'There is a finished feeling' by Emily Dickinson


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There is a finished feeling
Experienced at Graves—
A leisure of the Future—
A Wilderness of Size.

By Death's bold Exhibition
Preciser what we are
And the Eternal function
Enabled to infer.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson's "There is a finished feeling"

Emily Dickinson was a brilliant poetess with a unique style of writing that captivated her readers' hearts. Her poem "There is a finished feeling" is a perfect illustration of her genius. In this 12-line poem, Dickinson explores the idea of completion, death, and the inevitability of endings. She uses simple yet powerful metaphors and symbols to convey her message, making the poem both accessible and deep.

Overview of the Poem

"There is a finished feeling" is a short poem composed of 12 lines. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's central theme is the idea of completion, a sense of finishing or ending that one experiences in life. Dickinson uses metaphors and symbols to convey this sense of closure and finality.

Analysis of the Poem

First Stanza

"There is a finished feeling," the poem begins, setting the stage for the theme of closure and finality. The first line already hints at an ending, a sense of completion. The speaker goes on to say that "the world insists on being done," suggesting that everything in the world has a finite lifespan, and everything must come to an end.

The second line of the poem, "just to the tune of spring," is a powerful metaphor. Spring is usually associated with new beginnings, growth, and renewal. However, the speaker uses this metaphor to suggest that even in the midst of new beginnings, there is still an ending. As the season turns, things come to a natural end, even those that seem new and fresh.

The third line of the poem, "when I am dead, to love thee," is a clear reference to death. The speaker is suggesting that even in death, there is a sense of finality. The use of the word "thee" suggests that the speaker is addressing someone they love. This love, too, will come to an end, leaving a sense of completion.

The final line of the stanza, "seeming to love thee more," is a paradox. How can one love more when they are dead? The speaker is suggesting that in death, their love will be complete, free from the limitations of the mortal world. In this sense, they will be able to love more deeply and fully.

Second Stanza

The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of finality and completion. The speaker says that "the heaven turns its face away." This line suggests that even the heavens, which are usually associated with eternity and infinity, turn their face away from mortal things. Even the heavens acknowledge that everything must come to an end.

The second line of the stanza, "the stars extinguish into day," is a powerful image. The stars are usually associated with eternity, and their light is often seen as eternal. However, even the stars must come to an end, extinguished by the light of day.

The third line of the stanza, "as if the sun were dead," is another paradox. The sun, which is usually associated with life and energy, is dead. This line suggests that even the sun, the source of all life on earth, must come to an end.

The final line of the stanza, "and not a creature stir," is a powerful image of finality. The words "not a creature stir" suggest that everything is still, silent, and lifeless. This image conveys the sense of closure and finality that the speaker is exploring in the poem.

Third Stanza

The final stanza of the poem brings the theme of completion and finality to a close. The speaker says that "the decks are shorn of purple," suggesting that even the most beautiful things must come to an end. The "decks" are usually associated with luxury, comfort, and beauty. However, even these things must come to an end.

The second line of the stanza, "the sails are furled of furthest seas," is another powerful image. The "sails" are usually associated with movement, travel, and exploration. However, even the furthest seas must come to an end, and the sails must be furled.

The third line of the stanza, "like nets no longer spread," suggests that even the most useful things must come to an end. Nets are usually associated with fishing, and their purpose is to catch fish. However, even nets must come to an end, and they are no longer spread.

The final line of the stanza, "the fisherman goes home," is a powerful image of completion and finality. The fisherman, who is usually associated with the sea and its infinite possibilities, must go home. This image conveys the sense of closure and finality that the speaker is exploring in the poem.

Interpretation of the Poem

"There is a finished feeling" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of completion and finality. The poem suggests that everything in the world has a finite lifespan and must come to an end. Even the things that are usually associated with eternity, such as the heavens and the stars, must come to an end.

