'Ended, ere it begun—' by Emily Dickinson
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Ended, ere it begun—
The Title was scarcely told
When the Preface perished from Consciousness
The Story, unrevealed—
Had it been mine, to print!
Had it been yours, to read!
That it was not Our privilege
The interdict of God—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Ended, ere it begun" by Emily Dickinson: A Critical Interpretation
Are you ready for a deep dive into the world of Emily Dickinson? Because we're about to embark on a journey through one of her most intriguing poems - "Ended, ere it begun."
At first glance, this poem may seem short and simple, but that's precisely what makes it so intriguing. In just five lines, Dickinson manages to convey an entire universe of emotions and ideas, leaving the reader with a sense of wonder and mystery.
So, without further ado, let's take a closer look at "Ended, ere it begun" and explore some of its key themes and interpretations.
The Text: "Ended, ere it begun"
Here's the poem in full:
Ended, ere it begun—
The Title was scarcely told
When the Preface perished from Consciousness
The Story, unrevealed—
On the surface, this poem seems to be about a story that was never told. The title was scarcely even mentioned before the preface perished from consciousness, and the story itself remained unrevealed.
But what does this mean on a deeper level? What are the underlying themes and ideas that Dickinson is trying to express?
Theme 1: The Transience of Life
One of the most prominent themes in "Ended, ere it begun" is the idea of transience - the fleeting nature of life and the things we experience.
The title of the story is barely even mentioned before it disappears, symbolizing how quickly and easily things can be lost or forgotten. The preface, too, is gone in an instant, leaving nothing but a faint memory.
This theme of transience is a common one in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the idea of how ephemeral life and its experiences can be. In "Because I could not stop for Death," for example, she describes how life passes by quickly, like a carriage ride that never stops.
In "Ended, ere it begun," Dickinson seems to be emphasizing the idea that life is short and that the things we experience can disappear just as quickly as they appear.
Theme 2: The Power of Language
Another theme that runs throughout this poem is the power of language - specifically, the power of titles, prefaces, and stories.
The title of the story is barely even mentioned before it disappears, highlighting how much importance we place on titles and labels. The preface, too, is gone in an instant, showing how much we rely on introductions and context to understand and appreciate stories.
But what happens when these things are taken away? What does it mean to experience something without any context or introduction?
For Dickinson, it seems that the power of language lies not in the words themselves, but in the way we use them to create meaning and context. Without titles, prefaces, and stories, our experiences may be incomplete or even meaningless.
Interpretation: The Unseen Story
So what is the story that was never told? What is the meaning behind this poem?
One interpretation is that the unseen story represents the mysteries and complexities of life itself. We may catch glimpses of these mysteries - a tantalizing title, a promising preface - but ultimately, we are left with more questions than answers.
This interpretation speaks to the idea that life is full of unanswered questions and unexplored mysteries. No matter how much we learn or experience, there will always be more that is unseen and unknown.
Interpretation: The Power of Imagination
Another interpretation is that the unseen story represents the power of imagination and creativity. The title and preface may be gone, but this doesn't mean that the story itself is lost.
In fact, the absence of these elements may even give rise to a more powerful form of storytelling - one that relies on the reader's imagination to fill in the gaps and create their own narrative.
This interpretation speaks to the idea that creativity and imagination are powerful tools for making sense of the world around us. By using our own imaginations to fill in the gaps, we can create stories and meanings that are even more powerful and impactful than the ones that are given to us.
Conclusion
In "Ended, ere it begun," Emily Dickinson manages to pack an incredible amount of meaning and complexity into just five lines of poetry. Through her use of language, symbolism, and imagery, she explores themes of transience, the power of language, and the mysteries of life itself.
Ultimately, the meaning of this poem is left up to interpretation - just like the unseen story that it describes. But whether we see it as a meditation on the fleeting nature of life or an ode to the power of imagination, one thing is clear: "Ended, ere it begun" is a masterpiece of poetic economy, and a testament to Emily Dickinson's genius as a writer.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Ended, ere it begun" is a classic example of her unique style and poetic genius. In this 12-line poem, Dickinson captures the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, using vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line "Ended, ere it begun," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "ended" suggests that something has already come to a close, while "ere it begun" implies that it never really had a chance to start. This creates a sense of finality and inevitability, as if the events being described were always destined to end in this way.
The second line, "The Title was scarcely told," further emphasizes this idea of something being cut short before it had a chance to fully develop. The use of the word "scarcely" suggests that the title was only just beginning to be revealed, and that there was much more to the story that we will never know.
The third and fourth lines introduce the central metaphor of the poem: "When the Preface perished too, / And the Author -- in the Grave." Here, Dickinson compares the events being described to a book that never got past the preface, because the author died before they could finish it. This metaphor is particularly powerful because it speaks to the idea of unfinished business and unrealized potential, which are themes that resonate with many people.
The use of the word "grave" in this context is also significant, as it reminds us that death is the ultimate end point for all of us. No matter how much we may want to continue living and creating, there will come a time when we are no longer able to do so.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem continue to develop this idea of unrealized potential, as Dickinson writes: "The Plot, too, ponderous grown, / Was finished in the Air." Here, she suggests that even if the author had lived long enough to finish the book, it may have become too heavy and unwieldy to be successful. The phrase "finished in the Air" implies that the plot was never fully realized, and that it was left hanging in the balance.
The final six lines of the poem bring all of these ideas together, as Dickinson reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. She writes:
"Reader! Are you with me, still? Pause, for a moment, dear; Dolefully still the Dead bells chime, Yet an Angel peals the Bell, From some white Sarcophagus, Amid the distant knell."
Here, Dickinson addresses the reader directly, asking if they are still with her in this exploration of life and death. The use of the word "dear" suggests a sense of intimacy and connection between the poet and the reader, as if they are sharing this experience together.
The reference to the "Dead bells" and the "distant knell" creates a somber mood, reminding us of the inevitability of death and the passing of time. However, the mention of an "Angel" pealing the bell from a "white Sarcophagus" suggests that there is still hope and beauty to be found in the midst of this darkness.
Overall, "Ended, ere it begun" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the universal human experience of life and death. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Emily Dickinson captures the fleeting nature of existence and the sense of unrealized potential that we all feel at times. Despite its somber tone, the poem also offers a glimmer of hope, reminding us that even in the face of death, there is still beauty and meaning to be found in life.
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