'I cross till I am weary' by Emily Dickinson
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I cross till I am weary
A Mountain—in my mind—
More Mountains—then a Sea—
More Seas—And then
A Desert—find—
And My Horizon blocks
With steady—drifting—Grains
Of unconjectured quantity—
As Asiatic Rains—
Nor this—defeat my Pace—
It hinder from the West
But as an Enemy's Salute
One hurrying to Rest—
What merit had the Goal—
Except there intervene
Faint Doubt—and far Competitor—
To jeopardize the Gain?
At last—the Grace in sight—
I shout unto my feet—
I offer them the Whole of Heaven
The instant that we meet—
They strive—and yet delay—
They perish—Do we die—
Or is this Death's Experiment—
Reversed—in Victory?
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I cross till I am weary" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When it comes to the poetry of Emily Dickinson, one can never be sure what to expect. Her work is elusive, enigmatic, and full of contradictions. "I cross till I am weary," is no exception. This poem is a complex exploration of the human condition, one that speaks to the burden of existence, the struggle to survive, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems incomprehensible.
Overview
"I cross till I am weary" is a short poem, consisting of only three stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker describing their journey across a river. The river is a metaphor for life, and the crossing represents the challenges and obstacles that one must overcome in order to survive.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker stating that they are crossing the river "till I am weary." This line suggests that the journey is not an easy one, and that the speaker is struggling to keep going. The second stanza reveals that the speaker has been crossing the river for a long time, with the phrase "I've crossed the troubled water" indicating that the journey has not been without its difficulties.
The final stanza is the most enigmatic, with the speaker stating that they will continue to cross the river, "till the last step of my feet." This line suggests that the speaker is determined to keep going, no matter what the cost.
Analysis
At its core, "I cross till I am weary" is a meditation on the human condition. The river that the speaker is crossing represents the struggles and challenges that we all must face in life. The fact that the speaker is crossing the river "till I am weary" suggests that these struggles are not easy to overcome, and that the weight of existence can be overwhelming.
The second stanza of the poem reveals that the speaker has been crossing the river for a long time. The phrase "I've crossed the troubled water" suggests that the journey has been fraught with difficulties and obstacles. However, despite these challenges, the speaker has persevered, and has continued to cross the river.
The final stanza of the poem is the most enigmatic, with the speaker stating that they will continue to cross the river "till the last step of my feet." This line suggests that the speaker is determined to keep going, even though they know that the journey will likely end in their own death. This determination is both admirable and tragic, as it speaks to the human desire to survive, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Interpretation
The meaning of "I cross till I am weary" is open to interpretation, and different readers may take different things away from the poem. However, one possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the human struggle to find meaning in a world that can seem chaotic and meaningless.
The river that the speaker is crossing represents the journey of life, with its ups and downs, its triumphs and tragedies. The fact that the speaker is crossing the river "till I am weary" suggests that this journey is not an easy one, and that the weight of existence can be overwhelming.
Despite these difficulties, the speaker has continued to cross the river, suggesting that the human spirit is resilient, and that we are capable of enduring even the most difficult of circumstances. The fact that the speaker is determined to continue crossing the river "till the last step of my feet" speaks to the human desire to survive, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
At the same time, there is a sense of tragedy in the poem, as the speaker's determination to continue crossing the river suggests that they are aware that the journey will eventually come to an end. This sense of mortality underscores the fragility of human existence, and reminds us that life is not infinite.
Conclusion
"I cross till I am weary" is a complex and enigmatic poem, one that speaks to the human struggle to find meaning in a world that can often seem chaotic and meaningless. Through the metaphor of a river, the poem explores the challenges and obstacles that we all must face in life, as well as the resilience of the human spirit in the face of these difficulties.
Ultimately, "I cross till I am weary" is a testament to the human desire to survive, even in the face of overwhelming odds. It is a reminder that life is a journey, one that can be difficult and challenging, but one that is also filled with moments of beauty and triumph. As such, it is a poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound and meaningful way, and one that is sure to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Cross Till I Am Weary: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "I cross till I am weary," a powerful and evocative piece that explores themes of perseverance, endurance, and the human spirit. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and significance.
First, let's examine the poem itself:
I cross till I am weary A Mountain – in my mind – More Mountains – then a Sea – More Seas – And then A Desert – find – And my Horizon blocks With steady – drifting – Grains Of unconjectured quantity – As Asiatic Rains – Nor this – defeat my Pace – It hindereth – my Soul – From gaining – it must seek – And may never reach the goal – Alternate – feet – go further – Nearer – every Day – Toes – nearer – the Tolstoy – Until – they turn away.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple description of a journey, with the speaker crossing various obstacles until they reach their destination. However, upon closer inspection, we can see that there is much more going on beneath the surface.
The first line, "I cross till I am weary," sets the tone for the entire poem. It suggests that the journey is long and difficult, and that the speaker is determined to see it through to the end, no matter what obstacles they may encounter. The phrase "A Mountain – in my mind –" reinforces this idea, suggesting that the journey is not just physical, but also mental and emotional.
As the poem progresses, the obstacles become more and more daunting. The speaker encounters "More Mountains," "More Seas," and finally, "A Desert." These images are powerful and evocative, suggesting that the journey is not just difficult, but also treacherous and potentially life-threatening.
Despite these challenges, the speaker remains undaunted. They continue to press on, even as their "Horizon blocks / With steady – drifting – Grains / Of unconjectured quantity." This image is particularly striking, as it suggests that the speaker is facing an unknown and unpredictable future, with no clear idea of what lies ahead. However, they remain determined to keep moving forward, even as the obstacles become more and more daunting.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful of all. The speaker acknowledges that they may never reach their goal, but they remain undeterred. They continue to move forward, with "Alternate – feet – go further – / Nearer – every Day – / Toes – nearer – the Tolstoy – / Until – they turn away." This image is particularly striking, as it suggests that the speaker is not just persevering, but also growing stronger and more resilient with each passing day.
So what does all of this mean? At its core, "I cross till I am weary" is a poem about the human spirit and our ability to persevere in the face of adversity. It suggests that no matter how difficult our journey may be, we have the strength and determination to see it through to the end. It also suggests that the obstacles we face are not just physical, but also mental and emotional, and that we must be prepared to face them head-on if we hope to succeed.
In terms of structure, "I cross till I am weary" is a classic example of Dickinson's unique style. The poem is written in short, staccato lines, with each line containing just a few words. This creates a sense of urgency and momentum, as if the speaker is moving quickly and determinedly towards their goal. The use of imagery is also particularly striking, with Dickinson using vivid and evocative descriptions to bring the journey to life.
In terms of significance, "I cross till I am weary" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. It speaks to our innate human desire to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals, no matter how difficult they may be. It also reminds us that the journey itself is often just as important as the destination, and that we must be prepared to face whatever challenges come our way if we hope to succeed.
In conclusion, "I cross till I am weary" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human spirit and our ability to persevere in the face of adversity. It is a testament to Emily Dickinson's unique style and vision, and continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Whether you are facing a difficult journey of your own or simply looking for inspiration and motivation, this classic poem is sure to resonate with you on a deep and profound level.
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