'More Life—went out—when He went' by Emily Dickinson
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More Life—went out—when He went
Than Ordinary Breath—
Lit with a finer Phosphor—
Requiring in the Quench—
A Power of Renowned Cold,
The Climate of the Grave
A Temperature just adequate
So Anthracite, to live—
For some—an Ampler Zero—
A Frost more needle keen
Is necessary, to reduce
The Ethiop within.
Others—extinguish easier—
A Gnat's minutest Fan
Sufficient to obliterate
A Tract of Citizen—
Whose Peat lift—amply vivid—
Ignores the solemn News
That Popocatapel exists—
Or Etna's Scarlets, Choose—
Editor 1 Interpretation
More Life—went out—when He went
Emily Dickinson, one of the most influential American poets of the 19th century, wrote many poems that explored themes of life, death, and the afterlife. One such poem is "More Life—went out—when He went," a meditation on the nature of mortality and what happens when we die. In this essay, I will offer a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem, exploring its meaning, imagery, and symbolism.
Overview
"More Life—went out—when He went" is a short poem consisting of only three stanzas. It was first published posthumously in 1891, and its exact date of composition is unknown. Despite its brevity, the poem is notable for its striking imagery and profound insights into the nature of death.
The poem begins with the assertion that "More Life—went out—when He went—," suggesting that the speaker believes that when someone dies, they take a piece of life with them. The second stanza describes the physical process of dying, using vivid language to describe the moment when "the last Vitality / Be extracted." Finally, the third stanza reflects on the aftermath of death, suggesting that the world is somehow lessened when someone dies.
Interpretation
At its core, "More Life—went out—when He went" is a meditation on the meaning of death and the impact it has on the living. The poem suggests that when someone dies, they take a piece of life with them, leaving behind a world that is somehow diminished. This idea is encapsulated in the first line of the poem, which declares that "More Life—went out—when He went—." The use of the word "more" suggests that the speaker believes that life is finite, and that death represents a loss of something precious.
The second stanza of the poem describes the physical process of dying, using vivid imagery to create a sense of immediacy and urgency. The use of the word "Vitality" suggests that the speaker believes that life is a force that animates the body, and that death represents the moment when this force is extinguished. The image of "the last goblin / Exit his confines" is particularly striking, suggesting that death is a chaotic and violent process that involves the release of dark and malevolent forces.
The final stanza of the poem reflects on the aftermath of death, suggesting that the world is somehow lessened when someone dies. The use of the word "chill" to describe the air suggests that death is a cold and lifeless state, and the final lines of the poem suggest that the speaker believes that the world is somehow less bright and less vital in the absence of the dead person.
Taken as a whole, "More Life—went out—when He went" is a powerful meditation on the meaning of death and the impact it has on the living. The poem suggests that death is a loss of something precious, and that the world is somehow diminished when someone dies. However, the poem also suggests that death is a natural and inevitable part of life, and that there is some comfort to be found in the fact that everyone will eventually experience it.
Literary Criticism
"More Life—went out—when He went" is a complex and multi-layered poem that is notable for its rich imagery and profound insights into the nature of mortality. The poem uses a variety of literary techniques to create a sense of immediacy and urgency, including vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and evocative language.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. The poem is full of vivid and evocative descriptions of death and dying, including the image of "the last goblin / Exit his confines" and the image of the "chill" that follows in the wake of death. These images create a sense of immediacy and urgency, helping to convey the speaker's sense of the profound loss that death represents.
In addition to its powerful imagery, the poem also makes use of metaphor to explore the meaning of death. The idea that "More Life—went out—when He went" is a metaphor for the idea that death represents a loss of something precious. The use of the word "more" suggests that the speaker believes that life is finite and that death represents the loss of something that can never be regained.
Finally, the poem is notable for its use of language. The use of the word "Vitality" to describe the force that animates the body is particularly evocative, suggesting that the speaker believes that life is a precious and fragile thing. The final lines of the poem, which describe the world as "less bright" and "less vital" in the absence of the dead person, are also particularly powerful, suggesting that death has a profound impact not just on the individual who dies, but on the world as a whole.
