'She lay as if at play' by Emily Dickinson


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She lay as if at play
Her life had leaped away—
Intending to return—
But not so soon—

Her merry Arms, half dropt—
As if for lull of sport—
An instant had forgot—
The Trick to start—

Her dancing Eyes—ajar—
As if their Owner were
Still sparkling through
For fun—at you—

Her Morning at the door—
Devising, I am sure—
To force her sleep—
So light—so deep—

Editor 1 Interpretation

She lay as if at play: A Critique of Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is known for her enigmatic, sometimes inscrutable poetry. Her poem, “She lay as if at play,” is no exception. It is a striking, complex work that has puzzled readers and literary critics for decades.

At first glance, the poem appears simple enough. It describes a woman lying in repose, “as if at play” with the flowers around her. But as one delves deeper into the language and imagery used, the poem reveals itself to be a meditation on mortality, beauty, and the transience of life.

The Poem

Let us first examine the poem itself:

She lay as if at play
Her life had leaped away
Intending to return
But not so soon — Her merry Arms, half dropt
As if for lull of sport
An instant had forgot —
The Pulse sought but her brow
And as it was still
The smile returned again —
And as it was still —
The cheek receded too.
Emily Dickinson

The poem is written in Dickinson’s characteristic style, with its heavy reliance on dashes and unconventional capitalization. The poem is composed of two quatrains, with the rhyme scheme ABAB.

Interpretation

At first, the poem might seem like a simple description of a woman at rest. But a closer look reveals a deeper message. The woman in the poem is not simply idle or resting; she has “leaped away” from life. This phrase suggests that the woman is dead, and her body is now at rest.

The use of the word “play” is also significant. It suggests that the woman is not only at rest, but also in a state of innocence and joy. In death, she has returned to a state of childlike purity, free from the burdens and sorrows of life.

The image of the woman’s “merry Arms, half dropt” adds to the sense of innocence and playfulness. The woman is described as if she were a child, lost in the joy of the moment.

The phrase “An instant had forgot” is also significant. It suggests that the woman’s death was sudden and unexpected. She had not planned to leave life so soon, but it happened anyway.

The final two lines of the first quatrain are particularly poignant. The pulse, which would normally indicate life, sought only the woman’s brow, indicating that she was already dead. But even in death, the woman’s smile returned, suggesting that she had found peace and happiness.

The second quatrain of the poem provides a final image of the woman’s body. Her cheek “receded,” suggesting that her face has begun to decompose. This image is a reminder that even in death, the body is subject to decay and impermanence.

Overall, “She lay as if at play” is a powerful meditation on death and the transience of life. It suggests that in death, one can find a return to innocence and joy, free from the burdens of life. But it also reminds us that death is a reminder of the impermanence of all things, including the beauty of the human form.

Dickinson’s Style

As with many of Dickinson’s poems, the language and style of “She lay as if at play” are complex and unconventional. The poem is composed of short, fragmented lines, with heavy reliance on dashes and unconventional punctuation. This style can be difficult to read and interpret, but it also adds to the poem’s power and intensity.

The use of language in the poem is also noteworthy. Dickinson uses simple, everyday words to describe a complex and often difficult concept: death. By doing so, she allows the reader to connect with the poem on a personal level, without the need for complex or obscure language.

Dickinson’s use of rhyme and meter is also unconventional. Rather than using a strict meter or rhyme scheme, she creates a more fluid and organic structure. This allows her to focus on the ideas and emotions of the poem, rather than on the strict rules of form.

Conclusion

“She lay as if at play” is a powerful poem that explores the themes of death, transience, and the beauty of human life. Dickinson’s use of language and unconventional style creates a sense of mystery and intensity, drawing the reader into the poem and allowing them to connect with its message on a personal level.

Despite its complex themes, the poem’s underlying message is simple: in death, we can find a return to innocence and joy, free from the burdens and sorrows of life. But we must also remember that death is a reminder of the impermanence of all things, including the beauty of the human form.

In the end, “She lay as if at play” is a powerful reminder of the beauty and fragility of life, and of the power of poetry to capture and express the most profound emotions and ideas of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

She lay as if at play - A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her works have been studied and analyzed by scholars and literary enthusiasts for decades. One of her most famous poems is "She lay as if at play," which is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that has captured the hearts of many readers.

The poem is a short and simple one, consisting of only four lines. However, the depth and complexity of the poem are far from simple. The poem reads:

She lay as if at play Her life had leaped away— Intending to return— But not so soon—

At first glance, the poem may seem like a simple description of a person who has passed away. However, upon closer inspection, the poem reveals a deeper meaning that speaks to the human condition and the inevitability of death.

The first line of the poem, "She lay as if at play," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "play" suggests a sense of innocence and childlike wonder. It is as if the person who has passed away is simply sleeping or taking a nap, as a child might do during playtime.

The second line of the poem, "Her life had leaped away," is where the true meaning of the poem begins to reveal itself. The use of the word "leaped" suggests a sudden and unexpected departure. It is as if the person's life was taken away from them in an instant, without warning or explanation.

The third line of the poem, "Intending to return," is perhaps the most poignant and heartbreaking line of the poem. It suggests that the person who has passed away had plans and dreams for the future, and that they fully intended to return to their life and continue living it to the fullest.

However, the final line of the poem, "But not so soon," is where the true meaning of the poem is fully realized. It suggests that death is inevitable and that no matter how much we may want to return to our lives, we cannot. Death is the ultimate end, and there is no escaping it.

The poem is a beautiful and poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. It speaks to the human condition and the universal experience of loss and grief. It is a powerful reminder to cherish every moment of life and to live it to the fullest, for we never know when our time will come.

In addition to its powerful message, the poem is also a masterful work of art. Emily Dickinson's use of language and imagery is exquisite, and she manages to convey a deep and complex message in just four short lines.

The use of the word "play" in the first line of the poem is particularly effective. It suggests a sense of innocence and childlike wonder, which is in stark contrast to the heavy and somber tone of the rest of the poem. This contrast serves to emphasize the sudden and unexpected nature of death, and the way in which it can shatter our sense of innocence and wonder.

The use of the word "leaped" in the second line of the poem is also particularly effective. It suggests a sudden and unexpected departure, which is in keeping with the theme of the poem. The use of the word "intending" in the third line of the poem is also effective, as it suggests that the person who has passed away had plans and dreams for the future, which were cut short by death.

Overall, "She lay as if at play" is a masterpiece of poetry that speaks to the human condition and the universal experience of loss and grief. It is a powerful reminder to cherish every moment of life and to live it to the fullest, for we never know when our time will come. Emily Dickinson's use of language and imagery is exquisite, and she manages to convey a deep and complex message in just four short lines. It is a testament to her skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in her work.

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