'A long—long Sleep—A famous—Sleep' by Emily Dickinson


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A long—long Sleep—A famous—Sleep—
That makes no show for Morn—
By Stretch of Limb—or stir of Lid—
An independent One—

Was ever idleness like This?
Upon a Bank of Stone
To bask the Centuries away—
Nor once look up—for Noon?

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Long-Long Sleep - A Famous-Sleep by Emily Dickinson

Have you ever experienced a long, deep sleep that felt like you were disconnected from reality? Emily Dickinson, the famous American poet, captures this feeling in her poem "A Long-Long Sleep - A Famous-Sleep." Written in the mid-19th century, this poem explores the themes of isolation, death, and rebirth through vivid imagery and unconventional syntax. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the meaning behind Dickinson's words and analyze the significance of her unique writing style.

Poem Analysis

The poem begins with the lines, "A long - long Sleep - A famous - Sleep / That makes no show for Morn -." The repetition of "long" and "famous" creates a sense of emphasis and importance. The word "famous" is particularly interesting as it implies that this sleep is well-known or celebrated in some way. However, the second line, "That makes no show for Morn -" suggests that this sleep is not visible or noticeable to others. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where Dickinson explores the idea of an isolated, internal experience.

The second stanza begins with the line, "By Stretch of Limb - or stir of Wing - / Our Paradise - can be -." Here, Dickinson uses metaphorical language to describe the body's ability to escape from the physical realm and enter a spiritual or metaphysical space. The phrase "stretch of limb" suggests physical movement, while "stir of wing" implies a more graceful, ethereal motion. The idea of "Paradise" suggests a dreamlike state, further emphasizing the idea of a disconnected reality.

The third stanza takes a darker turn as Dickinson explores the idea of death. She writes, "The Summer are shorter - / Than any one - / Remember - since the Sun -." This implies that time is fleeting and that life is fragile. The line "Remember - since the Sun -" also suggests that the passing of time is linked to the movement of the sun. This reminds us of our own mortality and the inevitability of death.

The fourth stanza brings us back to the idea of a long, deep sleep. Dickinson writes, "We outgrow love, like other things / And put it in the Drawer - / Till an Antique fashion shows - / Like Costumes Grandsires wore." This implies that love, like other emotions or experiences, can become outdated and forgotten. The phrase "Costumes Grandsires wore" suggests that love can become a relic of the past, something that is nostalgic but no longer relevant. The use of the word "Drawer" also implies that love can be hidden away or stored, further emphasizing the idea of isolation.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle as Dickinson writes, "The Grave - is a famous - bed / Among the mattresses -." This line connects the idea of a long, deep sleep to death. The word "famous" is used again, implying that death is a well-known experience. The line "Among the mattresses" creates a sense of finality as if death is the ultimate sleep, a place where one can finally rest in peace.

Writing Style Analysis

One of the most notable aspects of Dickinson's writing style is her unconventional syntax. She frequently uses dashes and capitalization to create pauses and emphasize certain words or phrases. This can make her poetry difficult to read and understand, but it also creates a unique and memorable style.

In "A Long-Long Sleep - A Famous-Sleep," Dickinson uses this style to great effect. The repetition of the words "long" and "famous" creates a sense of emphasis and importance, while the dashes create pauses that allow the reader to reflect on the meaning behind the words. The use of metaphorical language also adds to the complexity of the poem, requiring the reader to think deeply about the meaning behind each line.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "A Long-Long Sleep - A Famous-Sleep" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of isolation, death, and rebirth. Dickinson's use of unconventional syntax and metaphorical language creates a unique and memorable style that adds to the depth and complexity of the poem. While the poem may be difficult to understand at first, repeated readings and analysis reveal a deeper meaning that speaks to the human experience of mortality and the search for meaning in life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Long—long Sleep—A Famous—Sleep: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson’s Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to captivate readers with their depth, complexity, and beauty. One of her most famous poems, A Long—long Sleep—A Famous—Sleep, is a haunting and enigmatic work that has puzzled and intrigued readers for generations. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem, and attempt to unravel its mysteries.

The poem begins with the line “A long—long sleep—A famous—sleep,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the work. The repetition of the word “sleep” creates a sense of lullaby-like rhythm, and the use of the em-dash creates a pause that emphasizes the length of the sleep being described. The word “famous” adds a layer of intrigue to the poem, as it suggests that the sleep being referred to is not just any ordinary sleep, but one that is noteworthy and significant.

The second line of the poem reads “To be — but were for Centuries—,” which further emphasizes the length of the sleep being described. The use of the word “centuries” suggests that the sleep has lasted for an impossibly long time, and creates a sense of timelessness that is echoed throughout the rest of the poem. The use of the em-dash again creates a pause, which allows the reader to contemplate the significance of the sleep being described.

The third line of the poem reads “Was last Night—revoked—before the Stars—,” which introduces the idea that the sleep being described has ended, and that the speaker is now awake. The use of the word “revoked” suggests that the sleep was not a natural one, but was instead brought to an end by some external force. The reference to the stars creates a sense of cosmic significance, and suggests that the awakening of the speaker is part of a larger cosmic cycle.

The fourth line of the poem reads “The Firmament breathed deep—and swung—,” which further emphasizes the cosmic significance of the awakening. The use of the word “firmament” creates a sense of vastness and infinity, and the idea that it “breathed deep” suggests that the awakening of the speaker is part of a larger cosmic breath. The use of the word “swung” creates a sense of movement and momentum, and suggests that the awakening of the speaker is part of a larger cosmic dance.

The fifth line of the poem reads “And Life’s unset—Alarm,” which introduces the idea that the awakening of the speaker has disrupted the natural order of things. The use of the word “unset” suggests that the speaker’s awakening has caused something to become unbalanced or disturbed. The use of the word “alarm” creates a sense of urgency and danger, and suggests that the awakening of the speaker has caused some kind of crisis.

The sixth and final line of the poem reads “Only to leaner Sleep—surpassing —That—,” which brings the poem full circle and returns to the theme of sleep. The use of the word “leaner” suggests that the sleep being described is not as deep or significant as the one that has just ended. The use of the em-dash creates a pause, which allows the reader to contemplate the significance of the sleep being described. The final word of the poem, “That,” is left hanging, creating a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty.

Overall, A Long—long Sleep—A Famous—Sleep is a haunting and enigmatic poem that explores themes of time, cosmic significance, and the disruption of the natural order. The use of repetition, em-dashes, and cosmic imagery creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged. The poem’s final line leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity, inviting them to contemplate the deeper meanings and mysteries of the work. Emily Dickinson’s mastery of language and imagery is on full display in this classic poem, and it continues to captivate and inspire readers to this day.

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