'His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook—' by Emily Dickinson
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His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook—
His Feathers wilted low—
The Claws that clung, like lifeless Gloves
Indifferent hanging now—
The Joy that in his happy Throat
Was waiting to be poured
Gored through and through with Death, to be
Assassin of a Bird
Resembles to my outraged mind
The firing in Heaven,
On Angels—squandering for you
Their Miracles of Tune—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook: An In-Depth Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson's poem, "His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook," is a haunting and enigmatic piece of literature. With only six lines, Dickinson manages to convey a sense of loss, death, and mystery. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this poem to better understand its meaning and significance.
Summary of the Poem
The poem's title, "His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook," gives us a clue about its subject matter. The "his" in the title refers to a bird, whose "bill is clasped" and "eye forsook." In the first line of the poem, Dickinson writes, "His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook—," indicating that the bird is dead. However, the poem doesn't end there. Dickinson goes on to describe what's happening around the bird's dead body.
In the second line, she writes, "His Feathers wilted low—." Here, Dickinson uses personification to give the feathers a human characteristic of wilting. The third line reads, "The Claws—that held the Twig—." This line indicates that the bird was perched on a twig before it died. Dickinson then goes on to describe the scene around the dead bird.
In the fourth line, she writes, "Are steadfast hove in snow—." The image of the claws being "steadfast" and "hove in snow" is both beautiful and eerie. It gives the impression that the bird was frozen in time and space, trapped in the moment of its death. The poem ends with the last two lines, "The Lark is silent—Choirs disband—," which evoke a sense of sadness and loss.
Themes
The poem "His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook" explores several themes, including death, loss, and the transience of life. Dickinson uses the image of the dead bird to convey these themes. The bird represents life, and its death symbolizes the inevitability of death for all living things. The image of the bird frozen in the snow reinforces this idea, reminding us that life is fleeting and can be taken away at any moment.
Another theme that the poem explores is the idea of silence. The last two lines of the poem read, "The Lark is silent—Choirs disband—." The image of the silent lark reinforces the idea of death and loss. The choir disbanding also indicates that something beautiful and meaningful has come to an end. This theme of silence and loss is something that Dickinson explores in many of her other poems as well.
Symbols
Dickinson uses several symbols in the poem to convey its themes. The dead bird is the most obvious symbol in the poem. The bird represents life and its death represents death and the transience of life. The image of the bird's claws stuck in the snow is also a powerful symbol. It represents the bird's entrapment in death, frozen in time and space.
The snow itself can also be seen as a symbol in the poem. Snow often represents death and the end of life. In this poem, the snow reinforces the idea of the bird being frozen in time and space, trapped in the moment of its death.
Literary Devices
Emily Dickinson uses several literary devices in "His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook" to convey its themes and create a sense of mystery and ambiguity. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is personification. Dickinson uses personification to give the feathers a human characteristic of wilting. This creates a sense of unease and reinforces the idea of death and loss.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery helps to create a sense of atmosphere and evoke emotions in the reader. The image of the bird's claws stuck in the snow, for example, is a powerful image that creates a sense of entrapment and isolation.
Interpretation
The poem "His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook" can be interpreted in several ways. One interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on death and the transience of life. Dickinson uses the image of the dead bird to remind us that life is fleeting and can be taken away at any moment. The bird's entrapment in the snow reinforces this idea, reminding us that death is final and unyielding.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the human condition. The bird's death and entrapment in the snow can be seen as a metaphor for the human experience of feeling trapped and isolated in life. The image of the bird's claws stuck in the snow can be seen as a symbol for the ways in which we can become stuck in our own lives, unable to move forward or escape from our circumstances.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook" is a haunting and enigmatic poem that explores themes of death, loss, and the transience of life. Dickinson's use of literary devices and symbols helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mystery that draws the reader in. Whether interpreted as a meditation on death or a commentary on the human experience, the poem remains a powerful and evocative piece of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her poems are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems is "His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook—," which explores the theme of death and the afterlife. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the meaning of this classic poem and explore its significance in the context of Dickinson's body of work.
The poem begins with the line "His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook—," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "his" suggests that the poem is about a male figure, and the use of the word "bill" suggests that this figure is a bird. The word "clasped" suggests that the bird is dead, and the word "forsook" suggests that it has abandoned its body and moved on to the afterlife.
The second line of the poem reads, "His Feathers, like the Crescent Moon," which further emphasizes the bird's connection to the afterlife. The crescent moon is often associated with death and rebirth, and the comparison of the bird's feathers to the crescent moon suggests that the bird has undergone a transformation and is now in a new state of being.
The third line of the poem reads, "Or Berries, unperceived—," which is a bit more difficult to interpret. The word "berries" suggests something sweet and nourishing, but the word "unperceived" suggests that these berries are hidden or unknown. This line could be interpreted as a reference to the afterlife, which is often described as a place of abundance and nourishment, but which is also unknown and mysterious.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Abhorred by Birds—," which is a stark contrast to the previous line. The word "abhorred" suggests that the bird is now an outcast, rejected by its own kind. This line could be interpreted as a reference to the isolation and loneliness that often accompanies death, or it could be a commentary on the nature of death itself, which is often seen as a taboo subject in many cultures.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "A later Fruiterer—," which is a bit more difficult to interpret. The word "fruiterer" suggests someone who sells fruit, but the word "later" suggests that this person is not the first to arrive on the scene. This line could be interpreted as a reference to the afterlife, which is often described as a place where souls are gathered and sorted, or it could be a commentary on the cyclical nature of life and death, with the fruiterer representing the next stage in the cycle.
The sixth and final line of the poem reads, "But deemless entertained—," which is perhaps the most difficult line to interpret. The word "deemless" suggests that the bird is not being judged or evaluated in any way, but the word "entertained" suggests that it is being observed or watched. This line could be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of death, which is often seen as a mysterious and unknowable process, or it could be a commentary on the nature of the afterlife, which is often described as a place of judgment and evaluation.
Overall, "His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook—" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. The use of imagery and metaphor creates a sense of mystery and ambiguity, which allows the reader to interpret the poem in a variety of ways. Some may see the poem as a commentary on the cyclical nature of life and death, while others may see it as a meditation on the mystery of the afterlife. Whatever interpretation one chooses, it is clear that "His Bill is clasped—his Eye forsook—" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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