'Suspense—is Hostiler than Death' by Emily Dickinson
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Suspense—is Hostiler than Death—
Death—tho'soever Broad,
Is Just Death, and cannot increase—
Suspense—does not conclude—
But perishes—to live anew—
But just anew to die—
Annihilation—plated fresh
With Immortality—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Suspense—is Hostiler than Death
An In-depth Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
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Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her work has stood the test of time. Her poem "Suspense—is Hostiler than Death" is a masterpiece that has captured the hearts of many readers. This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of hyphens, dashes, and unconventional capitalization. In this analysis, we will delve into the different aspects of the poem and explore its meaning and significance.
Structure and Form
The poem consists of four stanzas, each with two lines. The first and third lines of each stanza are written in iambic trimeter, while the second and fourth lines are written in iambic tetrameter. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which adds to the musicality of the poem. The use of consistent meter and rhyme scheme creates a sense of stability and order in the poem, which is in contrast to the theme of suspense and uncertainty.
Theme and Meaning
The theme of the poem is suspense and its effect on the human psyche. The poem explores the idea that suspense can be more unbearable than death itself. The sense of not knowing what will happen next can be agonizing and can cause anxiety and fear. The poem suggests that the fear of the unknown can be worse than the fear of death.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem by stating that "Suspense—is Hostiler than Death." The use of the word "hostiler" suggests that suspense is an enemy that is hostile and aggressive. The word "than" indicates that suspense is worse than death itself. The second stanza provides an example of how suspense can be more painful than death. The image of a bird waiting for the arrival of a predator creates a sense of tension and fear. The bird is in a state of suspense, not knowing when the predator will arrive. The bird is living in a constant state of fear, which is worse than death itself.
The third stanza uses the metaphor of a shipwreck to describe the feeling of suspense. The ship is lost at sea, and the sailors are waiting for the inevitable. The use of the word "await" creates a sense of anticipation and fear. The sailors are waiting for death, but the suspense of not knowing when it will happen is worse than death itself.
The final stanza brings the poem to a conclusion by stating that "The Suspect turns Her eye." The use of the capitalization of "Suspect" creates a sense of importance and significance. The "Suspect" refers to the unknown, the thing that is causing the suspense. The fact that it turns its eye suggests that it is watching and waiting, creating a sense of unease and tension. The final line, "Shall I—say—the Crocus—is—gone," creates a sense of finality. The crocus is a symbol of beauty and life, and its absence suggests that death has come.
Language and Imagery
Dickinson's use of language and imagery is one of the most striking aspects of the poem. The use of hyphens and dashes adds a sense of urgency and fragmentation to the poem. The use of unconventional capitalization creates a sense of importance and significance. The language is simple, yet powerful, and the imagery is vivid and evocative.
The first line of the poem, "Suspense—is Hostiler than Death," is a perfect example of how Dickinson uses language to create impact. The use of the hyphen creates a sense of fragmentation, and the word "hostiler" is not a conventional adjective, which adds to the uniqueness of the poem. The image of a bird waiting for a predator creates a sense of tension and fear, and the metaphor of a shipwreck adds to the feeling of uncertainty and dread.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Suspense—is Hostiler than Death" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the theme of suspense and its effect on the human psyche. The poem is characterized by Dickinson's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of hyphens, dashes, and unconventional capitalization. The poem is structured in a way that creates a sense of stability and order, which is in contrast to the theme of suspense and uncertainty. The language and imagery used in the poem are simple, yet powerful, and the overall effect is one of tension and unease. This poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's unique style and her ability to capture the essence of human emotion in her writing.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Suspense—is Hostiler than Death: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style of poetry that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most famous poems, Suspense—is Hostiler than Death, is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that delves into the complexities of human emotions and the fear of the unknown.
The poem begins with the line, “Suspense—is Hostiler than Death,” immediately setting the tone for the rest of the piece. The word “hostiler” is particularly striking, as it suggests a sense of aggression or hostility towards the subject at hand. In this case, the subject is suspense, which Dickinson argues is even more terrifying than death itself.
The first stanza continues with the lines, “Death’s thousand Doors stand open—/And yet remain unpassed—.” Here, Dickinson is highlighting the inevitability of death and the fact that it is a natural part of life. However, she also suggests that there is a certain level of comfort in the knowledge that death will eventually come for us all. Suspense, on the other hand, is much more unpredictable and therefore much more frightening.
The second stanza of the poem reads, “I feel a Funeral, in my Brain—/And Mourners to and fro—/Keep treading—treading—till it seems/That Sense will break through—.” Here, Dickinson uses a metaphor to describe the feeling of suspense as a funeral procession taking place inside her own mind. The “Mourners” represent the thoughts and emotions that are constantly circling around in her head, causing her to feel overwhelmed and anxious. The repetition of the word “treading” emphasizes the sense of repetition and monotony that often accompanies feelings of suspense.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Dickinson writes, “And when they all were seated,/A Service, like a Drum—/Kept beating—beating—till I thought/My Mind was going numb—.” Here, she is describing the moment when the suspense becomes too much to bear, and the mind begins to shut down in response. The “Service” that she refers to is likely a reference to a funeral service, which is traditionally accompanied by the sound of a drum. The repetition of the word “beating” emphasizes the sense of urgency and intensity that accompanies this moment.
The final stanza of the poem reads, “And then I heard them lift a Box/And creak across my Soul/With those same Boots of Lead, again,/Then Space—began to toll,” which suggests that the suspense has finally come to an end. The “Box” that is lifted is likely a reference to a coffin, and the “Boots of Lead” represent the weight of the emotions that have been weighing on the speaker throughout the poem. The final line, “Then Space—began to toll,” suggests that the speaker has finally been released from the grip of suspense and is now free to move forward.
Overall, Suspense—is Hostiler than Death is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of human emotions and the fear of the unknown. Through her use of metaphor and repetition, Emily Dickinson is able to convey the sense of overwhelming anxiety and dread that often accompanies feelings of suspense. The poem is a testament to Dickinson’s skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few short lines.
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