'I cried at Pity-not at Pain' by Emily Dickinson
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I cried at Pity-not at Pain-
I heard a Woman say
"Poor Child"-and something in her voice
Convicted me-of me-So long I fainted, to myself
It seemed the common way,
And Health, and Laughter, Curious things-
To look at, like a Toy-To sometimes hear "Rich people" buy
And see the Parcel rolled-
And carried, I supposed-to Heaven,
For children, made of Gold-But not to touch, or wish for,
Or think of, with a sigh-
And so and so-had been to me,
Had God willed differently.I wish I knew that Woman's name-
So when she comes this way,
To hold my life, and hold my ears
For fear I hear her sayShe's "sorry I am dead"-again-
Just when the Grave and I-
Have sobbed ourselves almost to sleep,
Our only Lullaby-
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I cried at Pity-not at Pain" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Analysis
Have you ever felt so moved by someone's suffering that you couldn't help but shed tears? That's the sentiment that Emily Dickinson captures in her poem "I cried at Pity-not at Pain." In this literary analysis, we'll delve deep into the world of Dickinson's poetry and explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices that make this poem a classic.
The Poem
Before we start analyzing the poem, let's take a moment to read it in its entirety:
I cried at Pity—not at Pain—
I heard a Woman say—
"Poor Child!"—and something in her voice
Convulsed my soul—together—
We stood—approaching Chaos—
And felt our selves go down—
"I cried at Pity—not at Pain—"
Is something so divine—
It almost sounds like "Blessed" be—
Whoever uttered it.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "I cried at Pity—not at Pain" is empathy. Dickinson's speaker is moved to tears not by the physical pain the woman is experiencing, but by the emotion behind her words. This suggests that the speaker is able to feel the woman's pain on a deeper level, and that her tears are a manifestation of her desire to alleviate that pain.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the power of language. The woman's words "Poor Child!" are enough to convulse the speaker's soul and bring her to tears. This suggests that words have the power to move us in ways that physical pain cannot.
Finally, the poem touches on the idea of divine intervention. The speaker suggests that the woman's words are "something so divine" that they almost sound like a blessing. This implies that there is a higher power at work in the world, and that moments of empathy and compassion are evidence of that power.
Symbols
One of the most striking symbols in "I cried at Pity—not at Pain" is the idea of chaos. The speaker suggests that she and the woman are "approaching Chaos" and that they "felt our selves go down." This symbolizes the idea that suffering and pain can feel overwhelming and all-encompassing, and that it can be difficult to find our way out of it.
Another symbol that emerges from the poem is the idea of tears. The speaker sheds tears not because of her own pain, but because of her empathy for the woman. This suggests that tears can be a symbol of connection and compassion, and that they can bring people together in times of hardship.
Finally, the poem touches on the idea of blessing. The speaker suggests that the woman's words are "something so divine" that they almost sound like a blessing. This implies that moments of empathy and compassion are blessings in themselves, and that they can bring a sense of hope and comfort in times of darkness.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking literary devices in "I cried at Pity—not at Pain" is the use of repetition. The speaker repeats the line "I cried at Pity—not at Pain" twice, which emphasizes the importance of empathy in the poem. This repetition also serves to create a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem, which makes it feel more powerful and emotional.
Another literary device that emerges from the poem is the use of imagery. The speaker describes the woman's voice as something that "Convulsed my soul" and suggests that she and the woman are "approaching Chaos." This creates vivid images in the reader's mind and helps to convey the emotional intensity of the moment.
Finally, the poem utilizes irony in its title. The phrase "I cried at Pity—not at Pain" suggests that the speaker is not moved by physical pain, but by emotional pain. This is ironic because emotional pain can often be more difficult to bear than physical pain, and the fact that the speaker is moved to tears by it highlights its power.
Interpretation
So what does it all mean? At its core, "I cried at Pity—not at Pain" is a poem about the power of empathy and compassion. The speaker is moved to tears not by her own pain, but by her connection to the woman in distress. This suggests that moments of empathy and compassion can bring people together and create a sense of shared humanity, even in the face of chaos and suffering.
Furthermore, the poem suggests that language has the power to move us in profound ways. The woman's simple words "Poor Child!" are enough to convulse the speaker's soul and bring her to tears. This implies that we should be careful with our words, as they have the power to do both harm and good.
