'Still own thee—still thou art' by Emily Dickinson
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Still own thee—still thou art
What surgeons call alive—
Though slipping—slipping I perceive
To thy reportless Grave—
Which question shall I clutch—
What answer wrest from thee
Before thou dost exude away
In the recallless sea?
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Still own thee—still thou art: Emily Dickinson's Ode to Immortality
Emily Dickinson is one of America's greatest poets, and her work has inspired generations of readers and writers. Her poems are often enigmatic and elusive, offering glimpses into the mysteries of life and the human experience. One of her most intriguing works is "Still own thee—still thou art," a poem that explores the nature of immortality and the eternal nature of the soul. In this literary criticism, we will delve into the poem's themes, symbols, and imagery, and attempt to unravel its meaning and significance.
The Poem's Structure and Form
"Still own thee—still thou art" is a short poem, consisting of only two stanzas with four lines each. The poem is written in Dickinson's characteristic style, which is marked by her use of dashes, capitalization, and unconventional punctuation. The poem's structure is simple, yet the language is complex, full of metaphors and allusions that require careful attention and interpretation.
The Poem's Theme
The main theme of "Still own thee—still thou art" is the idea of immortality and the persistence of the soul after death. The poem suggests that even though the body may decay and the physical world may change, the essence of the person remains intact. The poem is also about the power of memory and the ability of the mind to preserve the past and keep it alive in the present.
The Poem's Symbols and Imagery
One of the most striking symbols in the poem is the image of the "mortal dress" that is shed by the soul after death. This image suggests that the body is merely a temporary vessel that the soul occupies during life, and that the soul is capable of surviving beyond the physical realm. The poem also makes use of the image of the "storm" and the "calm," which represent the tumultuous nature of life and the peacefulness of death.
The Poem's Language and Style
Emily Dickinson's use of language and style in "Still own thee—still thou art" is both complex and poetic. The poem is full of metaphors and allusions, which require close reading and interpretation. Dickinson's use of dashes and unconventional punctuation creates a sense of fragmentation and disconnection, which mirrors the fragmented nature of life and the human experience. The poem also employs repetition, which emphasizes the poem's themes of persistence and continuity.
Interpretation of the Poem
"Still own thee—still thou art" is a poem that challenges our understanding of death and the afterlife. It suggests that even though the physical body may perish, the soul endures. The poem also suggests that memory is a powerful tool that allows us to keep the past alive in the present. The poem's use of metaphors and symbols creates a rich and layered text that requires careful interpretation.
The image of the "mortal dress" suggests that the physical body is merely a temporary vessel that the soul occupies during life. This image suggests that the soul is capable of transcending the physical world and surviving beyond death. The use of the words "still own thee" and "still thou art" emphasizes the continuation of the soul beyond death, suggesting that death is not the end.
The image of the storm and the calm is also significant. The storm represents the tumultuous nature of life, with all its ups and downs, while the calm represents the peace and stillness of death. This image suggests that death is a natural and necessary part of life, and that it offers a release from the struggles and hardships of life.
The poem's language and style also contribute to its meaning. Dickinson's use of dashes and unconventional punctuation creates a sense of fragmentation and disconnection, which mirrors the fragmented nature of life and the human experience. The repetition of the words "still own thee" and "still thou art" emphasizes the poem's themes of persistence and continuity, suggesting that even though the physical world may change, the essence of the person remains intact.
Conclusion
"Still own thee—still thou art" is a poem that explores the nature of immortality and the persistence of the soul after death. The poem suggests that even though the physical body may perish, the soul endures, and memory is a powerful tool that allows us to keep the past alive in the present. The poem's use of metaphors and symbols creates a rich and layered text that requires careful interpretation. Emily Dickinson's use of language and style creates a sense of fragmentation and disconnection, which mirrors the fragmented nature of life and the human experience. Overall, "Still own thee—still thou art" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges our understanding of death and the afterlife.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Still own thee—still thou art: A Deep Dive into Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. Her poem, “Still own thee—still thou art,” is a prime example of her unique style and ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet powerful language.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple love poem, expressing the speaker’s devotion to their beloved. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a much deeper meaning, exploring themes of mortality, eternity, and the enduring nature of love.
The poem begins with the line, “Still own thee—still thou art,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word “still” suggests a sense of continuity and permanence, while “own” implies possession and control. The speaker is asserting their ownership over their beloved, but in a way that suggests a deep connection and mutual understanding.
The next line, “What bodily function be thy heart,” is a bit more cryptic, but it can be interpreted as a reference to the physical body and its limitations. The heart, in this context, represents the physical body and its mortality. The speaker is acknowledging the fact that their beloved is mortal and will eventually die, but they are still devoted to them regardless.
The third line, “I cannot let thee go,” is a powerful declaration of love and devotion. The speaker is saying that even though their beloved is mortal and will eventually pass away, they will always hold onto their memory and love them forever.
The fourth line, “Where thou dost dwell—what soul survives,” is a reference to the afterlife and the idea that the soul lives on after the body dies. The speaker is suggesting that even after their beloved has passed away, their soul will continue to exist and they will still be connected in some way.
The final line, “What infinite estate—what joy,” is a reference to the eternal nature of love. The speaker is saying that even though their beloved is mortal and will eventually pass away, their love will endure forever and bring them infinite joy.
Overall, “Still own thee—still thou art” is a powerful and deeply emotional poem that explores themes of mortality, eternity, and the enduring nature of love. Emily Dickinson’s use of simple yet powerful language and imagery creates a sense of intimacy and connection between the speaker and their beloved, and the poem’s message of eternal love is one that resonates with readers to this day.
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