'As far from pity, as complaint' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
As far from pity, as complaint-
As cool to speech-as stone-
As numb to Revelation
As if my Trade were Bone-As far from time-as History-
As near yourself-Today-
As Children, to the Rainbow's scarf-
Or Sunset's Yellow playTo eyelids in the Sepulchre-
How dumb the Dancer lies-
While Color's Revelations break-
And blaze-the Butterflies!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, As far from pity, as complaint by Emily Dickinson: A Deeper Look
Emily Dickinson’s poem titled “Poetry, As far from pity, as complaint” is a thought-provoking piece that challenges our concept of poetry and its purpose. The poem is just six lines long, but it leaves a lasting impact on the reader. At the surface level, it appears to be a simple comparison between two opposites, but on closer inspection, it becomes clear that there is much more to it than that.
The Text
Before delving into the interpretation and analysis of the poem, let us first take a look at the text itself:
Poetry, as far from pity, as complaint
As landscape to a blind man’s eye:
Of touch, the most immediate;
A shape, all substance;
Still, like the air, ubiquitous;
The form, the feeling, and the life.
At first glance, one might be tempted to think that this poem is just about comparing two opposite things: pity and complaint, and then comparing each one of them to the role of poetry. But as we will see, there is much more to it than that.
First Impressions
When I first read this poem, I was struck by its brevity and simplicity. It took me less than a minute to read, but it left me pondering for much longer. I was impressed by how Dickinson managed to convey so much in just six lines. I was also struck by the imagery she used, particularly the comparison of poetry to a landscape that a blind man can feel but not see.
The Title
The title of the poem, “Poetry, As far from pity, as complaint,” sets the tone for what is to come. It implies that poetry is not meant to evoke pity or complaint. It suggests that poetry is something different, something more profound. This is an interesting statement, as many poets have used their work to express their grievances or to evoke empathy from their readers. But Dickinson is saying that this is not the true purpose of poetry.
The First Line
The first line of the poem, “Poetry, as far from pity, as complaint,” sets up the comparison between two opposite things. Pity and complaint are both negative emotions, and Dickinson is suggesting that poetry is something that is beyond such emotions. This is an interesting statement, as many people would argue that poetry is, in fact, meant to evoke emotions in the reader. But Dickinson is suggesting that poetry is something more than just an emotional release.
The Second Line
The second line of the poem, “As landscape to a blind man’s eye,” is a powerful image. Dickinson is comparing poetry to something that a blind man can feel but not see. This suggests that poetry is something that can be experienced on a deeper level than just through the eyes. It is something that can be felt, something that can be experienced through the senses other than sight.
The Third Line
The third line of the poem, “Of touch, the most immediate,” reinforces the idea that poetry is something that can be experienced through the senses other than sight. Dickinson is saying that touch is the most immediate sense, and this suggests that poetry is something that can be experienced on a more immediate level than just through the eyes.
The Fourth Line
The fourth line of the poem, “A shape, all substance,” is an interesting statement. It suggests that poetry is something that has substance, something that is tangible. It is not just a collection of words, but something that has a shape, a form.
The Fifth Line
The fifth line of the poem, “Still, like the air, ubiquitous,” suggests that poetry is something that is all around us. It is not something that is limited to a particular time or place. It is something that is ubiquitous, something that is always present.
The Sixth Line
The final line of the poem, “The form, the feeling, and the life,” sums up the entire poem. Dickinson is saying that poetry is not just a collection of words, but something that has form, feeling, and life. It is something that is alive, something that has a presence.
Interpretation
Now that we have looked at the poem line by line, let us try to interpret its meaning as a whole. Dickinson is suggesting that poetry is something that is beyond emotions such as pity and complaint. It is something that can be experienced through the senses other than sight, something that has substance and form. It is something that is always present, something that has a life of its own.
But what is the purpose of poetry? Dickinson does not give a direct answer to this question, but the poem suggests that poetry is something that can be experienced on a deeper level than just through the eyes. It is something that can be felt, something that has a presence. Perhaps, then, the purpose of poetry is to connect us to something deeper, something beyond our everyday experience.
