'So give me back to Death—' by Emily Dickinson


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1632

So give me back to Death—
The Death I never feared
Except that it deprived of thee—
And now, by Life deprived,
In my own Grave I breathe
And estimate its size—
Its size is all that Hell can guess—
And all that Heaven was—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

So Give Me Back to Death by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that shakes you to your core? That leaves you pondering the mysteries of life and death for days afterward? If you haven't, then you need to read "So Give Me Back to Death" by Emily Dickinson.

This haunting poem is a powerful statement on the human condition and the inevitability of death. It is a call to embrace our mortality and to find beauty in the fleeting nature of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and language of "So Give Me Back to Death," and analyze how Dickinson's words speak to us today.

Themes

At its core, "So Give Me Back to Death" is a meditation on death and the human spirit. Dickinson contemplates the nature of life and the inevitability of death, and ultimately finds solace in the idea that death is not an end, but a return to something greater. This poem is a reflection on the paradox of life and death, and the way in which they are intimately connected.

One of the most powerful themes in this poem is the idea of surrender. Dickinson portrays death as an all-encompassing force that we cannot resist or control. We are all subject to its power, and ultimately we must surrender ourselves to it. However, this surrender is not a defeat. Rather, it is a release from the burdens of life and the limitations of the physical world.

Another theme that runs throughout "So Give Me Back to Death" is the idea of transformation. Dickinson suggests that death is not an end, but a transformation into something greater. This idea is captured in the final lines of the poem: "And then, if I should not survive, / I'll know that He exists." Here, Dickinson suggests that death is a gateway to a higher spiritual realm, where we can connect with the divine.

Symbolism

Dickinson's use of symbolism in "So Give Me Back to Death" is both subtle and powerful. One of the most striking symbols in the poem is the image of the tomb. Dickinson writes, "Take me, take me, take me, it's the little / Bravest, best I have." Here, the tomb represents both death and the physical body. Dickinson suggests that our bodies are both our greatest accomplishment and our greatest limitation. They are what make us human, but they are also what tie us to the physical world and prevent us from experiencing the spiritual realm.

Another powerful symbol in this poem is the image of the "harrowing gale." Dickinson writes, "I'll clutch -- and clutch -- / Next -- One -- might be the golden touch / Could take it -- Diamond -- will --." Here, the gale represents the challenges and obstacles of life. It is something that we cannot control, but must endure. However, Dickinson suggests that even in the midst of hardship, there is the possibility of transformation. The "golden touch" and the "diamond" symbolize the potential for spiritual growth and enlightenment that comes from the trials of life.

Language

Dickinson's use of language in "So Give Me Back to Death" is both beautiful and haunting. Her words are carefully chosen to convey the emotions of the poem, and to create a sense of movement and transformation.

One of the most striking aspects of Dickinson's language is her use of repetition. The phrase "take me" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and desperation. This repetition also emphasizes the idea of surrender, as the speaker repeatedly calls out to death to take her away.

Another powerful aspect of Dickinson's language is her use of imagery. Her descriptions of the "harrowing gale" and the "tomb" create vivid and visceral images that stay with the reader long after the poem is over. Her use of metaphor and symbolism also adds depth and complexity to the poem, allowing the reader to interpret it on multiple levels.

Conclusion

"So Give Me Back to Death" is a powerful and haunting poem that speaks to the human experience in profound ways. Through her use of themes, symbolism, and language, Emily Dickinson invites us to contemplate the mysteries of life and death, and to find beauty in the fleeting nature of our existence. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to provoke thought and stir the soul, and it will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

So give me back to Death— written by Emily Dickinson, is a classic poem that has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and literary enthusiasts for decades. This poem is a reflection of Dickinson's fascination with death and her desire to be reunited with it. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem and explore the various literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.

The poem begins with the line "So give me back to Death." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the speaker's desire to be reunited with death. The use of the word "back" suggests that the speaker has been with death before and wants to return to it. This line also creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker cannot bear to be separated from death any longer.

The second line of the poem, "The Death I never feared but since" suggests that the speaker has never been afraid of death until recently. This line implies that something has happened to make the speaker fear death, and that this fear has only developed recently. This could be interpreted as a reference to Dickinson's own life, as she suffered from various illnesses and may have been facing her own mortality.

The third line of the poem, "Resumed my place," suggests that the speaker has been away from death for some time and is now ready to return to it. This line also implies that the speaker believes that death is their rightful place and that they belong there.

The fourth line of the poem, "No Trace—no other face," suggests that the speaker is alone and has no one else to turn to. This line creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, which is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry. The use of the word "Trace" suggests that the speaker is looking for some kind of evidence or proof of their existence, but finds nothing.

The fifth line of the poem, "I Solemnly retrace," suggests that the speaker is retracing their steps and reflecting on their life. This line implies that the speaker is looking back on their life and trying to make sense of it. The use of the word "Solemnly" suggests that this is a serious and important task.

The sixth line of the poem, "Heaven is a Place," suggests that the speaker believes that heaven is a real place and that they will be reunited with death there. This line also implies that the speaker believes that death is a kind of heaven, and that they will find peace and comfort there.

The seventh line of the poem, "A Distance—just the same," suggests that the speaker believes that death is not far away and that it is just as close as it has always been. This line creates a sense of inevitability and suggests that the speaker believes that death is unavoidable.

The eighth line of the poem, "Lest I should be too late," suggests that the speaker is afraid of missing their chance to be reunited with death. This line creates a sense of urgency and implies that the speaker believes that time is running out.

The ninth line of the poem, "I Conquer for a breath," suggests that the speaker is fighting for their life and trying to hold on for just a little longer. This line creates a sense of struggle and implies that the speaker is not ready to give up just yet.

The final line of the poem, "The Depths of Life are scars," suggests that the speaker believes that life is full of pain and suffering. This line implies that the speaker has experienced a great deal of pain and that they are ready to be released from it. The use of the word "scars" suggests that the speaker has been wounded by life and that these wounds will never fully heal.

Overall, So give me back to Death— is a powerful and moving poem that explores Dickinson's fascination with death and her desire to be reunited with it. The poem is full of literary devices such as metaphor, imagery, and symbolism, which help to convey the speaker's message. The poem is also full of emotion and creates a sense of urgency and desperation, which makes it a memorable and impactful piece of literature.

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