'My life closed twice before its close-' by Emily Dickinson


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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1732My life closed twice before its close-
It yet remains to see
If Immortality unveil
A third event to meSo huge, so hopeless to conceive
As these that twice befell.
Parting is all we know of heaven,
And all we need of hell.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"My life closed twice before its close" by Emily Dickinson: A Deep Dive into Death and Grief

As a prolific poet who lived a reclusive life, Emily Dickinson is known for her unique style, use of slant rhyme, and enigmatic themes. One such poem that captures her signature style and explores a theme that she frequently revisits is "My life closed twice before its close" (J. 1732, F. 1774).

At its surface, the poem seems to be about a narrator reflecting on two significant losses in their life, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Dickinson is exploring the concept of death and the grief that comes with it. In this piece, I will delve deeper into the poem, analyzing its structure, form, and themes.

Structure and Form

"My life closed twice before its close" consists of three stanzas, each with four lines, and a rhyme scheme of ABCB. This rhyme scheme, also known as "slant rhyme," is a common feature in Dickinson's poetry. Slant rhyme refers to the use of words that sound similar but do not quite rhyme, such as "close" and "tense" in the poem.

In terms of meter, "My life closed twice before its close" is written in iambic tetrameter. This means that each line consists of four iambs, which are two syllables in which the first syllable is unstressed, and the second is stressed. This creates a rhythm that is easy to read and lends itself well to the poem's contemplative and reflective tone.

Interpretation

The title of the poem, "My life closed twice before its close," immediately sets a somber tone. The use of the word "close" twice in the title suggests that the narrator has experienced two significant events that have brought their life to a standstill.

The first stanza begins with the narrator reflecting on the first time their life "closed." They describe the experience as a "Seal" that came down and marked the end of a portion of their life. The metaphor of a seal is significant here because it suggests a sense of finality and irrevocability. Once something is sealed shut, it cannot be opened again.

The second stanza builds on this sense of finality by describing a second event that brought their life to a close. The narrator uses another metaphor, describing the event as a "Window" that closed. This metaphor suggests that the narrator was once able to see clearly through this window, but now it has been shut, and they are left with a sense of confusion and loss.

The final stanza is the most enigmatic of the three, with the narrator declaring that they hope to experience a third "closing" before their life comes to an end. They describe this third event as the "largest" and suggest that it will be a peaceful and restful experience.

At its core, "My life closed twice before its close" is a poem about the process of grieving and coming to terms with loss. The narrator has experienced two significant losses, and they are reflecting on how those losses have impacted their life. The use of metaphors such as the "Seal" and the "Window" creates a sense of closure and finality, while the slant rhyme and iambic tetrameter create a rhythm that is mournful and contemplative.

Themes

Death and Grief: One of the most prominent themes in "My life closed twice before its close" is death and grief. The poem explores how the narrator has been impacted by two significant losses in their life and how they are processing those losses. The sense of finality and closure created by the metaphors of the "Seal" and the "Window" suggests that the narrator has come to terms with the fact that those losses are permanent.

Acceptance: Another theme that emerges from the poem is acceptance. The narrator has come to terms with the fact that their life has been impacted by loss, and they are now seeking a third "closing" that will bring them peace. This suggests that the narrator has accepted the impermanence of life and is ready to move forward.

Conclusion

In "My life closed twice before its close," Emily Dickinson has created a powerful meditation on death, grief, and acceptance. The poem's structure and form create a mournful and contemplative mood, while the metaphors of the "Seal" and the "Window" create a sense of finality and closure. Ultimately, the poem suggests that while loss is a painful part of life, it is through acceptance that we can find peace and move forward.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson's poem "My life closed twice before its close" is a powerful and poignant reflection on the nature of death and the human experience. In just eight short lines, Dickinson manages to capture the essence of what it means to face the end of one's life, and the complex emotions that come with it.

The poem begins with the line "My life closed twice before its close," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "closed" suggests a sense of finality and completion, while the repetition of the phrase "before its close" emphasizes the idea that death can come unexpectedly and without warning.

The second line of the poem, "It yet remains to see if Immortality unveil," introduces the idea of an afterlife or some form of eternal existence beyond death. This line is particularly interesting because it suggests that the speaker is unsure of what comes after death, and is perhaps even hopeful that there is something beyond the finality of physical death.

The third and fourth lines of the poem, "A third event to me, So huge, so hopeless to conceive," further emphasize the overwhelming nature of death and the difficulty of comprehending its finality. The use of the word "hopeless" suggests a sense of despair or helplessness in the face of death, while the phrase "to conceive" highlights the fact that death is something that is difficult to fully understand or grasp.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "As these that twice befell. Parting is all we know of heaven, And all we need of hell," are perhaps the most powerful and memorable lines in the entire piece. The use of the word "parting" suggests a sense of separation or loss, while the idea that it is "all we know of heaven" suggests that even in death, there is a sense of hope or possibility. The phrase "all we need of hell" is particularly interesting because it suggests that the pain and suffering of loss is enough to create a sense of hellishness, even without the traditional religious connotations of the term.

The final two lines of the poem, "A loss of something ever felt I— The first that I could recollect, /Bereft I was—of what I knew not, /Too young to know aught but aught was gone," provide a sense of closure to the piece while also highlighting the fact that death is something that is felt deeply and personally. The use of the word "bereft" suggests a sense of loss or deprivation, while the phrase "too young to know aught but aught was gone" emphasizes the fact that even at a young age, the speaker was able to feel the weight of death and its impact on their life.

Overall, Emily Dickinson's poem "My life closed twice before its close" is a powerful and moving reflection on the nature of death and the human experience. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson is able to capture the complex emotions that come with facing the end of one's life, while also suggesting that there may be hope and possibility beyond death. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few short lines.

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