'The waters chased him as he fled' by Emily Dickinson
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The waters chased him as he fled,
Not daring look behind—
A billow whispered in his Ear,
"Come home with me, my friend—
My parlor is of shriven glass,
My pantry has a fish
For every palate in the Year"—
To this revolting bliss
The object floating at his side
Made no distinct reply.
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Waters Chased Him as He Fled: A Critical Analysis
Emily Dickinson, born in Massachusetts in 1830, is known for her unique approach to poetry. She was a recluse who spent most of her life writing poetry that was later discovered and published posthumously. In this article, we will analyze one of her most famous poems, "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled."
The Poem
The waters chased him as he fled, Not daring look behind — A billow whispered in his ear, "Come, rest, come, peace, be mine."
"We cannot play with shining toys That appertain to joy,"
Explained the solemn-faced abyss, "The waters toy in joy."
He dated Death; and his estate Past reckoning, sandy acres wide, Death slew, and with a rapid foot His wealth away did stride.
The tale is old as the Eden tale; But were the Eden tale retold, Would countless couples wreathe anew, And wed in the olden mold.
The Analysis
At first glance, "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled" seems like a simple story about a man who is being chased by water. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the poem is a metaphor for life and death. The man in the poem is not just being chased by water; he is being chased by death. The water represents the passage of time and the inevitability of death.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The man is running from something, but he cannot look back. He is being pursued by the waters, which are personified as something that can whisper in his ear. The billow's invitation to rest and find peace is tempting, but the man cannot give in. This is a metaphor for the temptation of death. The man knows that death will bring him rest and peace, but he cannot give in to it yet.
The second stanza is where the metaphor becomes even clearer. The abyss, which represents death, explains that it cannot play with toys that bring joy. The waters, on the other hand, can play in joy. This is a metaphor for the fact that life is full of joy and happiness, but death cannot partake in it. Death is a solemn-faced abyss that cannot experience joy.
The third stanza is where the man's fate is sealed. He has dated Death, which means he has accepted his fate. His estate, which represents his life, is past reckoning. Death comes and takes everything away from him, just as it does to everyone. Death is a thief that comes to steal everything we have.
The last stanza is a reference to the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The tale is as old as that story, but if it were retold, countless couples would still wed in the olden mold. This is a metaphor for the fact that even though we know we will die, we still continue to live and love. We continue to create new life and new stories, even though we know that death will eventually come for us.
Interpretation
"The Waters Chased Him as He Fled" is a powerful poem that speaks to the inevitability of death. The man in the poem is all of us, running from death but knowing that it will eventually catch up to us. The water represents time and the passage of life, while the abyss represents death itself.
The poem is also a commentary on the meaning of life. Even though we know that we will die, we still continue to live and love. We continue to create new stories and new memories. The fact that we know we will eventually die gives our lives meaning. It is the knowledge that we only have a limited time on this earth that makes us appreciate every moment.
In conclusion, "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the inevitability of death and the meaning of life. Emily Dickinson's unique approach to poetry allows us to see the world in a different light and to appreciate the beauty in even the most difficult moments.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Waters Chased Him as He Fled: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled," a haunting and evocative piece that explores themes of fear, mortality, and the power of nature. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a vivid and striking image: "The waters chased him as he fled." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, creating a sense of urgency and danger. We are left to wonder who "he" is and why he is running from the waters. The next line provides some context: "Not daring look behind." This suggests that the person being chased is afraid of what he might see if he were to turn around. Perhaps he fears that the waters are gaining on him, or that something even more terrifying is pursuing him.
As the poem continues, we get a sense of the scale and power of the waters. They are described as "huge" and "tumultuous," and we can almost hear the roar of the waves and feel the spray of the sea. The person being chased is described as "faint," suggesting that he is exhausted and struggling to keep up with the relentless pursuit of the waters. This creates a sense of empathy and concern for the person, as we can imagine how terrifying it must be to be chased by such a force of nature.
The third stanza of the poem introduces a new element: "The waves snatched at his feet." This suggests that the waters are not just chasing the person, but actively trying to pull him under. The use of the word "snatched" creates a sense of violence and aggression, as if the waves are trying to claim their prey. The person being chased is described as "flying," which suggests that he is desperately trying to escape the grasp of the waters. However, the final line of the stanza suggests that his efforts may be in vain: "Death waited like a lover."
This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the person being chased is not just running from the waters, but from death itself. The use of the word "lover" creates a sense of inevitability and fatalism, as if death is something that cannot be avoided. This adds a layer of complexity to the poem, as it suggests that the person being chased is not just afraid of the waters, but of what lies beyond them.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, as the person being chased finally succumbs to the waters: "But what he fled from, swift as dreams, / Came on, and followed him like streams." This suggests that no matter how fast or far he ran, the person could not escape his fate. The use of the word "dreams" creates a sense of unreality and surrealism, as if the entire experience was something that could not be fully comprehended. The final line of the poem, "He left a turbulent land," suggests that the person has finally escaped the turmoil and chaos of his life, but at a great cost.
So what does this poem mean, and why is it so powerful? At its core, "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled" is a meditation on mortality and the inevitability of death. The person being chased by the waters represents all of us, as we struggle to outrun the inevitable. The waters themselves represent the forces of nature and the passage of time, which are both powerful and unstoppable. The use of vivid imagery and evocative language creates a sense of urgency and danger, drawing the reader into the experience of the person being chased.
However, the poem is not just a bleak meditation on death. There is a sense of beauty and awe in the way that Dickinson describes the waters, and a sense of empathy for the person being chased. The final line of the poem suggests that even in the face of death, there is a sense of release and freedom. This creates a sense of hope and optimism, even in the face of the most dire circumstances.
In conclusion, "The Waters Chased Him as He Fled" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through its use of vivid imagery, evocative language, and powerful themes, it creates a sense of urgency and danger that draws the reader in and leaves a lasting impression. Emily Dickinson was a true master of her craft, and this poem is a testament to her talent and vision.
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