'He fought like those Who've nought to lose' by Emily Dickinson


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He fought like those Who've nought to lose-
Bestowed Himself to Balls
As One who for a further Life
Had not a further Use-Invited Death-with bold attempt-
But Death was Coy of Him
As Other Men, were Coy of Death-
To Him-to live-was Doom-His Comrades, shifted like the Flakes
When Gusts reverse the Snow-
But He-was left alive Because
Of Greediness to die-

Editor 1 Interpretation

He fought like those Who've nought to lose: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

When it comes to American poetry, Emily Dickinson is a name that needs no introduction. Her works are timeless and profound, and one of her most captivating poems is "He fought like those Who've nought to lose." This poem is a masterpiece in every sense of the word, and it speaks volumes about the human experience and the power of resilience. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, symbolism, and significance, and explore why it continues to resonate with readers even after all these years.

The Poem

Before we can begin our analysis of the poem, let's first take a look at the text itself. Here is the complete poem:

He fought like those Who've nought to lose— Bestowed Himself to Balls As One who for a further Life Had not a further chance—

At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward. It consists of just four lines, and the language is relatively easy to understand. However, as we will see, there is much more to this poem than meets the eye.

The Meaning

To understand the meaning of "He fought like those Who've nought to lose," we must first analyze its individual lines and the overall structure of the poem.

The first line, "He fought like those Who've nought to lose," establishes the central theme of the poem: fighting against all odds. The phrase "Who've nought to lose" implies that the subject of the poem is in a desperate situation, and they have nothing left to lose. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem and creates a sense of tension and urgency.

The second line, "Bestowed Himself to Balls," is a bit more cryptic. The word "balls" could refer to a variety of things, but in this context, it likely means bullets or cannonballs. This line suggests that the subject of the poem is willing to put themselves in harm's way and sacrifice themselves for a greater cause.

The third line, "As One who for a further Life," reinforces the idea that the subject of the poem is fighting for something greater than themselves. This line suggests that the subject believes in an afterlife or a higher purpose and is willing to give their life in service of that cause.

Finally, the fourth line, "Had not a further chance," is a poignant reminder that the subject of the poem is fighting a losing battle. They know that they are unlikely to survive the conflict, but they continue to fight anyway, driven by a sense of duty or conviction.

Taken together, these four lines paint a powerful picture of a person who is fighting against impossible odds, driven by a sense of duty and purpose, even though they know that they are unlikely to survive. This theme of resilience and determination in the face of adversity is a recurring motif in Emily Dickinson's work and is one of the reasons why her poetry continues to resonate with readers.

The Symbolism

Like many of Emily Dickinson's poems, "He fought like those Who've nought to lose" contains a wealth of symbolism and metaphor. Let's take a closer look at some of the key symbols in the poem and what they represent.

Fighting

The act of fighting is perhaps the most prominent symbol in the poem. It represents the struggle that we all face in life, whether it's against external forces or our own inner demons. The fact that the subject of the poem is fighting "like those Who've nought to lose" suggests that they are fighting with everything they have, driven by a sense of desperation and urgency.

Balls

As mentioned earlier, the word "balls" likely refers to bullets or cannonballs. This symbolizes the danger and violence of the conflict that the subject of the poem is engaged in. It also represents the idea that the subject is willing to risk everything, including their own life, in order to achieve their goal.

Further Life

The phrase "further Life" is a reference to the afterlife or a higher purpose beyond this earthly existence. This symbolizes the subject's faith or belief in something greater than themselves, and their willingness to sacrifice themselves for that cause. It also suggests that the subject sees their current struggle as just one part of a larger journey, and that their ultimate goal lies beyond this life.

No Further Chance

Finally, the phrase "Had not a further chance" symbolizes the subject's acceptance of their fate. They know that they are unlikely to survive the conflict, but they continue to fight anyway, driven by a sense of duty and purpose. This symbolizes the idea that sometimes, we must fight even when we know that we are unlikely to succeed, because the act of fighting itself is what gives our lives meaning and purpose.

The Significance

So why is "He fought like those Who've nought to lose" such an important poem? What is it about this work that continues to captivate readers even after all these years?

One reason is the universality of its theme. The idea of fighting against impossible odds is something that we can all relate to, regardless of our background or circumstances. We have all faced challenges in our lives that seemed insurmountable, and we have all had moments where we felt like we had nothing left to lose. This poem speaks to those moments, and reminds us that even in our darkest hours, we can find the strength to keep fighting.

Another reason for the poem's significance is its use of symbolism and metaphor. By using these literary devices, Emily Dickinson is able to convey complex ideas and emotions in a way that is both powerful and memorable. The symbols in this poem are easy to understand, but they also have a depth of meaning that invites further exploration and interpretation.

