'So the Eyes accost—and sunder' by Emily Dickinson
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So the Eyes accost—and sunder
In an Audience—
Stamped—occasionally—forever—
So may Countenance
Entertain—without addressing
Countenance of One
In a Neighboring Horizon—
Gone—as soon as known—
Editor 1 Interpretation
"So the Eyes accost—and sunder" by Emily Dickinson
A literary criticism and interpretation
Oh, dear reader, how can I even begin to describe the beauty of Emily Dickinson's "So the Eyes accost—and sunder"? It is a poem that fascinates me every time I read it, and I have read it many times. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will unpack the poem's meaning, symbolism, and literary devices, and hopefully, you will leave with a deeper appreciation for this masterpiece of American literature.
Overview and Analysis
The poem is short, consisting of only two quatrains, but its brevity is deceptive. Each line is packed with imagery, allusions, and wordplay. Here is the poem in full:
So the Eyes accost—and sunder In an Audience— Stamped—occasionally—forever— So forever—stamp—
Let us start with the title. What does it mean to "accost" and "sunder" with the eyes? The word "accost" implies a sudden, aggressive encounter – like a stranger confronting you on the street. But "sunder" suggests a separation or a tearing apart. So which is it? Is it a violent collision or a gentle separation? Perhaps both. Dickinson is a master of ambiguity, and here she sets the tone for a poem that will explore the tension between connection and separation.
The first line, "So the Eyes accost—and sunder," reinforces this idea. The Eyes are personified, as if they are sentient beings with wills of their own. They "accost" and "sunder" – two actions that seem to contradict each other. It is as if the Eyes are torn between two instincts – to connect and to separate.
The second line, "In an Audience—," gives us context. The Eyes are in a public setting, surrounded by other people. They are not alone, but they are also not fully present. They are distracted by the presence of others, and this distraction creates a tension between unity and division.
The third and fourth lines, "Stamped—occasionally—forever— / So forever—stamp—," are where the poem's meaning really begins to take shape. The word "stamped" suggests a finality, a marking of something as complete. But this finality is only "occasional" – it happens sometimes, but not always. The word "forever" is repeated twice, emphasizing its importance. But the second time it appears, it is qualified by "So" – as if to say that this forever-ness is conditional on something else. What is that something else? The answer, I believe, lies in the poem's structure and symbolism.
Structure and Symbolism
The poem consists of two quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme is strict, suggesting a kind of order and symmetry. But the poem's content disrupts this order. The first and third lines of each quatrain are enjambed, meaning that the sentence continues onto the next line. This creates a sense of fragmentation and disunity. The Eyes are torn between two actions, and the poem's structure mirrors this tension.
The poem's symbolism is equally rich. The Eyes are a metaphor for human connection, and the Audience represents the external forces that distract and divide us. The stamping is a metaphor for memory, and the repetition of "forever" emphasizes the importance of memory in shaping our identity. But the real key to the poem's symbolism lies in the word "sunder."
"Sunder" has a rich history in English literature, going back to the Middle Ages. In its most basic sense, it means to separate or divide. But in the context of medieval theology, it took on a more profound meaning. It referred to the separation between God and humanity, and the suffering that resulted from that separation. The poem's use of "sunder" suggests a similar separation – not between God and humanity, but between humans and each other.
This separation is reinforced by the poem's syntax. The enjambment and fragmented structure create a sense of disunity, as if the poem is struggling to hold its meaning together. But the strict rhyme scheme and repetition of "forever" suggest a desire for order and permanence. The tension between these two forces – fragmentation and unity – is what gives the poem its power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "So the Eyes accost—and sunder" is a poem that explores the tension between connection and separation. The Eyes are torn between two instincts – to connect and to separate – and the Audience represents the external forces that distract and divide us. The stamping is a metaphor for memory, and the repetition of "forever" emphasizes the importance of memory in shaping our identity. The poem's structure mirrors the tension between fragmentation and unity, and the word "sunder" suggests a profound separation between humans. Dickinson's mastery of ambiguity and symbolism make this a poem that rewards repeated readings and careful analysis.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
So the Eyes accost—and sunder: A Deep Dive into 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 even today. Among her many masterpieces, one poem that stands out is “So the Eyes accost—and sunder.” This poem is a beautiful and complex exploration of the human experience, and it offers a unique perspective on the nature of perception, emotion, and connection. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, analyzing its themes, structure, and language to uncover its hidden meanings and messages.
