'A poor—torn heart—a tattered heart' by Emily Dickinson
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A poor—torn heart—a tattered heart—
That sat it down to rest—
Nor noticed that the Ebbing Day
Flowed silver to the West—
Nor noticed Night did soft descend—
Nor Constellation burn—
Intent upon the vision
Of latitudes unknown.
The angels—happening that way
This dusty heart espied—
Tenderly took it up from toil
And carried it to God—
There—sandals for the Barefoot—
There—gathered from the gales—
Do the blue havens by the hand
Lead the wandering Sails.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When it comes to exploring the works of Emily Dickinson, the task is not only challenging but also a thrilling one. Her poems are like riddles that require careful unraveling to reveal their true meaning. One such poem that has captured the imagination of many over the years is "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart." In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem and try to decipher its meaning.
The Poem
Before we start our journey of interpretation, let's first take a look at the poem itself.
A poor—torn heart—a tattered heart—
That sits alone in desolate places,
Yet it sings, it sings, it sings a
faery song.
At first glance, the poem seems simple enough. We have a heart that is poor and torn, sitting alone in desolate places, yet it sings a faery song. But as with all of Dickinson's poems, there is more to it than meets the eye.
Interpretation
Let's begin our exploration of the poem by diving into the meaning of "a poor—torn heart—a tattered heart." The heart is a common motif in poetry, representing love, passion, and emotion. In this case, the heart is described as poor and torn, suggesting that it has been through some kind of trauma or heartbreak. The use of the word "tattered" reinforces this idea, as something that is tattered is worn out and frayed from use.
The heart is also described as sitting alone in desolate places. This description conjures up an image of a heart that is isolated and abandoned. The use of the word "alone" emphasizes this feeling of loneliness and the idea that the heart is in a place where there is no one else around.
Despite its sad and lonely state, the heart is described as singing a faery song. This is an interesting contrast to the previous descriptions, as faeries are often associated with magic and whimsy. The fact that the heart is singing a faery song suggests that there is still hope or some kind of magic left in it, despite its poor and torn state.
So, what does all of this mean? To me, the poem is a reflection on the power of the human heart. Even when it has been through trauma and heartbreak, it still has the ability to sing and find some kind of joy or magic in the world. The fact that the heart is described as singing a faery song is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is still some kind of magic or beauty to be found.
Literary Devices
As with all of Dickinson's poems, "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart" is full of literary devices that add to its meaning and power. Let's take a look at some of the most prominent ones.
Metaphor
The heart is a metaphor for emotion and love, and the fact that it is described as "poor—torn" and "tattered" adds depth to this metaphor. The heart is also described as "singing a faery song," which is a metaphor for finding joy or magic in the world.
Imagery
The poem is full of vivid imagery, from the description of the heart as "poor—torn" and "tattered" to the image of it sitting alone in desolate places. The description of the heart singing a faery song is also a powerful image that conjures up ideas of magic and whimsy.
Repetition
The repetition of the phrase "it sings" reinforces the idea that the heart is singing despite its poor and torn state. It also adds a kind of rhythm and musicality to the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart" is a powerful poem that explores the resilience of the human heart. Despite its poor and torn state, the heart is still able to find some kind of magic or joy in the world. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and repetition, the poem captures the essence of what it means to be human and the power of the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of life in her works. One of her most famous poems is "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart," which explores the themes of love, loss, and heartbreak. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line "A poor-torn heart - a tattered heart," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "poor" suggests that the heart is in a state of distress, while "torn" and "tattered" imply that it has been damaged or broken in some way. This opening line sets the stage for the exploration of the themes of love and heartbreak that are central to the poem.
The second line of the poem reads, "The vest that has been worn before." This line suggests that the heart has been through this before, that it has experienced heartbreak in the past. The use of the word "vest" is interesting because it implies that the heart is something that can be taken off and put on again, like a piece of clothing. This metaphorical use of language is typical of Dickinson's style and adds depth and complexity to the poem.
The third line of the poem reads, "The soiled lace, the wrinkled fur." Here, Dickinson uses imagery to describe the heart's state of disrepair. The "soiled lace" suggests that the heart has been stained or dirtied in some way, while the "wrinkled fur" implies that it has been worn down and is no longer as soft and supple as it once was. These descriptions add to the sense of sadness and loss that permeates the poem.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "A coping stone - to brace the fire." This line is interesting because it introduces the idea of the heart as a coping mechanism. The "coping stone" is something that is used to support a structure, and here it is used to support the "fire" of the heart. This suggests that the heart is something that can be relied upon in times of trouble, even when it is damaged or broken.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "That's all the brave can wear." This line is significant because it suggests that only the brave can wear a poor-torn heart or a tattered heart. This implies that experiencing heartbreak is a difficult and painful experience, but that it is also something that can make a person stronger and more resilient. The use of the word "brave" suggests that those who have experienced heartbreak are to be admired for their strength and courage.
The sixth and final line of the poem reads, "And so I'll sit - and mourn - with that poor-torn heart of yours." This line is the most poignant of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is mourning the loss of someone they love. The use of the word "yours" implies that the heart belongs to someone else, and that the speaker is mourning their loss. This line is particularly powerful because it suggests that the speaker is willing to sit with the heart, to share in its pain and sorrow, and to mourn alongside it.
In conclusion, "A Poor-Torn Heart - A Tattered Heart" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and heartbreak. Through the use of metaphorical language and vivid imagery, Emily Dickinson captures the essence of what it means to experience heartbreak and to cope with the aftermath. The poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to endure even in the face of adversity.
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