'A poor-torn heart-a tattered heart' by Emily Dickinson

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A poor-torn heart-a tattered heart-
That sat it down to rest-
Nor noticed that the Ebbing Day
Flowed silver to the West-
Nor noticed Night did soft descend-
Nor Constellation burn-
Intent upon the vision
Of latitudes unknown.The angels-happening that way
This dusty heart espied-
Tenderly took it up from toil
And carried it to God-
There-sandals for the Barefoot-
There-gathered from the gales-
Do the blue havens by the hand
Lead the wandering Sails.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Criticism and Interpretation: "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart" by Emily Dickinson

Are you ready to dive into the world of Emily Dickinson? Her poem "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart" is a profound piece of literature that speaks to the human condition.

Background of the Poet

Before we start our analysis, let's talk a bit about the poet herself. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830. She was a recluse for most of her life, rarely leaving her home and only publishing a handful of poems during her lifetime. After her death in 1886, her sister found over 1,800 poems that Emily had written.

Dickinson's poetry is known for its unconventional style and unique use of punctuation and capitalization. She often wrote about themes such as death, nature, and the human psyche.

"A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart"

Now, let's take a closer look at "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart." Here's the poem in its entirety:

A poor torn heart, a tattered heart,
That sat it down to rest,
Nor noticed that the ebbing day
Flowed silver to the west,
Nor noticed night did soft descend
Nor constellation burn,
Intent upon the vision
Of latitudes unknown.

The angels, happening that way,
This dusty heart espied;
Tenderly took it up from toil
And carried it to God.
There—sandals for the barefoot;
There—gathered from the gales,
Do the blue havens by the hand
Lead the wandering sails.

Interpretation

At first glance, "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart" seems like a simple poem about a broken heart finding solace in the afterlife. However, upon closer examination, we can see that there are deeper layers of meaning at play.

Stanza 1

In the first stanza, the speaker describes a "poor torn heart" that has become "tattered" and is in need of rest. The heart is so consumed by its own pain that it doesn't notice the passing of time or the beauty around it. The heart is "intent upon the vision/Of latitudes unknown" - it is so focused on its own suffering that it cannot see anything else.

Stanza 2

In the second stanza, the angels come and take the heart "up from toil/And carried it to God." This can be interpreted as the heart finding peace and release from its suffering in the afterlife. The "sandals for the barefoot" and the "blue havens" suggest a place of comfort and beauty that the heart could not have found in life.

Overall Theme

The overall theme of "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart" is the idea of finding peace and release from suffering. The heart in the poem represents all of us who have experienced pain and heartbreak in our lives. The afterlife represents a place where we can find peace and healing.

Literary Devices

Now that we've looked at the overall meaning of the poem, let's take a closer look at some of the literary devices that Dickinson uses to convey her message.

Imagery

One of the most striking literary devices in "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart" is the use of imagery. Dickinson uses vivid imagery to create a picture of a heart that is broken and worn out. The heart is described as "poor torn" and "tattered." The use of these words creates a strong visual image that helps the reader to understand the depth of the heart's pain.

Metaphor

Another literary device that Dickinson employs in this poem is metaphor. The heart in the poem is used as a metaphor for the human condition. We all experience pain and heartbreak at some point in our lives, and the heart in the poem represents that pain.

Symbolism

Finally, Dickinson uses symbolism to represent the afterlife. The "sandals for the barefoot" and the "blue havens" symbolize a place of comfort and beauty that the heart could not find in life. The use of symbolism helps to create a sense of hope and comfort for the reader.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition. Through her use of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, Dickinson creates a vivid picture of a heart that is broken and in need of rest. The poem ultimately offers hope and comfort by suggesting that there is a place where we can find peace and release from suffering. If you haven't read it in a while, take a moment to revisit this classic poem - you won't be disappointed!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "A poor-torn heart-a tattered heart" is a testament to her incredible talent. This poem is a powerful exploration of the human heart and the pain that comes with love and loss. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

The poem begins with the line "A poor-torn heart-a tattered heart," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "poor" suggests that the heart is in a state of suffering, while "torn" and "tattered" imply that it has been damaged or broken in some way. This opening line sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the pain and heartache that comes with love.

The next line of the poem reads, "That sits alone in thee." This line suggests that the heart is isolated and alone, which is a common feeling for those who have experienced heartbreak. The use of the word "thee" also suggests that the poem is addressing someone specific, perhaps a lover or a friend who has caused the speaker pain.

The third line of the poem reads, "What wreckage everywhere!" This line is a powerful image that suggests that the pain of the heart has spilled out into the world around it. The use of the word "wreckage" implies that the damage caused by the heart's pain is significant and far-reaching.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "What dreary, dusty, dying flowers." This line is a powerful image that suggests that the beauty of the world has been tarnished by the heart's pain. The use of the words "dreary," "dusty," and "dying" all suggest a sense of decay and decline, which is a common feeling for those who have experienced heartbreak.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "What wires and weeds are there!" This line is a powerful image that suggests that the heart's pain has created a tangled mess of emotions and thoughts. The use of the words "wires" and "weeds" both suggest a sense of entanglement and confusion, which is a common feeling for those who have experienced heartbreak.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "A wounded deer leaps highest." This line is a powerful image that suggests that the pain of the heart has given the speaker a sense of strength and resilience. The use of the image of a wounded deer is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even in the face of pain and suffering, there is still a sense of grace and beauty.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "I've heard the hunter tell." This line suggests that the speaker has heard stories of others who have experienced similar pain and heartache. The use of the word "hunter" also suggests a sense of danger and threat, which is a common feeling for those who have experienced heartbreak.

The eighth and final line of the poem reads, " 'Tis but the ecstasy of death." This line is a powerful conclusion to the poem, as it suggests that the pain of the heart is so intense that it feels like a kind of death. The use of the word "ecstasy" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that even in the face of pain and suffering, there is still a sense of joy and beauty.

Overall, "A poor-torn heart-a tattered heart" is a powerful exploration of the pain and heartache that comes with love and loss. The poem is filled with powerful images and language that capture the intensity of the speaker's emotions. Through this poem, Emily Dickinson reminds us that even in the face of pain and suffering, there is still a sense of grace and beauty to be found.

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