'Doom is the House without the Door' by Emily Dickinson


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Doom is the House without the Door—
'Tis entered from the Sun—
And then the Ladder's thrown away,
Because Escape—is done—

'Tis varied by the Dream
Of what they do outside—
Where Squirrels play—and Berries die—
And Hemlocks—bow—to God—

Editor 1 Interpretation

Doom is the House without the Door: A Critical Analysis

Emily Dickinson is a poet who is known for her unconventional style and themes. Her poem "Doom is the House without the Door," is a perfect example of her unique approach to poetry. This poem is a meditation on death and the afterlife, and it is full of rich imagery and symbolism. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the meaning and significance of "Doom is the House without the Door" and the techniques Dickinson uses to convey her ideas.

Introduction

"Because I could not stop for Death," "I heard a Fly buzz - when I died," and "I felt a Funeral, in my Brain" are some of Emily Dickinson's most famous poems, which explores themes of death and the afterlife. In "Doom is the House without the Door," Dickinson continues her exploration of these themes. The poem is structured as a series of riddles or puzzles, with each stanza asking a question or making a statement that is then expanded upon in the following lines. The poem's central metaphor is that of a house without a door, which represents the afterlife. Dickinson suggests that death is not an end but rather a continuation of life, and that the afterlife is a place of mystery and uncertainty.

Analysis

The poem begins with the lines "Doom is the House without the Door - / 'Tis entered from the Sun - / And then the Ladder's thrown away, / Because Escape - is done." The house without the door is a potent metaphor for the afterlife, which is a place that cannot be entered or escaped from. The image of the sun suggests that the afterlife is a place of light and warmth, and that it is also a place of finality. The ladder being thrown away is an image of finality and suggests that once you enter the afterlife, there is no going back. The use of the word "doom" in the first line also suggests that the afterlife is a place of judgment and punishment.

In the second stanza, Dickinson continues with the imagery of the afterlife as a house without a door. She writes, "Unconsciousness of House and Wife - / Is the Established Law - / Who Holiday, and execute - / The Mandates of the Law." The image of the "House and Wife" suggests that the afterlife is a place of domesticity, but the fact that they are unconscious suggests that it is a place of mystery and uncertainty. The "Established Law" refers to the natural order of things, and the fact that there is no escape from death is part of this order. The "mandates of the law" are the rules that govern the afterlife, and the fact that they are executed suggests that there is a sense of justice in the afterlife.

The third stanza continues with the theme of the afterlife as a mystery. Dickinson writes, "The Wreck of Enterprise, / Is of Potent Agency - / The Houses crumple in our sight, / No sound of hammer by -." The "wreck of enterprise" refers to the fact that all the things we have striven for in life are meaningless in the face of death. The fact that the "houses crumple in our sight" suggests that the afterlife is a place of decay and destruction. The absence of the "sound of hammer" suggests that there is no active agency in the afterlife, and that things happen without any human intervention.

In the fourth stanza, Dickinson introduces the theme of memory. She writes, "Diminished, every Day, / To meet the coming Night - / 'Tis Duellist, and Victim - / The Suicide, and Murder - " The "diminished, every day" refers to the fact that we forget things as we get older, and that our memories fade as we approach death. The "duellist" and "victim" refer to the idea that we are both the agents of our own death and the victims of the inevitability of death itself. The fact that suicide and murder are mentioned suggests that there are different forms of death, each with its own specific meanings and consequences.

In the fifth stanza, Dickinson suggests that the afterlife is a place of transformation. She writes, "The Visionary won't betray / His Oracle, of Awe - / Some things that fly there, be - / Birds, Hours - the Bumblebee -." The "visionary" suggests that there are people who can see beyond the veil of death and understand the mysteries of the afterlife. The "oracle of awe" suggests that the afterlife is a place of spiritual revelation and enlightenment. The fact that "birds, hours - the bumblebee" can fly there suggests that the afterlife is a place where the laws of nature are different from those in the mortal world.

In the final stanza, Dickinson returns to the image of the house without the door. She writes, "Nature forswears Antiquity - / Her Covenant with Death - / Voices of Resurgam, / Ascending from the Earth -." The "covenant with death" suggests that nature has made a pact with death, and that it is a natural part of the cycle of life. The "voices of resurgam" suggest that there is a sense of renewal and rebirth in the afterlife, and that it is a place of endless possibility.

Conclusion

In "Doom is the House without the Door," Emily Dickinson explores the themes of death and the afterlife through a series of riddles and puzzles. The central metaphor of the house without the door is a potent image that suggests that the afterlife is a place of mystery and uncertainty. Dickinson suggests that death is not an end but rather a continuation of life, and that the afterlife is a place of transformation and rebirth. The poem is full of rich imagery and symbolism, and its unique structure accentuates Dickinson's unconventional approach to poetry. Overall, "Doom is the House without the Door" is a powerful meditation on the nature of mortality and the human spirit's resilience in the face of death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Doom is the House without the Door: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. One of her most famous poems is "Doom is the House without the Door," a haunting and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of death, mortality, and the afterlife. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and explore the various literary devices and techniques that Dickinson employs to convey her message.

The poem begins with the ominous line, "Doom is the House without the Door," immediately setting a tone of foreboding and dread. The word "doom" suggests a sense of finality and inevitability, while the image of a house without a door creates a sense of entrapment and claustrophobia. The reader is immediately drawn into a world of darkness and uncertainty, where death and mortality loom large.

The second line of the poem, "Doom is the Robbery within," reinforces this sense of entrapment and loss. The word "robbery" suggests a sense of violation and theft, as if something precious has been taken away. The use of the word "within" suggests that this loss is internal, something that is happening within the individual. This could be interpreted as a reference to the loss of life, or the loss of something more intangible, such as hope or faith.

The third line of the poem, "Tis doubly Doom without the Sworn," introduces the idea of an oath or promise. The use of the word "sworn" suggests a sense of commitment or obligation, and implies that there is something that has been promised but not delivered. This could be interpreted as a reference to the promises of religion or faith, which may not be fulfilled in the face of death and mortality.

The fourth line of the poem, "Without the Pledge that We shall Meet," reinforces this sense of loss and uncertainty. The word "pledge" suggests a sense of commitment or assurance, and implies that there is something that has been promised but not fulfilled. The use of the phrase "that We shall Meet" suggests a reference to the afterlife, and the idea that there is a promise of reunion or salvation after death. However, the fact that this promise is not fulfilled creates a sense of despair and hopelessness.

The fifth and final line of the poem, "And Blessèd it be the Tomb," introduces a note of irony and ambiguity. The use of the word "blessed" suggests a sense of reverence or sanctity, while the reference to the tomb suggests a sense of finality and death. The fact that these two ideas are juxtaposed creates a sense of tension and ambiguity, as if the poem is suggesting that there is something sacred or valuable about death and mortality.

Overall, "Doom is the House without the Door" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of death, mortality, and the afterlife. Through the use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and irony, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of foreboding and uncertainty, while also suggesting that there may be something valuable or sacred about the experience of death. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet, and her ability to capture the complexities and contradictions of the human experience.

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