'The incidents of love' by Emily Dickinson


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The incidents of love
Are more than its Events—
Investment's best Expositor
Is the minute Per Cents—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Incidents of Love: An In-depth Analysis

Who doesn't love a good love poem? Love is a universal feeling that has been the subject of countless works of literature, art, and music. And when it comes to love poetry, few can match the skill and beauty of Emily Dickinson's "The Incidents of Love."

In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores the different aspects of love, from its initial sparks to its eventual flame-out. But there's much more to this poem than just a simple exploration of the highs and lows of romance. Let's dive in and take a closer look at "The Incidents of Love" and its meaning.

The Poem

First, let's read the poem in its entirety:

The incidents of love Are oftener said than seen, The nearest, farthest off The warmest, coldest been.

What we keep strictly here, What we let others know, Reap in the strictest ear Of what we felt, and so.

'Tis this way, convey, Though dearer, far, are gone, Nor ever stoop to say What's best left alone.

At first glance, the poem may seem short and simple, but there are many layers of meaning and interpretation to uncover. Let's start with the title: "The Incidents of Love." What does this mean? What are the "incidents" that Dickinson is referring to?

The Incidents of Love

The word "incidents" could be interpreted in a few different ways. One interpretation is that it refers to the various events and moments that make up a love affair. These "incidents" could be anything from a first date to a romantic getaway to a fight or breakup.

Another interpretation is that "incidents" refers to the fleeting moments of emotion that love can evoke. Love is a feeling that comes and goes, sometimes in unexpected ways. These "incidents" of love could be brief moments of joy, passion, or even anger.

The Structure

Now let's look at the structure of the poem. "The Incidents of Love" consists of two quatrains, or four-line stanzas, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four stressed and four unstressed syllables.

This structure gives the poem a musical quality, with a rhythm that flows smoothly and evenly. The rhyme scheme also adds to the poem's sense of harmony and balance.

The Meaning

So what is Dickinson trying to say with "The Incidents of Love"? Let's take a closer look at each stanza.

Stanza 1

"The incidents of love Are oftener said than seen, The nearest, farthest off The warmest, coldest been."

In the first stanza, Dickinson suggests that love is often talked about more than it is actually experienced. This could mean that people tend to romanticize love or exaggerate their own experiences with it.

The second line, "Are oftener said than seen," implies that love is something that is difficult to put into words. Love is an emotion that is felt, not seen.

The third line, "The nearest, farthest off," suggests that love can be both close and distant at the same time. Love can bring people together, but it can also create distance and separation.

The final line, "The warmest, coldest been," reinforces this idea of love's duality. Love can be both warm and cold, depending on the circumstances.

Stanza 2

"What we keep strictly here, What we let others know, Reap in the strictest ear Of what we felt, and so."

The second stanza explores the idea of privacy and secrecy in love. Dickinson suggests that what people keep to themselves about their love lives is often the most important and meaningful.

The second line, "What we let others know," implies that there is a difference between what people share with others about their love lives and what they keep to themselves.

The third line, "Reap in the strictest ear," suggests that the things we keep private about our love lives are heard and understood by a select few.

The final line, "Of what we felt, and so," reinforces the idea that love is something that is felt, not seen or heard. The private, internal experiences of love are often the most significant.

The Themes

Now that we've explored the meaning of the poem, let's take a step back and look at some of the broader themes that "The Incidents of Love" explores.

The Dual Nature of Love

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that love is a complex emotion with both positive and negative aspects. Love can be warm and passionate, but it can also be distant and cold. This duality is reflected in the structure of the poem, with its alternating rhyme scheme and use of contrasting images.

The Private Nature of Love

Another theme of the poem is the idea that the most meaningful experiences of love are often private and personal. What we keep to ourselves about our love lives is often the most significant, and these private experiences can be more powerful than anything we share with others.

The Limits of Language

Finally, "The Incidents of Love" explores the idea that love is something that is difficult to put into words. Love is an emotion that is felt, not seen or heard, and there are limitations to what language can convey about it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Incidents of Love" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the many facets of love. It suggests that love is a complex emotion with both positive and negative aspects, and that the most meaningful experiences of love are often private and personal. The poem also touches on the limitations of language when it comes to expressing the depth and complexity of love. Overall, "The Incidents of Love" is a powerful and thought-provoking work of poetry that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the highs and lows of love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Incidents of Love: 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, The Incidents of Love, is a beautiful and poignant exploration of the many facets of love. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "Of nearness to her sundered Things," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "sundered" suggests a sense of separation or distance, and this theme of distance is a recurring motif throughout the poem. The speaker is reflecting on the various incidents of love that have occurred in their life, and how these moments have brought them closer to the people they love, even when physical distance separates them.

The first stanza continues with the lines, "The soul has special times / When nearer to the depths of things / Than common times abide." Here, the speaker is suggesting that there are certain moments in life when we are more in tune with our emotions and the world around us. These moments are often associated with love, as it is a powerful force that can bring us closer to the people and things that matter most to us.

The second stanza of the poem explores the idea of distance further, with the lines, "And these are sacred times, / When we discard the usual / And stand in awe before the new." The word "sacred" suggests that these moments are special and significant, and the speaker is suggesting that they are moments of revelation and discovery. The idea of discarding the usual also suggests a sense of breaking free from the constraints of everyday life, and standing in awe before the new suggests a sense of wonder and amazement at the beauty and power of love.

The third stanza of the poem shifts focus slightly, with the lines, "The incidents of love / Occur on edges of the soul." Here, the speaker is suggesting that love is not something that can be easily defined or contained, but rather something that exists on the edges of our consciousness and our being. Love is a force that can push us to the limits of our emotions and our understanding, and the incidents of love are the moments when we are most aware of this.

The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the theme of distance, with the lines, "And distance hurls its barbed javelins / And pierces us with a thought." The image of distance as a weapon is a powerful one, and the use of the word "barbed" suggests a sense of pain and hurt. The idea that distance can pierce us with a thought suggests that even when we are physically separated from the people we love, their presence can still be felt in our thoughts and emotions.

The fifth stanza of the poem explores the idea of memory, with the lines, "And memory, with flaming feet, / Passes to her reward." The image of memory with flaming feet suggests a sense of urgency and intensity, and the idea of passing to her reward suggests that memory is something that is cherished and valued. The speaker is suggesting that the incidents of love are moments that are worth remembering and holding onto, even when they are painful or difficult.

The final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together, with the lines, "And then we see how all the threads / Are part of the design." The idea of threads suggests a sense of interconnectedness and unity, and the speaker is suggesting that the incidents of love are all part of a larger design or plan. The final line of the poem, "And nothing is too small," suggests that even the smallest moments of love are significant and valuable, and that they all contribute to the larger tapestry of our lives.

In conclusion, The Incidents of Love is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the many facets of love. Through its use of imagery and language, the poem suggests that love is a force that can bring us closer to the people and things that matter most to us, even when physical distance separates us. The poem also suggests that the incidents of love are moments of revelation and discovery, and that they are worth remembering and holding onto, even when they are painful or difficult. Ultimately, the poem suggests that love is a powerful force that is worth cherishing and valuing, and that even the smallest moments of love are significant and valuable.

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