'It feels a shame to be Alive' by Emily Dickinson
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It feels a shame to be Alive-
When Men so brave-are dead-
One envies the Distinguished Dust-
Permitted-such a Head-The Stone-that tells defending Whom
This Spartan put away
What little of Him we-possessed
In Pawn for Liberty-The price is great-Sublimely paid-
Do we deserve-a Thing-
That lives-like Dollars-must be piled
Before we may obtain?Are we that wait-sufficient worth-
That such Enormous Pearl
As life-dissolved be-for Us-
In Battle's-horrid Bowl?It may be-a Renown to live-
I think the Man who die-
Those unsustained-Saviors-
Present Divinity-
Editor 1 Interpretation
It feels a shame to be Alive by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Emily! How do you do it? Every time I read one of your poems, I am left in awe of your ability to capture the complexity of human emotions in such a concise and powerful way. And "It feels a shame to be Alive" is no exception.
At first glance, the title might seem bleak and depressing, but as we delve into the poem, we realize that it is a profound meditation on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in life.
Structure and Form
Let's start with the structure and form of the poem. Emily Dickinson was known for her unconventional use of punctuation and capitalization, and "It feels a shame to be Alive" is no different. The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines, and no rhyme scheme. However, the lack of rhyme is not jarring or disruptive, but rather it adds to the contemplative and reflective tone of the poem.
The first two stanzas follow the same pattern, with a statement in the first two lines, followed by a question in the last two lines. The final stanza, however, deviates from this pattern and ends with a statement, giving the poem a sense of closure, but at the same time, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of unease.
Themes
The poem touches upon several themes that are central to Emily Dickinson's work, such as the inevitability of death, the fleeting nature of life, and the search for meaning. But what sets "It feels a shame to be Alive" apart is the way in which it approaches these themes.
The poem begins with the line "It feels a shame to be Alive", which immediately sets a melancholic tone. The speaker feels a sense of shame for being alive, which is a stark contrast to the conventional view that life is something to be celebrated and cherished.
The second stanza continues this train of thought, with the speaker questioning the purpose of life. "What is the reason why / I make-believe to die?", she asks. The use of the phrase "make-believe to die" is particularly striking, as it implies that death is not something that is real, but rather a construct of the mind.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker declaring that "Life is but life, and death but death!" This line seems to suggest that life and death are simply two sides of the same coin, and that there is no inherent meaning to either. But at the same time, the exclamation point at the end of the line suggests that the speaker has come to some sort of realization or epiphany.
Interpretation
So what does it all mean? As with much of Emily Dickinson's work, the poem is open to interpretation, and different readers may take away different meanings from it. However, one possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in a world that can often seem senseless and chaotic.
The speaker's sense of shame for being alive could be seen as a reflection of the existential angst that many people experience at some point in their lives. The question of what the purpose of life is, and why we bother to continue living, is one that has puzzled philosophers and thinkers for centuries.
The use of the phrase "make-believe to die" could be interpreted as a commentary on the way in which humans construct narratives and stories to give meaning to their lives. Death is often seen as the ultimate narrative endpoint, the final chapter in the story of our lives. But if death is just a construct, then what does that say about the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of our lives?
The final line of the poem, "Life is but life, and death but death!", could be seen as a rejection of the idea that there is some grand meaning or purpose to life. Instead, life is simply what it is, and death is simply what it is. This could be seen as a liberating realization, freeing the speaker from the burden of trying to find some deeper meaning in life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "It feels a shame to be Alive" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that touches upon some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Emily Dickinson's use of unconventional punctuation and capitalization, as well as her concise and powerful language, make this poem a true masterpiece of American literature.
The poem's themes of the inevitability of death, the fleeting nature of life, and the search for meaning are timeless and universal, and will resonate with readers for generations to come. Emily Dickinson has truly captured the complexity of the human experience in this poem, and it is a shining example of why she is considered one of America's greatest poets.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
It feels a shame to be Alive: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of death, nature, and spirituality. Her poem "It feels a shame to be Alive" is a prime example of her exceptional talent in crafting thought-provoking and emotionally charged poetry.
The poem begins with the line "It feels a shame to be Alive," which immediately sets a melancholic tone. The speaker expresses a sense of guilt and shame for being alive, which is a stark contrast to the typical celebration of life found in most poetry. This opening line sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which explores the speaker's feelings of despair and isolation.
The second line of the poem, "When Men so brave -- are dead," introduces the theme of death. The speaker compares their own life to those who have died bravely, suggesting that their own existence is insignificant in comparison. This comparison highlights the speaker's feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness.
The third line, "And Warriors -- are no more," continues the theme of death and emphasizes the loss of those who have fought in wars. The use of the word "Warriors" suggests a sense of honor and bravery, which is contrasted with the shame the speaker feels for simply being alive. This contrast highlights the speaker's feelings of guilt and unworthiness.
The fourth line, "I'm sorry for the Dead," expresses the speaker's empathy for those who have died. This line suggests that the speaker feels that the dead are better off than the living, which reinforces the theme of death and the speaker's feelings of despair.
The fifth line, "And for the Dead -- I'm sighing," further emphasizes the speaker's sorrow for those who have died. The use of the word "sighing" suggests a deep sense of sadness and mourning, which contrasts with the shame the speaker feels for being alive.
The sixth line, "And their pallid faced procession," describes the procession of the dead. The use of the word "pallid" suggests a sense of lifelessness and reinforces the theme of death. This line also highlights the contrast between the dead and the living, which further emphasizes the speaker's feelings of guilt and shame.
The seventh line, "Round my business door," introduces the idea of the speaker's daily life. The use of the phrase "business door" suggests that the speaker is a business owner or worker, which contrasts with the theme of death and the speaker's feelings of despair. This line also suggests that the speaker's daily life is mundane and insignificant in comparison to the loss of life.
The eighth line, "Blindly I hover," describes the speaker's state of mind. The use of the word "blindly" suggests a lack of direction or purpose, which reinforces the theme of despair. This line also suggests that the speaker is lost and unsure of their place in the world.
The ninth line, "And they haunting me so," describes the speaker's feelings of being haunted by the dead. The use of the word "haunting" suggests a sense of fear or unease, which contrasts with the theme of death and the speaker's empathy for the dead. This line also suggests that the speaker is unable to escape their feelings of guilt and shame.
The final line, "With perplexed stare," describes the speaker's state of mind. The use of the phrase "perplexed stare" suggests a sense of confusion or bewilderment, which reinforces the theme of despair. This line also suggests that the speaker is unable to find a way to reconcile their feelings of guilt and shame with their daily life.
Overall, "It feels a shame to be Alive" is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that explores the themes of death, despair, and guilt. The contrast between the dead and the living highlights the speaker's feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness, while the use of vivid imagery and language creates a haunting and melancholic tone. Emily Dickinson's masterful use of language and imagery makes this poem a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.
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