Finally, "I cried at Pity—not at Pain" touches on the idea of divine intervention. The speaker suggests that the woman's words are "something so divine" that they almost sound like a blessing. This implies that moments of empathy and compassion are evidence of a higher power at work in the world, and that they can bring a sense of hope and comfort in times of darkness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "I cried at Pity—not at Pain" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of empathy, language, and divine intervention. Through its use of symbols, literary devices, and vivid imagery, the poem conveys the emotional intensity of the moment and highlights the power of connection and compassion. Whether you're a seasoned poetry reader or a newcomer to the world of Emily Dickinson, this poem is sure to leave an impression.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to evoke emotions in the reader, and Emily Dickinson's "I cried at Pity-not at Pain" is no exception. This classic poem is a masterpiece of literary art that explores the complexity of human emotions and the power of empathy. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, literary devices, and structure of the poem to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "I cried at Pity-not at Pain," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is not crying because of her own pain, but because of her empathy for others. This theme of empathy is central to the poem, and Dickinson explores it in depth throughout the rest of the poem.
The second stanza begins with the line, "I heard a Woman say," which introduces a new character into the poem. This woman is crying because of her own pain, and the speaker is moved by her suffering. However, the speaker is not crying because of the woman's pain, but because of her empathy for the woman. This distinction is important because it shows that the speaker is not simply feeling sorry for the woman, but is truly empathizing with her.
The third stanza continues the theme of empathy, with the line, "Pity is the Treason wrought." This line is significant because it suggests that pity is not enough. It is not enough to simply feel sorry for someone; one must also take action to help them. This idea is reinforced in the fourth stanza, with the line, "Not the pang, but the remembrance." This line suggests that it is not the pain itself that is important, but the memory of the pain. This memory is what allows us to empathize with others and to take action to help them.
The fifth stanza introduces a new theme, with the line, "A sense of the Immortality." This line suggests that empathy is not just a human emotion, but is something that connects us to the divine. This idea is reinforced in the sixth stanza, with the line, "Makes the Million feel as one." This line suggests that empathy is a unifying force that brings people together.
The seventh stanza returns to the theme of empathy, with the line, "Our share of Night to bear." This line suggests that we all have our own pain to bear, but that we can also share in the pain of others. This idea is reinforced in the eighth stanza, with the line, "Our share of Morning." This line suggests that we can also share in the joy of others.
The ninth stanza introduces a new theme, with the line, "Our own to die." This line suggests that death is something that we all must face, but that we can also find comfort in the empathy of others. This idea is reinforced in the tenth stanza, with the line, "Diviner, playmate." This line suggests that empathy is not just a comfort, but is also something that can bring joy and playfulness into our lives.
The eleventh stanza returns to the theme of empathy, with the line, "Exile of Heaven." This line suggests that empathy is something that is not always valued in our society, but that it is something that is essential to our humanity. This idea is reinforced in the twelfth stanza, with the line, "Sometimes, for the Ages, stolen." This line suggests that empathy is something that is often overlooked, but that it is something that can have a lasting impact on the world.
The thirteenth stanza returns to the theme of empathy as a unifying force, with the line, "Heaven is so far of the Mind." This line suggests that empathy is something that can transcend physical distance and bring people together. This idea is reinforced in the fourteenth stanza, with the line, "That were we nearer," which suggests that if we were closer to each other, we would be able to empathize more easily.
The fifteenth stanza returns to the theme of empathy as a divine force, with the line, "To dine afar." This line suggests that empathy is something that is not just a human emotion, but is something that connects us to the divine. This idea is reinforced in the sixteenth stanza, with the line, "We could not miss to meet." This line suggests that if we were closer to the divine, we would be able to empathize more easily.
The seventeenth stanza returns to the theme of empathy as a unifying force, with the line, "The Earth is not too far." This line suggests that empathy is something that can transcend physical distance and bring people together. This idea is reinforced in the eighteenth stanza, with the line, "Nor Heaven's farthest Sphere." This line suggests that empathy is something that can transcend even the boundaries of the universe.
The nineteenth stanza returns to the theme of empathy as a divine force, with the line, "Heaven is within." This line suggests that empathy is not just something that connects us to the divine, but is something that is within us all. This idea is reinforced in the twentieth stanza, with the line, "Infinitely nigher." This line suggests that empathy is something that is always within our reach.
In terms of literary devices, Dickinson uses a variety of techniques to convey her message. One of the most prominent techniques is repetition, with the phrase "I cried at Pity-not at Pain" appearing at the beginning of each stanza. This repetition serves to reinforce the central theme of empathy throughout the poem.
Dickinson also uses metaphor and imagery to convey her message. For example, the line "Pity is the Treason wrought" uses the metaphor of treason to suggest that pity is not enough. The line "A sense of the Immortality" uses the imagery of immortality to suggest that empathy is something that connects us to the divine.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of twenty stanzas, each with four lines. This structure serves to reinforce the repetition of the central theme of empathy throughout the poem. The poem also has a consistent rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "I cried at Pity-not at Pain" is a masterpiece of literary art that explores the complexity of human emotions and the power of empathy. Through the use of repetition, metaphor, and imagery, Dickinson conveys a powerful message about the importance of empathy in our lives. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions in the reader and to convey important messages about the human experience.
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