'The Doomed—regard the Sunrise' by Emily Dickinson


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The Doomed—regard the Sunrise
With different Delight—
Because—when next it burns abroad
They doubt to witness it—

The Man—to die—tomorrow—
Harks for the Meadow Bird—
Because its Music stirs the Axe
That clamors for his head—

Joyful—to whom the Sunrise
Precedes Enamored—Day—
Joyful—for whom the Meadow Bird
Has ought but Elegy!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Doomed—regard the Sunrise: A Masterpiece in Dickinson’s Poetry

When we think of Emily Dickinson, we often picture a reclusive woman who wrote poems that were full of death and darkness. Although it is true that many of her poems deal with themes of mortality, it is also true that she was a master of using language to create vivid and powerful images. One such poem that showcases her skill is "The Doomed—regard the Sunrise." In this poem, Dickinson explores the idea of death and the afterlife, while also providing a commentary on the nature of existence itself.

The poem begins with the line "The Doomed—regard the Sunrise," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "doomed" immediately suggests a sense of foreboding, and the fact that this group of people is looking at the sunrise creates a sense of irony. Normally, sunrise is associated with new beginnings and hope, but here it seems to represent the finality of death. This juxtaposition is typical of Dickinson's style, where she often uses seemingly contradictory images to create a sense of dissonance.

As the poem continues, Dickinson describes the "doomed" as being "like one long since prepared." This line suggests that these people have been waiting for their fate for a long time, and that they are ready to accept it when it comes. The use of the word "prepared" also suggests that there is some sort of plan or order to the universe, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. She often suggests that there is a divine force at work in the world, even if we cannot understand or comprehend it.

The next few lines of the poem are some of the most powerful. Dickinson writes, "Their lips had wrung the Wormwood's Wine / Their minds had been to Marah." The use of biblical allusions here is important, as it suggests that the "doomed" have already experienced their own personal apocalypse. The Wormwood's Wine is a reference to Revelation 8:11, where it is said to make the waters of the earth bitter. Marah is a place in the Bible where the Israelites complained about the lack of water, and God turned the water bitter. These allusions suggest that the "doomed" have already experienced a profound sense of loss and bitterness, which has prepared them for their ultimate fate.

The final lines of the poem are some of the most enigmatic. Dickinson writes, "The Morning after Death is Fame / Because its splendor would have been / Denied the few who died." Here, she seems to suggest that death is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new form of existence. The idea that the "Morning after Death is Fame" suggests that there is some sort of reward for those who have suffered in life. The fact that the splendor of this reward would have been denied to those who died suggests that there is some sort of divine justice at work in the universe.

Overall, "The Doomed—regard the Sunrise" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that showcases Dickinson's mastery of language and imagery. It explores themes of death and the afterlife, while also providing a commentary on the nature of existence itself. The use of biblical allusions and contradictory imagery creates a sense of dissonance and tension, which serves to heighten the impact of the poem. Dickinson's suggestion that death is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new form of existence, is both hopeful and profound. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in a few short lines.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Doomed—regard the Sunrise: A Poem of Hope and Despair

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Among her many masterpieces is the hauntingly beautiful poem, The Doomed—regard the Sunrise. This poem is a powerful meditation on the human condition, exploring themes of hope, despair, and the inevitability of death. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic work, exploring its language, structure, and imagery to uncover its deeper truths.

The poem begins with the line, "The Doomed—regard the Sunrise," immediately setting a tone of foreboding and melancholy. The word "doomed" suggests a sense of fatalism, as if the speaker is resigned to a terrible fate. The phrase "regard the Sunrise" is interesting, as it seems to suggest that the speaker is looking for hope or salvation in the dawn of a new day. However, the use of the word "regard" implies a detached or distant observation, as if the speaker is not fully engaged with the world around them.

The second line of the poem, "With different eyes," reinforces this sense of detachment. The speaker seems to be suggesting that the world is not what it seems, that there is a deeper reality that can only be seen through a different perspective. This idea is further developed in the third line, which reads, "And morning unto night / Furnishes the saga bright." Here, the speaker is suggesting that the passage of time is like a story, with each new day bringing new chapters and new revelations. The use of the word "saga" is interesting, as it suggests a grand narrative, full of heroes and villains, triumphs and tragedies.

The fourth line of the poem, "Some days—'tis not the sunrise / Makes her blush—nor any noon," introduces a note of ambiguity. The use of the word "her" suggests that the speaker is referring to a person, but it is not clear who this person is or what they are blushing about. The line seems to suggest that there are some days when the world is not enough to bring joy or happiness, that there is something deeper and more profound that is needed.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "By but a filament of blood / The wildest fame of bliss is blown," continue this theme of ambiguity and suggestiveness. The use of the word "filament" is interesting, as it suggests something delicate and fragile, like a spider's web. The idea that the "wildest fame of bliss" can be blown away by something as small and insignificant as a filament of blood is both powerful and unsettling. It suggests that even the most powerful and joyful experiences in life are fleeting and fragile, and can be destroyed by the slightest misfortune.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "To-morrow—any day— / That impartial pierce the clay," introduce the theme of mortality. The use of the word "impartial" suggests that death is a force that is beyond human control, that it comes for everyone regardless of their station in life. The phrase "pierce the clay" is interesting, as it suggests that death is a physical force that penetrates the body, reducing it to nothing more than a lump of earth.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, "So stand the distant armies— / That mars does despise," introduce a note of conflict and violence. The use of the word "armies" suggests a battle or war, while the reference to Mars, the Roman god of war, reinforces this theme. The idea that Mars "does despise" these armies suggests that war is a futile and pointless exercise, that it achieves nothing but destruction and death.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem, "The mortars of the soul— / And alternations of these," introduce the theme of the soul. The use of the word "mortars" is interesting, as it suggests that the soul is something that can be broken or shattered, like a piece of pottery. The idea of "alternations" suggests that the soul is something that is constantly changing, that it is never static or fixed.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem, "Are goodly—then the rest— / But we—would rather be the guest," introduce the theme of desire. The use of the word "goodly" suggests that the soul is something that is desirable or valuable, while the phrase "we—would rather be the guest" suggests that the speaker desires to be something other than themselves. This line is interesting, as it suggests that the speaker is not content with their own identity, that they long for something more.

The fifteenth and sixteenth lines of the poem, "For rudiments of bliss, / Begun begone, from business," introduce the theme of happiness. The use of the word "rudiments" suggests that happiness is something that is basic or fundamental, while the phrase "begun begone, from business" suggests that happiness is something that is fleeting and transitory. This line is interesting, as it suggests that happiness is something that is difficult to attain and even more difficult to hold onto.

The final two lines of the poem, "A day's duration strains, / And then the lamps expire," bring the poem to a close. The use of the phrase "a day's duration strains" suggests that life is something that is difficult and challenging, that it requires effort and struggle. The final line, "And then the lamps expire," is a powerful image of death, suggesting that life is like a flame that burns brightly for a time, but eventually flickers out.

In conclusion, The Doomed—regard the Sunrise is a powerful and haunting poem that explores themes of hope, despair, and mortality. Through its use of language, structure, and imagery, the poem creates a sense of foreboding and melancholy, while also suggesting that there is a deeper reality that can only be seen through a different perspective. Ultimately, the poem is a meditation on the human condition, reminding us that life is fleeting and fragile, and that death is an inevitability that we must all face.

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