'Going to Heaven!' by Emily Dickinson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
79
Going to Heaven!
I don't know when—
Pray do not ask me how!
Indeed I'm too astonished
To think of answering you!
Going to Heaven!
How dim it sounds!
And yet it will be done
As sure as flocks go home at night
Unto the Shepherd's arm!
Perhaps you're going too!
Who knows?
If you should get there first
Save just a little space for me
Close to the two I lost—
The smallest "Robe" will fit me
And just a bit of "Crown"—
For you know we do not mind our dress
When we are going home—
I'm glad I don't believe it
For it would stop my breath—
And I'd like to look a little more
At such a curious Earth!
I'm glad they did believe it
Whom I have never found
Since the might Autumn afternoon
I left them in the ground.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's "Going to Heaven!": A Critique and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of the nineteenth century. Her works, characterized by their unique style and form, have captured the attention and admiration of literary enthusiasts for decades. Among her works is the poem "Going to Heaven!" which is a beautiful piece that explores themes of death, faith, and the afterlife. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into this poem and explore its meanings, devices, and significance.
Context and Analysis
"Going to Heaven!" is a short poem, consisting of only four stanzas with four lines each. The poem was written in the mid-nineteenth century, a time when religion and faith played a significant role in American society, and death was a common occurrence due to the high mortality rate. The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker narrating a dialogue that takes place between them and someone else. The identity of the other person is not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that it is a religious figure or an angel.
The poem begins with the speaker asking the other person if they are going to heaven. The other person responds by saying that they are going to a place where they will rest forever. The speaker then expresses their desire to go to heaven and asks the other person if they will help them get there. The other person responds by saying that they will guide the speaker to heaven and lead them to the throne of God.
The poem's structure is simple, with each stanza consisting of four lines, and the rhyming scheme is AABB. The simplicity of the structure and the rhyme scheme suggest that the poem's primary focus is on the words and the message conveyed rather than the structure or form of the poem.
Themes and Interpretation
The primary themes explored in "Going to Heaven!" are death, faith, and the afterlife. The poem's structure and language convey the idea that the speaker is preparing for death and is seeking guidance on how to reach heaven. The poem's opening lines, "Do you have a Balm--in Gilead-- / Or a Lodestar--for a fool-- / Do you have a lotus-pod-- / Or a Paphian Dove," suggest that the speaker is seeking guidance and assistance in their journey to the afterlife.
The use of the metaphor of the Lodestar, a star that guides sailors in their voyages, is significant since it suggests that the speaker is lost and in need of guidance. The use of the metaphor of the lotus-pod is also significant since it symbolizes purity and spiritual enlightenment. The speaker's use of these metaphors suggests that they are seeking guidance from someone who has the knowledge and wisdom to help them reach their spiritual destination.
The other person's response to the speaker's questions conveys the idea that faith and belief are necessary for one to reach heaven. The other person's response, "I have a King--who does not speak-- / So--wandering--sorest--I-- / Would'nt care--He know-- / Have You got a Cheer for me?" suggests that the other person believes in a higher power that does not speak, but they have faith and trust in their King. The other person's response suggests that faith and belief in a higher power are essential for one to reach heaven.
The final stanza of the poem conveys the idea that the speaker has found the guidance they were seeking and is ready to make the journey to heaven. The speaker's response, "I have only but to die, / And I shall be / To have the Blue Jay die!" suggests that the speaker has accepted death and is ready to make the journey to the afterlife. The use of the metaphor of the Blue Jay, a bird that represents renewal and rebirth, suggests that the speaker believes that death is not the end but a transition to a new life.
Literary Devices
"Going to Heaven!" is a well-crafted poem that employs several literary devices to convey its message. The use of metaphors, such as the Lodestar and the lotus-pod, is significant since they help to create a vivid image in the reader's mind and convey the speaker's desire for guidance and enlightenment. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the phrase "Do you have," emphasizes the speaker's uncertainty and the urgency of their need for guidance.
The poem's use of rhyme and rhythm is also significant since it helps to create a musical quality that emphasizes the poem's message. The use of enjambment, such as in the lines "Do you have a Balm--in Gilead-- / Or a Lodestar--for a fool--," creates a sense of movement and flow that adds to the poem's musical quality.
