'We dream—it is good we are dreaming' by Emily Dickinson


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We dream—it is good we are dreaming—
It would hurt us—were we awake—
But since it is playing—kill us,
And we are playing—shriek—

What harm? Men die—externally—
It is a truth—of Blood—
But we—are dying in Drama—
And Drama—is never dead—

Cautious—We jar each other—
And either—open the eyes—
Lest the Phantasm—prove the Mistake—
And the livid Surprise

Cool us to Shafts of Granite—
With just an Age—and Name—
And perhaps a phrase in Egyptian—
It's prudenter—to dream—

Editor 1 Interpretation

We dream—it is good we are dreaming: A Critical Analysis

Emily Dickinson is known for her hauntingly beautiful poetry, which often tackled themes of mortality, nature, and the human condition. In her poem, "We dream—it is good we are dreaming," Dickinson explores the relationship between dreams and reality, and how they can affect our perception of the world around us.

The Poem

We dream—it is good we are dreaming—
It would hurt us—were we awake—
But since it is playing—kill us,
And we are playing—shriek—
What harm? Men die—exhalting—
From hand to hand—
And lips divine—
Grasp, that if Dominion's—sleeping—
This—shuts them in—

Analysis:

The poem begins with the line "We dream—it is good we are dreaming," immediately establishing the theme of dreams. Dickinson then goes on to say that it is good that we are dreaming, as it would hurt us if we were awake. This line suggests that there is something about the dream state that protects us from the harsh realities of the world.

However, the next line, "But since it is playing—kill us," complicates this idea. The use of the word "kill" suggests that there is something dangerous about dreaming, something that can "kill" us if we are not careful. The line "And we are playing—shriek" reinforces this idea, suggesting that there is something terrifying about the dream state.

The next few lines are somewhat cryptic, but seem to suggest that death is a part of life, and that even the most divine among us will eventually die. The line "And lips divine—/Grasp, that if Dominion's—sleeping—/This—shuts them in—" suggests that even those in power are not immune to death.

Overall, the poem seems to explore the complex relationship between dreams and reality, and the ways in which they can both protect and harm us.

Interpretation

When viewed in the context of Dickinson's larger body of work, "We dream—it is good we are dreaming" can be seen as a meditation on the nature of existence. Dickinson was known for her preoccupation with death and mortality, and many of her poems explore the idea that life is fleeting and fragile.

In this poem, Dickinson seems to suggest that dreams offer us a respite from the harsh realities of the world. The line "It would hurt us—were we awake—" suggests that the dream state is a kind of refuge, a place where we can escape the pain and suffering of the world.

However, Dickinson also seems to suggest that there is something dangerous about the dream state. The lines "But since it is playing—kill us" and "And we are playing—shriek" suggest that dreams can be terrifying and even deadly.

When viewed in light of Dickinson's broader themes, it is possible to interpret this poem as a commentary on the human condition. Life is full of pain and suffering, but we have the capacity to imagine and dream, and through these dreams we can find a measure of solace. However, even our dreams can be dangerous, and we must approach them with caution.

Overall, "We dream—it is good we are dreaming" is a complex and haunting poem that explores the relationship between dreams and reality, and the ways in which they shape our understanding of the world around us.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "We dream—it is good we are dreaming" is a powerful meditation on the nature of existence. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson explores the complex relationship between dreams and reality, and the ways in which they can both protect and harm us. When viewed in the broader context of Dickinson's work, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the human condition, and the ways in which we seek to find meaning and solace in a world that is often cruel and unpredictable.

Overall, "We dream—it is good we are dreaming" is a masterpiece of poetry, and a testament to Emily Dickinson's remarkable talent as a writer.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

We dream—it is good we are dreaming. These are the opening lines of one of Emily Dickinson's most famous poems. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the nature of dreams and their importance in our lives. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

Emily Dickinson was a prolific poet who wrote over 1,800 poems in her lifetime. She was known for her unique style of writing, which often included unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. Her poems were deeply personal and explored themes such as death, love, and nature.

We dream—it is good we are dreaming is a short poem that consists of only two stanzas. The first stanza reads:

We dream—it is good we are dreaming It would hurt us—were we awake But since it is playing—kill us, And we are playing—shriek—

In these lines, Dickinson suggests that dreaming is a good thing because it allows us to experience things that we might not be able to handle in real life. She says that if we were awake and experiencing these things, it would hurt us. But since we are dreaming, it is like we are playing a game, and even if the dream is scary or painful, it cannot really harm us.

The second stanza reads:

What the torments of Hell? Oh! I laugh at the pain— I could bear— Millions—of Millions— And never complain—

In these lines, Dickinson takes the idea of dreaming as a game even further. She suggests that even the torments of Hell would be like a game to her, and she could bear them without complaint. This is a powerful statement that suggests that dreams can give us a sense of control over our lives, even in the face of the most terrible things.

One of the most interesting things about this poem is the way that Dickinson uses punctuation and capitalization to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. For example, in the first line, she uses a dash to create a pause between "dream" and "it is good we are dreaming." This pause creates a sense of anticipation and draws the reader into the poem.

In the second line, Dickinson uses capitalization to emphasize the word "awake." This emphasizes the contrast between dreaming and being awake and reinforces the idea that dreaming is a good thing.

In the third line, Dickinson uses another dash to create a pause between "playing" and "kill us." This pause creates a sense of tension and emphasizes the danger that can be present in dreams.

In the fourth line, Dickinson uses a dash to create a pause between "playing" and "shriek." This pause creates a sense of release and emphasizes the idea that even if the dream is scary or painful, it cannot really harm us.

In the second stanza, Dickinson uses capitalization to emphasize the word "Hell." This emphasizes the idea that even the worst things that can happen to us in our dreams are like a game to her.

Overall, We dream—it is good we are dreaming is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of dreams and their importance in our lives. Dickinson suggests that dreams can give us a sense of control over our lives, even in the face of the most terrible things. She also suggests that dreaming is a good thing because it allows us to experience things that we might not be able to handle in real life.

The poem is also notable for its use of punctuation and capitalization to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. Dickinson's unique style of writing adds to the power and beauty of the poem and makes it a classic piece of literature that is still relevant today.

In conclusion, We dream—it is good we are dreaming is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of dreams and their importance in our lives. It is a testament to Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in her writing. If you have not read this poem before, I highly recommend that you do so. It is a true masterpiece of literature that will leave you thinking long after you have finished reading it.

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