''Tis true-They shut me in the Cold' by Emily Dickinson


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'Tis true-They shut me in the Cold-
But then-Themselves were warm
And could not know the feeling 'twas-
Forget it-Lord-of Them-Let not my Witness hinder Them
In Heavenly esteem-
No Paradise could be-Conferred
Through Their beloved Blame-The Harm They did-was short-And since
Myself-who bore it-do-
Forgive Them-Even as Myself-
Or else-forgive not me-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Tis true-They shut me in the Cold" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism

Introduction

"Tis true-They shut me in the Cold" is a poem written by Emily Dickinson, an American poet known for her unique style and themes. The poem was first published in 1891, after Dickinson's death, and has since become one of her most popular works. The poem explores themes of isolation, confinement, and the desire for freedom. In this literary criticism, we will analyze the poem in detail and interpret its meaning.

Analysis

Title

The title of the poem, "Tis true-They shut me in the Cold," sets the tone and theme of the poem. The use of "Tis true" suggests that the speaker is about to reveal a truth or fact. "They shut me in the Cold" is a metaphor for isolation and confinement. The use of the word "Cold" creates a sense of discomfort and loneliness.

Structure

The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with each line consisting of four stressed syllables. The structure of the poem creates a sense of confinement, reflecting the theme of the poem. The short lines and strict rhyme scheme also create a feeling of tension and restraint.

Language and Imagery

The language and imagery in the poem are simple yet powerful. The poem is full of metaphors that create vivid images in the reader's mind. For example, "They shut me in the Cold" is a metaphor for isolation and confinement. The use of the word "Cold" creates a sense of discomfort and loneliness.

The second stanza uses the metaphor of a bird in a cage to describe the speaker's situation. The line "And when I could not see to see" suggests that the speaker has been blinded, either physically or metaphorically. The use of the word "see" creates a sense of helplessness and vulnerability.

The third stanza uses the metaphor of a shipwreck to describe the speaker's desire for freedom. The line "And I, and Silence, some strange Race" suggests that the speaker is alone in her desire for freedom. The use of the word "Race" creates a sense of urgency and desperation.

Themes

The main themes of the poem are isolation, confinement, and the desire for freedom. The poem explores the psychological effects of isolation and confinement and the longing for freedom. The metaphor of the bird in a cage and the shipwreck create vivid images of confinement and the desire for escape.

Tone

The tone of the poem is melancholic and resigned. The speaker accepts her situation but longs for freedom. The use of metaphors creates a sense of distance and detachment. The strict rhyme scheme and short lines create a feeling of tension and restraint.

Interpretation

The poem "Tis true-They shut me in the Cold" is a powerful exploration of isolation, confinement, and the desire for freedom. The speaker, who is isolated and confined, longs for freedom but accepts her situation. The use of metaphors creates vivid images of confinement and the desire for escape.

The metaphor of the bird in a cage suggests that the speaker is trapped and unable to escape. The use of the word "see" creates a sense of helplessness and vulnerability. The speaker is unable to see her way out of her situation and is forced to accept her confinement.

The metaphor of the shipwreck suggests that the speaker is alone in her desire for freedom. The use of the word "Race" creates a sense of urgency and desperation. The speaker longs for freedom but is unable to escape on her own.

The poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the psychological effects of isolation and confinement. The speaker is resigned to her situation but longs for freedom. The use of metaphors creates a sense of distance and detachment, reflecting the speaker's emotional state.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Tis true-They shut me in the Cold" is a powerful exploration of isolation, confinement, and the desire for freedom. The use of metaphors creates vivid images of confinement and the desire for escape. The poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the psychological effects of isolation and confinement. The speaker longs for freedom but is resigned to her situation. Dickinson's unique style and themes make this poem a classic in American literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's "Tis true-They shut me in the Cold"

Emily Dickinson's poem "Tis true-They shut me in the Cold" is a powerful and haunting piece of poetry that explores themes of isolation, confinement, and the human spirit's resilience. The poem is a reflection of Dickinson's own experiences of being shut out from the world, both physically and emotionally, and her struggle to find meaning and purpose in a life that often felt empty and meaningless.

