'We knew not that we were to live—' by Emily Dickinson
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We knew not that we were to live—
Nor when—we are to die—
Our ignorance—our cuirass is—
We wear Mortality
As lightly as an Option Gown
Till asked to take it off—
By his intrusion, God is known—
It is the same with Life—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
"We knew not that we were to live" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson is considered as one of the greatest American poets of all time. Her poetry is known for its unique style, unconventional use of language, and themes that explore life, death, and spirituality. "We knew not that we were to live" is a classic Dickinson poem that embodies these characteristics. This 16-line poem is a meditation on the mystery of existence and the impermanence of life. In this essay, we will analyze and interpret "We knew not that we were to live" and explore its themes, symbolism, and poetic techniques.
Poem Analysis
Title and First Line
The title of the poem, "We knew not that we were to live," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests a sense of unknowingness, of being lost in the mystery of existence. The first line, "We knew not that we were to live," reinforces this idea and introduces the theme of the impermanence of life. The use of the word "knew" suggests that there is something we should know about life but don't, and the phrase "to live" implies that life is a gift that we receive without our knowledge or consent.
The Structure of the Poem
"We knew not that we were to live" is a 16-line poem that is divided into four quatrains. Each stanza follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, and the poem has a consistent rhythm with four stressed syllables followed by four unstressed syllables. The poem's structure is symmetrical, and each stanza builds on the previous one, creating a sense of progression and development.
The Themes of the Poem
The central theme of "We knew not that we were to live" is the mystery of existence and the impermanence of life. The poem is a meditation on the fact that we are born into this world without our knowledge or consent and that we will one day inevitably die. The poem suggests that life is a gift that we receive, but we don't know why or what we are supposed to do with it. The poem also explores the idea that there is something we should know about life but don't, something that is beyond our understanding.
The Symbolism in the Poem
The poem makes use of several symbols to convey its theme. The first symbol is the "dew" in the second stanza. The dew is a metaphor for life, which is fragile and ephemeral, like the dew that evaporates with the rising sun. The second symbol is the "butterfly" in the third stanza. The butterfly is a symbol of transformation, of the impermanence of life, and of the soul's journey from this world to the next. The third symbol is the "sea" in the final stanza. The sea is a metaphor for the vast mystery of existence, the unknown depths of the universe that we can never fully understand.
Poetic Techniques
"We knew not that we were to live" is a poem that makes use of several poetic techniques to convey its themes and ideas. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of language. The poem is written in Dickinson's characteristic style, which is marked by unconventional syntax and punctuation. The use of dashes, for example, creates a sense of fragmentation and interruption that mirrors the sense of unknowingness that pervades the poem. The poem also makes use of metaphor and symbolism, which help to convey its themes and ideas in a vivid and memorable way.
Interpretation
"We knew not that we were to live" is a poem that is both deeply philosophical and deeply personal. It is a meditation on the mystery of existence and the impermanence of life, but it is also a reflection on Dickinson's own life and experiences. The poem suggests that life is a gift that we receive, but we don't know why or what we are supposed to do with it. This idea is reflected in Dickinson's own life, which was marked by a sense of isolation and a lack of direction.
The poem also suggests that there is something we should know about life but don't, something that is beyond our understanding. This idea is reflected in Dickinson's own spiritual beliefs, which were marked by a deep sense of mystery and a belief in the possibility of transcendence.
The poem's use of symbolism is particularly striking. The dew, butterfly, and sea are all powerful symbols that convey a sense of the mystery and beauty of life. The poem suggests that life is like the dew, fragile and ephemeral, like the butterfly, impermanent and transformative, and like the sea, vast and unknowable.
