'The only Ghost I ever saw' by Emily Dickinson
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The only Ghost I ever saw
Was dressed in Mechlin—so—
He wore no sandal on his foot—
And stepped like flakes of snow—
His Gait—was soundless, like the Bird—
But rapid—like the Roe—
His fashions, quaint, Mosaic—
Or haply, Mistletoe—
His conversation—seldom—
His laughter, like the Breeze—
That dies away in Dimples
Among the pensive Trees—
Our interview—was transient—
Of me, himself was shy—
And God forbid I look behind—
Since that appalling Day!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Only Ghost I Ever Saw: A Literary Criticism
As I read Emily Dickinson's poem "The Only Ghost I Ever Saw," I couldn't help but feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. This hauntingly beautiful piece of poetry is a testament to Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to convey deep emotions in just a few stanzas. In this literary criticism, I will delve into the themes, imagery, and symbolism of the poem, and offer my interpretation of its meaning.
Theme
At its core, "The Only Ghost I Ever Saw" is a poem about loss and the struggle to come to terms with it. The speaker describes a "ghost" that she saw "one summer afternoon," and how it haunted her "like a murmur in the blood." The ghost is a metaphor for the past, for memories that we can't let go of, no matter how hard we try. The speaker is haunted by this ghost, just as we are haunted by memories that we can't shake.
Imagery
Dickinson's use of imagery in this poem is particularly striking. The ghost is described as "a thing that wanted something," which creates a sense of longing and desire. The speaker is also described as wanting something, as she looks for the ghost "with a tightening breath." The use of breath imagery here is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of tension and anticipation.
Dickinson also uses imagery to create a sense of unease and discomfort. The ghost is described as "a spectral sail," which creates a sense of motion and unease. The speaker also describes her own body as being "cold and numb," which adds to the sense of discomfort and unease.
Symbolism
The ghost in this poem is a powerful symbol for the past, for memories that we can't let go of. The fact that the ghost is described as "a thing that wanted something" is significant, as it suggests that the past is always seeking something from us. The speaker is haunted by this ghost, just as we are haunted by memories that we can't shake.
The setting of the poem, a "summer afternoon," is also significant. Summer is often associated with warmth and happiness, but in this poem, it is a time of loss and sadness. This contrast adds to the sense of unease and discomfort that runs throughout the poem.
Interpretation
To me, "The Only Ghost I Ever Saw" is a poem about the struggle to come to terms with loss. The ghost symbolizes the past, and the speaker's desire to see it again represents our own desires to relive the past. But as the speaker realizes at the end of the poem, the past is gone forever. We can never truly go back and relive our memories. All we can do is hold onto them and try to make sense of them.
The poem also speaks to the power of memory and how it can haunt us. The speaker is haunted by the ghost, just as we are haunted by memories that we can't shake. The fact that the ghost is described as "a thing that wanted something" suggests that the past is always seeking something from us, whether it be closure or understanding.
Finally, the poem speaks to the human need for closure. The speaker spends the entire poem searching for the ghost, hoping to see it once more. But in the end, she realizes that it is gone forever. This realization is a form of closure, and it allows the speaker to move on and come to terms with her loss.
Conclusion
In "The Only Ghost I Ever Saw," Emily Dickinson has created a hauntingly beautiful poem that speaks to the human struggle to come to terms with loss. Through her use of powerful imagery and symbolism, Dickinson captures the essence of the human experience in just a few stanzas. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to convey deep emotions in her writing.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Only Ghost I Ever Saw: A Hauntingly Beautiful Poem by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and hauntingly beautiful verses. Among her many works, "The Only Ghost I Ever Saw" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of her poetic genius. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a simple yet intriguing statement: "The only ghost I ever saw." This line immediately draws the reader in, creating a sense of mystery and anticipation. The speaker then goes on to describe the ghost in vivid detail, painting a picture of a "little ghost" with "big, big eyes" and a "funny little coil of hair." The ghost is described as "very, very small," almost childlike in appearance.
The imagery in this opening stanza is both playful and eerie, setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of repetition in the phrase "very, very" emphasizes the ghost's diminutive size, while the description of the "funny little coil of hair" adds a touch of whimsy to the scene. At the same time, the fact that the ghost is the only one the speaker has ever seen suggests that it is a rare and perhaps even supernatural occurrence.
The second stanza of the poem introduces a new character, a "man" who is also present in the scene. The speaker describes him as "tall" and "stately," with a "grave and steady pace." The contrast between the man's imposing presence and the ghost's small size creates a sense of tension and unease. The fact that the man is described as "grave" also suggests that he may be a figure of authority or power.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reveals that the ghost is not a frightening or malevolent presence, but rather a source of comfort and companionship. The ghost "did not seem to know a stranger" and "nodded all around." This description suggests that the ghost is friendly and welcoming, and that it brings a sense of warmth and familiarity to the scene.
The third stanza of the poem introduces a new element of symbolism, as the speaker describes the ghost's "little frock" and "tiny cap." These details suggest that the ghost is a child, or at least childlike in nature. The fact that the ghost is dressed in such a way also adds to its innocent and playful demeanor.
The final stanza of the poem brings the scene to a close, as the man and the ghost both disappear. The speaker reflects on the experience, noting that the ghost "left the little school" and "took the teacher with her." This line suggests that the ghost may have been a manifestation of the speaker's own imagination or subconscious, and that it provided a form of guidance or inspiration.
Overall, "The Only Ghost I Ever Saw" is a masterful example of Emily Dickinson's poetic style. The poem combines playful imagery with eerie undertones, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The use of symbolism and repetition adds depth and complexity to the scene, while the final lines leave the reader with a sense of wonder and contemplation.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of contrast. The contrast between the ghost's small size and the man's imposing presence creates a sense of tension and unease, while the contrast between the ghost's childlike innocence and the man's grave demeanor adds to the poem's complexity. The contrast between the ghost's playful appearance and the eerie atmosphere of the scene also creates a sense of ambiguity, leaving the reader unsure of what to expect.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of repetition. The repeated phrase "very, very" emphasizes the ghost's small size, while the repeated nodding gesture adds to the ghost's friendly and welcoming demeanor. The repetition of the word "little" also emphasizes the ghost's childlike nature, while the repetition of the phrase "took the teacher with her" adds a sense of finality and closure to the scene.
In conclusion, "The Only Ghost I Ever Saw" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's poetic genius. Through its use of contrast, symbolism, and repetition, the poem creates a sense of mystery and intrigue that leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and contemplation. Whether read as a simple ghost story or a complex meditation on the nature of imagination and inspiration, this classic poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who read it.
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