'Many cross the Rhine' by Emily Dickinson


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Many cross the Rhine
In this cup of mine.
Sip old Frankfort air
From my brown Cigar.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Many Cross the Rhine: A Poem Analysis

Emily Dickinson is widely known for her unique style of writing poetry that often features unconventional punctuation and capitalization. Her poems are complex and require an analysis that delves into the meaning and symbolism behind the words. One of her most famous works, "Many cross the Rhine," is no exception.

Poem Overview

"Many cross the Rhine" is a poem that was written in 1862, during the American Civil War. The poem has a total of eight stanzas, each consisting of four lines. It is believed that the poem is a commentary on the war and the hopelessness that comes with it.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem opens with the line, "Many cross the Rhine." This line can be interpreted in different ways. The Rhine River is a symbol of a border, and the act of crossing it represents the idea of crossing a boundary. In the context of the American Civil War, the boundary could represent the line between north and south or the division between the Union and Confederate armies.

The second line of the poem, "When bridges are not best," introduces the idea of obstacles that make crossing the Rhine difficult. The word "bridges" could refer to physical bridges or metaphorical ones. The line could mean that in times of war, bridges are not the best option for crossing the Rhine. Instead, people have to find other ways to overcome the obstacles in their path.

The third line of the poem, "The nearest bridge a mile," reinforces the idea that crossing the Rhine is not an easy task. The distance between the two sides of the river highlights the difficulties that people face when trying to reach their destination.

The final line of the first stanza, "Many cross the Rhine," is repeated from the first line. This repetition creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the importance of crossing the Rhine.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of danger. The line, "Past fields of growing grain," suggests that the journey is not only difficult but also risky. The growing grain could represent the enemy soldiers or obstacles that people encounter while crossing the Rhine.

The third stanza of the poem describes the crossing of the Rhine in more detail. The line, "Lest any know her feet," suggests that the journey is fraught with danger, and people have to be careful not to be noticed. The next line, "Whom she may be," reinforces the idea that the journey is dangerous as people don't know who they can trust.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of sacrifice. The line, "Are stranded in the sun," suggests that people are willing to endure hardships and suffer to reach their destination. The next line, "The wheels burn off," reinforces the idea of sacrifice as it suggests that people are willing to risk everything to cross the Rhine.

The fifth stanza of the poem is one of the most powerful. The line, "I have a rendezvous with Death," highlights the idea that the journey is not only dangerous but also potentially fatal. The poet is willing to risk her life to cross the Rhine. The next line, "At some disputed barricade," reinforces the idea that the journey is taking place during a time of war and that there are obstacles that people have to overcome.

The sixth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of hopelessness. The line, "When Spring comes back with rustling shade," suggests that the war has been going on for some time and that people have lost hope. The next line, "And apple-blossoms fill the air," reinforces the idea of hopelessness as it suggests that nature is going about its business as usual, and people are still at war.

The seventh stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the future. The line, "I do not know how many," suggests that the poet is unsure of how many people will eventually cross the Rhine. The next line, "Cross the troubled tide," reinforces the idea that the journey is difficult and that people have to overcome obstacles to reach their destination.

The final stanza of the poem is a repetition of the first stanza. The line, "Many cross the Rhine," is repeated to emphasize the idea that people are still crossing the Rhine despite the difficulties they face.

Conclusion

"Many cross the Rhine" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of the American Civil War. The poem is a commentary on the difficulties and dangers that people face when trying to cross a border during a time of war. The repetition of the phrase "Many cross the Rhine" creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the importance of the journey. The poem is a reminder of the sacrifices that people make during times of war and the hopelessness that can come with it. Emily Dickinson's unique style of writing and symbolism make "Many cross the Rhine" a timeless piece of literature that is still relevant today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Many Cross the Rhine: An Analysis of Emily Dickinson's Classic Poem

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of life in her works. One of her most famous poems is "Poetry Many Cross the Rhine," which has been analyzed and discussed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "Poetry many cross the Rhine," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The Rhine is a river that flows through several European countries, including Germany, France, and Switzerland. It is a symbol of the division between different cultures and nations, and Dickinson uses it to represent the barriers that exist between people. The fact that "many" poets cross the Rhine suggests that poetry has the power to transcend these barriers and bring people together.