In conclusion, "We knew not that we were to live" is a classic Dickinson poem that embodies the poet's unique style, unconventional use of language, and themes that explore life, death, and spirituality. The poem is a meditation on the mystery of existence and the impermanence of life, and it uses symbolism and poetic techniques to convey its themes and ideas in a vivid and memorable way. Dickinson's poetry continues to inspire and challenge readers today, and "We knew not that we were to live" is a shining example of her skill and creativity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
We knew not that we were to live— is a classic poem written by the renowned American poet, Emily Dickinson. This poem is a beautiful reflection on the mystery of life and the uncertainty that surrounds it. In this 2000 word analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning of this poem and explore the various literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line, "We knew not that we were to live." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. It is a powerful statement that highlights the uncertainty of life and the fact that we never know what the future holds. The use of the word "we" in this line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is not alone in their uncertainty. It is a universal feeling that we all experience at some point in our lives.
The second line of the poem, "Nor when we are to die," further emphasizes the theme of uncertainty. It is a reminder that death is inevitable, but we never know when it will come. This line is particularly poignant because it highlights the fragility of life and the importance of living in the present moment.
The third line of the poem, "Our ignorance of seasons," is a metaphor for the unpredictability of life. Seasons are a natural cycle that we expect to occur, but we never know exactly when they will arrive. Similarly, life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and we never know what is going to happen next.
The fourth line of the poem, "Has often saved the doubt," is a reflection on the positive aspects of uncertainty. The speaker suggests that not knowing what the future holds can be a good thing because it allows us to live in the moment and appreciate the present. It is a reminder that life is not about the destination but the journey.
The fifth line of the poem, "And kept us sane," is a powerful statement that highlights the importance of uncertainty in our lives. It suggests that without uncertainty, we would go insane. It is a reminder that life is not meant to be predictable, and it is the unexpected moments that make it worth living.
The sixth line of the poem, "We guess at the divine," is a reflection on the mystery of life. It suggests that we can never truly understand the divine or the meaning of life. It is a reminder that there are some things that are beyond our comprehension, and we must learn to accept them.
The seventh line of the poem, "When we are bold to die," is a reflection on the courage it takes to face death. It suggests that death is not something to be feared but embraced. It is a reminder that death is a natural part of life, and we must learn to accept it.
The eighth line of the poem, "A resurrection," is a metaphor for the cycle of life. It suggests that death is not the end but a new beginning. It is a reminder that life is a continuous cycle, and we must learn to embrace the changes that come with it.
The ninth line of the poem, "Men say," is a reflection on the opinions of others. It suggests that we should not be swayed by the opinions of others but trust our own instincts. It is a reminder that we are all individuals with our own unique perspectives, and we should embrace our differences.
The tenth line of the poem, "We see," is a reflection on the power of observation. It suggests that we should pay attention to the world around us and appreciate its beauty. It is a reminder that life is full of wonder and we should take the time to appreciate it.
The eleventh line of the poem, "But whom shall we say is ours?" is a reflection on the concept of ownership. It suggests that we cannot truly own anything in life, including our own lives. It is a reminder that we are all part of something greater than ourselves, and we should learn to appreciate our place in the world.
The twelfth line of the poem, "The little recompense," is a reflection on the rewards of life. It suggests that the rewards of life are often small but meaningful. It is a reminder that life is not about material possessions but the experiences we have and the people we meet.
The thirteenth line of the poem, "Contentment," is a reflection on the importance of being content with what we have. It suggests that true happiness comes from within and not from external sources. It is a reminder that we should learn to appreciate the simple things in life and find joy in the present moment.
The final line of the poem, "Is but a scanty fee," is a reflection on the fact that life is short. It suggests that we should make the most of the time we have and not take it for granted. It is a reminder that life is a precious gift, and we should learn to appreciate it while we can.
In conclusion, We knew not that we were to live— is a beautiful reflection on the mystery of life and the uncertainty that surrounds it. Through the use of powerful metaphors and poignant imagery, Emily Dickinson reminds us that life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and we must learn to embrace the uncertainty that comes with it. It is a reminder that life is not about the destination but the journey, and we should learn to appreciate the present moment while we can.
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