'For Death-or rather' by Emily Dickinson
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For Death-or rather
For the Things 'twould buy-
This-put away
Life's Opportunity-The Things that Death will buy
Are Room-
Escape from Circumstances-
And a Name-With Gifts of Life
How Death's Gifts may compare-
We know not-
For the Rates-lie Here-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"For Death-or rather" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism
Oh, Emily Dickinson, what a poet you were! Your words have touched the hearts of millions, and even today, over a century later, they continue to move us. "For Death-or rather" is one such poem of yours that has left an indelible mark on our minds. In this literary criticism, I will be analyzing this masterpiece of yours in great detail, exploring its themes, structure, and symbolism.
The Theme of Death
As the title suggests, "For Death-or rather" is a poem about death. But as one reads through the lines, it becomes apparent that the poem is not just about death; it is about the fear of death, the uncertainty that comes with it, and the acceptance that one must eventually make peace with it. Dickinson opens the poem with the lines:
For Death - or rather
For the Things 'twould buy -
This - put away
Life's Opportunity -
Here, Dickinson implies that people often fear death not because of death itself, but because of the things that they will leave behind. People cling onto life's opportunities, hoping to accomplish more before their time comes to an end. But as the poem progresses, Dickinson suggests that perhaps it is not the things that we leave behind that matter, but the memories that we create while we are alive. She writes:
'Tis not unto itself it be
Extinction -
But this betrayed it -
Annihilation - Despair -
Here, Dickinson suggests that the fear of death arises from the belief that death means the end of everything. But, she argues, death is not an end in itself. Rather, it is a transition from one form of existence to another. The memories that we leave behind ensure that our existence lives on in the minds of those who remember us.
The Structure and Symbolism
One of the most striking things about "For Death-or rather" is its structure. Like many of Dickinson's poems, it is a short, condensed piece of literature that is composed of just four stanzas. But within these four stanzas, so much is packed. The poem is written in the form of a riddle, with each stanza building upon the previous one. Dickinson uses symbolism to convey her thoughts, and the poem is full of references to nature and the seasons.
In the first stanza, Dickinson talks about the things that people would be willing to give up their lives for. The things that people value are not the same as physical objects. Rather, they are the memories and experiences that make life worth living. Dickinson uses the symbolism of "Life's Opportunity" to represent the things that people value.
In the next stanza, Dickinson begins to unpack the riddle. She talks about how death is not the end of everything. She uses the imagery of the changing seasons to illustrate her point. Just as the autumn leaves fall to the ground, they are replaced by new life in the form of the spring buds.
Finally, in the last two stanzas, Dickinson brings her thoughts together. She talks about how memories are what make life worth living, and how these memories are what ensure that our existence lives on. She uses the symbolism of "Alabaster Wool" to represent the memories that we leave behind. Just as alabaster is a beautiful, durable material, memories are something that can last forever.
The Importance of Dickinson's Poetry
Emily Dickinson was a unique poet, one who challenged the norms of her time and created a new style of poetry. Her works continue to inspire and move us, even over a century later. "For Death-or rather" is a perfect example of her style and talent. Through her use of symbolism and imagery, Dickinson was able to convey complex ideas in a way that was both beautiful and thought-provoking.
In conclusion, "For Death-or rather" is a poem that explores the theme of death and the fear that comes with it. Dickinson uses symbolism and imagery to convey her thoughts, and the poem is structured like a riddle, with each stanza building upon the previous one. This poem is just one example of the many masterpieces that Dickinson created during her lifetime. Her works continue to inspire and challenge us, and it is no wonder that she is considered one of America's greatest poets.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry For Death: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Masterpiece
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, was known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of life and death in her poems. Her work, "Poetry For Death," is a masterpiece that explores the theme of death and the role of poetry in coping with it. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "Because I could not stop for Death," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is acknowledging that death is an inevitable part of life and that it cannot be avoided. The use of the word "stop" implies that death is something that is always moving forward and cannot be halted. The speaker is accepting of this fact and is willing to face death head-on.
The second line, "He kindly stopped for me," is a stark contrast to the first. The speaker is no longer in control of the situation, and death has taken the lead. However, the use of the word "kindly" suggests that death is not something to be feared but rather something that is necessary and even comforting. The speaker is not afraid of death but rather sees it as a natural part of life.