Conclusion
"More Life—went out—when He went" is a powerful and deeply affecting poem that explores the meaning of death and the impact it has on the living. Through its use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and evocative language, the poem creates a sense of immediacy and urgency that helps to convey the speaker's sense of the profound loss that death represents. Ultimately, the poem suggests that death is a natural and inevitable part of life, but that it represents a loss of something precious that can never be regained.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
More Life—went out—when He went: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and profound insights into the human condition. Her poem "More Life—went out—when He went" is a prime example of her genius, exploring the themes of death, loss, and the fragility of life. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, analyzing its structure, language, and meaning.
The poem begins with the line "More Life—went out—when He went," immediately setting the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "more" suggests that life was already in short supply, and the departure of "He" has made it even scarcer. The identity of "He" is left ambiguous, but it is clear that his departure has had a profound impact on the speaker.
The second line, "Than I could stand—when He—took off," reinforces this idea of overwhelming loss. The use of the word "stand" suggests that the speaker is struggling to cope with the absence of "He," and the phrase "took off" implies a sudden and unexpected departure. The use of enjambment between these two lines creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is struggling to keep up with their own thoughts.
The third line, "His Lantern—out of Doors—," introduces a metaphor that will be developed throughout the rest of the poem. The lantern represents "His" life, and the fact that it is now "out of doors" suggests that it has been extinguished. The use of the word "doors" is significant, as it implies that "His" life was once contained within a specific space, but is now free to roam beyond it.
The fourth line, "’Twas Midnight—was no need of Moon—," creates a sense of darkness and emptiness. The fact that it is midnight suggests that the speaker is alone and isolated, and the phrase "was no need of Moon" implies that even the natural world is indifferent to their suffering. The use of the word "need" is interesting, as it suggests that the speaker is searching for some kind of validation or comfort, but is unable to find it.
The fifth line, "Nor Stars—by which to navigate—," reinforces this idea of being lost and directionless. The fact that there are "Nor Stars" suggests that the speaker is adrift in a vast and empty universe, with no way of finding their way back to a sense of purpose or meaning. The use of the word "navigate" is significant, as it implies that the speaker is searching for some kind of guidance or direction, but is unable to find it.
The sixth line, "What Aim—What Object—Happiness—," introduces a series of rhetorical questions that will be developed throughout the rest of the poem. The fact that the speaker is asking these questions suggests that they are searching for some kind of meaning or purpose, but are unable to find it. The use of the word "Happiness" is significant, as it implies that the speaker is searching for some kind of emotional fulfillment, but is unable to find it.
The seventh line, "A Beggar—cannot be choosy—," introduces a metaphor that will be developed throughout the rest of the poem. The fact that the speaker is comparing themselves to a beggar suggests that they are in a state of desperation and need, and the phrase "cannot be choosy" implies that they are willing to accept whatever scraps of comfort or meaning they can find.
The eighth line, "Since only Bread—Is proffered—Me—," reinforces this idea of being in a state of need. The fact that only "Bread" is being offered suggests that the speaker is not being given anything that could be considered luxurious or indulgent. The use of the word "proffered" is significant, as it implies that the speaker is being given something that they did not ask for, and may not even want.
The ninth line, "Of Heaven below—perhaps I know—," introduces a note of uncertainty and ambiguity. The fact that the speaker is only "perhaps" aware of the existence of "Heaven below" suggests that they are not entirely sure what they believe in, or what kind of comfort they can find in the afterlife. The use of the word "below" is interesting, as it implies that the speaker is looking for some kind of comfort or meaning in the physical world, rather than in a purely spiritual realm.
The tenth line, "But He that was—left the House—today—," brings the poem full circle, returning to the idea of loss and absence that was introduced in the first line. The fact that "He" has "left the House" suggests that he has departed from the physical world, and the use of the word "today" implies that this departure is recent and fresh.
The final two lines of the poem, "Was His—last moment—to appraise—," and "A Ransom—for a Life—That perished—with the Glass—," bring together all of the themes and motifs that have been developed throughout the piece. The fact that "His" last moment was to "appraise" suggests that he was taking stock of his life and reflecting on its meaning and purpose. The use of the word "Ransom" is significant, as it implies that "His" life was valuable and precious, but has now been lost. The fact that it has "perished with the Glass" reinforces the metaphor of the lantern, suggesting that "His" life was fragile and easily extinguished.
In conclusion, "More Life—went out—when He went" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of death, loss, and the fragility of life. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and language, it creates a sense of desperation and isolation, while also suggesting that there may be some kind of comfort or meaning to be found in the afterlife. Emily Dickinson's unique style and profound insights into the human condition continue to resonate with readers today, making her one of the most important poets of all time.
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