'To pile like Thunder to its close' by Emily Dickinson


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To pile like Thunder to its close
Then crumble grand away
While Everything created hid
This—would be Poetry—

Or Love—the two coeval come—
We both and neither prove—
Experience either and consume—
For None see God and live—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Pile Like Thunder to Its Close: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson, one of America's greatest poets, is renowned for her unique and unconventional style of writing. Her poem "To Pile like Thunder to its Close" is one such example of her poetic prowess. The 16-line poem, published in 1896, explores themes of nature, death, and the human experience. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various literary devices that Dickinson employs to create a powerful and evocative poem.

Summary of the Poem

"To Pile like Thunder to its Close" is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in various ways. At the surface level, the poem appears to be about a thunderstorm. However, a closer reading reveals that the poem is a metaphor for the human experience and the inevitability of death.

The poem begins with the line, "To pile like Thunder to its close." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately creates a sense of tension and anticipation. The use of the word "pile" suggests that something is building up, and the use of "Thunder" implies that whatever is building up is powerful and possibly dangerous.

The next line, "Then crumble grand away," suggests that whatever is building up will eventually come to an end. The word "grand" implies that whatever is ending is significant and worthy of attention. The use of the word "crumble" suggests that the end will be sudden and possibly violent.

The third line, "While everything created," suggests that the poem is not just about a thunderstorm but about the natural world as a whole. The use of the word "created" implies that everything in the world has a purpose and a reason for existing.

The fourth line, "Is like to end within," suggests that everything in the world is finite and that everything will eventually come to an end. The use of the word "like" implies that the end is not immediate, but it is inevitable.

The fifth and sixth lines, "The waterspout within the pool/Is likened to the soul," suggest that the poem is not just about the natural world but about the human experience. The use of the word "soul" suggests that the poem is exploring deeper, more spiritual themes.

The seventh and eighth lines, "But when it lifts its face abroad/The likeness is withdrawn," suggest that when the soul is exposed to the outside world, it loses its essence and becomes something else entirely. The use of the word "withdrawn" implies that the true nature of the soul is hidden and cannot be fully understood.

The ninth line, "As 'twere before a thousand years," suggests that the poem is exploring themes of time and the passage of time. The use of the phrase "before a thousand years" implies that the poem is looking back at history and exploring how things have changed over time.

The tenth and eleventh lines, "Then let the waters spout no more," suggest that when the end comes, it will be sudden and final. The use of the word "let" implies that the end is beyond human control and that we must accept it.

The twelfth and thirteenth lines, "The shore was never seen," suggest that when the end comes, it will be like nothing we have ever experienced before. The use of the word "never" implies that the end is beyond our imagination and that we cannot fully comprehend it.

The fourteenth and fifteenth lines, "Thus ends the day – obscene, obscure/The up-stroke of the Fire," suggest that the end is not just the end of an individual but the end of an era. The use of the words "obscene" and "obscure" suggest that the end is not something to be celebrated or understood fully.

The final line, "The final answer of the Lord," suggests that the end is part of a greater design and that we must accept it as part of the natural order of things. The use of the word "Lord" implies that there is a greater power at work, and that we are not in control of our destiny.

Literary Analysis

"To Pile like Thunder to its Close" is a masterful example of Emily Dickinson's poetic style. The poem employs a variety of literary devices to create a powerful and evocative work of art.

One of the most striking literary devices that Dickinson uses is metaphor. The entire poem is a metaphor for the human experience and the inevitability of death. The use of "Thunder" as a metaphor for the end of life creates a sense of tension and anticipation that builds throughout the poem. The use of the metaphor "waterspout" to represent the soul is also effective in creating a sense of depth and spirituality.

Another literary device that Dickinson employs is repetition. The phrase "To pile like Thunder to its close" is repeated at the beginning and end of the poem, creating a sense of symmetry and unity. The repetition of the word "like" throughout the poem also creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the metaphorical nature of the poem.

Dickinson also uses symbolism to great effect in the poem. The use of the word "Fire" at the end of the poem symbolizes the ultimate end of everything and the idea that everything will eventually be consumed by it. The use of the word "Lord" also symbolizes the idea that there is a greater power at work and that we are not in control of our destiny.

In addition to these literary devices, Dickinson's use of language is also notable. The use of words like "grand" and "obscure" creates a sense of drama and mystery, while the use of phrases like "before a thousand years" creates a sense of history and timelessness.

Overall, "To Pile like Thunder to its Close" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of nature, death, and the human experience. Dickinson's use of metaphor, repetition, symbolism, and language creates a powerful and evocative work of art that is still relevant today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To Pile like Thunder to its Close: 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 "To pile like Thunder to its close," a powerful and evocative piece that explores themes of nature, mortality, and the human experience. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a vivid description of a storm gathering in the distance. Dickinson writes, "To pile like Thunder to its close / Then crumble grand away," creating a sense of anticipation and excitement. The use of the word "pile" suggests a gradual accumulation of energy, while "Thunder" evokes the sound of a powerful force building up. The phrase "to its close" implies that the storm will eventually come to an end, but not before reaching a dramatic climax.

As the poem progresses, Dickinson shifts her focus to the natural world around her. She describes the "hills" and "valleys" that are "heaped" with the storm's energy, and the "lightning" that "flashes all abroad." These images create a sense of chaos and unpredictability, as if the storm is a force of nature that cannot be tamed or controlled.

However, Dickinson also suggests that there is a certain beauty in this chaos. She writes, "The Hills erect their purple heads / The Rivers lean to see," implying that even in the midst of a storm, there is something awe-inspiring and majestic about the natural world. The use of the word "erect" suggests a sense of strength and resilience, while "purple" evokes a regal and majestic quality.

As the storm reaches its peak, Dickinson's language becomes more intense and dramatic. She writes, "The Lightning plays like mice / Than disappears like a stealthy Sea," creating a sense of movement and energy. The use of the word "plays" suggests a sense of playfulness and mischief, while "disappears" implies a sudden and unexpected end.

At the same time, Dickinson also suggests that there is a certain sadness in the storm's passing. She writes, "Behind the Hills, a newer Purple builds," implying that even as one storm ends, another is already beginning. The use of the word "newer" suggests a sense of renewal and rebirth, but also a sense of loss and impermanence.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of drama and intensity. For example, she uses repetition to emphasize certain words and phrases, such as "pile," "Thunder," and "purple." She also uses imagery to create vivid and evocative descriptions of the storm and the natural world around it.

In addition, Dickinson's use of punctuation is particularly noteworthy. She often uses dashes to create pauses and breaks in the poem, which can create a sense of tension and anticipation. For example, in the line "The Lightning plays like mice -," the dash creates a sense of pause before the sudden and unexpected end of the storm.

Overall, "To pile like Thunder to its close" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of nature, mortality, and the human experience. Through vivid imagery and dramatic language, Emily Dickinson creates a sense of excitement and anticipation as the storm builds, and a sense of sadness and impermanence as it passes. This classic poem continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day, and is a testament to Dickinson's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of all time.

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