'The first We knew of Him was Death—' by Emily Dickinson
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The first We knew of Him was Death—
The second—was—Renown—
Except the first had justified
The second had not been.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The First We Knew of Him Was Death - A Critical Analysis
Emily Dickinson is one of the most unique poets in the history of American literature. Her poems were characterized by their unconventional style, unorthodox themes, and unconventional punctuation. One of her most famous poems, "The First We Knew of Him Was Death," is a perfect example of her unique style and themes.
Background Information
Emily Dickinson lived most of her life in Amherst, Massachusetts, in a strict Puritan household. She was highly educated and well-read, but she lived a very sheltered life, rarely venturing outside of her hometown. She wrote nearly 1,800 poems, but only a handful were published during her lifetime. After her death, her sister discovered her poems and published them, which resulted in posthumous fame for Dickinson.
Poem Analysis
"The First We Knew of Him Was Death" is a poem that explores the theme of death and how it affects those left behind. The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem by describing death as a thief who comes in the night:
- The first we knew of him was Death, / That he had come and gone / He did not know us, or we him / But we knew him at once.
The second stanza describes the aftermath of death and how it affects the living:
- And when we strolled or ate, / Or slept or talked or smiled, / His shining scissors snapped, "One snip"- / And all the menaced miles,
The third stanza describes the finality of death, and how it separates the living from the dead:
- And when we all had ceased to care, / At length he put us down, / As wincing as could be guessed / The men that rose, the man that fell.
The final stanza is a reflection on death, and how it transcends time and space:
- How sweet it is to know, that death / Will visit us but once, / And that we need not be afraid / To hear his footsteps come.
The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, with unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and spacing. The poem is also highly symbolic, with death personified as a thief and a grim reaper. The shining scissors mentioned in the second stanza are a symbol of death's finality and how it cuts off life abruptly.
Interpretation
"The First We Knew of Him Was Death" is a poem that explores the theme of death and how it affects the living. Dickinson portrays death as a thief who comes in the night, stealing life and leaving those left behind to deal with the aftermath. The poem is highly symbolic, with death personified as a grim reaper with shining scissors.
The poem's themes are universal and timeless, as death is something that affects everyone at some point in their lives. The final stanza, in particular, is a reflection on the inevitability of death, and how we should not be afraid of its approach. Instead, we should live each day to the fullest, knowing that death will come for us all eventually.
Additionally, the poem can be read as a commentary on the fleeting nature of life. The second stanza's description of life as a series of activities that are suddenly cut short by death is a reminder that life is precious and should be cherished.
Finally, the poem can be interpreted as a celebration of the resiliency of the human spirit. Despite the finality of death, life goes on, and those left behind must continue to live and thrive. The final stanza's message that death will visit us but once, and that we need not be afraid of its approach, is a testament to the strength and courage of the human spirit.
Conclusion
"The First We Knew of Him Was Death" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of death and its effects on the living. Dickinson's unique style and unconventional punctuation add to the poem's impact, making it a true classic of American literature. The poem's themes of the fleeting nature of life, the inevitability of death, and the resiliency of the human spirit are universal and timeless, making it a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The First We Knew of Him Was Death: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "The First We Knew of Him Was Death," a haunting and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of life, death, and the afterlife. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem begins with a stark and ominous statement: "The first we knew of him was death." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that death is the only way we can truly know this mysterious figure. The use of the pronoun "him" is also significant, as it implies that the figure in question is male and possibly divine or supernatural in nature.
The next few lines of the poem describe the figure's appearance: "With just a flower or two / His notice sudden is." This imagery suggests that the figure is gentle and unassuming, but also powerful and capable of surprising us at any moment. The use of the word "notice" also implies that the figure is aware of us, and perhaps even watching us from afar.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as Dickinson describes the figure's impact on our lives: "And then we turn away / And laugh a little nervous way / And fumble at his name." This suggests that the figure's presence is unsettling and uncomfortable, and that we are unable to fully comprehend or articulate our feelings about him. The use of the phrase "laugh a little nervous way" also implies that we are trying to mask our fear or uncertainty with humor.
The next stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the afterlife: "And so he comes again / A second time / But this time he does not come / With flowers or with wine." This suggests that the figure is not just a fleeting presence in our lives, but rather a recurring one that we cannot escape. The absence of flowers and wine also implies that this time, the figure is not here to comfort or console us.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic and thought-provoking: "And so we know that he is strong / And so we know that he is true / And we who did not know his voice / Shall hear it calling us." This suggests that the figure is not just a passive observer of our lives, but rather an active participant who has the power to call us to him. The use of the word "true" also implies that the figure represents some kind of ultimate truth or reality that we cannot ignore.
Overall, "The First We Knew of Him Was Death" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the nature of life, death, and the afterlife. Through its use of vivid imagery and enigmatic symbolism, it challenges us to confront our deepest fears and uncertainties, and to contemplate the mysteries of existence. Whether you are a longtime fan of Emily Dickinson's work or a newcomer to her poetry, this classic piece is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
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