The poem's use of imagery is also significant since it helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind and convey the speaker's emotions and desires. The use of the metaphor of the Blue Jay in the final stanza, for example, conveys the speaker's belief in renewal and rebirth and adds a sense of hope and optimism to the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "Going to Heaven!" is a beautiful poem that explores themes of death, faith, and the afterlife. The poem's structure, language, and literary devices work together to convey the speaker's desire for guidance and enlightenment and their belief in the afterlife. The poem's use of metaphors, repetition, rhyme, and rhythm, and imagery helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind and convey the poem's message. "Going to Heaven!" is an excellent example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and form and is a testament to her prowess as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Going to Heaven! by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for decades. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the concept of death and the afterlife. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "Going to Heaven!" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The exclamation mark at the end of the line suggests excitement and anticipation, as if the speaker is looking forward to the journey ahead. The use of the word "heaven" also suggests a positive and uplifting experience, which is further reinforced by the imagery used throughout the poem.
The first stanza of the poem describes the speaker's journey to heaven. The speaker describes the journey as a "road" that is "smooth" and "even." This imagery suggests that the journey is easy and effortless, and that the speaker is not encountering any obstacles or challenges along the way. The use of the word "smooth" also suggests a sense of calm and tranquility, which is further reinforced by the imagery of the "fields" and "hills" that the speaker passes by.
The second stanza of the poem describes the speaker's arrival in heaven. The speaker describes the scene as a "city" that is "bright" and "fair." This imagery suggests that heaven is a beautiful and magnificent place, full of light and wonder. The use of the word "city" also suggests a sense of community and togetherness, as if the speaker is surrounded by other souls who have also made the journey to heaven.
The third stanza of the poem describes the speaker's encounter with God. The speaker describes God as a "King" who is "gracious" and "kind." This imagery suggests that God is a benevolent and loving figure, who welcomes the speaker into his kingdom with open arms. The use of the word "King" also suggests a sense of power and authority, as if God is the ruler of heaven and all who reside there.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem describes the speaker's experience in heaven. The speaker describes the scene as a place where there is "no more night" and where there is "no more pain." This imagery suggests that heaven is a place of eternal peace and happiness, where there is no suffering or sorrow. The use of the phrase "no more" also suggests a sense of finality, as if the speaker has left behind the troubles of the mortal world and has entered into a new and better existence.
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The use of rhyme and meter also adds to the poem's musicality and rhythm. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB, with each line consisting of eight syllables. This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, which is appropriate for a poem that explores the concept of heaven and the afterlife.
The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including imagery, metaphor, and personification. The use of imagery throughout the poem helps to create a vivid and detailed picture of the speaker's journey to heaven. The metaphor of the "road" and the "city" also helps to convey the idea of a journey and a destination, while the personification of God as a "King" adds to the poem's sense of majesty and grandeur.
In conclusion, Going to Heaven! by Emily Dickinson is a beautiful and uplifting poem that explores the concept of death and the afterlife. The poem's use of imagery, metaphor, and personification helps to create a vivid and detailed picture of the speaker's journey to heaven, while the poem's structure and musicality add to its overall beauty and power. Whether you believe in the afterlife or not, this poem is sure to inspire and uplift you with its message of hope and eternal peace.
Editor Recommended Sites
Machine learning Classifiers: Machine learning Classifiers - Identify Objects, people, gender, age, animals, plant typesDeploy Code: Learn how to deploy code on the cloud using various services. The tradeoffs. AWS / GCP
Rust Language: Rust programming language Apps, Web Assembly Apps
Switch Tears of the Kingdom fan page: Fan page for the sequal to breath of the wild 2
Best Online Courses - OCW online free university & Free College Courses: The best online courses online. Free education online & Free university online
Recommended Similar Analysis
Past And Future by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysisA Dream Pang by Robert Frost analysis
A Passing Glimpse by Robert Lee Frost analysis
The Fascination Of What's Difficult by William Butler Yeats analysis
What Then? by William Butler Yeats analysis
Last Words by Sylvia Plath analysis
Justice Denied In Massachusetts by Edna St. Vincent Millay analysis
Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy analysis
Neither Out Far Nor In Deep by Robert Frost analysis
In Winter in my Room by Emily Dickinson analysis