'Let down the Bars, Oh Death—' by Emily Dickinson
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Let down the Bars, Oh Death—
The tired Flocks come in
Whose bleating ceases to repeat
Whose wandering is done—
Thine is the stillest night
Thine the securest Fold
Too near Thou art for seeking Thee
Too tender, to be told.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Let down the Bars, Oh Death: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's poem, Let down the Bars, Oh Death, is a haunting portrayal of the poet's acceptance of her own mortality. The poem has been widely discussed and analyzed by scholars and readers alike, each attempting to uncover the true meaning behind the words. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various interpretations of the poem and the literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.
Background
Emily Dickinson was a prolific American poet who wrote over 1,800 poems during her lifetime. However, only a handful of her poems were published during her lifetime, with the majority of her work being posthumously published. Dickinson's poetry is known for its unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and use of slant rhyme. Many of her poems deal with themes of death and immortality and are often cryptic in nature. Dickinson was a recluse for much of her life and rarely left her family's home in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Literary Devices
Before delving into the interpretation of the poem, it is important to examine the literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message. The most prominent literary device used in the poem is personification. Dickinson personifies death as a character that can "let down the bars" and "take her." By personifying death, Dickinson is able to create a sense of agency and power for death, which contrasts with the traditional portrayal of death as a passive force.
The poem also uses repetition as a literary device. The phrase "let down the bars" is repeated twice in the poem, emphasizing the importance of death's arrival. The repetition of this phrase also creates a sense of urgency and inevitability.
Slant rhyme is another literary device used in the poem. Slant rhyme is a type of rhyme where the ending consonant sounds of two words match, but the vowel sounds do not. In the poem, Dickinson uses slant rhyme in lines two and four with the words "prison" and "reason," and in lines six and eight with the words "fly" and "eternity." The use of slant rhyme gives the poem a musical quality and adds to the poem's sense of isolation and detachment.
Interpretation
The poem, Let down the Bars, Oh Death, has been interpreted in many different ways. Some scholars argue that the poem is a reflection of Dickinson's fear of death, while others argue that the poem is a celebration of death's inevitability.
One interpretation of the poem is that Dickinson is accepting her own mortality. The phrase "let down the bars" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the barriers that prevent individuals from accepting death. By asking death to "let down the bars," Dickinson is indicating that she is ready to let go of life and embrace death. This interpretation is supported by the final two lines of the poem, where Dickinson states that she is "ready to sail" and that she wants death to "take her." These lines suggest that Dickinson is no longer afraid of death and sees it as a release from the burdens of life.
Another interpretation of the poem is that Dickinson is using death as a metaphor for escape. The phrase "let down the bars" can be interpreted as a metaphor for breaking free from the constraints of society. By asking death to "let down the bars," Dickinson is suggesting that she wants to escape from the prison of societal expectations and norms. This interpretation is supported by the line "And I must not delay," which suggests that Dickinson is eager to escape from her current situation.
A third interpretation of the poem is that Dickinson is using death as a metaphor for transcendence. The phrase "let down the bars" can be interpreted as a metaphor for breaking free from the limitations of the physical world. By asking death to "let down the bars," Dickinson is suggesting that she wants to transcend the physical world and enter into the realm of eternity. This interpretation is supported by the line "And fly forgotten, as a dream," which suggests that Dickinson sees death as a release from the constraints of time and space.
Context
To fully understand the poem, it is important to examine the context in which it was written. Dickinson lived during a time when death was a common occurrence, and many individuals did not live past their thirties. Death was a constant presence in Dickinson's life, and her poems often reflect her preoccupation with mortality.
The poem was written during a period in Dickinson's life when she was experiencing a great deal of emotional turmoil. Dickinson's mother had become ill, and Dickinson was forced to care for her. The burden of caring for her mother, combined with Dickinson's own health problems, may have led her to contemplate her own mortality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem, Let down the Bars, Oh Death, is a powerful portrayal of the poet's acceptance of her own mortality. The poem's use of personification, repetition, and slant rhyme, creates a sense of urgency and inevitability, which emphasizes the poem's central theme. The poem has been interpreted in many different ways, including as an acceptance of mortality, a celebration of escape, and a metaphor for transcendence. Regardless of the interpretation, the poem remains a powerful reflection on the human experience of death and the inevitability of our own mortality.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Let down the Bars, Oh Death, by Emily Dickinson, is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars for decades. This poem is a reflection of Dickinson's thoughts on death and the afterlife. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of this poem.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing death, asking it to "let down the bars." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is ready to die and is asking death to come and take her away. The use of the word "bars" is also significant because it suggests that death is a prison, and the speaker is asking to be released from it.
The second stanza of the poem describes the speaker's desire to be reunited with loved ones who have already passed away. The speaker says, "I know that He exists. Somewhere – in silence – He has hid his rare life." This line suggests that the speaker believes in an afterlife and that her loved ones are waiting for her there. The use of the word "silence" is significant because it suggests that the afterlife is a peaceful and quiet place.
The third stanza of the poem describes the speaker's desire to be reunited with God. The speaker says, "Some other thirst – to know – Assuredly – We could not long – The Rapture were so near." This line suggests that the speaker is thirsty for knowledge and wants to know more about God. The use of the word "rapture" is significant because it suggests that the speaker believes that being reunited with God will be a joyful and ecstatic experience.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the speaker's acceptance of death. The speaker says, "I willed my Keepsakes – Signed away What portion of me be Assignable – and then it was There interposed a Fly." This line suggests that the speaker has given away her possessions and has accepted that she cannot take anything with her when she dies. The use of the word "fly" is significant because it suggests that death is a small and insignificant thing that can be easily swatted away.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem describes the speaker's belief that death is not the end. The speaker says, "With Blue – uncertain – stumbling Buzz – Between the light – and me – And then the Windows failed – and then I could not see to see." This line suggests that the speaker believes that there is something beyond death, something that is uncertain and unknown. The use of the word "windows" is significant because it suggests that the speaker is looking out into the afterlife, but her vision is limited.
One of the main themes of this poem is the acceptance of death. The speaker has come to terms with the fact that death is inevitable and has accepted it. This theme is evident in the fourth stanza when the speaker says, "I willed my Keepsakes – Signed away What portion of me be Assignable – and then it was There interposed a Fly." This line suggests that the speaker has given away her possessions and has accepted that she cannot take anything with her when she dies.
Another theme of this poem is the belief in an afterlife. The speaker believes that there is something beyond death, something that is uncertain and unknown. This theme is evident in the second stanza when the speaker says, "I know that He exists. Somewhere – in silence – He has hid his rare life." This line suggests that the speaker believes in an afterlife and that her loved ones are waiting for her there.
The use of literary devices in this poem is also significant. One of the most prominent literary devices used in this poem is imagery. The use of imagery helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. For example, in the third stanza, the speaker says, "The Rapture were so near." This line creates an image of a joyful and ecstatic experience.
Another literary device used in this poem is symbolism. The use of symbolism helps to convey deeper meanings and emotions. For example, the use of the word "bars" in the first line of the poem is symbolic of death being a prison.
In conclusion, Let down the Bars, Oh Death, by Emily Dickinson, is a classic poem that explores the themes of acceptance of death and belief in an afterlife. The use of literary devices such as imagery and symbolism helps to convey deeper meanings and emotions. This poem is a reflection of Dickinson's thoughts on death and the afterlife and is a testament to her poetic genius.
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