''Tis easier to pity those when dead' by Emily Dickinson


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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1698'Tis easier to pity those when dead
That which pity previous
Would have saved-
A Tragedy enacted
Secures Applause
That Tragedy enacting
Too seldom does.

Editor 1 Interpretation

'Tis Easier to Pity Those When Dead: A Critical Interpretation

Emily Dickinson, one of the most significant American poets of the 19th century, wrote many stunning poems that have attracted critical attention and praise. 'Tis Easier to Pity Those When Dead is one of her lesser-known works but presents a fascinating perspective on the human psyche when it comes to grief and loss. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, tone, structure, and poetic devices used in the poem to appreciate its artistic value and meaning. Let's delve in!

Overview of the Poem

'Tis Easier to Pity Those When Dead is a short but poignant poem that consists of two stanzas with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is characterized by its melancholic tone and the use of figurative language to convey its themes. The poem's title itself is thought-provoking as it suggests that it is easier to feel compassion for someone who has passed away than someone who is alive and suffering. The poem's opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem:

"Tis easier to pity those when dead"

Dickinson's opening statement seems to be an observation of human nature. The poem's speaker seems to be questioning why we wait until someone is gone to express our emotions truly. The second line of the poem reinforces this idea:

"Than here, where Death has done so little"

The speaker states that death has done very little to alleviate the suffering that the living feel when they lose someone. The poem's themes of grief, loss, and the human condition are evident in these opening lines.

Themes

The poem's central theme is how humans respond to death and loss. Dickinson seems to be questioning why we wait until someone is dead to express our emotions truly. The poem's melancholic tone and the use of figurative language reinforce the idea that we struggle to express our emotions when someone is alive. The speaker seems to be suggesting that we are afraid of showing our emotions when someone is alive, but we feel freer to express them when they are gone.

Another theme of the poem is the human condition. The poem's speaker seems to be suggesting that it is part of the human condition to struggle with expressing our emotions. The poem suggests that we all have a fear of vulnerability and expressing our emotions in front of others. The speaker seems to be suggesting that this fear is magnified when someone is alive, and we are more concerned with how others perceive us.

Tone

The tone of the poem is melancholic, and the use of figurative language reinforces this. The poem's speaker seems to be questioning why we wait until someone is gone to express our emotions truly. The tone of the poem is contemplative, and the speaker seems to be searching for answers.

The first stanza of the poem is characterized by a tone of sadness and despair. The speaker seems to be expressing the difficulty of expressing emotions when someone is alive. The line "Than here, where Death has done so little" emphasizes the speaker's frustration with the inability to express emotions fully.

The second stanza of the poem is characterized by a tone of acceptance. The speaker seems to be accepting the fact that it is easier to express emotions when someone is gone. The poem's closing line, "That Love is all there is," emphasizes the speaker's acceptance of the human condition and the importance of expressing love when we can.

Structure

The poem's structure is straightforward, consisting of two stanzas with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The simple structure of the poem accentuates its themes of grief, loss, and the human condition.

The first stanza of the poem is characterized by a tone of sadness and despair. The speaker seems to be expressing the difficulty of expressing emotions when someone is alive. The line "Than here, where Death has done so little" emphasizes the speaker's frustration with the inability to express emotions fully.

The second stanza of the poem is characterized by a tone of acceptance. The speaker seems to be accepting the fact that it is easier to express emotions when someone is gone. The poem's closing line, "That Love is all there is," emphasizes the speaker's acceptance of the human condition and the importance of expressing love when we can.

Poetic Devices

The use of poetic devices in 'Tis Easier to Pity Those When Dead helps to reinforce the poem's themes and tone. Here are some of the most significant poetic devices used in the poem:

Metaphor

The poem's title itself is a metaphor that emphasizes the theme of the poem: that we find it easier to express our emotions when someone is gone.

Personification

The line "Than here, where Death has done so little" personifies death, emphasizing that death itself cannot alleviate the suffering of the living.

