'Not that he goes—we love him more' by Emily Dickinson


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Not that he goes—we love him more
Who led us while he stayed.
Beyond earth's trafficking frontier,
For what he moved, he made.

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

Not that he goes – we love him more: A Poem by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is one of the most enigmatic and reclusive poets of the 19th century, and her poetry reflects her isolation and introspection. She wrote over 1,800 poems during her lifetime but only a handful were published before her death. "Not that he goes – we love him more" is a poem that captures the essence of her unique style and her love for nature, death, and immortality.

Overview

The poem is written in the form of a ballad, with four stanzas of four lines each, and an AABB rhyming scheme. The poem begins with the speaker stating that the person they love is leaving, but their love for him will not diminish. The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of nature, and how the person they love is a part of that beauty. The final stanza is a meditation on death and immortality, and how the person they love will never truly die.

Analysis

The poem is deceptively simple, but upon closer examination, it reveals a wealth of meaning and emotion. The first line, "Not that he goes – we love him more," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is saying that despite the person leaving, their love for him will only grow stronger. This is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, where death and departure are not seen as the end, but rather as a continuation, and even a transcendence, of life.

The second stanza is where the beauty of nature comes into play. The speaker describes the "azure weather" and the "orchard for a dome," painting a picture of a serene and idyllic landscape. The person they love is part of this landscape, as "His farewell sweetens every bird." The implication here is that the person's departure is not a source of sadness, but rather a source of beauty and sweetness, just like the song of a bird.

The third stanza is where Dickinson's preoccupation with death and immortality comes to the fore. The speaker says that the person they love is "Heavenly hurt," meaning that he is both divine and wounded. The paradoxical nature of this description is typical of Dickinson's poetry, where opposites often coexist. The speaker then goes on to say that the person they love is "Immortal" because he is part of the natural world, which goes on forever. This idea of the natural world being immortal is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it reflects her belief in the power of nature to transcend death and decay.

The final stanza is a meditation on death and immortality. The speaker says that the person they love will never truly die because he is part of the natural world, which is eternal. The image of the person's "footprints on the sands of time" is a powerful one, as it suggests that the person's influence will continue to be felt long after he is gone. The speaker then concludes by saying that the person they love is "gone before," meaning that he has transcended this earthly plane and entered into the realm of the divine.

Interpretation

The poem can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible interpretation is that it is a meditation on the power of nature to transcend death and decay. The person the speaker loves is part of this natural world, and his departure is not seen as an end, but rather as a continuation, and even a transcendence, of life. The image of the person's footprints on the sands of time suggests that his influence will continue to be felt long after he is gone, and this is a testament to the power of nature to endure.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the power of love to transcend death and separation. The speaker says that their love for the person will only grow stronger despite his departure, and this suggests that love is not bound by time or space. The person's departure is not seen as a source of sadness, but rather as a source of beauty and sweetness, just like the song of a bird.

Finally, the poem can be interpreted as a meditation on the power of poetry to transcend death and decay. Dickinson's poetry is often preoccupied with death and immortality, and this poem is no exception. The imagery of the natural world and the person's transcendence into the realm of the divine suggest that poetry has the power to lift us out of our earthly concerns and into a higher realm of existence.

Conclusion

"Not that he goes – we love him more" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's unique style and preoccupations. The poem is a meditation on the power of nature, love, and poetry to transcend death and decay, and it suggests that there is a higher realm of existence beyond our earthly concerns. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to lift us out of our everyday concerns and into a higher realm of existence, and it is a fitting tribute to one of America's greatest poets.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Not that he goes—we love him more: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers even today. One of her most famous poems, "Not that he goes—we love him more," is a masterpiece that explores the complex emotions of love, loss, and grief. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, analyzing its themes, structure, and literary devices to gain a better understanding of its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line "Not that he goes—we love him more," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is acknowledging that someone is leaving, but instead of feeling sad or upset, they feel an even greater love for the person who is departing. This sentiment is echoed in the second line, which reads, "For giving all to all." Here, the speaker is suggesting that the person who is leaving has given everything they have to those around them, which has only increased the love and admiration that others feel for them.

As the poem continues, the speaker delves deeper into the emotions surrounding the departure of this person. They describe how the person's absence will be felt, but also how their presence will continue to be felt in the memories and love that they have left behind. The lines "The sunshine will not dazzle him / Nor sobering midnight stun" suggest that the person who is leaving will not be affected by the passing of time or the changing of seasons. Instead, their memory will remain constant and unwavering, a testament to the impact that they have had on those around them.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its structure. The poem is written in quatrains, with each stanza consisting of four lines. However, the rhyme scheme is not consistent, with some stanzas rhyming and others not. This creates a sense of unpredictability and instability, which mirrors the emotions that the speaker is feeling. The lack of a consistent rhyme scheme also allows the poem to flow more freely, giving the speaker the space to explore their emotions in a more organic way.

Another literary device that Dickinson employs in this poem is repetition. The phrase "Not that he goes" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's insistence that the person's departure is not the end of their love for them. This repetition also creates a sense of urgency and intensity, as if the speaker is trying to convince themselves (and perhaps others) of the truth of their feelings.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker declares that the person who is leaving will always be loved and remembered. The lines "And when the solemn proves too vast, / A circlet let him wear of love" suggest that even in death, the person will be surrounded by love and remembered fondly. The use of the word "circlet" is significant, as it suggests a crown or halo, further emphasizing the idea that this person is a beloved and revered figure.

In conclusion, "Not that he goes—we love him more" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the complex emotions of love, loss, and grief. Through its use of repetition, structure, and literary devices, Emily Dickinson creates a powerful and moving tribute to someone who has left a lasting impact on those around them. This poem reminds us that even in the face of loss, love can endure and continue to grow stronger.

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