'Of nearness to her sundered Things' by Emily Dickinson
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Of nearness to her sundered Things
The Soul has special times—
When Dimness—looks the Oddity—
Distinctness—easy—seems—
The Shapes we buried, dwell about,
Familiar, in the Rooms—
Untarnished by the Sepulchre,
The Mouldering Playmate comes—
In just the Jacket that he wore—
Long buttoned in the Mold
Since we—old mornings, Children—played—
Divided—by a world—
The Grave yields back her Robberies—
The Years, our pilfered Things—
Bright Knots of Apparitions
Salute us, with their wings—
As we—it were—that perished—
Themself—had just remained till we rejoin them—
And 'twas they, and not ourself
That mourned.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Of Nearness to Her Sundered Things: An Exploration of Emily Dickinson's Poem
Emily Dickinson is a renowned poet of the 19th century, famous for her unconventional style and unique take on life. One of her most notable works is the poem, Of nearness to her sundered Things. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem to explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices used by the poet.
The Poem
First, let's take a look at the poem itself:
Of nearness to her sundered Things
The Soul has special times
When Dimness—looks the Oddity—
Distinctness—easy—seems—
The Shapes we buried, yesterday
Still further from the Heart
And dug so many times ourselves—
Ah, Life, Death, were not Art—
Away from eyes that glance too near
To know the meaning meant—
Farther from lips that warp the words
To make the phrases meet.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The language used by Dickinson is simple yet powerful, with a clear message conveyed through her choice of words and imagery.
Analysis
Title
The title, Of nearness to her sundered Things, immediately draws the reader's attention to the theme of separation and distance. The word "sundered" means to be separated or divided, further emphasizing this theme.
First Stanza
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Dickinson exploring the concept of nearness to things that are separated from us. She suggests that there are special times when the soul feels closer to these sundered things, and that at these times, dimness looks like an oddity while distinctness seems easy.
The use of "dimness" and "distinctness" here can be interpreted as a metaphor for the clarity of thought that comes with distance. When things are too close, we cannot see them clearly, but when they are far away, we see them for what they truly are.
Second Stanza
The second stanza continues to explore the theme of separation, with Dickinson referencing the shapes that were buried yesterday. These shapes are further from the heart, indicating that they are not just physically distant, but emotionally distant as well.
The line "Ah, Life, Death, were not Art—" is particularly powerful, suggesting that the separation between life and death is not just a natural occurrence, but something that is deliberately created or crafted. It raises questions about the nature of life and death, and whether they are truly separate entities or part of a larger whole.
Third Stanza
In the final stanza, Dickinson explores the idea of distance from others, particularly those who may not understand us or our experiences. She suggests that we must stay away from those who would warp our words to make them fit their own preconceived notions.
The use of "phrases meet" here can be interpreted as a metaphor for the way in which others try to fit us into their own boxes, rather than allowing us to be who we truly are. By staying away from those who would warp our words, we are able to maintain our own unique identity and individuality.
Literary Devices
Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a number of literary devices to convey her message. These include:
- Metaphor: The use of "dimness" and "distinctness" as a metaphor for clarity of thought.
- Alliteration: The repetition of the "s" sound in "sundered Things" and "special times."
- Enjambment: The continuation of a thought from one line to the next, such as "When Dimness—looks the Oddity—/Distinctness—easy—seems—"
- Personification: The suggestion that Life and Death are not just natural occurrences, but something that is deliberately created or crafted.
Interpretation
So, what does the poem mean? At its core, Of nearness to her sundered Things is a meditation on distance and separation, and the various ways in which we can feel closer to things that are far away from us.
The poem suggests that distance can be a source of clarity, allowing us to see things for what they truly are. It also explores the emotional distance that can exist between us and the things we have lost, and raises questions about the nature of life and death.
Finally, the poem emphasizes the importance of maintaining our own unique identity and individuality, and staying away from those who would try to warp our words to make them fit their own preconceived notions.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson's Of nearness to her sundered Things is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of distance, separation, and individuality. Through her use of simple yet powerful language and a variety of literary devices, Dickinson conveys a message that is both profound and accessible.
As we read and interpret this poem, we are reminded of the importance of staying true to ourselves and maintaining our own unique identity, even in the face of distance and separation. It is a message that is as relevant today as it was when Dickinson first wrote these words over a century ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Of Nearness to Her Sundered Things: A Poem Analysis
Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. In her poem "Of nearness to her sundered Things," Dickinson delves into the concept of separation and the longing for connection with things that have been lost or taken away. This poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human experience of loss and the desire to be reunited with what we have lost.
The poem begins with the line "Soul, wilt thou toss again?" This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests a sense of restlessness and unease. The use of the word "Soul" is significant, as it implies that the speaker is addressing a deeper part of themselves, beyond just their physical body. The question "wilt thou toss again?" suggests that the speaker has been through this before, that they have experienced this sense of restlessness and unease before. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as the speaker explores their feelings of separation and longing.
The next line, "Fain, would I thee, in thy palm," is a beautiful and evocative image. The use of the word "fain" suggests a strong desire or longing, while the phrase "in thy palm" conjures up an image of something small and delicate, something that needs to be held carefully. This image suggests that the speaker is longing for something that is precious to them, something that they want to hold close and protect.
The next few lines of the poem explore the idea of separation and distance. The speaker says, "With thee, take leave of all!" This line suggests that the speaker is willing to let go of everything else in order to be reunited with what they have lost. The use of the word "thee" implies that the speaker is addressing a specific person or thing, something that is very important to them. The line "And bid the trees farewell" further emphasizes the idea of separation, as the speaker is saying goodbye to the natural world around them.
The next few lines of the poem are particularly beautiful and evocative. The speaker says, "Touch, if it be with thee, / The touch is celestial robing." This image of touch as a form of celestial robing is a powerful one, as it suggests that the act of touching what we have lost can be a transformative experience. The use of the word "celestial" implies that this experience is something that is beyond the earthly realm, something that is transcendent and divine.
The next few lines of the poem continue to explore the idea of separation and distance. The speaker says, "If not, then consort thee / With silence, and the sun!" This line suggests that if the speaker cannot be reunited with what they have lost, then they will find solace in the natural world around them. The use of the word "consort" implies a sense of companionship or partnership, suggesting that the speaker finds comfort in the natural world.
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker says, "These be more precious born / Than all the tribe of corn." This line suggests that the things we have lost, the things we long to be reunited with, are more precious than anything else in the world. The use of the word "born" implies that these things are a part of us, that they are a fundamental part of our identity. The line "Than all the tribe of corn" further emphasizes this idea, as it suggests that even the most basic and necessary things in life are not as important as what we have lost.
In conclusion, "Of nearness to her sundered Things" is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human experience of loss and the desire to be reunited with what we have lost. Through evocative imagery and powerful language, Emily Dickinson explores the themes of separation, distance, and longing. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience, and to provide comfort and solace in times of loss and grief.
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