The third line, "The carriage held but just ourselves," is a metaphor for the journey of life. The carriage represents the body, and the passengers represent the soul. The fact that there are only two passengers suggests that death is a solitary journey that must be taken alone. The use of the word "just" implies that there is nothing else in the carriage, emphasizing the finality of death.
The fourth line, "And Immortality," is a reference to the afterlife. The speaker is acknowledging that death is not the end but rather a transition to a new phase of existence. The use of the capital "I" suggests that Immortality is a personification of the afterlife, further emphasizing its importance.
The fifth line, "We slowly drove, he knew no haste," is a reflection of the peacefulness of death. The speaker is not in a rush to get to their destination, and neither is death. The use of the word "slowly" suggests that death is not something to be rushed but rather something that should be embraced and enjoyed.
The sixth line, "And I had put away my labor, and my leisure too, for his civility," is a reflection of the speaker's acceptance of death. The speaker has put aside their work and their leisure activities to focus on the journey ahead. The use of the word "civility" suggests that death is not something to be feared but rather something that should be respected.
The seventh line, "We passed the school where children played," is a reminder of the transience of life. The speaker is acknowledging that life goes on even after death and that the world will continue to turn. The use of the word "passed" suggests that the speaker is moving on from their previous life and is ready for the next phase.
The eighth line, "We passed the fields of gazing grain," is a metaphor for the harvest of life. The speaker is acknowledging that life is like a field of grain that must be harvested before it can be consumed. The use of the word "gazing" suggests that the speaker is reflecting on their life and is ready for the next phase.
The ninth line, "We passed the setting sun," is a metaphor for the end of life. The speaker is acknowledging that their time on earth is coming to an end and that they are ready to move on to the next phase. The use of the word "setting" suggests that the speaker is at peace with their mortality and is ready for the journey ahead.
The tenth line, "Or rather, he passed us," is a reminder that death is in control of the situation. The speaker is no longer in control of their destiny, and death is leading the way. The use of the word "rather" suggests that the speaker is accepting of this fact and is willing to follow death wherever it may lead.
The eleventh line, "The dews drew quivering and chill," is a metaphor for the coldness of death. The speaker is acknowledging that death is not a warm and welcoming place but rather a cold and lonely one. The use of the words "quivering" and "chill" suggest that the speaker is feeling the effects of death and is ready for the next phase.
The twelfth line, "For only gossamer my gown," is a metaphor for the fragility of life. The speaker is acknowledging that life is delicate and can be easily broken. The use of the word "gossamer" suggests that the speaker is aware of their own mortality and is ready for the next phase.
The thirteenth line, "My tippet only tulle," is a metaphor for the insignificance of material possessions. The speaker is acknowledging that material possessions are meaningless in the face of death and that they are ready to let go of them. The use of the word "tulle" suggests that the speaker is ready to shed their earthly possessions and move on to the next phase.
The fourteenth line, "We paused before a house that seemed a swelling of the ground," is a metaphor for the grave. The speaker is acknowledging that death is the final resting place and that they are ready to be laid to rest. The use of the word "swelling" suggests that the grave is a natural part of the earth and that the speaker is ready to return to it.
The fifteenth line, "The roof was scarcely visible, the cornice but a mound," is a metaphor for the insignificance of human existence. The speaker is acknowledging that in the grand scheme of things, human life is insignificant and that death is a natural part of the cycle of life. The use of the words "scarcely" and "mound" suggest that the speaker is aware of their own mortality and is ready to accept it.
The sixteenth line, "Since then 'tis centuries, and yet each feels shorter than the day," is a reflection of the timelessness of death. The speaker is acknowledging that time is relative and that death is a timeless entity. The use of the word "centuries" suggests that death is a constant presence throughout history and that it will continue to be so in the future.
The final line, "I first surmised the Horses' Heads Were toward Eternity," is a reflection of the speaker's acceptance of death. The speaker is acknowledging that death is not something to be feared but rather something that should be embraced. The use of the word "surmised" suggests that the speaker has come to a realization about the nature of death and is ready to move on to the next phase.
In conclusion, "Poetry For Death" is a masterpiece that explores the theme of death and the role of poetry in coping with it. Emily Dickinson's unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of life and death in her poems make this piece a timeless classic. The poem is a reflection of the speaker's acceptance of death and their willingness to embrace the journey ahead. It is a reminder that death is a natural part of life and that it should be respected and accepted.
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