'There is a pain-so utter' by Emily Dickinson
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There is a pain-so utter-
It swallows substance up-
Then covers the Abyss with Trance-
So Memory can step
Around-across-upon it-
As one within a Swoon-
Goes safely-where an open eye-
Would drop Him-Bone by Bone.
Editor 1 Interpretation
There is a pain-so utter: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's poetry is known for its unconventional style, strange syntax, and cryptic imagery. One of her most famous poems, "There is a pain-so utter," is no exception. With just eight lines, Dickinson manages to convey a world of emotion, exploring themes of loss, grief, and the passage of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at this poem and try to unravel its many layers of meaning.
The Text: "There is a pain-so utter"
There is a pain-so utter-
It swallows substance up-
Then covers the Abyss with Trance-
So Memory can step
Around-across-across-
Till it an opposite sense
Make-some-other-pause-
At every turn-
The Form: Unusual Syntax and Rhythm
Before we delve into the meaning of the poem, let us take a moment to examine its form. One of the first things that strikes the reader is the unusual syntax and rhythm. Dickinson often used dashes to create pauses and breaks in her poetry, disrupting the flow of the lines and forcing the reader to pause and reflect. In "There is a pain-so utter," the dashes create a sense of fragmentation and disorientation, mimicking the speaker's state of mind.
The poem is also notable for its irregular meter. While it is written in iambic trimeter (three feet of unstressed-stressed syllables), the lines vary in length and rhythm. This creates a sense of unpredictability and instability, reflecting the speaker's struggle to make sense of her pain.
The Theme: Loss and Grief
At its core, "There is a pain-so utter" is a poem about loss and grief. The speaker describes a pain so overwhelming that it "swallows substance up," leaving her numb and empty. The pain is so all-consuming that it covers the "Abyss with Trance," suggesting a state of dissociation or detachment from reality.
The use of the word "Abyss" is particularly significant here, as it suggests a void or emptiness that cannot be filled. The speaker is not just mourning a specific loss, but the loss of something fundamental and irreplaceable.
The Meaning: The Passage of Time
While the poem is primarily about grief, it also touches on the theme of the passage of time. The repetition of the word "across" suggests a journey or progression, as if the speaker is moving through time and space. Memory is able to step "Around-across-across-" until it reaches an "opposite sense," reflecting the way in which our memories and perceptions can shift over time.
This idea is reinforced by the final line of the poem, which ends on a dash, suggesting a sense of uncertainty or incompleteness. The speaker has not reached a resolution or closure, but is still "paus[ing]" at every turn, struggling to make sense of her pain.
The Interpretation: Personal and Universal
Like much of Dickinson's poetry, "There is a pain-so utter" is both deeply personal and universally relatable. While the specifics of the speaker's pain are left vague, the emotions she expresses - loss, grief, and the struggle to make sense of the world - are universal. We have all experienced pain and loss at some point in our lives, and this poem speaks to that shared human experience.
At the same time, the poem is also deeply personal, reflecting Dickinson's own struggles with loss and grief. Throughout her life, she experienced numerous losses, including the deaths of several close friends and family members. It is likely that this poem was written in response to one of these losses, although the exact circumstances are unknown.
Conclusion
"There is a pain-so utter" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of loss, grief, and the passage of time. Through its unconventional syntax and rhythm, Dickinson creates a sense of fragmentation and disorientation, reflecting the speaker's struggle to make sense of her pain. While the poem is deeply personal, it is also universally relatable, speaking to the shared human experience of loss and grief. As with all of Dickinson's poetry, "There is a pain-so utter" invites multiple interpretations, and its meaning continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
There is a pain-so utter, is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson that speaks to the human experience of pain and suffering. In this poem, Dickinson explores the depths of emotional pain and the ways in which it can consume and overwhelm us.
The poem begins with the line "There is a pain-so utter," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "utter" suggests a complete and total pain, one that is all-encompassing and impossible to escape. This pain is not just physical, but emotional and psychological as well.
Dickinson goes on to describe this pain as "utter pain," which suggests that it is beyond words or description. This pain is so intense that it cannot be expressed in language, but must be felt and experienced on a visceral level.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line "It swallows being up," which further emphasizes the all-consuming nature of this pain. The word "swallows" suggests a sense of engulfment, as if the pain is a giant monster that devours everything in its path. The phrase "being up" suggests that the pain is so powerful that it can even consume our very existence.
The third stanza of the poem continues this theme of overwhelming pain, with the line "And covers Woe with lead." The word "covers" suggests a sense of suffocation, as if the pain is smothering and suffocating us. The use of the word "Woe" suggests that this pain is not just a physical sensation, but an emotional one as well. The pain is so intense that it covers up any other emotions we may be feeling, leaving only a sense of despair and hopelessness.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of "Despair," which is capitalized to emphasize its importance. Dickinson writes, "To whom the chance may be," suggesting that this pain is not just something that happens to us, but something that we have a chance to experience. The use of the word "chance" suggests that this pain is a part of the human experience, something that we all must face at some point in our lives.
The final stanza of the poem offers a glimmer of hope, with the line "The waking eye does rain." The use of the word "waking" suggests that this pain is something that we can wake up from, that we can overcome. The word "rain" suggests a sense of cleansing, as if the tears we shed in the face of this pain can wash away our sorrow and help us to move on.
Overall, There is a pain-so utter is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience of pain and suffering. Dickinson's use of language and imagery creates a vivid and visceral portrait of the ways in which pain can consume and overwhelm us. However, the poem also offers a sense of hope and resilience, suggesting that even in the face of the most intense pain, we can find a way to move forward and heal.
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