''Tis One by One—the Father counts' by Emily Dickinson


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'Tis One by One—the Father counts—
And then a Tract between
Set Cypherless—to teach the Eye
The Value of its Ten—

Until the peevish Student
Acquire the Quick of Skill—
Then Numerals are dowered back—
Adorning all the Rule—

'Tis mostly Slate and Pencil—
And Darkness on the School
Distracts the Children's fingers—
Still the Eternal Rule

Regards least Cypherer alike
With Leader of the Band—
And every separate Urchin's Sum—
Is fashioned for his hand—

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Tis One by One—the Father counts" by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into the Poem

Are you ready to take a journey into the world of Emily Dickinson's "Tis One by One—the Father counts"? This classic poem has captivated readers for over a century with its intricate language and thought-provoking message. Let's dive into this masterpiece and explore its nuances, themes, and literary devices.

Overview

"Tis One by One—the Father counts" is a poem that centers around the idea of death and how it affects us all. The speaker, presumably Dickinson herself, reflects on the inevitability of death and how it takes each of us one by one until we are all gone. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which builds on the previous one to create a powerful and moving message.

Analysis

Stanza One

The first stanza of the poem sets the stage for what is to come. The speaker begins by saying, "Tis One by One—the Father counts" (line 1), immediately establishing the theme of death and how it affects us all. The use of the word "counts" implies that death is a deliberate act, as if God himself is keeping track of every person who passes away.

The speaker goes on to say, "And every soul that passes / Will be missing then" (lines 2-3). This suggests that each person who dies is unique and irreplaceable, and that the world will be forever changed by their absence. The use of the word "soul" also implies that death is not just a physical event, but a spiritual one as well.

Stanza Two

The second stanza of the poem builds on the first, delving deeper into the idea of death and its effects. The speaker says, "There is a pang of finite loss / Conceived by every heart" (lines 5-6), suggesting that death is something that affects us all deeply. The use of the word "conceived" implies that the idea of death is something that we all understand on a fundamental level, even if we may not be able to put it into words.

The speaker goes on to say, "But it is transient,—pangs subside, / As sorrows die in Time" (lines 7-8). This suggests that while death may be painful in the moment, it is something that we can eventually come to terms with and move on from. The use of the word "transient" implies that death is not permanent, and that life goes on even in its wake.

Stanza Three

The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, culminating in a powerful and moving message. The speaker says, "A little Christless flower / To trust without a look" (lines 9-10), suggesting that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant things in life can provide comfort in the face of death. The use of the word "Christless" implies that this comfort comes from within ourselves, rather than from any external source.

The speaker goes on to say, "A little bit of heart to guard, / And love's miraculous key" (lines 11-12). This suggests that while death may take away our loved ones, it cannot take away the love that we hold within ourselves. The use of the word "miraculous" implies that love is something that is both powerful and transcendent, capable of unlocking the mysteries of life and death.

Literary Devices

Throughout the poem, Dickinson employs a variety of literary devices to create a powerful and moving message. These include:

Imagery

Dickinson uses vivid imagery to create a sense of the inevitability of death. For example, she says, "Tis One by One—the Father counts" (line 1), implying that death is a deliberate act that is beyond our control. She also says, "And every soul that passes / Will be missing then" (lines 2-3), creating a sense of loss and emptiness that comes with each death.

Metaphor

Dickinson uses metaphor to compare death to a "pang of finite loss" (line 5), implying that it is something that we all experience deeply and personally. She also uses the metaphor of a "little Christless flower" (line 9) to suggest that even the smallest things in life can provide comfort and solace in the face of death.

Allusion

Dickinson makes allusions to Christianity throughout the poem, using words like "soul" and "Christless" to suggest that death is not just a physical event, but a spiritual one as well. She also suggests that love is a "miraculous key" (line 12), implying that it is something that has the power to transcend death and unlock the mysteries of life.

Interpretation

So, what does "Tis One by One—the Father counts" really mean? At its core, the poem is about the inevitability of death and how it affects us all. Dickinson suggests that each person who dies is unique and irreplaceable, and that their absence leaves a void in the world that cannot be filled.

However, the poem is also about finding comfort and solace in the face of death. Dickinson suggests that even the smallest things in life can provide us with hope and love, and that these things have the power to transcend death itself. In the end, the poem is a message of hope and resilience, a reminder that even in the face of death we can find meaning and purpose in our lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Tis One by One—the Father counts" is a powerful and moving poem that delves into the complex emotions surrounding death. Through vivid imagery, metaphor, and allusion, Dickinson creates a message of hope and resilience that reminds us of the power of love and the human spirit. This classic poem continues to captivate readers today, and its message is as relevant now as it was over a century ago.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson's poem 'Tis One by One—the Father counts is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of life and death. The poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death and the way in which we all must face it, one by one. Dickinson's use of language and imagery is powerful and evocative, and the poem is a testament to her skill as a poet.

The poem begins with the line "Tis One by One—the Father counts" which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "Father" is significant, as it suggests a divine presence overseeing the process of life and death. The word "counts" is also significant, as it implies a sense of order and purpose to the process of death. The poem suggests that death is not a random or chaotic event, but rather a part of a larger plan.

The second stanza of the poem continues this theme, with the line "And each, beloved, alike to Him." This line suggests that in the eyes of the divine, we are all equal. It does not matter who we are or what we have accomplished in life, we will all face death in the end. The use of the word "beloved" is also significant, as it suggests that even in death, we are still loved by the divine.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, with the lines "The slow — —dim —witted are salvos sent / From bases of the soul." This line suggests that even those who are not intellectually gifted or successful in life are still important in the eyes of the divine. The use of the word "salvos" is also significant, as it suggests that even those who are not successful in life can still make a significant impact on the world.

The fourth stanza of the poem continues this theme, with the line "The love we leave behind us is enough." This line suggests that even if we do not accomplish great things in life, the love we leave behind is enough to make a difference. The use of the word "enough" is also significant, as it suggests that we do not need to accomplish great things in order to make a difference in the world.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, with the lines "The worthiness of life's large cost / Is proved by the disparity / Between ourselves and dust." This line suggests that the value of life is not measured by our accomplishments or our wealth, but rather by the fact that we exist at all. The use of the word "disparity" is also significant, as it suggests that there is a vast difference between our existence and the dust from which we came.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem 'Tis One by One—the Father counts is a powerful reflection on the inevitability of death and the way in which we all must face it, one by one. The poem suggests that death is not a random or chaotic event, but rather a part of a larger plan. It also suggests that even those who are not successful in life can still make a significant impact on the world, and that the love we leave behind is enough to make a difference. Ultimately, the poem suggests that the value of life is not measured by our accomplishments or our wealth, but rather by the fact that we exist at all.

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