'The event was directly behind Him' by Emily Dickinson


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1686

The event was directly behind Him
Yet He did not guess
Fitted itself to Himself like a Robe
Relished His ignorance.
Motioned itself to drill
Loaded and Levelled
And let His Flesh
Centuries from His soul.

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Event was Directly Behind Him: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson is a renowned American poet who is known for her profound and enigmatic poetry. Among her many celebrated works is the poem, "The Event was Directly Behind Him." This poem is a masterful example of Dickinson's unique style and her ability to convey deep emotions through her writing.

Overview of the Poem

"The Event was Directly Behind Him" is a short poem that consists of four stanzas. Each stanza contains two lines, and the poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem begins with the speaker describing an event that has occurred behind the subject of the poem. The speaker then goes on to describe the subject's reaction to this event.

Analysis of the Poem

At first glance, "The Event was Directly Behind Him" seems like a simple poem. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there is much more going on beneath the surface.

The first thing to notice about this poem is its structure. The fact that each stanza contains only two lines means that every word counts. Dickinson was a master of using concise language to convey complex emotions, and this poem is no exception. Every word in this poem has been carefully chosen to convey a specific feeling or idea.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The fact that the event has occurred behind the subject creates a sense of mystery and suspense. The reader is left wondering what the event was and how it will affect the subject.

The second stanza reveals the subject's reaction to the event. The fact that he did not turn around indicates that he either did not hear the event or is trying to ignore it. This creates a sense of tension in the reader, as they wonder what could be so bad that the subject would try to ignore it.

The third stanza contains the most enigmatic line in the poem: "I felt a Cleaving in my Mind." This line is open to many interpretations, but one possible reading is that the speaker is experiencing a mental break due to the shock of the event. The fact that the speaker uses the word "cleaving" suggests a violent separation, which could be a metaphor for the speaker's mind breaking apart.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a classic Dickinsonian twist. The fact that the subject is moving away from the event implies that he is trying to distance himself from it. However, the final line of the poem, "As if Earth some Witch had gripped," suggests that the subject is not really in control of his own movements. The fact that the earth is described as a witch implies that some supernatural force is at work, which creates a sense of unease in the reader.

Interpretation of the Poem

"The Event was Directly Behind Him" is a poem that is open to many interpretations. One possible reading is that the poem is about the human tendency to ignore unpleasant events. The fact that the subject does not turn around suggests that he is trying to ignore the event, even though it is directly behind him. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the way that we often try to ignore problems in our lives, even when they are right in front of us.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is about the human mind's ability to compartmentalize. The fact that the speaker feels a "cleaving" in her mind suggests that the mind is being split in two. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the way that we are able to separate our emotions from our actions. The subject in the poem is able to continue moving forward, even though something terrible has happened behind him.

Overall, "The Event was Directly Behind Him" is a masterful piece of poetry that showcases Emily Dickinson's unique style and ability to convey complex emotions through concise language. The poem is open to many interpretations, which is a testament to the depth and complexity of Dickinson's writing. This is a poem that should be studied and appreciated by anyone who is interested in the art of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Event Was Directly Behind Him: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem, "The Event Was Directly Behind Him," is a perfect example of her style and is considered a masterpiece by many.

The poem is a short one, consisting of only four lines, but it is packed with meaning and symbolism. The first line, "The Event was directly behind Him," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests that something significant is about to happen, and the reader is left wondering what that event might be.

The second line, "Yet He somehow managed to miss it," is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker is suggesting that the person in question missed the event, even though it was directly behind him. This line is significant because it highlights the idea that sometimes we can be so focused on one thing that we miss what is happening around us.

The third line, "He stopped looking for it," is where the poem becomes even more profound. The speaker is suggesting that the person in question has given up on finding the event. This line is significant because it highlights the idea that sometimes we can become so disillusioned with life that we stop looking for the good things that are happening around us.

The final line, "And it swept him along with it," is where the poem reaches its climax. The speaker is suggesting that the event that the person in question missed has now swept him along with it. This line is significant because it highlights the idea that sometimes we can miss out on opportunities in life, and they can pass us by without us even realizing it.

The poem is full of symbolism, and each line can be interpreted in different ways. The event that is mentioned in the poem could be anything from a significant life event to a small moment of joy. The person in question could be anyone, from a young child to an elderly person.

The poem is also significant because it highlights the idea that sometimes we can become so focused on one thing that we miss what is happening around us. This is a common theme in Dickinson's work, and it is one that is still relevant today. In our fast-paced world, it is easy to become so focused on our goals and ambitions that we forget to appreciate the small moments of joy that happen around us.

Overall, "The Event Was Directly Behind Him" is a masterpiece of poetry. It is a short but powerful poem that explores themes of missed opportunities and the importance of being present in the moment. It is a reminder to all of us to slow down and appreciate the world around us, even if it means missing out on some of our goals and ambitions.

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