'For this—accepted Breath' by Emily Dickinson


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For this—accepted Breath—
Through it—compete with Death—
The fellow cannot touch this Crown—
By it—my title take—
Ah, what a royal sake
To my necessity—stooped down!

No Wilderness—can be
Where this attendeth me—
No Desert Noon—
No fear of frost to come
Haunt the perennial bloom—
But Certain June!

Get Gabriel—to tell—the royal syllable—
Get Saints—with new—unsteady tongue—
To say what trance below
Most like their glory show—
Fittest the Crown!

Editor 1 Interpretation

For this—accepted Breath by Emily Dickinson: A Closer Look

As a piece of literature, Emily Dickinson's poem, "For this—accepted Breath," is a fascinating study of the human experience. The poem is like a puzzle that requires careful examination to unlock its meaning. At first glance, the poem appears to be a straightforward celebration of life, but upon closer inspection, it reveals layers of meaning that go beyond the surface level.

Overview and Analysis

The poem is structured in three quatrains of varying lengths, but each line is written in the same meter: iambic trimeter. The rhyme scheme is AABB, and the poem is often interpreted as a celebration of life, gratitude, and faith.

Stanza One

The first quatrain reads:

For this—accepted Breath—
Through it—compete with Death—
The fellow cannot touch this Crown—
By it—my title take—

The first line refers to the simple act of breathing, and the word "accepted" implies that the speaker is grateful for each breath that they take. The second line introduces the idea of competing with death, as if the speaker is in a constant battle against the inevitability of mortality. The third line is more difficult to interpret, but it could be a reference to the idea that death cannot take away the speaker's spiritual or mental crown. The final line suggests that the act of breathing is what gives the speaker their "title," or essence.

Stanza Two

The second quatrain reads:

Ah, what a royal kind of woe
The Renegade would vex—
The inner life—the outward woe—
’Tis Day by Day—decreased—

The second stanza uses paradoxical language to describe the idea of suffering. The first line is particularly interesting because it contrasts the idea of royalty with sorrow. The "Renegade" referred to in the second line is likely death, who would try to "vex" the speaker with the knowledge that their life will eventually end. The third line describes the internal struggle that comes with this knowledge, and the fourth line suggests that this struggle is ongoing.

Stanza Three

The final quatrain reads:

’Tis Kingdoms—afterward—they say—
In perfect—pauseless Monarchy—
Whose Prince—is Son of None—
Himself—His Dateless Crown—

The final stanza introduces the idea of an afterlife, and the language used here is more abstract than the previous two stanzas. The first line suggests that there are "kingdoms" waiting after death, and the second line implies that these kingdoms are ruled by a monarchy that is "perfect" and "pauseless." The third line introduces the idea of a "Prince" who is the son of no one, which could be interpreted as a reference to God or a higher power. The final line suggests that this Prince has a crown that is "dateless," or eternal.

Interpretation

When interpreting a poem like "For this—accepted Breath," there is no right or wrong answer. Ultimately, the meaning of the poem is up to the reader's interpretation. However, there are several common interpretations of this poem that are worth examining.

Celebration of Life

One common interpretation of this poem is that it is a celebration of life. The first stanza is particularly supportive of this interpretation, as it emphasizes the idea of gratitude for each breath. The second stanza, which describes the struggle with mortality, could be seen as a contrast to the joy of living. Finally, the third stanza introduces the idea of an afterlife, suggesting that even death is a part of life's journey.

Spiritual Reflection

Another interpretation of this poem is that it is a reflection on spirituality. The idea of a "crown" or "title" that is not physical but spiritual is present throughout the poem, and the final stanza introduces the idea of a higher power. The paradoxical language used in the second stanza could be interpreted as a reflection on the struggle of faith, and the celebration of life in the first stanza could be seen as a celebration of the spiritual journey.

Reflection on Mortality

Finally, this poem could be seen as a reflection on the inevitability of mortality. The second stanza describes the internal struggle that comes with the knowledge that death is inevitable, and the final stanza introduces the idea of an afterlife. By emphasizing the importance of each breath in the first stanza, the poem suggests that life is precious, and that the struggle with mortality is part of the human experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "For this—accepted Breath" is a complex and multi-layered poem that is open to interpretation. While it is often interpreted as a celebration of life, there are other interpretations that emphasize spirituality and the struggle with mortality. Ultimately, the poem is a reflection on the human experience and the importance of each breath that we take. By carefully examining the language and structure of the poem, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and appreciate the beauty of Emily Dickinson's writing.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

For This—Accepted Breath: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers around the world. One of her most famous poems is "For This—Accepted Breath," a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of life and death, and the importance of living in the present moment.

At its core, "For This—Accepted Breath" is a meditation on the fragility and beauty of life. The poem begins with the lines "For this—accepted Breath—/Through it—compete with Death—," which immediately set the tone for the rest of the piece. Dickinson is acknowledging that life is a precious gift, and that every breath we take is a small victory over the inevitability of death.

The poem then goes on to describe the various ways in which we experience life, from the "dew upon the grass" to the "light upon the hill." Dickinson is reminding us that life is not just about the big moments, but also about the small, everyday experiences that make up our existence. She is urging us to appreciate the beauty of the world around us, and to find joy in the simple things.

But Dickinson is also aware of the darker side of life, and she does not shy away from exploring the pain and suffering that we all must endure. She writes, "Pain—has an Element of Blank—/It cannot recollect/When it begun—or if there were/A time when it was not—." Here, she is acknowledging that pain is a fundamental part of the human experience, and that it is something that we must all face at some point in our lives. But she is also suggesting that pain is ultimately unknowable, that it is something that we cannot fully understand or remember.

Despite the pain and suffering that we must endure, Dickinson is ultimately optimistic about the human experience. She writes, "This—is the Hour of Lead—/Remembered—if outlived—/As Freezing persons—recollect the Snow—/First—Chill—then Stupor—then the letting go—." Here, she is suggesting that even in our darkest moments, there is still hope. She is reminding us that we have the power to overcome adversity, and that even the most difficult experiences can ultimately make us stronger.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid and evocative imagery to bring her ideas to life. She describes the "dew upon the grass" and the "light upon the hill" in a way that makes the reader feel as though they are experiencing these things themselves. She also uses metaphor and symbolism to convey her message, such as when she compares pain to an "Element of Blank" or describes the human experience as an "Hour of Lead."

One of the most striking things about "For This—Accepted Breath" is its use of language. Dickinson's writing is both beautiful and complex, and she uses a variety of literary techniques to create a sense of depth and richness in her work. She uses repetition, alliteration, and rhyme to create a musical quality to her writing, and she also plays with the structure of the poem, using dashes and unconventional punctuation to create a sense of fragmentation and uncertainty.

In conclusion, "For This—Accepted Breath" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the nature of life and death in a way that is both profound and beautiful. Through her use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, Dickinson is able to convey a sense of the fragility and beauty of life, as well as the pain and suffering that we must all endure. But she is also able to convey a sense of hope and optimism, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there is still beauty and joy to be found. This is a poem that speaks to the human experience in a way that is both timeless and universal, and it is a testament to the enduring power of Emily Dickinson's writing.

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