'A World made penniless by that departure' by Emily Dickinson
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A World made penniless by that departure
Of minor fabrics begs
But sustenance is of the spirit
The Gods but Dregs
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
A World Made Penniless by That Departure by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's "A World Made Penniless by That Departure" is a haunting elegy that explores the themes of loss, grief, and separation. The poem, written in the 19th century, continues to resonate with readers today due to its universal themes and powerful use of language. Through a close analysis of the poem's structure, imagery, and tone, this literary criticism and interpretation will provide an in-depth understanding of Dickinson's elegy.
Background
Before delving into the poem's interpretation, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was born in 1830 in Massachusetts and lived a reclusive life, rarely leaving her home or having visitors. Despite her seclusion, Dickinson was a prolific poet, writing almost 1800 poems during her lifetime. Many of her poems were published posthumously, and she is now regarded as one of the most important American poets of the 19th century.
"A World Made Penniless by That Departure" was written in 1862, a year that was marked by personal loss and grief for Dickinson. That year, her father suffered a stroke, and her close friend, Benjamin Franklin Newton, died suddenly. The poem is believed to have been written in response to Newton's death, although it is possible that it also reflects Dickinson's feelings about her own impending mortality.
Structure
At first glance, "A World Made Penniless by That Departure" appears to be a fairly straightforward poem consisting of four stanzas of four lines each. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the poem's structure is more complex than it initially appears. Each stanza follows a similar pattern of alternating long and short lines, with the long lines containing internal rhymes and the short lines serving as a kind of refrain. This creates a sense of musicality and rhythm that is characteristic of Dickinson's poetry.
The poem's first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the elegy, with its powerful opening line: "We never know how high we are / Till we are called to rise." This line is both a statement of fact and a metaphor for the human experience of loss and grief. The stanza goes on to describe the aftermath of the departure, with the world left "penniless" and "hopeless" in the absence of the departed.
The second stanza is more introspective, with Dickinson reflecting on the nature of grief and the futility of trying to understand it. She writes, "The heart asks pleasure first / And then, excuse from pain." This line suggests that the human impulse is to seek pleasure and avoid pain, but that grief is an unavoidable part of life that cannot be escaped.
The third stanza is perhaps the most emotionally charged, with Dickinson describing the departed as a "sacred trust" that has been taken away. She writes, "The privilege to die / Expiring came to me." This line suggests that Dickinson feels a sense of guilt or responsibility for the departed's death, and that she is struggling to come to terms with her own mortality.
The final stanza brings the elegy to a close with an expression of hope and acceptance. Dickinson writes, "And when at night, our good day done, / I guard my master's head," suggesting that even in death, the departed remains a part of her life. The poem's final line, "Tis better than the Eider-Duck's / Deep pillow - to have shared," is a powerful affirmation of the importance of human connections, even in the face of loss and grief.
Imagery
One of the most striking features of "A World Made Penniless by That Departure" is its use of vivid and evocative imagery. Dickinson's poems are known for their economy of language, and this elegy is no exception. The poem's imagery is carefully chosen and intense, creating a sense of emotional depth and intensity.
One of the most powerful images in the poem is the idea of the world being left "penniless" by the departed's absence. This image suggests that the departed was so important and valuable that their departure has left the world without any currency or value. The image of the world as a place without hope or worth is a powerful one, and it reflects the sense of loss and grief that accompanies death.
Another powerful image in the poem is the idea of the departed as a "sacred trust." This image suggests that the departed was not only valuable, but also had a sense of responsibility or obligation to those who remained behind. The use of the word "sacred" suggests that the departed was not just important, but also had a spiritual or moral significance.
Tone
The tone of "A World Made Penniless by That Departure" is one of profound sadness and loss. Dickinson's elegy is a powerful expression of grief, and the poem's tone reflects this intense emotion. The poem's opening line, "We never know how high we are / Till we are called to rise," sets the tone for the rest of the elegy, suggesting that the poem is going to be a meditation on the human experience of loss and grief.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson's tone is introspective and reflective. She seems to be struggling to come to terms with the departure, and her thoughts are focused on the nature of grief and the difficulty of understanding it. The poem's closing lines, which express a sense of hope and acceptance, are a poignant contrast to the rest of the elegy, suggesting that even in the face of loss and grief, there is still hope for the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A World Made Penniless by That Departure" is a powerful and evocative elegy that explores the themes of loss, grief, and separation. Through its complex structure, vivid imagery, and intense tone, the poem provides readers with a profound understanding of the human experience of grief. Despite being written over a century ago, Dickinson's elegy continues to resonate with readers today, demonstrating the enduring power of her poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A World made penniless by that departure: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, the renowned American poet, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most celebrated works is the poem "A World made penniless by that departure," which is a poignant reflection on the pain of losing a loved one. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this masterpiece and explore the literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line, "A World made penniless by that departure," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "penniless" suggests a sense of loss and emptiness, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem. Dickinson goes on to describe the world as "a beggar by the road," which further emphasizes the sense of poverty and despair that permeates the piece.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of memory and how it can be both a comfort and a source of pain. Dickinson writes, "The memories of the departed / Like a quiet tide return." Here, the poet is suggesting that memories of the loved one can be soothing, like a gentle tide, but they can also be overwhelming and painful. The use of the word "quiet" suggests a sense of calmness, which is in contrast to the turmoil that the speaker is feeling.
In the third stanza, Dickinson uses the metaphor of a "broken lute" to describe the speaker's heart. The lute is a musical instrument that is often associated with love and romance, and its brokenness suggests that the speaker's heart has been shattered by the departure of their loved one. The line "The music that her fingers played" further emphasizes the idea of loss and the absence of something that was once beautiful and meaningful.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of time and how it can both heal and exacerbate the pain of loss. Dickinson writes, "The clock that struck for her / Has rung for me the bell." Here, the poet is suggesting that time has passed since the loved one's departure, but the pain of the loss still lingers. The use of the word "rung" suggests a sense of finality, which is in contrast to the ongoing pain that the speaker is feeling.
In the final stanza of the poem, Dickinson uses the metaphor of a "deserted nest" to describe the speaker's life without their loved one. The nest is a symbol of home and security, and its desertion suggests that the speaker's life is now empty and devoid of meaning. The line "The bird that built therein / Is gone where no one now can tell" further emphasizes the idea of loss and the absence of something that was once cherished.
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a variety of literary devices to convey her message. The use of metaphors, such as the broken lute and the deserted nest, helps to create vivid imagery that enhances the emotional impact of the piece. The repetition of the word "penniless" also helps to emphasize the sense of loss and emptiness that the speaker is feeling.
In conclusion, "A World made penniless by that departure" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the pain of losing a loved one. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Emily Dickinson conveys the sense of loss and emptiness that the speaker is feeling. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of human emotion and to provide comfort and solace in times of grief.
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