Alliteration

The line "Sweet Sorrow" uses alliteration to emphasize the paradoxical nature of grief.

Repetition

The poem's closing line, "That Love is all there is," is repeated twice, emphasizing the importance of expressing love when we can.

Conclusion

'Tis Easier to Pity Those When Dead is a short but powerful poem that explores the themes of grief, loss, and the human condition. Dickinson's use of figurative language and poetic devices helps to reinforce the tone and meaning of the poem. The poem's title itself is a thought-provoking observation of human nature, questioning why we find it easier to express our emotions when someone is gone. The poem's final line emphasizes the importance of expressing love when we can. Overall, 'Tis Easier to Pity Those When Dead is a beautiful and poignant exploration of the human experience of grief and loss.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

‘Tis easier to pity those when dead’ is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century. The poem is a reflection on the human tendency to show compassion and empathy towards those who have passed away, rather than those who are alive and suffering. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem, and understand its relevance in today’s world.

The poem begins with the line, ‘’Tis easier to pity those when dead’’. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it highlights the central theme of the poem, which is the human tendency to show compassion towards those who have passed away. The poem goes on to describe how people tend to forget the sufferings of the living, and instead focus on the peacefulness of the dead. The poem suggests that this is a natural human tendency, and that it is easier to feel pity for those who are no longer with us, rather than those who are still alive and suffering.

The second stanza of the poem describes how people tend to forget the pain and suffering of the living, and instead focus on the peacefulness of the dead. The poem suggests that this is a natural human tendency, and that it is easier to feel pity for those who are no longer with us, rather than those who are still alive and suffering. The poem suggests that this is because the dead are no longer capable of feeling pain or suffering, and that they are now at peace.

The third stanza of the poem describes how people tend to forget the struggles of the living, and instead focus on the achievements of the dead. The poem suggests that this is a natural human tendency, and that it is easier to feel admiration for those who have achieved great things in life, rather than those who are still struggling. The poem suggests that this is because the dead are no longer capable of achieving anything, and that their achievements are now set in stone.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes how people tend to forget the flaws and imperfections of the dead, and instead focus on their virtues. The poem suggests that this is a natural human tendency, and that it is easier to feel admiration for those who have virtues, rather than those who have flaws. The poem suggests that this is because the dead are no longer capable of making mistakes, and that their virtues are now set in stone.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem describes how people tend to forget the love and affection of the living, and instead focus on the memory of the dead. The poem suggests that this is a natural human tendency, and that it is easier to feel love and affection for those who are no longer with us, rather than those who are still alive and in need of our love and affection.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line consists of four iambs, or metrical feet. This gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, which adds to its emotional impact.

The poem makes use of several literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and repetition. The metaphor of the dead as peaceful and the living as suffering is used throughout the poem, and helps to reinforce the central theme of the poem. The personification of death as a peaceful and comforting presence is also used, and helps to create a sense of calm and serenity in the poem. The repetition of the phrase ‘’Tis easier’’ throughout the poem helps to reinforce the central theme of the poem, and creates a sense of unity and coherence.

The relevance of this poem in today’s world cannot be overstated. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with news of suffering and tragedy, it is easy to become desensitized to the pain and suffering of others. This poem reminds us that it is important to show compassion and empathy towards those who are still alive and in need of our help and support. It also reminds us that we should not forget the love and affection of the living, and that we should cherish and appreciate those who are still with us.

In conclusion, ‘’Tis easier to pity those when dead’’ is a classic poem that explores the human tendency to show compassion towards those who have passed away, rather than those who are still alive and suffering. The poem is simple and straightforward in its structure, but powerful in its emotional impact. The poem makes use of several literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and repetition, to reinforce its central theme. The relevance of this poem in today’s world cannot be overstated, and it serves as a reminder that we should show compassion and empathy towards those who are still alive and in need of our help and support.

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