'Precious to Me—She still shall be' by Emily Dickinson


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Precious to Me—She still shall be—
Though She forget the name I bear—
The fashion of the Gown I wear—
The very Color of My Hair—

So like the Meadows—now—
I dared to show a Tress of Theirs
If haply—She might not despise
A Buttercup's Array—

I know the Whole—obscures the Part—
The fraction—that appeased the Heart
Till Number's Empery—
Remembered—as the Millner's flower

When Summer's Everlasting Dower—
Confronts the dazzled Bee.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Precious to Me—She still shall be: A Critical Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the greatest poets of all times. Her poems are known for their unconventional style, complex themes, and powerful imagery. The poem "Precious to Me—She still shall be" is no exception. This poem is a beautiful tribute to a loved one who has passed away. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem in detail and explore its various themes, symbols, and literary devices.

Overview of the Poem

"Precious to Me—She still shall be" is a short poem written by Emily Dickinson. The poem was written in 1862, and it was first published in 1890, after the poet's death. The poem consists of three stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem is written in the form of a tribute to a person who has passed away, and it expresses the poet's deep love and affection for the departed soul.

Literary Devices

Emily Dickinson's poems are known for their unconventional style and use of literary devices. In this poem, the poet uses various literary devices to convey her emotions and thoughts. Let's take a closer look at some of these devices.

Alliteration

The poet uses alliteration in several places in the poem. For example, in the first line of the poem, the poet writes, "Precious to me." The repetition of the "p" sound in this line creates a sense of emphasis and importance. Similarly, in the second stanza, the poet writes, "Safe from the turf and the dew." The repetition of the "s" sound in this line creates a sense of tranquility and peace.

Metaphor

The poet uses metaphor to compare the departed soul to a flower. In the first stanza, the poet writes, "Gone were but the Winter, / Come were but the Spring, / I would go to a covert / Where the birds sing." Here, the poet compares the arrival of spring to the resurrection of the departed soul. The use of metaphor adds depth and richness to the poem.

Personification

The poet personifies death in several places in the poem. In the first stanza, the poet writes, "Gone were but the Winter, / Come were but the Spring." Here, the poet personifies winter and spring, giving them human qualities. Similarly, in the third stanza, the poet writes, "Death's wing shall chill them no more." Here, death is personified as a bird with wings. The use of personification adds a sense of mystery and awe to the poem.

Themes

"Precious to Me—She still shall be" is a poem that deals with several themes. Let's take a closer look at some of these themes.

Love and Loss

The poem is a tribute to a loved one who has passed away. It expresses the poet's deep love and affection for the departed soul. The poem conveys a sense of loss and sadness, but it also celebrates the life of the departed soul. The poem reminds us that even though our loved ones may be gone, they still hold a special place in our hearts.

Death and Resurrection

The poem also deals with the theme of death and resurrection. The poet compares the arrival of spring to the resurrection of the departed soul. The poem suggests that death is not the end, but rather a new beginning. The poem gives the reader a sense of hope and comfort, reminding us that even though our loved ones may be gone, they are still with us in spirit.

Nature

Nature is an important theme in the poem. The poet uses nature imagery to convey her emotions and thoughts. The poem suggests that nature can provide solace and comfort in times of grief. The use of nature imagery also adds a sense of beauty and wonder to the poem.

Symbolism

Emily Dickinson's poems are known for their powerful use of symbolism. "Precious to Me—She still shall be" is no exception. Let's take a closer look at some of the symbols used in the poem.

The Flower

The departed soul is compared to a flower in the poem. The flower symbolizes the beauty and fragility of life. The use of the flower as a symbol adds depth and richness to the poem, reminding us that even though life may be short, it is still precious and beautiful.

The Covert

The covert in the poem symbolizes a place of refuge and solace. The poet suggests that in times of grief, we can find comfort in the beauty and tranquility of nature. The use of the covert as a symbol adds a sense of peace and serenity to the poem.

The Birds

The birds in the poem symbolize life and vitality. The poet suggests that even though our loved ones may be gone, their spirit lives on in the beauty and wonder of nature. The use of the birds as a symbol adds a sense of hope and optimism to the poem.