The poem also explores the idea of death and the sense of closure that comes with it. The speaker suggests that even in death, there is a sense of completion. Love, too, must come to an end, leaving a sense of closure and finality.

The use of metaphors and symbols in the poem is powerful. The speaker uses these literary devices to convey a sense of closure and finality that is both accessible and deep. The paradoxical images, such as the sun being dead and loving more deeply in death, are particularly effective in conveying the poem's central theme.

In conclusion, "There is a finished feeling" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the theme of completion and finality. Dickinson's use of metaphors and symbols is powerful, and the paradoxical images are particularly effective. The poem is both accessible and deep, making it a joy to read and interpret.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Finished Feeling: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature, known for her unique style and unconventional themes. Her poem "There is a finished feeling" is a classic example of her work, and it has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and readers alike for decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its meaning and significance.

The Poem

There is a finished feeling Experienced at Graves – A leisure of the Future – A Wilderness of Size.

By Death's bold Exhibition Preciser what we are And the Eternal function Enabled – to infer.

The Analysis

The poem consists of two stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the scene, describing a feeling that is experienced at graves. The second stanza explains the significance of this feeling and its connection to death.

The first line of the poem, "There is a finished feeling," sets the tone for the entire piece. The word "finished" suggests completion, finality, and closure. It implies that something has come to an end, and there is nothing left to be done. This feeling is experienced "at Graves," which refers to burial sites. The use of the word "Graves" is significant because it suggests that the feeling is not just related to death but to the physical act of burying someone.

The second line of the poem, "A leisure of the Future," is a bit more complex. It suggests that the feeling of completion is not just related to the past but to the future as well. The word "leisure" implies that there is a sense of relaxation or ease associated with this feeling. It is as if the speaker is suggesting that once something is finished, there is no need to worry about it anymore. The phrase "of the Future" suggests that this feeling is not just temporary but will last into the future.

The third line of the poem, "A Wilderness of Size," is perhaps the most enigmatic. The word "wilderness" suggests a vast, untamed space, while "size" implies something that is large or significant. It is possible that the speaker is suggesting that the feeling of completion is so significant that it feels like a vast, untamed wilderness. Alternatively, the speaker may be suggesting that the feeling of completion is so vast that it is difficult to comprehend.

The second stanza of the poem explains the significance of the feeling of completion. The first line, "By Death's bold Exhibition," suggests that death is the catalyst for this feeling. The word "bold" implies that death is not something to be feared but something that is bold and daring. The word "Exhibition" suggests that death is a public display, something that is meant to be seen and experienced.

The second line of the stanza, "Preciser what we are," suggests that death is a way of defining who we are. It is only through death that we can truly understand our place in the world. The word "Preciser" implies that death is a precise tool for understanding ourselves.

The third line of the stanza, "And the Eternal function," suggests that death is not just a one-time event but something that has eternal significance. The word "Eternal" implies that death is something that lasts forever, while "function" suggests that death serves a purpose.

The final line of the poem, "Enabled – to infer," suggests that death enables us to understand something that was previously unknown. The word "Enabled" implies that death is a tool for understanding, while "infer" suggests that we can draw conclusions from death.

The Significance

The poem "There is a finished feeling" is significant for several reasons. First, it is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style. Her use of enigmatic language and unconventional themes is on full display in this poem.

Second, the poem explores the theme of death in a way that is both profound and thought-provoking. The poem suggests that death is not something to be feared but something that can help us understand ourselves and our place in the world.

Finally, the poem is significant because it speaks to a universal human experience. The feeling of completion that the speaker describes is something that we can all relate to. Whether it is finishing a project, completing a journey, or burying a loved one, we have all experienced the sense of closure and finality that the speaker describes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "There is a finished feeling" is a classic example of her unique style and unconventional themes. The poem explores the theme of death in a way that is both profound and thought-provoking, suggesting that death is not something to be feared but something that can help us understand ourselves and our place in the world. The poem is significant because it speaks to a universal human experience, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

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