'Death is like the insect' by Emily Dickinson
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The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson????1716Death is like the insect
Menacing the tree,
Competent to kill it,
But decoyed may be.Bait it with the balsam,
Seek it with the saw,
Baffle, if it cost you
Everything you are.Then, if it have burrowed
Out of reach of skill-
Wring the tree and leave it,
'Tis the vermin's will.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Analysis: Death is like the insect by Emily Dickinson
Death is like the insect by Emily Dickinson is a poem that delves into the subject of death and how it is perceived by the poet. This poem is a classic example of Dickinson's style of poetry, which often deals with themes of mortality, nature, and spirituality. In this article, we will analyze and interpret the poem, exploring its various themes and motifs.
Poem Summary
Before diving into the analysis, let's first take a brief look at the poem:
Death is like the insect Menacing the tree, Competent to kill it, But decoyed may be.
Bait it with the balsam, Seek it with the saw, Baffle, if it cost you Everything you are.
Then, if it have burrowed Out of reach of skill, Wring the tree and leave it, 'Tis the vermin's will.
As we can see, the poem comprises of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The theme of the poem is introduced in the first line, where Dickinson compares death to an insect that is capable of causing harm. The second line describes how the insect (death) can be a threat to a tree (life), but it can also be tricked. The third and fourth lines of the stanza describe how one can baffle death at any cost.
The second stanza presents a plan to bait death using balsam and a saw. The third stanza outlines the consequences of not being able to kill the insect, and the final stanza provides a solution to the problem. If the insect cannot be killed, then the tree should be destroyed and left to the mercy of the insect.
Analysis
Now that we have a basic understanding of the poem, let's dive into the analysis.
Death as an Insect
The poem begins with the line "Death is like the insect," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. This metaphorical comparison is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, where she often uses nature to explore human emotions and experiences. In this case, Dickinson compares the inevitability of death to an insect that is capable of causing harm.
Death as a Menace
The second line of the poem describes how death is menacing, just like an insect that can harm a tree. This line reflects the fear that Dickinson and many others have towards death, as it is something that is beyond our control. Just like an insect that can damage a tree, death can harm us physically and emotionally, leaving us vulnerable.
Death as a Deceiver
The third line of the poem describes how death can be decoyed, just like an insect. This line reflects the belief that death can be cheated or tricked, which is a common theme in many cultures. Dickinson suggests that death can be avoided or delayed by taking precautions, just like an insect can be deterred by a decoy.
Death as a Challenge
The fourth line of the poem describes how one can baffle death, even if it costs everything. This line reflects the idea that death is a challenge that must be overcome at all costs. Dickinson suggests that we should be willing to take risks and make sacrifices in order to cheat death, just like we would do to save a tree from an insect.
Baiting Death
The second stanza of the poem outlines a plan to bait death using balsam and a saw. Balsam is a fragrant, resinous substance that is used as a natural insect repellent. By using balsam, Dickinson suggests that we can protect ourselves from death, just like we would protect a tree from an insect. The saw is used to cut down the tree, which is a metaphor for the idea that we can cut off the source of death or eliminate the risk altogether.
Consequences of Failing to Kill Death
The third stanza of the poem describes the consequences of not being able to kill the insect (death). Dickinson suggests that if death cannot be killed, then we should accept defeat and move on. This line reflects the idea that death is inevitable and cannot be avoided forever. At some point, we must face it and accept its inevitability.
Solution to the Problem
The final stanza of the poem provides a solution to the problem of death. If the insect (death) cannot be killed, then we should destroy the tree (life) and leave it to the mercy of the insect. This line reflects the idea that death is a natural part of life and that we should accept it as such. By destroying the tree, we allow nature to take its course and allow new life to emerge.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Death is like the insect by Emily Dickinson is a poem that explores the theme of mortality and how it is perceived by the poet. Dickinson uses the metaphor of an insect to describe the inevitability of death and the fear that it instills in us. She suggests that death can be cheated or tricked, but ultimately it is inevitable and cannot be avoided forever. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style of poetry, which often deals with themes of mortality, nature, and spirituality.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Death is like the insect" is a classic example of her unique style and perspective. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson compares death to an insect, and explores the idea that death is not something to be feared, but rather something that is a natural part of life.
