'His Heart was darker than the starless night' by Emily Dickinson


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His Heart was darker than the starless night
For that there is a morn
But in this black Receptacle
Can be no Bode of Dawn

Editor 1 Interpretation

His Heart was darker than the starless night: A Closer Look at Emily Dickinson's Poem

Emily Dickinson is a renowned poet of the 19th century who is known for her wide range of poetry mainly focused on death, love, and nature. Her poetry is often enigmatic and filled with a lot of metaphors, symbolism, and imagery. In this article, we will take a closer look at one of her most famous poems "His Heart was darker than the starless night". We will analyze the poem, explore its themes, and unravel its mysteries.

The Poem

His Heart was darker than the starless night
For that there is no remedy,
Itself withheld its aid to Light,
And would not take a remedy.

While we were fearing it, it came,
But came with less of fear,
Because that fearing it so long
Had almost made it dear.

There is a fitting a dismay,
A fitting a despair.
'Tis harder knowing it is due,
Than knowing it is there.

The trying on the utmost,
The morning it is new,
Is terribler than wearing it
A whole existence through.

The poem is a lyric poem with four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality. The poem is titled "His Heart was darker than the starless night," which immediately sets the melancholic tone of the poem. The title suggests that the poem is about a person whose heart is so dark that it is even darker than a night without stars. The poem explores the themes of despair, fear, and acceptance.

Analysis

The first stanza establishes the central metaphor of the poem. The speaker compares the person's heart to a starless night, which is an image of complete darkness. The speaker then says that there is no remedy for this darkness, which suggests that the person's heart is so dark that it cannot be cured. The next line is interesting as it says that the person's heart itself withheld its aid to light, which means that the person's heart is not willing to change or accept any help. This line also suggests that the person's heart is the cause of its own darkness, which is a powerful metaphor.

The second stanza talks about how the person's heart has been feared for a long time. The line "Because that fearing it so long had almost made it dear" suggests that the person's heart has become an integral part of their identity. The person has lived with this darkness for so long that they have become accustomed to it. The line "But came with less of fear" suggests that the person has finally accepted their darkness and is no longer afraid of it.

The third stanza talks about the fitting dismay and despair that comes with accepting the person's heart's darkness. The line "‘Tis harder knowing it is due, Than knowing it is there" suggests that it is harder to accept something that is inevitable than to know that it exists. The line "The trying on the utmost" suggests that the person has tried to change their heart's darkness but has failed. The line "The morning it is new" suggests that the person has to live with this darkness every day, which is a terrible burden.

The fourth stanza talks about how terrible it is to live with this darkness. The line "Is terribler than wearing it A whole existence through" suggests that living with this darkness is worse than death. The line "The morning it is new" suggests that every day is a new struggle for the person, and they have to face their darkness again and again.

Interpretation

The poem is about a person whose heart is so dark that it cannot be cured. The poem explores the themes of despair, fear, and acceptance. The central metaphor of the poem is the person's heart being compared to a starless night, which is an image of complete darkness. The poem suggests that the person's heart is the cause of its own darkness, and the person is not willing to change or accept any help.

The poem also suggests that living with this darkness is a terrible burden. The person has accepted their darkness and is no longer afraid of it, but they still have to live with it every day. The poem suggests that the person's heart has become an integral part of their identity and that they have to face their darkness again and again.

The poem can be interpreted in different ways. One interpretation is that the poem is about depression. The darkness in the person's heart can be seen as a metaphor for depression, which is a mental illness characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in life. The poem suggests that depression is a burden that the person has to live with every day, and they have accepted it as part of their identity.

Another interpretation is that the poem is about acceptance. The person has accepted their darkness and is no longer afraid of it. The poem suggests that acceptance is a difficult but necessary step in dealing with difficult situations.

Conclusion

"His Heart was darker than the starless night" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of despair, fear, and acceptance. The poem is enigmatic and filled with metaphors, symbolism, and imagery. The central metaphor of the poem is the person's heart being compared to a starless night, which is an image of complete darkness. The poem suggests that the person's heart is the cause of its own darkness and that the person is not willing to change or accept any help. The poem also suggests that living with this darkness is a terrible burden. The person has accepted their darkness and is no longer afraid of it, but they still have to live with it every day. The poem can be interpreted in different ways and can be seen as a commentary on depression, acceptance, or other difficult situations.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson's poem "His Heart was darker than the starless night" is a haunting and evocative piece of poetry that explores the depths of human emotion and the darkness that can consume us all. With its vivid imagery and powerful language, this poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience.

At its core, "His Heart was darker than the starless night" is a poem about the darkness that can consume us all. The poem begins with the line "His Heart was darker than the starless night," immediately setting the tone for the rest of the piece. This line is a powerful one, as it suggests that the darkness within this person is so deep and all-encompassing that it is even darker than the night sky itself.

From there, the poem goes on to explore the various ways in which this darkness manifests itself. Dickinson writes that this person's "mind was colder than the snow," suggesting that they are emotionally distant and detached from the world around them. She also writes that their "voice was harsher than the sea," implying that they are prone to anger and aggression.

Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses vivid and evocative imagery to bring this darkness to life. She writes that this person's "soul was blacker than the deepest pit," conjuring up images of a bottomless abyss that is impossible to escape from. She also writes that their "eyes were colder than the winter sky," painting a picture of a person who is emotionally closed off and distant.

Despite the darkness that permeates this poem, there is also a sense of hope and redemption that runs through it. Dickinson writes that this person's heart "might have been lighter than a feather," suggesting that there is a possibility for change and growth. She also writes that their "soul might have been whiter than the snow," implying that there is a chance for redemption and forgiveness.

Overall, "His Heart was darker than the starless night" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the depths of human emotion and the darkness that can consume us all. With its vivid imagery and powerful language, this poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience.

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