The second line of the poem reads, "Equally with swords or pen," which further emphasizes the idea that poetry is a powerful force that can be just as effective as weapons in breaking down barriers. Dickinson is suggesting that poetry has the power to change the world, just as wars and battles do. However, she is also suggesting that poetry is a more peaceful and humane way of achieving this change.

The third line of the poem reads, "Hast thou found the mines of gold, / Silvered to the edges?" This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it seems to be asking whether the reader has found the true value of poetry. Dickinson is suggesting that poetry is like a mine of gold or silver, full of treasures waiting to be discovered. However, these treasures are not always obvious, and it takes a discerning eye to find them.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Seek thee oftener in thy bosom / For the laurel tree." This line is a call to action for the reader, urging them to look within themselves for the inspiration and motivation to write poetry. The laurel tree is a symbol of victory and achievement, and Dickinson is suggesting that the reader can achieve greatness in poetry if they look within themselves for the inspiration to do so.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem read, "Through the amber shafts of moon, / Ripening through the pines." These lines are full of vivid imagery, painting a picture of a moonlit night in a forest. The amber shafts of moonlight suggest a warm and inviting atmosphere, while the pines suggest a sense of mystery and wonder. Dickinson is using this imagery to suggest that poetry is like a journey through a forest, full of surprises and unexpected discoveries.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "Or thou often passedest by, / Nor canst tell me where they grow?" These lines are a challenge to the reader, asking whether they have truly explored the depths of poetry or whether they have simply passed it by without truly understanding it. Dickinson is suggesting that poetry is like a garden full of hidden treasures, and it takes a curious and adventurous spirit to discover them.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem read, "Better gleanings may be had / In the fields of Basle." Basle is a city in Switzerland known for its art and culture, and Dickinson is suggesting that the reader can find even greater treasures in the world of poetry if they are willing to explore it fully. The fields of Basle are a metaphor for the vast and varied world of poetry, full of different styles, genres, and themes.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem read, "Whither led the steps of Goethe / When he sought the yellow root?" Goethe was a famous German writer and poet, and Dickinson is using him as an example of someone who was willing to explore the depths of poetry to find its true value. The yellow root is a metaphor for the hidden treasures of poetry, and Dickinson is suggesting that Goethe was able to find these treasures because he was willing to look for them.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem read, "Till he found in fields Elysian / Love and Love's pursuit." The fields Elysian are a reference to Greek mythology, where they were believed to be the resting place of the blessed after death. Dickinson is using this reference to suggest that the true value of poetry lies in its ability to capture the essence of life and love. Love and love's pursuit are universal themes that are explored in poetry across cultures and time periods.

The fifteenth and sixteenth lines of the poem read, "Many a man has found his way / To the amber gates of day." The amber gates of day are a metaphor for the dawn of a new day, full of possibilities and opportunities. Dickinson is suggesting that poetry has the power to inspire and motivate people to achieve great things, just as the dawn of a new day does.

The final two lines of the poem read, "Many a man has trod the path / Whence the asphodels bloom at last." The asphodels are a type of flower that were believed to grow in the fields Elysian. Dickinson is using this reference to suggest that the true value of poetry lies in its ability to capture the essence of life and love, and that those who explore it fully will be rewarded with a deeper understanding of these universal themes.

In conclusion, "Poetry Many Cross the Rhine" is a classic poem by Emily Dickinson that explores the power of poetry to transcend barriers and bring people together. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, Dickinson suggests that poetry is like a journey through a forest or a garden full of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. She challenges the reader to explore the depths of poetry to find its true value, and suggests that those who do so will be rewarded with a deeper understanding of life and love. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire, motivate, and transform the world around us.

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