'Each Scar I'll keep for Him' by Emily Dickinson
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Each Scar I'll keep for Him
Instead I'll say of Gem
In His long Absence worn
A Costlier one
But every Tear I bore
Were He to count them o'er
His own would fall so more
I'll mis sum them.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Each Scar I'll Keep for Him: Emily Dickinson’s Poetic Expression of Love and Suffering
“Each Scar I’ll keep for Him”
Emily Dickinson
Each Scar I’ll keep for Him Instead I’ll say of Gem In His long Absence worn A Costlier one
Nobody knows love like Emily Dickinson does. In her poem, “Each Scar I’ll keep for Him,” she captures the essence of love as a beautiful yet painful experience. Dickinson, known for her unconventional style and themes, leaves readers grappling with her words long after they have left the page. Each line and phrase in this poem is a testament to the complexity of love, the marks it leaves on us, and the sacrifice that comes with it. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the depth of Dickinson’s thoughts and expressions in this poem.
Literary Analysis
Context
Emily Dickinson was known for her reclusive lifestyle, and her poetry was rarely published during her lifetime. Therefore, after her death, her family discovered her poems and published them posthumously. “Each Scar I’ll keep for Him” was first published in 1955, almost 70 years after her death.
The poem was written during the period when Emily was in love with her brother’s wife, Susan Gilbert. Scholars have interpreted this poem and other love poems of Emily’s as evidence of her unrequited love for Susan. However, it is important to note that Emily used “he” in most of her love poems, which suggests that she may have also been attracted to men.
Theme
The theme of “Each Scar I’ll keep for Him” is the idea that love is a painful and costly experience. The poem explores the physical and emotional scars that love leaves on us. Emily uses the metaphor of a scar to describe the marks of love that we carry with us. A scar is a permanent mark that reminds us of an injury or wound. Similarly, love leaves a permanent mark on us, reminding us of the joy and pain we experienced. The scar becomes a symbol of the sacrifice and commitment that comes with love.
Structure and Form
The poem is written in two quatrains, each with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The lines are short and simple, but each one packs a punch. The use of enjambment creates a sense of continuity and flow throughout the poem. The meter is irregular, which gives the poem a conversational tone. The use of the first person pronoun “I” suggests that this is a personal, intimate reflection on love.
Imagery and Metaphor
Emily Dickinson was a master of imagery and metaphor, and this poem is no exception. The imagery of a scar is a powerful metaphor for the marks of love. The use of the word “scar” conjures up images of pain, injury, and healing. It also suggests that love is a wound that never fully heals. The line “Each Scar I’ll keep for Him” suggests that the speaker is willing to bear the marks of love for the beloved.
The poem also uses the image of a gem to contrast with the scar. The gem represents something beautiful and precious, while the scar represents something painful and difficult. The speaker acknowledges that the scar is “Costlier” than the gem, implying that the price of love is high.
Tone and Mood
The tone of the poem is intimate and personal. The use of the first person pronoun “I” creates a sense of direct address to the reader. The tone is also melancholic, suggesting that the speaker is reflecting on a painful experience. The mood of the poem is somber, but there is also a sense of acceptance and resignation. The speaker acknowledges the pain of love but is willing to bear it for the beloved.
Interpretation
Love and Suffering
“Each Scar I’ll keep for Him” is a poem that explores the theme of love and suffering. Love is often portrayed as a beautiful and joyful experience, but Emily Dickinson suggests that it also comes with pain and sacrifice. The use of the metaphor of a scar suggests that love is a wound that never fully heals. The poem acknowledges the pain of love but also suggests that it is worth it. The phrase “Each Scar I’ll keep for Him” suggests that the speaker is willing to bear the pain of love for the beloved.
Unrequited Love
Emily Dickinson’s love life has been the subject of much speculation and interpretation. Some scholars believe that the poem is evidence of her unrequited love for Susan Gilbert. The line “Instead I’ll say of Gem” suggests that the speaker is comparing the scar to a gem that is worn during the beloved’s absence. This could be interpreted as a reference to Susan’s marriage to Emily’s brother, which would have caused a prolonged absence. The poem suggests that the speaker is willing to bear the pain of love even if it is not reciprocated.
Sacrifice and Commitment
The theme of sacrifice and commitment is also evident in the poem. The use of the word “Costlier” suggests that the scar is a symbol of the price of love. The speaker is willing to bear the pain of love as a testament to their commitment to the beloved. The poem suggests that love is not just a feeling but also an action that requires sacrifice.
Gender and Sexuality
Emily Dickinson’s love poems have been interpreted as evidence of her attraction to both men and women. The use of the first person pronoun “I” and the lack of gendered pronouns in the poem suggest that the speaker could be male or female. The use of “Him” suggests that the beloved is male, but this is not conclusive evidence. The poem could be interpreted as a reflection on love and sacrifice regardless of gender or sexuality.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson’s poem “Each Scar I’ll keep for Him” is a powerful reflection on love and suffering. The use of the metaphor of a scar suggests that love is a wound that never fully heals. The poem acknowledges the pain of love but also suggests that it is worth it. The theme of sacrifice and commitment is also evident in the poem. The speaker is willing to bear the pain of love as a testament to their commitment to the beloved. The poem could be interpreted as a reflection on love and sacrifice regardless of gender or sexuality. Emily Dickinson’s use of imagery and metaphor creates a powerful and lasting impression on the reader. The poem is a testament to her mastery of poetic expression and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Each Scar I'll keep for Him: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep emotional themes. One of her most famous poems, "Each Scar I'll keep for Him," is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the enduring nature of memory.
At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of love and the ways in which it can leave lasting marks on our lives. Dickinson writes, "Each scar I'll keep for Him / Instead I'll say of Gem / In His long Absence worn / A Costlier one / But every Tear I bore / Were He to count them o'er / His own would fall too near / That I should dare / Believe I could / Except that I / Were for His sake / Diminished be /"
The language here is rich and evocative, with Dickinson using the metaphor of scars to represent the emotional wounds that love can leave behind. The idea of a scar is powerful because it suggests that the wound has healed, but the mark remains. In this way, Dickinson is suggesting that even when love is lost, it can still leave an indelible imprint on our lives.
The poem also explores the idea of sacrifice and the ways in which we are willing to give up parts of ourselves for the people we love. Dickinson writes, "Were He to count them o'er / His own would fall too near / That I should dare / Believe I could / Except that I / Were for His sake / Diminished be /"
Here, she is suggesting that the tears she has shed for her lover are so numerous that if he were to count them, he would be overwhelmed by their sheer number. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the act of loving someone can be a deeply selfless one, requiring us to give up parts of ourselves for the sake of another.
The poem also touches on the idea of memory and the ways in which it can preserve the past. Dickinson writes, "Each scar I'll keep for Him / Instead I'll say of Gem / In His long Absence worn / A Costlier one /"
Here, she is suggesting that the scars she has accumulated in her love for her partner will serve as a reminder of their time together, even in his absence. The idea of a scar as a reminder is powerful, as it suggests that even when the physical evidence of a wound has faded, the memory of it remains.
Overall, "Each Scar I'll keep for Him" is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the enduring nature of memory. Through her use of metaphor and evocative language, Dickinson captures the complex emotions that come with loving someone deeply and the ways in which that love can leave a lasting mark on our lives. It is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss, and one that continues to resonate with readers today.
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