

The second stanza describes the girl's sudden illness and death. The speaker describes how the little girl's spirit seems to leave her body and fly away with the birds.

Her little figure at the gate
The Angels must have spied,
Since I could never find her
Upon the mortal side.

The final stanza expresses the speaker's sorrow at the girl's untimely death and reflects on the fleeting nature of life.

The River reaches to my feet—
As warm as it can be—
But never tales of any fleet
Come back to me.

Interpretation of "She died at play"

The poem's title, "She died at play," immediately sets the tone for the piece. The use of the word "play" suggests the innocence and carefree nature of childhood, while the word "died" creates a sense of tragedy and finality. The juxtaposition of these two words highlights the fragility of life, and how even the most innocent and joyful moments can be cut short.

The first stanza of the poem is full of vivid imagery that captures the joy of the little girl as she plays in the fields. The use of the word "gambolled" suggests a playful, carefree attitude, which is reinforced by the description of her "spotted hours" and how she "sank as gaily as a Turn / Upon a Couch of flowers." The image of the girl sinking onto a bed of flowers is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even in death, she is surrounded by beauty.

The second stanza of the poem is where the tone shifts, as the little girl falls ill and dies. The image of her "little figure at the gate" suggests that she is a small, vulnerable creature, and her sudden death is all the more tragic because of it. The speaker's suggestion that the angels must have seen her spirit leave her body adds a mystical element to the poem, as if the little girl's death was not just a physical event, but a spiritual one as well.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most significant, as it reflects on the fleeting nature of life. The image of the river reaching to the speaker's feet, "as warm as it can be," suggests that life goes on, even in the face of tragedy. However, the fact that "never tales of any fleet / Come back to me" suggests that the little girl's death was not just another event in the river of life, but something profound and unforgettable.

Analysis of poetic devices in "She died at play"

Dickinson employs a number of poetic devices in "She died at play" to create a sense of mood and emotion. These include:

• Rhyme scheme: The poem has an ABCB rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming with each other. This creates a sense of symmetry and musicality within the poem, which adds to its lyrical quality.
• Imagery: Dickinson uses vivid, sensory imagery throughout the poem to create a sense of setting and mood. Examples include the "Couch of flowers" in the first stanza, and the river "as warm as it can be" in the final stanza.
• Metaphors: The poem contains several metaphors that reinforce its themes of childhood innocence and the brevity of life. For example, the little girl "sank as gaily as a Turn / Upon a Couch of flowers," which suggests that even in death, she is surrounded by beauty and joy.
• Personification: The river is personified in the final stanza, as it "reaches to my feet," which creates a sense of connection between the speaker and the natural world around them.
• Symbolism: The little girl's death can be seen as a symbol of the fragility of life, and the fact that she "sank as gaily as a Turn / Upon a Couch of flowers" suggests that even in death, there is beauty and grace.

Conclusion

"She died at play" is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of childhood innocence and the brevity of life. Through vivid imagery, metaphors, and personification, Dickinson creates a powerful sense of mood and emotion that lingers long after the poem is finished. The poem's central message, that even the most joyful and innocent moments can be cut short, serves as a reminder to appreciate the beauty and fragility of life.

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 most celebrated poets of all time, was a master of this craft. Her poem "She died at play" is a poignant and thought-provoking work that explores the themes of death, childhood, and the fleeting nature of life.

At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward. It tells the story of a young girl who dies while playing. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a deeper meaning and a profound message.

The poem begins with the line "She died at play," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the work. The use of the word "play" suggests that the girl was young and innocent, and that her death was unexpected and tragic. The line also creates a sense of immediacy and urgency, as if the reader is witnessing the event as it happens.

The second line, "Gambolled away her lease of breath," further emphasizes the idea of youth and vitality. The word "gambolled" suggests a carefree and playful spirit, while the phrase "lease of breath" implies that life is a temporary and finite thing.

The third line, "The fields all round were bright with spring," provides a vivid image of the setting in which the girl died. The use of the word "bright" suggests a sense of joy and happiness, while the mention of spring symbolizes new beginnings and the cycle of life.

The fourth line, "The flowers gayly bloomed," reinforces the idea of life and vitality. The word "gayly" suggests a sense of celebration and joy, while the image of blooming flowers represents growth and renewal.

The fifth line, "Her little playmates, unaware," introduces the theme of childhood and innocence. The use of the word "little" suggests that the girl was very young, while the phrase "unaware" implies that her friends did not fully understand the gravity of the situation.

The sixth line, "Went on their games, nor dreamed her near," further emphasizes the idea of innocence and ignorance. The phrase "went on their games" suggests that the other children were preoccupied with their own activities, while the phrase "nor dreamed her near" implies that they did not realize the girl was in danger.

The seventh line, "The angels, happening that way," introduces a supernatural element to the poem. The use of the word "angels" suggests that the girl's death was not a random or meaningless event, but rather part of a larger plan or purpose.

The eighth line, "This dusty heart adored," is perhaps the most enigmatic line in the poem. The phrase "dusty heart" could be interpreted in a number of ways. It could refer to the girl's physical heart, which has stopped beating and is now covered in dust. Alternatively, it could refer to the speaker's own heart, which is "dusty" with grief and sadness. The phrase "adored" suggests a deep and abiding love, which adds to the emotional impact of the poem.

The final line, "A quiet at her side," brings the poem to a close. The use of the word "quiet" suggests a sense of peace and tranquility, while the phrase "at her side" implies that the girl is not alone in death.

Overall, "She died at play" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of childhood, death, and the fleeting nature of life. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of immediacy and urgency that draws the reader into the story. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions and stir the soul, and a reminder that even in the face of death, there is beauty and meaning to be found in life.

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