'Sweet—You forgot—but I remembered' by Emily Dickinson
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Sweet—You forgot—but I remembered
Every time—for Two—
So that the Sum be never hindered
Through Decay of You—
Say if I erred? Accuse my Farthings—
Blame the little Hand
Happy it be for You—a Beggar's—
Seeking More—to spend—
Just to be Rich—to waste my Guineas
On so Best a Heart—
Just to be Poor—for Barefoot Vision
You—Sweet—Shut me out—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sweet—You forgot—but I remembered: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson, a poet who is known for her unique style and unconventional themes, wrote a poem titled "Sweet—You forgot—but I remembered." The poem is a beautiful expression of love and memory, and its meaning and significance have been the subject of much debate and discussion among literary critics and scholars.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem's structure, language, imagery, and themes to understand its meaning and significance.
Structure and Language
The poem "Sweet—You forgot—but I remembered" has a simple structure and consists of three stanzas. Each stanza has four lines, and the poem has a total of twelve lines. The poem is written in free verse, and there is no rhyme scheme.
The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also rich in imagery and symbolism. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker addresses the person they love directly. The poem is also full of contrasts, such as forgetting and remembering, and sweet and bitter.
Imagery
The imagery in the poem is powerful and evocative. The speaker uses images of nature, such as the rose and the thorn, to convey the complexity of love and memory. The rose is a symbol of love and beauty, while the thorn is a symbol of pain and bitterness.
The speaker also uses imagery of light and darkness to convey the contrast between forgetting and remembering. The line "you forgot, but I remembered" creates a visual contrast between light and darkness, as if the speaker is shining a light on the memory that the person they love has forgotten.
Themes
The poem "Sweet—You forgot—but I remembered" is a meditation on the themes of love and memory. The poem explores the complexity of love and the power of memory to preserve and sustain it.
The poem suggests that love is not always sweet and beautiful but can also be bitter and painful like a thorn. The line "thou wilt forget, but I shall remember" suggests that the speaker is willing to endure the pain of remembering even when the person they love has forgotten.
The poem also suggests that memory is a powerful force that can preserve and sustain love even when it seems lost. The line "sweet, when the sun is low" suggests that even in the darkness of forgetting, the memory of love can still shine bright like the sun.
Interpretation
The poem "Sweet—You forgot—but I remembered" can be interpreted in many ways, but one possible interpretation is that it is a love poem that celebrates the power of memory to sustain love.
The poem suggests that love is a complex and bittersweet emotion that can be both beautiful and painful. The speaker's willingness to endure the pain of remembering suggests that love is worth the effort and that even when it seems lost, memory can preserve and sustain it.
The poem also suggests that memory is a powerful force that can shine bright even in the darkness of forgetting. The memory of love can be a source of comfort and joy even when the person we love has forgotten.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the poem "Sweet—You forgot—but I remembered" is a powerful and evocative expression of love and memory. The poem explores the complexity of love and the power of memory to preserve and sustain it. The poem suggests that love is not always sweet and beautiful but can also be bitter and painful like a thorn. The poem also suggests that memory is a powerful force that can shine bright even in the darkness of forgetting. The poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's mastery of language and imagery and her ability to convey complex emotions in a simple and straightforward way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sweet—You forgot—but I remembered. These five simple words hold within them a world of emotions, memories, and experiences that Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, has captured in her classic poem. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the meaning, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand why it has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem begins with the word "Sweet," which immediately sets a tone of tenderness and affection. The speaker is addressing someone they care about deeply, someone who has forgotten something important. The use of the word "but" in the second line creates a contrast between the forgetfulness of the other person and the speaker's own memory. The speaker is saying, "You may have forgotten, but I have not."
The poem's structure is simple, with three stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry, which is fitting for a poem about remembering and forgetting. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues onto the next line, creates a sense of flow and continuity, as if the speaker's memories are spilling out onto the page.
In the first stanza, the speaker recalls a moment of intimacy with the other person. They remember a time when they were "together," and the other person said something that made the speaker feel loved and cherished. The use of the word "together" is significant because it implies a sense of unity and connection between the two people. The speaker is not just remembering a conversation or a moment in time, but a feeling of closeness and intimacy.
In the second stanza, the speaker remembers a specific event that the other person has forgotten. They recall a time when they were walking together and the other person picked a flower. The speaker remembers the color of the flower, the way it smelled, and the way the other person looked when they picked it. The use of sensory details creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and emphasizes the speaker's strong memory of this moment.
The third stanza is the most poignant of the three. The speaker remembers a time when the other person was in pain, and they were there to comfort them. The use of the word "sorrow" is significant because it implies a deep emotional pain that the other person was experiencing. The speaker remembers holding the other person's hand and being there for them in their time of need. The final line of the poem, "And when you're sad—and scarce know why— / You'll think of me, and smile," is both heartbreaking and hopeful. The speaker knows that the other person will forget these moments, but they also know that their memory will live on in the other person's heart. The use of the word "scarce" implies that the other person may not even remember why they are sad, but the speaker's memory will bring them comfort and joy.
One of the most striking literary devices used in this poem is repetition. The phrase "You forgot—but I remembered" is repeated twice, emphasizing the contrast between the two people's memories. The repetition of the word "sweet" at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the tender tone of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "And when" in the final stanza creates a sense of inevitability, as if the speaker knows that their memory will be a source of comfort for the other person in the future.
Another important literary device used in this poem is imagery. The use of sensory details, such as the color and smell of the flower, creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and emphasizes the speaker's strong memory of this moment. The image of the speaker holding the other person's hand in their time of need is both powerful and poignant, emphasizing the depth of their connection.
In conclusion, Sweet—You forgot—but I remembered is a classic poem that captures the bittersweet nature of memory and the power of human connection. Emily Dickinson's use of repetition, imagery, and structure creates a sense of balance and symmetry that reinforces the poem's themes of remembering and forgetting. The poem's tender tone and vivid imagery create a powerful emotional impact that resonates with readers today. As we read this poem, we are reminded of the importance of cherishing our memories and the people we love, even when they may forget.
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