'While we were fearing it, it came—' by Emily Dickinson


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While we were fearing it, it came—
But came with less of fear
Because that fearing it so long
Had almost made it fair—

There is a Fitting—a Dismay—
A Fitting—a Despair
'Tis harder knowing it is Due
Than knowing it is Here.

They Trying on the Utmost
The Morning it is new
Is Terribler than wearing it
A whole existence through.

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

While we were fearing it, it came: An Analysis

Wow, where do I even begin with this poem by Emily Dickinson? It's just so powerful and thought-provoking! I mean, the title alone is enough to give you chills. "While we were fearing it, it came." What could that be referring to? Death? Change? Life's inevitable curveballs? Let's dive in and find out.

First off, let's look at the structure of the poem. It's a short one, only six lines long, and it's written in Dickinson's signature style of short lines with dashes. The poem is also split into two stanzas, with three lines in each. This structure immediately sets the tone for the poem – it's going to be concise and to the point. There's no fluff or unnecessary language here. Dickinson is going to get straight to the heart of the matter.

So what is the heart of the matter? Let's take a look at the first stanza:

While we were fearing it, it came –
But came with less of fear
Because that fearing it so long
Had almost made it dear.

Right off the bat, we see that Dickinson is talking about something that we've been fearing for a while. But then it came, and surprisingly, it came with less fear than we expected. Why is that? Dickinson offers her explanation in the next line – it's because we've been fearing it for so long that it's almost become dear to us. It's like we've been preparing for this moment, mentally and emotionally, for so long that when it actually happens, we're not as afraid as we thought we'd be.

This idea of fearing something so much that it becomes almost comforting is a powerful one. It speaks to our innate need for control and predictability in our lives. If we can anticipate something scary happening, we can prepare for it and feel like we have some measure of control over the situation. But what happens when the thing we've been fearing actually happens? Do we feel relieved that we can finally let go of that fear, or do we feel even more scared because we've lost that sense of control?

Dickinson doesn't give us a clear answer to that question, but she does offer some insight in the second stanza:

It came without a warning noise –
It was not night nor day,
But only – what familiar gown
Had homely enough to say.

The thing that we've been fearing comes without warning, without any fanfare or buildup. It's not a specific time of day or night, it's just there. And interestingly, Dickinson describes it as wearing a "familiar gown" that's "homely enough to say." This implies that the thing we've been fearing is not necessarily something new or foreign to us. It's something we've encountered before, something that's a part of our lives. But why are we so afraid of it?

I think one possible interpretation is that we're afraid of change. We're creatures of habit, and we like things to stay the same. Even if the thing we're used to is difficult or unpleasant, it's still familiar and predictable. But when that thing changes or goes away, we're left with uncertainty and fear. We don't know what's going to happen next, and that's scary.

But Dickinson seems to be suggesting that maybe the thing we've been fearing isn't as scary as we thought it was. Maybe, in fact, it's familiar and homely and not so bad after all. We just needed to confront it head-on and see it for what it really is.

Overall, I think "While we were fearing it, it came" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to our fear of the unknown and our need for control. Dickinson's use of concise language and short lines adds to the sense of urgency and unease in the poem, and her exploration of fear and familiarity is both relatable and insightful. This is a poem that will stay with me for a long time, and I'm excited to see what other layers of meaning and interpretation can be uncovered from it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

"While we were fearing it, it came" - A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, the renowned American poet, is known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of life in her poems. One of her most famous works is "While we were fearing it, it came," a poem that explores the inevitability of death and the fear that surrounds it. In this article, we will delve into the meaning of this poem and analyze its significance in the world of literature.

The Poem

While we were fearing it, it came—
But came with less of fear
Because that fearing it so long
Had almost made it dear.

There is a fitting a dismay,
A fitting a despair.
'Tis harder knowing it is due,
Than knowing it is here.

The trying on the utmost,
The morning it is new,
Is terribler than wearing it
A whole existence through.

Analysis

The poem begins with the line "While we were fearing it, it came," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The "it" in this line refers to death, and the fear that surrounds it. The next line, "But came with less of fear," suggests that the fear of death is lessened when it actually arrives, because the anticipation of it has made it almost familiar.

The third line, "Because that fearing it so long," emphasizes the idea that the fear of death is something that we carry with us throughout our lives. The longer we fear it, the more it becomes a part of us, and the less frightening it becomes. This line also suggests that the fear of death is not something that we can easily shake off, but rather something that we must learn to live with.

The second stanza of the poem begins with the line "There is a fitting a dismay," which suggests that there is a sense of inevitability to death. The word "fitting" implies that death is something that is appropriate or expected, and the words "dismay" and "despair" suggest that it is something that is feared and dreaded.

The next line, "'Tis harder knowing it is due," suggests that the anticipation of death is more difficult than the actual experience of it. This line implies that the fear of death is something that we must learn to live with, and that the anticipation of it can be more difficult than the actual experience.

The final stanza of the poem begins with the line "The trying on the utmost," which suggests that death is something that we must face head-on. The word "utmost" implies that death is the ultimate challenge, and that we must be prepared to face it. The next line, "The morning it is new," suggests that death is something that is always new and unfamiliar, no matter how many times we face it.

The final line of the poem, "Is terribler than wearing it a whole existence through," suggests that the fear of death is something that we must learn to live with, and that the anticipation of it can be more difficult than the actual experience. This line implies that death is something that we must learn to accept, and that the fear of it can be more difficult than the actual experience.

Significance

The poem "While we were fearing it, it came" is significant for a number of reasons. First, it explores the inevitability of death and the fear that surrounds it. The poem suggests that death is something that we must learn to live with, and that the anticipation of it can be more difficult than the actual experience.

Second, the poem is significant because it is written in Emily Dickinson's unique style. Dickinson was known for her use of unconventional punctuation and capitalization, and this poem is no exception. The poem is written in short, fragmented sentences, which give it a sense of urgency and immediacy.

Finally, the poem is significant because it is a reflection of Dickinson's own thoughts and feelings about death. Dickinson was known for her preoccupation with death, and this poem is a reflection of her own fears and anxieties about the subject.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "While we were fearing it, it came" is a masterpiece of American poetry. The poem explores the inevitability of death and the fear that surrounds it, and it is written in Emily Dickinson's unique style. The poem is significant because it is a reflection of Dickinson's own thoughts and feelings about death, and it is a testament to her ability to capture the essence of life in her writing.

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