Conclusion
“Poetry, As far from pity, as complaint” is a profound and thought-provoking poem that challenges our concept of poetry and its purpose. Dickinson suggests that poetry is something that is beyond emotions, something that can be experienced on a deeper level than just through the eyes. It is something that is always present, something that has a life of its own. While Dickinson does not give a direct answer to the purpose of poetry, the poem suggests that it is something that can connect us to something deeper, something beyond our everyday experience. This is a powerful statement, and one that is sure to leave a lasting impact on the reader.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
As a renowned poet of the 19th century, Emily Dickinson has left behind a legacy of thought-provoking and emotionally charged poetry. One such poem is "As far from pity, as complaint," which is a powerful and poignant reflection on the human experience of suffering and the role of empathy in our lives. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of this classic poem, and delve into its deeper meanings and implications.
The poem begins with a striking opening line, "As far from pity, as complaint," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is not seeking pity or sympathy for their suffering, nor are they complaining about their lot in life. Instead, they are expressing a desire to be understood and acknowledged for their pain, without any condescension or patronizing attitudes.
The first stanza continues with the line, "As near yourself, as your own vein," which suggests that the speaker's suffering is intimately connected to their own sense of self. The use of the word "vein" is particularly powerful, as it evokes the image of blood flowing through the body, carrying both life and pain. The speaker is not asking for someone else to feel their pain, but rather to recognize it as a fundamental part of their own being.
The second stanza begins with the line, "As lit with piercing nerve," which further emphasizes the intensity and depth of the speaker's suffering. The use of the word "lit" suggests a burning or searing sensation, while "piercing nerve" evokes the idea of a sharp, stabbing pain. The speaker is not simply experiencing discomfort or inconvenience, but a profound and all-consuming agony.
The third stanza introduces the idea of empathy, with the line, "As if the topmost anguished were necessary." Here, the speaker is suggesting that their suffering is not just a personal burden, but a necessary part of the human experience. The use of the word "anguished" suggests a shared sense of pain and struggle, while "topmost" implies that this suffering is a fundamental aspect of our existence.
The fourth stanza continues this theme, with the line, "As if the search for comfort, going on." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the universal human desire for comfort and relief from pain. However, they are also suggesting that this search is ongoing and never-ending, as suffering is an inherent part of the human condition. The use of the word "going" suggests a sense of movement and progression, as we continue to seek solace and understanding in the face of our struggles.
The final stanza brings the poem to a powerful conclusion, with the line, "The needle is slow in coming, but the heart turns round." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the slow and difficult process of healing and recovery from pain. The use of the word "needle" suggests a painful and invasive procedure, while "heart" evokes the emotional and spiritual aspect of our suffering. The speaker is suggesting that while the process of healing may be slow and painful, our hearts will eventually turn towards hope and renewal.
Overall, "As far from pity, as complaint" is a powerful and moving reflection on the human experience of suffering and the role of empathy in our lives. Through its vivid imagery and poignant language, the poem invites us to consider our own struggles and the ways in which we can support and understand one another in times of pain. As Emily Dickinson reminds us, while our suffering may be unique and personal, it is also a fundamental part of our shared humanity.
Editor Recommended Sites
SRE Engineer: Guide to SRE engineeringCode Commit - Cloud commit tools & IAC operations: Best practice around cloud code commit git ops
GNN tips: Graph Neural network best practice, generative ai neural networks with reasoning
Machine Learning Events: Online events for machine learning engineers, AI engineers, large language model LLM engineers
DFW Education: Dallas fort worth education
Recommended Similar Analysis
There was a Boy by William Wordsworth analysisLeda And The Swan by William Butler Yeats analysis
The Little Girl Lost by William Blake analysis
Men At Forty by Donald Justice analysis
The Balloon-Hoax by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
A Hand-Mirror by Walt Whitman analysis
Sun Rising, The by John Donne analysis
Heat by H.D. analysis
To F--S S. O--D by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Interlopers at the Knap by Thomas Hardy analysis