Finally, the poem's significance lies in its ability to transcend time and place. Although it was written over 150 years ago, "He fought like those Who've nought to lose" remains as relevant today as it was when it was first penned. Its message of resilience and determination transcends the boundaries of time and culture, and speaks to the human experience in a way that few other works of literature can.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "He fought like those Who've nought to lose" is a masterpiece of American poetry. Its theme of resilience and determination in the face of adversity, coupled with its powerful use of symbolism and metaphor, make it a work that continues to captivate readers even after all these years. Whether we are fighting against external forces or our own inner demons, this poem reminds us that we all have the strength to keep fighting, even when the odds are stacked against us. And that is a message that will always be relevant, no matter what the future holds.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry He fought like those Who've nought to lose: An Analysis

Emily Dickinson, one of the most celebrated poets of all time, has left a legacy of thought-provoking and emotionally charged poetry. Her poem "He fought like those Who've nought to lose" is no exception. In this poem, Dickinson explores the theme of courage and bravery in the face of adversity. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful language, she creates a portrait of a hero who is willing to risk everything for a cause he believes in.

The poem begins with the line "He fought like those Who've nought to lose." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes the idea of a hero who is fighting for something greater than himself. The use of the word "nought" is particularly significant, as it suggests that the hero has nothing to lose. This creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as the hero is willing to risk everything for his cause.

The second line of the poem, "Bestowed himself to Balls," further emphasizes the hero's bravery. The use of the word "bestowed" suggests that the hero is giving himself completely to the fight, without reservation or hesitation. The word "Balls" is capitalized, which draws attention to it and gives it a sense of importance. This suggests that the hero is fighting in a significant battle, one that will have a lasting impact.

The third line of the poem, "And for his daring, Life," is particularly powerful. The use of the word "daring" suggests that the hero is taking risks and facing danger head-on. The fact that he is risking his life for his cause underscores his bravery and commitment. The word "Life" is capitalized, which gives it a sense of importance and suggests that the hero's actions are significant and meaningful.

The fourth line of the poem, "But when he sort of gain," suggests that the hero is fighting for a specific goal. The use of the word "sort" suggests that the hero is not entirely sure if he will achieve his goal, but he is willing to fight for it nonetheless. This creates a sense of uncertainty and tension, as the reader is left wondering if the hero will succeed.

The fifth line of the poem, "It was not Victory," is particularly significant. This line suggests that the hero's goal was not simply to win, but to fight for something greater than himself. The fact that victory is not the ultimate goal suggests that the hero is fighting for a cause that is larger than any individual victory. This creates a sense of nobility and selflessness, as the hero is willing to fight for something greater than himself.

The sixth line of the poem, "It was Death," is particularly powerful. This line suggests that the hero is willing to risk everything, including his own life, for his cause. The fact that death is the ultimate outcome underscores the hero's bravery and commitment. This creates a sense of tragedy and sacrifice, as the hero is willing to give everything for his cause.

The seventh line of the poem, "That beckoned him," suggests that the hero is being called to his cause. The use of the word "beckoned" suggests that the hero is being drawn towards his goal, as if it is a force that he cannot resist. This creates a sense of destiny and inevitability, as the hero is being called to his cause.

The eighth line of the poem, "For, Booths were that away," is particularly significant. This line suggests that the hero is fighting in a significant battle, one that will have a lasting impact. The use of the word "Booths" suggests that the hero is fighting in a civil war, which creates a sense of historical significance. This underscores the hero's bravery and commitment, as he is fighting for a cause that will have a lasting impact on society.

The ninth line of the poem, "And Brown of Ossawatomie," is particularly powerful. This line refers to John Brown, a famous abolitionist who fought against slavery in the United States. The fact that Dickinson references Brown underscores the hero's commitment to a cause that is larger than himself. This creates a sense of historical significance and underscores the hero's bravery and commitment.

The final line of the poem, "And the Brigadier's men," suggests that the hero is fighting against a significant force. The use of the word "Brigadier" suggests that the hero is fighting against a well-organized and well-equipped army. This creates a sense of tension and urgency, as the hero is facing a significant challenge.

In conclusion, "He fought like those Who've nought to lose" is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that explores the theme of courage and bravery in the face of adversity. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Dickinson creates a portrait of a hero who is willing to risk everything for a cause he believes in. The poem underscores the nobility and selflessness of the hero's actions, and creates a sense of historical significance and tragedy. Overall, this poem is a testament to the power of courage and the human spirit.

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