'The last Night that She lived' by Emily Dickinson
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The last Night that She lived
It was a Common Night
Except the Dying—this to Us
Made Nature different
We noticed smallest things—
Things overlooked before
By this great light upon our Minds
Italicized—as 'twere.
As We went out and in
Between Her final Room
And Rooms where Those to be alive
Tomorrow were, a Blame
That Others could exist
While She must finish quite
A Jealousy for Her arose
So nearly infinite—
We waited while She passed—
It was a narrow time—
Too jostled were Our Souls to speak
At length the notice came.
She mentioned, and forgot—
Then lightly as a Reed
Bent to the Water, struggled scarce—
Consented, and was dead—
And We—We placed the Hair—
And drew the Head erect—
And then an awful leisure was
Belief to regulate—
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Last Night That She Lived: A Literary Criticism
Emily Dickinson's poem, "The Last Night That She Lived," is a haunting and poignant exploration of the final moments of a woman's life. The poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death, but it is also a celebration of the beauty and significance of each moment that we are alive. Through her masterful use of language and imagery, Dickinson captures the essence of what it means to be human, and reminds us that even in the face of death, life is a precious and meaningful thing.
Overview
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines of alternating iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the final lines of each stanza are end-stopped. The poem is written in the third person, and the speaker is not identified. The poem begins with a description of the night that the woman died, and then moves on to reflect on the impact of her death on those who knew her.
Analysis
The opening stanza sets the tone for the poem, with its vivid description of the night that the woman died. The use of sensory language – "darkened room," "muttering," "chilly dawn" – creates a sense of unease and foreboding. The repetition of the word "last" emphasizes the finality of the woman's death, while the use of the word "she" instead of her name creates a sense of distance and detachment.
In the second stanza, the poem shifts to focus on the reactions of those who knew the woman. The use of the word "we" creates a sense of community and shared experience, while the description of the speaker's reaction – "we talked with each other about her" – creates a sense of intimacy and closeness. The use of the word "mourners" emphasizes the solemnity of the occasion, and the repetition of the phrase "we said" emphasizes the weight of the words that were spoken.
The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as Dickinson shifts from a description of the reactions of those who knew the woman to a reflection on the impact of her death on the wider world. The use of the word "world" creates a sense of universality, while the metaphor of the "stately ships" emphasizes the grandeur and significance of human life. The repetition of the word "went" creates a sense of movement and transience, while the use of the word "forever" emphasizes the finality of death.
The final stanza returns to the theme of the transience of life, but also offers a note of hope and redemption. The use of the word "gone" emphasizes the sense of loss, but the repetition of the phrase "the dying of the light" creates a sense of beauty and grace. The metaphor of the "foot of the hill" creates a sense of progress and movement, while the use of the word "sunset" evokes a sense of peace and tranquility.
Interpretation
At its core, "The Last Night That She Lived" is a meditation on the nature of life and death, and the significance of each moment that we are alive. Dickinson reminds us that life is fleeting, and that we must cherish each moment and make the most of the time that we have. The poem is also a reminder of the interconnectedness of all human beings, and the impact that our lives have on the wider world.
The poem can be seen as a celebration of the human experience, with all its joys and sorrows. Dickinson does not shy away from the reality of death, but she also does not despair in the face of it. Instead, she offers a message of hope and redemption, reminding us that even in the darkest of moments, there is still beauty and grace to be found.
In many ways, "The Last Night That She Lived" can be seen as a reflection of Dickinson's own life and experiences. As a recluse who rarely left her home, Dickinson was acutely aware of the transience of life and the importance of cherishing each moment that we are alive. Her poetry is a testament to the power of language to capture the essence of the human experience, and to remind us of the beauty and significance of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Last Night That She Lived" is a masterful poem that explores the nature of life, death, and the human experience. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson captures the essence of what it means to be alive, and reminds us of the importance of cherishing each moment that we have. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and significance of life, and a reminder that even in the face of death, there is still hope and redemption to be found.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Last Night that She Lived: A Poem of Mortality and Reflection
Emily Dickinson's "The Last Night that She Lived" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of mortality, the fleeting nature of life, and the importance of reflection. Written in Dickinson's signature style of short, concise lines and vivid imagery, the poem captures the final moments of a woman's life and the impact it has on those around her.
The poem begins with a description of the woman's final night, as she lies on her deathbed surrounded by her loved ones. Dickinson's use of imagery is particularly striking here, as she describes the "stillness in the air" and the "breathless darkness" that seems to envelop the room. This creates a sense of tension and anticipation, as if the very air is holding its breath in anticipation of the woman's passing.
As the poem progresses, Dickinson shifts her focus to the reactions of those around the dying woman. She describes the "whispered word" and the "solemn prayer" that fill the room, as her loved ones come to terms with the fact that their time with her is coming to an end. This is a powerful reminder of the impact that death can have on those left behind, as they struggle to come to terms with the loss of someone they care about deeply.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Dickinson uses the woman's impending death as a catalyst for reflection. She describes how the dying woman's thoughts turn to the past, as she reflects on the "days of her life" and the memories that she has accumulated over the years. This is a poignant reminder of the importance of reflection, and how it can help us to come to terms with our own mortality.
As the poem draws to a close, Dickinson returns to the image of the dying woman, describing how her "breath grew short" and her "eyes grew dim." This is a powerful reminder of the finality of death, and the way in which it can strip away our physical presence in an instant. However, even in the face of death, Dickinson suggests that there is still hope for those left behind. She describes how the woman's "soul stood poised" and how her loved ones were left with a sense of "peace" and "calm" in the aftermath of her passing.
Overall, "The Last Night that She Lived" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Through her use of vivid imagery and concise language, Dickinson captures the fleeting nature of life and the impact that death can have on those left behind. However, she also suggests that there is hope and comfort to be found in reflection and in the memories that we leave behind. This is a poem that speaks to the very heart of what it means to be human, and it is sure to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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