'This heart that broke so long' by Emily Dickinson
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This heart that broke so long—
These feet that never flagged—
This faith that watched for star in vain,
Give gently to the dead—
Hound cannot overtake the Hare
That fluttered panting, here—
Nor any schoolboy rob the nest
Tenderness builded there.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Exploration of Emily Dickinson's "This heart that broke so long"
As I read Emily Dickinson's "This heart that broke so long," I couldn't help but feel drawn into the emotional depth of the poem. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery and her unique writing style create a poignant and thought-provoking piece that leaves readers with much to ponder.
An Overview of "This heart that broke so long"
The poem's title immediately signals that this is a poem about heartbreak. However, the language used throughout the poem paints a picture of a heart that has been broken for a long time. The opening lines set the tone:
This heart that broke so long
These feet that never flagged.
The heart’s long-standing pain is juxtaposed with the speaker's feet that never tire, as if to say that life goes on even when the heart is shattered.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses nature imagery to convey the depth of their pain. They compare their broken heart to "Winter's broken trees" and "Birds that have flown away." These images evoke a sense of loss and emptiness, highlighting the speaker's isolation and the absence of the things that used to bring them joy.
Dickinson's use of language
One of the most striking aspects of Dickinson's poetry is her use of language. Her writing style is unique, and she often employs unconventional capitalization and punctuation to create emphasis and rhythm.
In "This heart that broke so long," Dickinson's use of enjambment is particularly effective. She breaks lines in unexpected places, which creates tension and gives the poem a sense of urgency. For example, in the second stanza, she writes:
It asked a crumb - of me.
I shook my head - and smiled -
The line break after "me" creates a pause that draws attention to the speaker's reluctance to give the heart what it wants. The subsequent line break after "smiled" creates a sense of detachment, as if the speaker is trying to distance themselves from the pain.
Another powerful aspect of Dickinson's language is her use of metaphor. In "This heart that broke so long," she compares the broken heart to a "Crumbling house" and "the sea in tempest." These metaphors effectively convey the heart's fragility and the chaotic emotions that come with heartbreak.
The speaker's relationship with the heart
Throughout the poem, the speaker's relationship with their broken heart is complex. At times, they seem almost resentful of the heart's demands. They write:
And when at Night - our good Day done -
I guard my Master's Head -
'Tis better than the Eider - Duck's
Deep Pillow - to have shared -
Here, the speaker implies that taking care of someone else's head is preferable to dealing with their own heart. The comparison to the Eider duck's pillow creates a sense of comfort, but the speaker seems to reject that comfort in favor of duty.
Despite this resistance, the speaker eventually gives in to the heart's pleas. In the final stanza, they write:
And I - go down - with all the
Other souls
Unto the Shades of Noon.
The phrase "Shades of Noon" is particularly striking. It suggests a sort of limbo or purgatory, where the speaker is neither fully alive nor fully dead. This final image perfectly captures the sense of isolation and emptiness that comes with heartbreak.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson's "This heart that broke so long" is a powerful and moving exploration of heartbreak. Through her use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Dickinson creates a sense of isolation and emptiness that is palpable. The speaker's relationship with their heart is complex, and the final image of the "Shades of Noon" is haunting.
Reading and interpreting poetry can be a deeply personal experience, and there are likely many different ways to understand and interpret this poem. However, no matter how one chooses to approach it, "This heart that broke so long" is a testament to the power of language and the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
This Heart That Broke So Long: 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 move readers to this day. One of her most famous poems, "This Heart That Broke So Long," is a powerful and poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring pain of heartbreak. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, exploring its themes, symbolism, and literary devices to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a simple yet striking image: "This heart that broke so long." Immediately, we are drawn into the speaker's world of pain and sorrow, and we can feel the weight of their heartbreak. The use of the word "broke" is particularly effective, as it conveys a sense of irreparable damage and finality. This heart has been broken for a long time, and it seems unlikely that it will ever be fully mended.
The next line, "These feet that never flagged," is a powerful contrast to the first. While the heart may be broken, the speaker's feet have never faltered. This suggests a sense of resilience and determination, as if the speaker is determined to keep moving forward despite the pain they are feeling. It also hints at a sense of isolation, as if the speaker is walking alone through life, carrying their heartbreak with them.
The third line, "This soul that bore the cross," is a clear reference to the Christian tradition, where Jesus is said to have carried the cross on his way to his crucifixion. This suggests that the speaker sees their heartbreak as a kind of burden or trial that they must endure, much like Jesus carried the cross. It also suggests a sense of martyrdom, as if the speaker is suffering for a greater cause or purpose.
The final line of the first stanza, "Has felt the chill of ages," is a powerful image that conveys a sense of timelessness and eternity. The speaker's heartbreak has lasted for so long that it feels as if it has been frozen in time, enduring through the ages. This line also hints at a sense of isolation and loneliness, as if the speaker's pain has cut them off from the rest of the world.
The second stanza begins with the line, "The swaying sound of bells." This is a beautiful and evocative image that suggests a sense of peace and tranquility. The sound of bells is often associated with religious or spiritual ceremonies, and it suggests a sense of harmony and unity. However, this image is quickly undercut by the next line, "Navy blue and dim." The use of the color navy blue suggests a sense of sadness or melancholy, while the word "dim" suggests a lack of clarity or understanding. This suggests that the speaker is struggling to find peace or comfort in the midst of their heartbreak.
The third line of the second stanza, "Through mist and space the message swells," is a powerful image that suggests a sense of distance and separation. The message of the bells is carried through mist and space, suggesting that it is far away and difficult to reach. This reinforces the sense of isolation and loneliness that we saw in the first stanza.
The final line of the second stanza, "The heart hears all, and tells," is a powerful statement that suggests that the heart is capable of hearing and understanding the message of the bells, even if the mind cannot. This reinforces the idea that the heart is the seat of emotion and feeling, and that it is capable of transcending the limitations of the mind.
The third and final stanza begins with the line, "The heart that broke so long." This is a repetition of the first line of the poem, and it reinforces the sense of timelessness and eternity that we saw earlier. However, this time the line is followed by a question: "Is soon to beat again." This suggests a sense of hope and renewal, as if the speaker believes that their heart will eventually heal and begin to beat again.
The next line, "The feet that never flagged," is repeated from the first stanza, and it reinforces the sense of resilience and determination that we saw earlier. However, this time it is followed by a statement: "Have worn a path since then." This suggests that the speaker has been walking for a long time, and that their journey has left a mark on the world.
The third line of the final stanza, "The soul that bore the cross," is also repeated from the first stanza. However, this time it is followed by a statement: "Has felt the weight of pain." This suggests that the speaker has come to understand the true nature of their heartbreak, and that they have accepted the pain that comes with it.
The final line of the poem, "And waited for the dawn," is a powerful image that suggests a sense of hope and renewal. The dawn is often associated with new beginnings and fresh starts, and it suggests that the speaker is looking forward to a brighter future. However, the use of the word "waited" suggests that this future is not yet here, and that the speaker is still in the midst of their heartbreak.
In conclusion, "This Heart That Broke So Long" is a powerful and poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring pain of heartbreak. Through its use of vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and evocative language, Emily Dickinson has created a poem that speaks to the universal human experience of suffering and resilience. While the poem is deeply personal and introspective, it also speaks to a larger truth about the human condition, and it continues to resonate with readers to this day.
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