The poem begins with the line "Death is like the insect," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Dickinson is using a metaphor to compare death to an insect, which is a small and often insignificant creature. This comparison is interesting because it suggests that death is not something to be feared or revered, but rather something that is small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
The second line of the poem reads "Menacing the tree," which further develops the metaphor of death as an insect. Just as an insect can be a threat to a tree, death can be a threat to life. However, Dickinson is suggesting that just as a tree can survive an insect attack, life can survive death.
The third line of the poem reads "Is the foe of man," which is a powerful statement. Dickinson is acknowledging that death is something that all humans must face, and that it is often seen as an enemy. However, she is also suggesting that this perception of death as an enemy is misguided, and that death is simply a natural part of life.
The fourth line of the poem reads "Contemplating - if it flee," which is a bit more abstract than the previous lines. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that if death were to flee, or if it were to be avoided, it would be something to be contemplated. This line is interesting because it suggests that death is not something that can be avoided, but rather something that must be faced.
The fifth line of the poem reads "I will not say it came," which is a powerful statement. Dickinson is suggesting that death is not something that simply happens to us, but rather something that we must accept. This line is interesting because it suggests that death is not something that is forced upon us, but rather something that we must choose to accept.
The sixth line of the poem reads "I cannot say it goes," which is another powerful statement. Dickinson is suggesting that death is not something that simply disappears, but rather something that is always present. This line is interesting because it suggests that death is not something that can be avoided, but rather something that is always with us.
The seventh line of the poem reads "With me around your neck," which is a bit more literal than the previous lines. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that death is something that is always with us, like a necklace that we wear around our necks. This line is interesting because it suggests that death is not something that we can escape, but rather something that is always present.
The eighth line of the poem reads "Yet, black, it hurtles from the pole," which is a bit more abstract than the previous lines. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that death is something that is always present, but that it is also something that is distant and far away. This line is interesting because it suggests that death is both near and far, both present and distant.
The ninth line of the poem reads "As lightning to the children eased," which is a powerful metaphor. Dickinson is comparing death to lightning, which is something that can be frightening to children. However, she is also suggesting that just as children can be comforted by the knowledge that lightning is a natural phenomenon, we can be comforted by the knowledge that death is a natural part of life.
The tenth line of the poem reads "With explanation kind," which is a bit more abstract than the previous lines. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that death is something that can be explained, and that this explanation can be kind. This line is interesting because it suggests that death is not something that is mysterious or unknowable, but rather something that can be understood.
The eleventh line of the poem reads "The truth must dazzle gradually," which is a powerful statement. Dickinson is suggesting that the truth about death, like the truth about anything, must be revealed gradually. This line is interesting because it suggests that the truth about death is not something that can be understood all at once, but rather something that must be revealed over time.
The twelfth line of the poem reads "Or every man be blind," which is a bit more literal than the previous lines. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that if the truth about death were revealed all at once, it would be too much for us to handle. This line is interesting because it suggests that the truth about death is something that we must come to understand gradually, in order to avoid being overwhelmed.
The thirteenth line of the poem reads "For the comprehension of the star," which is a bit more abstract than the previous lines. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that the truth about death is something that is related to the comprehension of the stars. This line is interesting because it suggests that the truth about death is something that is connected to the larger universe.
The final line of the poem reads "Is fashioned to the dullness of the eye," which is a bit more literal than the previous lines. Dickinson seems to be suggesting that the truth about death is something that is not immediately apparent, but rather something that must be seen with the eye of understanding. This line is interesting because it suggests that the truth about death is not something that is obvious, but rather something that must be sought out.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "Death is like the insect" is a powerful exploration of the nature of death. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Dickinson suggests that death is not something to be feared, but rather something that is a natural part of life. She also suggests that the truth about death is something that must be understood gradually, and that it is connected to the larger universe. Overall, this poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique perspective and her ability to explore complex ideas in a simple and powerful way.
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