'Forever at His side to walk' by Emily Dickinson


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Forever at His side to walk—
The smaller of the two!
Brain of His Brain—
Blood of His Blood—
Two lives—One Being—now—

Forever of His fate to taste—
If grief—the largest part—
If joy—to put my piece away
For that beloved Heart—

All life—to know each other—
Whom we can never learn—
And bye and bye—a Change—
Called Heaven—
Rapt Neighborhoods of Men—
Just finding out—what puzzled us—
Without the lexicon!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Forever at His Side to Walk: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson's poem, "Forever at His Side to Walk," is a beautiful and thought-provoking work of art that captures the essence of love, loyalty, and devotion. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices to uncover the beauty and complexity of Emily Dickinson's writing.

Context

Before we begin to analyze the poem, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Emily Dickinson was a reclusive poet who lived most of her life in seclusion, rarely venturing outside. Despite this, she was a prolific writer and produced over 1,800 poems during her lifetime. Her works were often marked by their unconventional style, use of slant rhyme, and sparse punctuation.

"Forever at His Side to Walk" was written around 1859, during a period when Dickinson was going through a personal crisis. She had suffered a severe bout of depression and was struggling to come to terms with her feelings of isolation and loneliness. It is believed that the poem was written in response to these emotions and was a way for her to express her desire for companionship and love.

Structure and Form

The poem consists of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with each line containing eight syllables. The repetition of the rhyme scheme and rhythm gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easier to remember.

The poem is also marked by its use of enjambment, where the sentence continues on to the next line, without a pause or punctuation. This adds to the poem's fluidity and creates a sense of continuity between the stanzas.

Literary Devices

One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is personification. The speaker personifies love as a being that can walk and live alongside the beloved. This gives the poem a sense of intimacy and warmth, as the speaker describes love as something that is always present and comforting.

The poem also uses imagery to paint a vivid picture of the speaker's desires. The lines "To walk in fields where any goes, / And lovers' lanes to tread" conjure up images of idyllic countryside walks, hand in hand with a loved one. The use of the word "tread" also adds a sense of weight and importance to the act of walking, as if it is a symbol of the couple's commitment to each other.

The poem also uses repetition to emphasize its key themes. The repeated phrase "Forever at his side to walk" reinforces the idea of love as a constant companion, while the repetition of the word "love" throughout the poem highlights its importance to the speaker.

Analysis

At its core, "Forever at His Side to Walk" is a poem about the power of love and its ability to provide comfort and companionship. The speaker longs for a love that will not only walk with them through life but also provide a sense of security and stability.

The poem also touches on themes of loyalty and devotion. The speaker expresses a desire to be by their beloved's side through thick and thin, to share in their joys and sorrows. This is reflected in the line "Through joy and through torment, I'll never forsake," which speaks to the speaker's unwavering commitment to their partner.

However, the poem also hints at darker emotions beneath the surface. The line "No cloud upon his brow" suggests that the speaker is afraid of causing their beloved pain or distress. This fear of rejection or abandonment is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry and speaks to the poet's own struggles with isolation and loneliness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Forever at His Side to Walk" is a beautiful and haunting poem that speaks to the universal desire for love and companionship. Through its use of personification, imagery, and repetition, the poem creates a vivid picture of the speaker's desires and emotions. 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.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Forever at His Side to Walk: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Among her many masterpieces is the classic poem "Forever at His Side to Walk," which explores themes of love, devotion, and the afterlife. In this article, we will take a closer look at this beautiful poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line "Forever at His side to walk," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is expressing a desire to be with someone, presumably a loved one, for eternity. The use of the word "forever" emphasizes the eternal nature of this desire, and the phrase "at His side" suggests a sense of loyalty and devotion.

The second line of the poem, "The smaller of the two," adds an interesting twist to the poem. The speaker is acknowledging that they are the smaller of the two, which could mean that they are physically smaller or less important than the person they are addressing. However, it could also be interpreted as a sign of humility and selflessness, as the speaker is willing to put the needs and desires of the other person before their own.

The third line, "Brain of His Brain," is a powerful metaphor that suggests a deep connection between the speaker and the person they are addressing. The brain is often associated with intelligence, knowledge, and consciousness, so to say that the speaker is the "brain of His Brain" implies that they share a similar level of understanding and awareness. This line also suggests that the speaker is an integral part of the other person's life, and that they are deeply intertwined.

The fourth line, "Heart of His Heart," continues the metaphor from the previous line and emphasizes the emotional connection between the two individuals. The heart is often associated with love, compassion, and empathy, so to say that the speaker is the "Heart of His Heart" implies that they share a deep emotional bond. This line also suggests that the speaker is willing to put their own heart on the line for the other person, and that they are willing to love and support them unconditionally.

The fifth line, "Voice of His Voice," is another powerful metaphor that suggests a deep level of communication and understanding between the two individuals. The voice is often associated with expression, communication, and identity, so to say that the speaker is the "Voice of His Voice" implies that they share a similar way of expressing themselves and communicating with others. This line also suggests that the speaker is willing to speak up for the other person and defend them when necessary.

The sixth line, "Do you need a faithful one, to march behind you in the strife?" is a direct question to the person being addressed. The speaker is asking if the other person needs someone to support them and stand by their side during difficult times. The use of the word "faithful" emphasizes the loyalty and devotion that the speaker is willing to offer, and the phrase "march behind you in the strife" suggests a willingness to follow the other person into battle, both literally and figuratively.

The seventh line, "Forever at His side to walk," is a repetition of the first line, which reinforces the central theme of the poem. The use of repetition is a common technique in poetry, and in this case, it emphasizes the eternal nature of the speaker's desire to be with the other person.

The eighth and final line of the poem, "Take any path, any moon, any star," is a powerful statement of unconditional love and devotion. The speaker is telling the other person that they are willing to follow them anywhere, no matter what obstacles or challenges they may face. The use of the words "any path, any moon, any star" suggests a willingness to explore new horizons and embark on new adventures together.

Overall, "Forever at His side to walk" is a beautiful and deeply moving poem that explores themes of love, devotion, and the afterlife. The use of powerful metaphors and repetition creates a sense of unity and connection between the two individuals, and the final line is a powerful statement of unconditional love and support. Emily Dickinson's masterful use of language and imagery continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day, and "Forever at His side to walk" is a shining example of her poetic genius.

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