'Our share of night to bear' by Emily Dickinson


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Our share of night to bear—
Our share of morning—
Our blank in bliss to fill
Our blank in scorning—

Here a star, and there a star,
Some lose their way!
Here a mist, and there a mist,
Afterwards—Day!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Our Share of Night to Bear: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson, one of America's greatest poets, lived during the mid-19th century and is known for her unique writing style, which is characterized by brevity, use of dashes, and her emphasis on nature and the human experience. Her poem, "Our Share of Night to Bear," is a classic example of her work and is an excellent representation of her unique style.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each containing four lines, and is written in iambic tetrameter, which is a common meter in English poetry. The poem's tone is somber and reflective, and it is written in a first-person perspective, which gives it a personal and intimate feel.

The Structure of the Poem

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker begins by stating, "Our share of night to bear," which implies that there is some shared burden that they are all carrying. The phrase "share of night" is an interesting one, as it implies that everyone has a portion of darkness to bear, which is a universal experience. The line is also a metaphorical one, as night represents the darker aspects of life, such as pain, suffering, and loss.

The second line of the stanza - "Our share of morning" - is a contrast to the first line, as it implies that there is also a shared experience of light and hope. The phrase "share of morning" is another metaphorical one, as morning represents the brighter aspects of life, such as joy, happiness, and hope.

The third line of the stanza - "Our blank in bliss to fill" - is a bit more complex than the previous two, as it implies that there is something missing in their lives that needs to be filled. The phrase "blank in bliss" is an interesting one, as it implies that there is a void, a space that needs to be filled with something positive.

The final line of the stanza - "Our blank in scorning" - is a bit more ambiguous than the other three, as it is not entirely clear what exactly is being scorned. The phrase "blank in scorning" could be interpreted in a few different ways. It could mean that there is a sense of emptiness or lack of purpose that is being scorned, or it could mean that the speaker is scornful of the idea that they have to bear this burden in the first place.

The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of shared experience, but it focuses more on the individual. The first line of the stanza - "Here a star, and there a star," - is a metaphorical one, as stars represent individuality and uniqueness.

The second line of the stanza - "Some lose their way," - is a bit more somber, as it implies that not everyone finds their path in life. The phrase "lose their way" is an interesting one, as it implies that there is a sense of direction or purpose that is missing.

The third line of the stanza - "Here a mist, and there a mist," - is another metaphorical one, as mist represents confusion and uncertainty.

The final line of the stanza - "Afterwards - Day!" - is a hopeful one, as it implies that after the confusion and uncertainty, there is a sense of clarity and purpose.

The third and final stanza of the poem brings everything together. The first line of the stanza - "Few, and widely, we," - implies that the burden they are carrying is not an easy one, and that there are not many who are willing or able to bear it. The phrase "few, and widely" is an interesting one, as it implies that those who do bear the burden are spread out, isolated, and alone.

The second line of the stanza - "Lonesome, lonesome, rose," - is a metaphorical one, as the rose represents beauty and fragility. The phrase "lonesome, lonesome" is interesting, as it implies that there is a sense of loneliness or isolation that comes with beauty and fragility.

The third line of the stanza - "And lost a crimson gown," - is another metaphorical one, as the crimson gown represents something beautiful and valuable that has been lost.

The final line of the stanza - "And gained, besides, a world," - is a hopeful one, as it implies that despite the loss, there is something gained - a sense of the larger world and all its experiences.

Interpretation of the Poem

The poem "Our Share of Night to Bear" is a complex and nuanced piece that speaks to the human experience of suffering, pain, loss, and hope. At its core, the poem is about the shared burden that we all carry, and the unique individual experiences that come with that burden.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece, with its emphasis on the shared experience of darkness and light. The second stanza continues the theme of shared experience, but it focuses more on the individual, and the struggle to find one's path in life. The third and final stanza brings everything together, with its emphasis on the isolation and loneliness that can come with bearing the burden, and the hope that can be found in the larger world.

Overall, the poem is a powerful and moving exploration of the human experience, and it is a testament to the enduring legacy of Emily Dickinson as one of America's greatest poets.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Our Share of Night to Bear: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. Her unique style and unconventional themes have made her a favorite among readers and scholars alike. One of her most famous poems is "Our share of night to bear," which explores the idea of suffering and endurance in the face of life's challenges. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line "Our share of night to bear," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "share" implies that suffering is a common experience that we all must endure, while "night" represents the darkness and difficulties that we face in life. The use of the word "bear" suggests that we must carry this burden, that we must endure it without complaint or resistance.

The second line of the poem, "Our share of morning," offers a glimmer of hope in the midst of this darkness. The word "morning" represents a new beginning, a fresh start, and a chance to overcome the challenges of the night. This line suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

The third line of the poem, "Our blank in bliss to fill," is perhaps the most enigmatic. The word "blank" suggests a void, an emptiness that needs to be filled. The word "bliss" represents happiness, contentment, and fulfillment. This line suggests that we all have a void in our lives that we must fill with something meaningful. It also implies that true happiness can only be achieved by filling this void.

The fourth line of the poem, "Our small subsistence show," is a reference to the basic necessities of life. The word "subsistence" implies that we must survive on very little, that we must make do with what we have. This line suggests that even in the face of hardship, we must find a way to survive and thrive.

The fifth line of the poem, "And then how swift obliteration," is a stark reminder of our mortality. The word "obliteration" suggests that we will eventually be erased, that our lives will come to an end. This line suggests that even in the face of death, we must continue to endure and persevere.

The final line of the poem, "Avising it be done," is perhaps the most cryptic. The word "avising" is an archaic form of "advising," which suggests that we must take action in order to overcome our challenges. The phrase "it be done" implies that there is a task that needs to be accomplished, a goal that needs to be achieved. This line suggests that we must take responsibility for our own lives, that we must actively work to overcome our challenges and achieve our goals.

The structure of the poem is also worth noting. It consists of six lines, each of which is a single sentence. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line contains four iambs, or metrical feet. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that is both soothing and hypnotic. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next, creates a sense of flow and continuity that reinforces the poem's themes of endurance and perseverance.

The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and alliteration. The use of metaphor, or the comparison of two unlike things, is evident in the poem's use of "night" and "morning" to represent the challenges and opportunities of life. The use of personification, or the attribution of human qualities to non-human things, is evident in the poem's use of "obliteration" to represent death. The use of alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds, is evident in the poem's use of "share" and "show" in the first and fourth lines.

In conclusion, "Our share of night to bear" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of suffering, endurance, and perseverance. Through its use of metaphor, personification, and alliteration, the poem offers a vivid and compelling portrait of the human experience. Its rhythmic structure and enigmatic language make it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.

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