Interpretation

"Precious to Me—She still shall be" is a powerful poem that deals with themes of love, loss, death, and resurrection. The poem is a tribute to a loved one who has passed away, and it conveys the poet's deep love and affection for the departed soul. The use of literary devices such as alliteration, metaphor, and personification adds depth and richness to the poem, making it a powerful and moving work of art.

The poem suggests that even though our loved ones may be gone, they still hold a special place in our hearts. The poem reminds us that death is not the end, but rather a new beginning. The use of symbolism adds a sense of beauty and wonder to the poem, reminding us that even though life may be short, it is still precious and beautiful.

In conclusion, "Precious to Me—She still shall be" is a beautiful and moving tribute to a loved one who has passed away. The poem reminds us of the power of love and the beauty of life, and it gives us hope and comfort in times of grief. Emily Dickinson's poetry continues to inspire and move us, and "Precious to Me—She still shall be" is a shining example of her genius.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Precious to Me—She still shall be: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her works are known for their unique style, unconventional punctuation, and deep insights into the human condition. One of her most famous poems, "Precious to Me—She still shall be," is a beautiful and poignant reflection on love, loss, and the enduring power of memory. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and meaning.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in its entirety:

Precious to Me—She still shall be,
Though She forget the name I bear—
The fashion of the Gown I wear—
The very Color of My Hair—

So like the Meadows—Perisheth—
Or Mistletoe—dissolves in Dew—
But O the places Mary hid—
So that her face could come to me

At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple reflection on the speaker's love for someone who has forgotten them. However, as we will see, there is much more going on beneath the surface.

Themes

One of the central themes of the poem is the power of memory. The speaker acknowledges that the person they love may forget their name, their appearance, and even the color of their hair. However, despite this, they remain "precious" to the speaker. This suggests that memory is not just about the facts and details of a person's life, but also about the emotional connection that exists between two people.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of impermanence. The speaker compares their love to the meadows and mistletoe, both of which are fleeting and temporary. However, despite this impermanence, the speaker's love endures. This suggests that while everything in life may be temporary, love has the power to transcend time and space.

Finally, the poem touches on the idea of loss. The speaker acknowledges that the person they love may be lost to them in some way, whether through forgetfulness or physical separation. However, despite this loss, the speaker holds onto the memories of their loved one, cherishing them as a precious gift.

Structure

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first three lines of each stanza follow a consistent pattern of repetition, with the speaker listing various things that their loved one may forget. However, the final line of each stanza breaks this pattern, offering a surprising and poignant image that deepens the poem's meaning.

For example, in the first stanza, the speaker lists the name they bear, the fashion of their gown, and the color of their hair. However, the final line offers a striking image of Mary hiding, suggesting that the speaker's memories of their loved one are not just about physical details, but also about the emotional moments they shared.

Meaning

So, what is the poem really about? At its core, "Precious to Me—She still shall be" is a meditation on the enduring power of love and memory. The speaker acknowledges that their loved one may forget the details of their life, but they will always hold onto the emotional connection they shared. This suggests that love is not just about physical attraction or shared experiences, but also about the deep emotional bond that exists between two people.

Furthermore, the poem suggests that memory is not just about the facts and details of a person's life, but also about the emotional moments that define our relationships. The image of Mary hiding suggests that the speaker's memories of their loved one are not just about physical details, but also about the emotional moments they shared.

Finally, the poem touches on the idea of impermanence and loss. The speaker acknowledges that everything in life is temporary, but suggests that love has the power to transcend time and space. This suggests that while we may lose the physical presence of our loved ones, we can hold onto the memories of our time together as a precious gift.

Conclusion

"Precious to Me—She still shall be" is a beautiful and poignant reflection on love, memory, and loss. Through its use of repetition, surprising imagery, and deep emotional insights, the poem offers a powerful meditation on the enduring power of love and the importance of cherishing our memories of those we have loved and lost. As we navigate the ups and downs of life, it is important to remember that while everything may be temporary, the emotional connections we share with others can endure forever.

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