'I heard a fly buzz when I died;' by Emily Dickinson


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I heard a fly buzz when I died;
The stillness round my form
Was like the stillness in the air
Between the heaves of storm.

The eyes beside had wrung them dry,
And breaths were gathering sure
For that last onset, when the king
Be witnessed in his power.

I willed my keepsakes, signed away
What portion of me I
Could make assignable,--and then
There interposed a fly,

With blue, uncertain, stumbling buzz,
Between the light and me;
And then the windows failed, and then
I could not see to see.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"I heard a fly buzz when I died" - An Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry

Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style of writing that captures the essence of life and death. "I heard a fly buzz when I died" is a classic example of her poetry that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. The poem is a powerful depiction of the moment of death and the feelings that accompany it. This literary criticism will delve deep into the meaning of the poem and explore the various literary devices used by Dickinson to convey her message.

Overview of the Poem

"I heard a fly buzz when I died" is a short poem that consists of four stanzas with a total of sixteen lines. The poem is written in the first person and is narrated by someone who is dying. The poem starts with the line, "I heard a fly buzz when I died" which immediately sets the tone of the poem. The speaker then describes the scene around them as they approach their death. They describe the room as being still and quiet, with only the buzzing of a fly breaking the silence. The speaker then goes on to describe the people around them, who are gathered to witness their death. The final stanza of the poem describes the moment of death and the speaker's transition into the afterlife.

Analysis of the Poem

Theme of Death

The primary theme of the poem is death. Dickinson explores the moment of death and the feelings that accompany it. The speaker describes the room as being still and quiet, which creates a sense of calmness and peacefulness. However, the buzzing of the fly interrupts this silence and creates a sense of unease. This contrast between stillness and buzzing is used to convey the idea that death is not always a peaceful process.

The Fly as a Symbol

The fly is a powerful symbol in the poem. It represents the intrusion of the outside world into the stillness of death. The buzzing of the fly is a reminder that life goes on even in the face of death. The fly is also a symbol of decay and the inevitability of death. It represents the fragility of life and how quickly it can be taken away.

The Role of Religion

Religion plays a significant role in the poem. The speaker describes the people gathered around them as "the eyes around" and "the breaths were gathering firm." This suggests that they are waiting for the speaker to pass on to the afterlife. The final stanza of the poem describes the moment of death and the speaker's transition into the afterlife. The line "And then the windows failed, and then / I could not see to see" suggests that the speaker has gone beyond the physical world and into the afterlife. The poem suggests that religion provides comfort in the face of death and that it is a way of coping with the fear of the unknown.

Literary Devices Used

Dickinson uses various literary devices to convey her message in the poem. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or clause continues onto the next line, creates a sense of continuity and fluidity in the poem. The use of imagery, such as the buzzing of the fly and the stillness of the room, creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "stillness" and the phrase "I could not see to see," emphasizes the importance of these ideas in the poem. The use of dashes creates a sense of pause and hesitation, which reflects the speaker's uncertainty about what lies beyond death.

Conclusion

"I heard a fly buzz when I died" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. Dickinson's use of literary devices and symbolism creates a vivid picture of the moment of death and the feelings that accompany it. The poem suggests that death is not always a peaceful process and that religion provides comfort in the face of the unknown. The fly is a powerful symbol in the poem, representing the intrusion of the outside world into the stillness of death. Overall, the poem is a powerful reflection on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson’s “I heard a fly buzz when I died” is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for decades. This poem is a prime example of Dickinson’s unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.

The poem begins with the speaker describing their own death, stating that they heard a fly buzzing in the room as they passed away. This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is eerie and unsettling. The use of the word “buzz” is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of discomfort and unease. The speaker then goes on to describe the scene in the room, noting that the light was dim and that the people around them were waiting for the speaker to die.

The second stanza of the poem is where things start to get interesting. The speaker notes that they had been expecting some sort of divine intervention or spiritual experience as they died, but instead all they heard was the buzzing of a fly. This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that death is not necessarily a mystical or spiritual experience, but rather a mundane and ordinary one. The use of the word “blue” to describe the light in the room is also significant, as it creates a sense of coldness and detachment.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most famous, as it contains the line “I could not see to see”. This line is a perfect example of Dickinson’s use of unconventional syntax, as it is both grammatically incorrect and yet perfectly clear in its meaning. The speaker is describing their own blindness as they died, which is a powerful metaphor for the idea that death is a state of unknowingness and uncertainty.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where Dickinson really starts to play with the reader’s expectations. The speaker notes that the room was filled with people, but that they could not see who these people were. This is a clever twist, as it suggests that the people in the room may not be real, but rather figments of the speaker’s imagination. The use of the word “formal” to describe the people in the room is also significant, as it creates a sense of detachment and formality.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most mysterious, as it contains the line “And then the windows failed – and then / I could not see to see”. This line is a powerful metaphor for the idea that death is a state of complete darkness and unknowingness. The use of the word “failed” to describe the windows is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker’s perception of the world is breaking down as they die.

Overall, “I heard a fly buzz when I died” is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of death, uncertainty, and the unknown. Dickinson’s use of unconventional syntax, punctuation, and capitalization creates a sense of unease and discomfort, which is perfectly suited to the subject matter of the poem. The poem is also significant in its historical context, as it was written during a time when death was a much more common occurrence than it is today. In many ways, this poem is a reflection of Dickinson’s own experiences with death and dying, and it remains a powerful and relevant work of poetry to this day.

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