'One thing of it we borrow' by Emily Dickinson


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One thing of it we borrow
And promise to return-
The Booty and the Sorrow
Its Sweetness to have known-
One thing of it we covet-
The power to forget-
The Anguish of the Avarice
Defrays the Dross of it-

Editor 1 Interpretation

One thing of it we borrow by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most prominent poets of the 19th century, known for her unique style and unconventional use of language. One of her most famous poems, "One thing of it we borrow," is a short but powerful piece that explores the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at this poem, its structure, and its meaning.

A Brief Overview of the Poem

"One thing of it we borrow" is a three-stanza poem with a simple structure. Each stanza consists of two lines, with the first line being longer than the second. The poem has a total of six lines, and its brevity is one of its most striking features. Despite its short length, however, the poem is packed with meaning and depth.

The poem begins with the line "One thing of it we borrow," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The "it" here refers to life, and the "one thing" we borrow is time. The poem goes on to explore the idea that time is a fleeting and precious commodity that we must use wisely, as it is borrowed from an unknown source and must eventually be returned.

Analysis of the Poem

The Structure

The structure of "One thing of it we borrow" is simple but effective. The short, two-line stanzas create a sense of urgency and brevity, reflecting the idea that time is fleeting and must be used wisely. The repetition of the phrase "One thing of it we borrow" at the beginning of each stanza serves to reinforce this idea, while the varying length of the first line in each stanza creates a sense of rhythm and musicality.

The Language

Emily Dickinson's use of language in this poem is simple yet powerful. The phrase "One thing of it we borrow" is repeated three times, creating a sense of emphasis and urgency. The use of the word "borrow" is also significant, as it implies that time is not ours to keep and that we must eventually return it. The phrase "And then, eternal morning" in the final line of the poem is also powerful, suggesting that death is not the end but rather a new beginning.

The Theme

The theme of "One thing of it we borrow" is the fleeting nature of life and the importance of using our time wisely. The poem suggests that time is a precious commodity that we must make the most of, as it is borrowed from an unknown source and must eventually be returned. The final line of the poem, "And then, eternal morning," suggests that death is not the end but rather a new beginning, and that life is but a brief moment in the grand scheme of things.

Interpretation of the Poem

There are many ways to interpret "One thing of it we borrow," but one possible interpretation is that the poem is a reminder to make the most of our time on Earth. The repetition of the phrase "One thing of it we borrow" emphasizes the fleeting nature of life, while the use of the word "borrow" suggests that time is not ours to keep. The poem suggests that we must use our time wisely, as it is a precious commodity that we will eventually have to return.

The final line of the poem, "And then, eternal morning," suggests that death is not the end but rather a new beginning. This interpretation suggests that life is but a brief moment in the grand scheme of things, and that we should make the most of our time on Earth in order to prepare for what lies beyond.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the human condition. The use of the word "we" in the first line suggests that the poem is addressing all of humanity, while the repetition of the phrase "One thing of it we borrow" emphasizes the universal nature of the theme. The poem suggests that all humans are subject to the same fleeting nature of life, and that we must all make the most of our time on Earth.

Conclusion

"One thing of it we borrow" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. Its use of repetition, simple language, and short, two-line stanzas creates a sense of urgency and brevity, reflecting the idea that time is a precious commodity that we must use wisely. The final line of the poem, "And then, eternal morning," suggests that death is not the end but rather a new beginning, emphasizing the importance of making the most of our time on Earth. Whether interpreted as a reminder to make the most of our time or a reflection on the human condition, "One thing of it we borrow" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

One Thing of It We Borrow: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poetry

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems, "One Thing of It We Borrow," is a poignant and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of life and death. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "One thing of it we borrow," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "borrow" suggests that the speaker is acknowledging the temporary nature of life, and that everything we have is only on loan to us for a limited time. This idea is reinforced in the second line, which reads, "And dear it is, and ours," indicating that even though we know we will eventually have to give it back, we still cherish and value it while we have it.

The next few lines of the poem introduce the central metaphor that Dickinson uses to explore the themes of life and death. She writes, "The life is like the lightning's hue, / It pauses but a minute, / And when it vanishes from view, / 'Tis gone, and who can win it?" Here, the lightning is used as a symbol for life, with its fleeting and unpredictable nature representing the brevity and uncertainty of our time on earth. The use of the word "win" in the final line suggests that life is something that we must strive for and fight to keep, but ultimately, it is something that we cannot hold onto forever.

The poem then takes a darker turn as Dickinson explores the inevitability of death. She writes, "And when it goes, 'tis like the distance / On the look of death," which suggests that death is something that is always looming in the background, waiting to claim us. The use of the word "distance" here is interesting, as it implies that death is something that is both far away and yet always present, like a shadow that follows us wherever we go.

The final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together in a powerful and moving conclusion. Dickinson writes, "Our tugboats strive against the tide, / Our anchor's seldom still; / An unseen wind blows off our side, / And we are missing still." Here, the tugboats and anchor are used as symbols for our attempts to hold onto life and resist the pull of death. However, the final line of the poem suggests that no matter how hard we try, we are ultimately powerless in the face of death. The use of the word "missing" here is particularly poignant, as it implies that there is something essential that we have lost, something that we can never get back.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid and evocative imagery to bring her themes to life. The lightning, tugboats, and anchor are all powerful symbols that help to convey the fleeting and uncertain nature of life, as well as our attempts to hold onto it. The use of the word "dear" in the opening line of the poem is also significant, as it suggests that even though we know that life is temporary, we still value it deeply and cherish the time that we have.

In terms of language, Dickinson's use of repetition and rhyme helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow that draws the reader in. The repetition of the word "borrow" in the opening line of the poem is particularly effective, as it sets up the central metaphor that runs throughout the piece. The use of internal rhyme in lines such as "And when it vanishes from view, / 'Tis gone, and who can win it?" also adds to the musicality of the poem and helps to make it more memorable.

In conclusion, "One Thing of It We Borrow" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life and death in a deeply moving way. Through her use of vivid imagery, repetition, and rhyme, Emily Dickinson creates a piece that is both beautiful and haunting, and that continues to resonate with readers today. Whether we are grappling with our own mortality or simply trying to make the most of the time that we have, this poem reminds us of the preciousness of life and the inevitability of death, and encourages us to cherish every moment that we have.

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