''Tis not that Dying hurts us so' by Emily Dickinson

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'Tis not that Dying hurts us so—
'Tis Living—hurts us more—
But Dying—is a different way—
A Kind behind the Door—

The Southern Custom—of the Bird—
That ere the Frosts are due—
Accepts a better Latitude—
We—are the Birds—that stay.

The Shrivers round Farmers' doors—
For whose reluctant Crumb—
We stipulate—till pitying Snows
Persuade our Feathers Home.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Tis not that Dying hurts us so" by Emily Dickinson

Introduction

Emily Dickinson is one of the most prominent American poets of the 19th century. She wrote over 1,800 poems during her lifetime, but only a handful were published before her death in 1886. Most of her work was discovered and published posthumously, and has since been praised for its sharp wit, unconventional style, and deep insight into the human condition. In this literary criticism, we will explore one of Dickinson's lesser-known poems, "Tis not that Dying hurts us so", and analyze its themes and techniques.

Overview of the poem

"Tis not that Dying hurts us so" is a short poem consisting of only six lines. The poem's title suggests that it is about death, but its content is more abstract and philosophical. Here is the full text of the poem:

'Tis not that Dying hurts us so—
'Tis Living—hurts us more—
But Dying—is a different way—
A Kind behind the Door—
The Southern custom of the Bird—
That ere the Frosts are due—
Accepts a better Latitude—
We—are the Birds—that stay.

Analysis

Form and structure

The poem is written in Dickinson's signature style, which is characterized by its use of dashes, slant rhyme, and irregular meter. The poem has a simple ABABCDCD rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming, and the other lines having slant rhymes. The poem's short length and lack of punctuation make it seem almost like a riddle or a koan. The poem's structure is also significant, as the first two lines set up a contrast between dying and living, while the next two lines introduce a metaphor of a door and a kind of existence beyond it. The final two lines introduce another metaphor of birds and their migration patterns, which is used to comment on human behavior.

Themes and motifs

The poem's central theme is the nature of existence and the human experience. Dickinson suggests that living is more painful than dying, but that dying is a "different way" of being. This suggests that death is not an end, but a transition to a new state of being that is beyond our current understanding. The metaphor of the door and the kind behind it suggests that there is a hidden reality that we can only glimpse briefly, if at all. The poem's final metaphor of the bird and its migration pattern suggests that humans are like birds that stay in one place, while others migrate to a better latitude. This suggests that humans are too attached to their current existence to explore other possibilities, and that this attachment causes suffering.

Language and imagery

The poem's language is simple but evocative. The use of the word "hurts" in the first line sets up the poem's central contrast between living and dying. The use of the word "kind" in the fourth line is ambiguous, but suggests a benevolent force beyond the door. The metaphor of the bird and its migration pattern is also significant, as it suggests a natural order that humans are not fully in tune with. The use of the word "Latitude" in the sixth line is also significant, as it suggests a spatial and metaphorical distance from our current existence.

Interpretation

The poem's ambiguity and brevity make it difficult to interpret definitively, but there are several possible readings. One interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of death and the afterlife. Dickinson suggests that death is not something to be feared, but a natural part of existence. The metaphor of the door and the kind behind it suggests that there is a hidden reality that is beyond our current understanding. This could be interpreted as a reference to the afterlife, or to a spiritual dimension that exists beyond our physical existence. The final metaphor of the bird and its migration pattern suggests that humans are too attached to their current existence to explore other possibilities. This could be interpreted as a critique of human complacency and a call to explore new horizons.

Another interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the human condition. Dickinson suggests that living is more painful than dying, but that humans are too attached to their current existence to explore other possibilities. The final metaphor of the bird and its migration pattern suggests that humans are like birds that stay in one place, while others migrate to a better latitude. This could be interpreted as a critique of human complacency and a call to explore new horizons. The poem suggests that there is a hidden reality that we can only glimpse briefly, if at all. This could be interpreted as a call to explore the mysteries of existence and to seek a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Conclusion

"Tis not that Dying hurts us so" is a short but powerful poem that explores the nature of existence and the human condition. Dickinson's use of language, imagery, and metaphor creates a sense of mystery and wonder that invites interpretation. The poem's brevity and ambiguity make it difficult to pin down a definitive meaning, but its central themes of death, the afterlife, and the human condition are universal and timeless.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

‘Tis not that Dying hurts us so, ‘Tis Living – hurts us more – But Dying – is a different way – A Kind behind the Door –

These are the opening lines of the classic poem ‘Tis not that Dying hurts us so, written by the renowned American poet Emily Dickinson. The poem is a reflection on the nature of death and the pain that comes with living. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in the poem, as well as the historical and cultural context in which it was written.

Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830 and lived a reclusive life, rarely leaving her family home. She wrote over 1,800 poems during her lifetime, but only a handful were published before her death in 1886. Dickinson’s poetry is known for its unique style, which often includes unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. Her work explores themes of death, nature, love, and spirituality.

‘Tis not that Dying hurts us so is a short poem consisting of four lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and symbolism. The first line, ‘Tis not that Dying hurts us so, suggests that death itself is not the source of our pain. Rather, it is the act of living that causes us the most suffering. This idea is further explored in the second line, ‘Tis Living – hurts us more –. Here, Dickinson suggests that the pain of living is more intense than the pain of dying.

The third line, But Dying – is a different way –, introduces the idea that death is a unique experience, different from anything we have experienced in life. The use of the word “different” suggests that death is not necessarily good or bad, but simply unlike anything we have known before. The final line, A Kind behind the Door –, is perhaps the most enigmatic of the poem. The use of the word “Kind” suggests that death may be a gentle or peaceful experience, but the phrase “behind the Door” implies that it is also mysterious and unknown.

One of the most striking features of ‘Tis not that Dying hurts us so is its use of paradox. The poem suggests that death, which is often associated with pain and suffering, may actually be a relief from the pain of living. This paradox is further emphasized by the use of the word “Kind” in the final line, which suggests that death may be a positive experience despite its association with negativity.

Another literary device used in the poem is personification. Dickinson personifies death by describing it as a “Kind behind the Door”. This personification gives death a sense of agency and suggests that it is something that is actively waiting for us. The use of the word “Door” also implies that death is a threshold or a gateway to another realm.

The historical and cultural context in which ‘Tis not that Dying hurts us so was written is also important to consider. Dickinson lived during a time when death was a common occurrence, particularly among children. The high mortality rate of the time meant that death was a constant presence in people’s lives. This may have influenced Dickinson’s preoccupation with death and her exploration of its meaning.

In addition, Dickinson’s poetry was written during the Romantic period, a time when poets were interested in exploring the mysteries of the natural world and the human experience. The Romantic poets often used nature as a metaphor for human emotions and experiences, and Dickinson’s poetry is no exception. In ‘Tis not that Dying hurts us so, Dickinson uses the metaphor of a door to suggest that death is a threshold between two worlds.

In conclusion, ‘Tis not that Dying hurts us so is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of death and the pain of living. Through its use of paradox and personification, the poem suggests that death may be a relief from the suffering of life. The historical and cultural context in which the poem was written also adds depth and meaning to its themes. Despite its brevity, ‘Tis not that Dying hurts us so is a testament to Emily Dickinson’s skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few lines.

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