The poem begins with a simple statement: “So the Eyes accost—and sunder.” At first glance, this line may seem cryptic and difficult to understand, but upon closer inspection, it reveals a lot about the poem’s central themes. The word “accost” means to approach or confront someone, while “sunder” means to separate or divide. Together, these two words suggest a sense of conflict or tension between two entities, which in this case are the eyes. This conflict is further emphasized by the use of the word “so,” which implies that this is a common occurrence or a natural consequence of some underlying force or principle.
As we move on to the second line, the poem becomes even more enigmatic: “And occasionally seize upon / Our Souls.” Here, Dickinson introduces the concept of the soul, which is a recurring theme in her poetry. The use of the word “occasionally” suggests that this seizing of the soul is not a constant or predictable occurrence, but rather a sporadic and unpredictable one. This idea is further reinforced by the use of the word “seize,” which implies a sudden and forceful action.
Moving on to the third line, we encounter another puzzling phrase: “And Sicken our Vitalities—.” Here, Dickinson introduces the concept of vitality, which refers to the energy or life force that animates all living things. The use of the word “sicken” suggests that this vitality is somehow being weakened or compromised by the conflict between the eyes. This idea is further reinforced by the use of the em dash, which creates a pause and emphasizes the importance of this concept.
In the fourth line, Dickinson continues to explore the theme of conflict and tension: “’Tis but a Chain enthralls.” Here, she suggests that the conflict between the eyes is not a random or isolated event, but rather a part of a larger pattern or system. The use of the word “chain” implies a sense of bondage or restriction, suggesting that this conflict is not something that can be easily overcome or resolved.
Moving on to the fifth line, Dickinson introduces a new concept: “And Sympathy—divides.” Here, she suggests that the conflict between the eyes is not just a matter of perception or sensation, but also a matter of emotion and connection. The use of the word “sympathy” implies a sense of empathy or understanding, while the word “divides” suggests a sense of separation or disconnection. Together, these two words suggest that the conflict between the eyes is not just a physical or sensory one, but also a psychological and emotional one.
In the final two lines of the poem, Dickinson offers a resolution of sorts: “Us from the Life we prize. / Oft is the Chain too strong to break—.” Here, she suggests that the conflict between the eyes is not something that can be easily overcome or resolved, but rather a part of the human experience that we must learn to accept and live with. The use of the word “prize” implies a sense of value or importance, suggesting that the conflict between the eyes is something that we cherish and hold dear, despite its difficulties. The final line, “Oft is the Chain too strong to break—,” offers a sense of resignation and acceptance, suggesting that we must learn to live with the conflict between the eyes, even if we cannot overcome it.
In terms of structure, “So the Eyes accost—and sunder” is a short and simple poem, consisting of only six lines. However, despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and complexity. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase across multiple lines, creates a sense of fluidity and movement, suggesting that the conflict between the eyes is an ongoing and dynamic process. The use of dashes and ellipses also creates a sense of pause and emphasis, highlighting the importance of certain concepts and ideas.
In terms of language, “So the Eyes accost—and sunder” is characterized by Dickinson’s signature style, which is marked by its economy, precision, and depth. The use of simple and direct language creates a sense of clarity and immediacy, while the use of metaphor and symbolism creates a sense of depth and complexity. The poem’s use of paradox and contradiction, such as the conflict between the eyes and the seizing of the soul, creates a sense of tension and ambiguity, inviting the reader to explore the poem’s many layers of meaning.
In conclusion, “So the Eyes accost—and sunder” is a beautiful and complex poem that offers a unique perspective on the human experience. Through its exploration of conflict, tension, and connection, the poem invites the reader to reflect on the nature of perception, emotion, and identity. Despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and complexity, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers even today.
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