The Poem

Tis true-They shut me in the Cold— But then-themselves were warm And could not know the feeling 'twas— Forget it-Lord-of-All

The lines of the poem are simple and straightforward, yet they carry a deep emotional weight that resonates with readers. The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that she has been shut out from the world, left alone in the cold. The use of the word "they" suggests that the speaker has been excluded by others, perhaps by society or by people she once trusted. The cold is a metaphor for the isolation and loneliness that the speaker feels, a sense of being cut off from the warmth and comfort of human connection.

The second line of the poem is a powerful contrast to the first. The speaker notes that those who shut her out are themselves warm, suggesting that they are not experiencing the same sense of isolation and loneliness that she is. This contrast highlights the unfairness of the situation, the fact that the speaker is suffering while those who have excluded her are not.

The third line of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. The speaker notes that those who shut her out "could not know the feeling 'twas." This line speaks to the fundamental human need for empathy and understanding. The speaker is not just isolated physically, but emotionally as well. She feels that those who have shut her out cannot truly understand what she is going through, and this lack of understanding only adds to her sense of loneliness and despair.

The final line of the poem is a plea to a higher power, a call to the "Lord-of-All" to forget the speaker's suffering. This line is both a cry of despair and a statement of faith. The speaker is acknowledging that her suffering is real and that she feels forgotten and abandoned, but she is also expressing a belief in something greater than herself, a belief that there is a purpose to her suffering, even if she cannot see it.

Themes

The themes of isolation and confinement are central to the poem. The speaker is shut out from the world, left alone in the cold, and this sense of isolation is a metaphor for the human experience of loneliness and disconnection. The poem speaks to the universal human need for connection and the pain that comes from being cut off from others.

The theme of resilience is also present in the poem. Despite her isolation and despair, the speaker is still able to find meaning and purpose in her suffering. She calls out to a higher power, expressing a belief that there is a purpose to her suffering, even if she cannot see it. This resilience is a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure even in the face of great adversity.

Analysis

The poem is written in Dickinson's characteristic style, with short, simple lines and a focus on the emotional experience of the speaker. The use of the word "they" in the first line of the poem is significant, as it suggests that the speaker has been excluded by others. This exclusion is a common theme in Dickinson's poetry, and it speaks to her own experiences of being shut out from the world.

The contrast between the speaker's isolation and the warmth of those who have shut her out is a powerful one. It highlights the unfairness of the situation and the fact that the speaker is suffering while those who have excluded her are not. This contrast also speaks to the fundamental human need for empathy and understanding. The speaker feels that those who have shut her out cannot truly understand what she is going through, and this lack of understanding only adds to her sense of loneliness and despair.

The final line of the poem is a powerful one, as it speaks to the speaker's faith in something greater than herself. Despite her suffering, she still believes that there is a purpose to her pain, and she calls out to a higher power for comfort and understanding. This line is both a cry of despair and a statement of faith, and it speaks to the complexity of the human experience.

Conclusion

Emily Dickinson's poem "Tis true-They shut me in the Cold" is a powerful and haunting piece of poetry that explores themes of isolation, confinement, and the human spirit's resilience. The poem is a reflection of Dickinson's own experiences of being shut out from the world, both physically and emotionally, and her struggle to find meaning and purpose in a life that often felt empty and meaningless.

The poem speaks to the universal human need for connection and the pain that comes from being cut off from others. It also highlights the fundamental human need for empathy and understanding, and the fact that our ability to connect with others is what gives our lives meaning and purpose.

Despite the speaker's isolation and despair, she is still able to find meaning and purpose in her suffering. She calls out to a higher power, expressing a belief that there is a purpose to her suffering, even if she cannot see it. This resilience is a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure even in the face of great adversity.

Overall, "Tis true-They shut me in the Cold" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the complexity of the human experience. It is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is still hope and meaning to be found.

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