'Funny—to be a Century' by Emily Dickinson
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Funny—to be a Century—
And see the People—going by—
I—should die of the Oddity—
But then—I'm not so staid—as He—
He keeps His Secrets safely—very—
Were He to tell—extremely sorry
This Bashful Globe of Ours would be—
So dainty of Publicity—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Funny—to be a Century: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is a poet who is known for her unique style, her unconventional use of punctuation, and her ability to capture the essence of life in each of her poems. One of her most famous poems is titled "Funny—to be a Century" which was written in 1862. This poem is a reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes and literary devices used in "Funny—to be a Century."
The Poem
Before delving into the themes and literary devices in "Funny—to be a Century," let's take a closer look at the poem itself. Here is the poem in its entirety:
Funny—to be a Century—
And see the People—going by—
I—should die of the Oddity—
But then—I'm not so staid—as He—
He keeps His Secrets safely—very—
Were He to tell—extremely sorry
This Bashful Globe of Ours would be
So dazed—'twould close—Majesty!
The poem consists of six short stanzas, each with a unique rhyme scheme. The first three stanzas describe the speaker's experience of being alive for a century and watching people pass by. The fourth stanza introduces a male character who is more reserved than the speaker. The final two stanzas speculate about the secrets this male character may be keeping and the potential consequences if he were to reveal them.
Now that we have a basic understanding of the poem, let's examine the themes that are present.
Themes
Time
Time is the most prevalent theme in "Funny—to be a Century." The passing of time is unavoidably linked to the speaker's experience of being alive for a century. The speaker watches people "going by" and notes their "Oddity." The use of the word "Oddity" suggests that the speaker sees the passage of time as something unusual or strange. This is further emphasized in the second stanza when the speaker says that they "should die" of the Oddity.
Death
The theme of death is also present in "Funny—to be a Century." The speaker's reflection on the passage of time leads them to consider their own mortality. The use of the word "die" in the second stanza suggests that the speaker is aware of their own mortality. The final stanza also suggests that the revelation of the male character's secrets would result in the closing of "Majesty." This could be interpreted as a reference to death, suggesting that the revealing of secrets could result in the end of something significant.
Secrecy
The theme of secrecy is introduced in the fourth stanza when the male character is described as keeping his secrets "safely." The use of the word "safely" suggests that these secrets are important to him and that he is protecting them. The final stanza speculates about what these secrets could be and what the consequences would be if they were revealed.
Now that we have examined the themes present in "Funny—to be a Century," let's take a closer look at the literary devices that Dickinson employs.
Literary Devices
Punctuation
One of the most notable literary devices that Dickinson employs in "Funny—to be a Century" is her use of punctuation. Dickinson is known for her unconventional use of punctuation, and this is evident in this poem. For example, Dickinson uses an em dash in the title of the poem, which is a departure from the standard use of a colon in a title. Additionally, Dickinson uses dashes throughout the poem to create pauses and to draw attention to certain words and phrases.
Rhyme Scheme
Another literary device used in "Funny—to be a Century" is the unique rhyme scheme in each stanza. The first three stanzas have a rhyme scheme of ABCCDD, while the fourth, fifth, and sixth stanzas have a rhyme scheme of ABABCB. This change in rhyme scheme between the two sets of stanzas helps to break up the poem and creates a sense of progression.
Imagery
Dickinson also employs imagery in "Funny—to be a Century." The use of the word "Oddity" in the first stanza creates a sense of strangeness or unfamiliarity. This is further emphasized in the second stanza with the use of the word "Bashful" to describe the globe. This description suggests that the world is shy or hesitant, perhaps because of the passage of time. The use of the word "Majesty" in the final stanza creates an image of something grand and important, which would be lost if the male character's secrets were revealed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Funny—to be a Century" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of time, death, and secrecy. Dickinson employs literary devices such as punctuation, rhyme scheme, and imagery to create a unique and memorable poem. The poem encourages readers to reflect on their own experiences with the passage of time and to consider the importance of keeping secrets. Ultimately, "Funny—to be a Century" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Funny—to be a Century: A Poem Analysis
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, wrote a poem titled "Funny—to be a Century." The poem is a reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. In this article, we will delve into the meaning of the poem and explore its themes and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "Funny—to be a Century," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "funny" can be interpreted in different ways, but in this context, it suggests a sense of irony or absurdity. The speaker is reflecting on the fact that they have lived for a century, which is a long time by any measure. However, the speaker seems to find it amusing that they have lived for so long.
The second line of the poem reads, "And see the People—going by." Here, the speaker is observing the people around them, who are presumably much younger than they are. The use of the word "see" suggests that the speaker is not just observing the people, but also reflecting on their own life and the changes they have witnessed over the years. The phrase "going by" suggests that the people are moving quickly, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the passage of time.
In the third line, the speaker says, "I should die of the Oddity." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it seems to suggest that the speaker finds it odd that they have lived for so long. The use of the word "oddity" suggests that the speaker is aware of the unusual nature of their longevity. The phrase "I should die" could be interpreted in a few different ways. It could be a literal statement, suggesting that the speaker is so overwhelmed by the strangeness of their situation that they might die. Alternatively, it could be a metaphorical statement, suggesting that the speaker is so amazed by their own longevity that they feel as though they are living on borrowed time.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "But then, we breathe, and die, to be." This line is a bit more straightforward than the previous ones. The speaker is acknowledging the fact that death is inevitable, but also suggesting that there is something beyond death. The phrase "to be" suggests that there is some kind of afterlife or continuation of existence beyond death.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Anew, assembled—parting—then." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it seems to suggest that there is a cycle of life and death that continues endlessly. The use of the word "anew" suggests that there is some kind of rebirth or renewal that occurs after death. The phrase "assembled—parting—then" suggests that there is a gathering or assembly of some kind, followed by a separation or parting.
The final line of the poem reads, "When centuries flit, behind." This line is a bit more abstract than the others, but it seems to suggest that the passing of time is a fleeting thing. The use of the word "flit" suggests that time moves quickly and is difficult to grasp. The phrase "when centuries flit, behind" suggests that the speaker is looking back on the passing of time and reflecting on how quickly it has gone by.
Overall, "Funny—to be a Century" is a poem that reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The speaker is reflecting on their own longevity and the changes they have witnessed over the years. The poem is full of literary devices, including metaphors, irony, and abstract language. It is a powerful reflection on the human experience and the fleeting nature of time.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "Funny—to be a Century" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The poem is full of literary devices and abstract language, which makes it a challenging but rewarding read. It is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few lines of verse.
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