'If your Nerve, deny you' by Emily Dickinson


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If your Nerve, deny you-
Go above your Nerve-
He can lean against the Grave,
If he fear to swerve-That's a steady posture-
Never any bend
Held of those Brass arms-
Best Giant made-If your Soul seesaw-
Lift the Flesh door-
The Poltroon wants Oxygen-
Nothing more-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"If your Nerve, deny you": An Exploration of Emily Dickinson's Poetic Mind

Emily Dickinson, a famously reclusive poet, is known for her unique style of poetry that revolutionized the genre. Her poetry is characterized by its concision, unconventional punctuation, and use of slant rhyme. "If your Nerve, deny you" is one such poem that showcases Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions in a few lines. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and symbolism in this poem and uncover the underlying meaning.

Poem Analysis

"If your Nerve, deny you" is a short poem consisting of two stanzas, each with two lines. The poem's structure is simple, but its meaning is profound. The first line of the poem reads, "If your Nerve, deny you –." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and sets up the central conflict of the poem. The second line of the first stanza reads, "Go above your Nerve –." This line is a call to action, a challenge to the reader to overcome their fears and doubts.

The second stanza continues with the same structure as the first stanza. The first line reads, "He can lean against the Grave," which sets up a dark and somber tone. The second line of the second stanza reads, "If he fear to swerve –." This line is a continuation of the challenge presented in the first stanza, urging readers to push through their fears and persevere.

Themes

The central theme of the poem is courage. The poem urges readers to push past their fears and doubts and take action. The poem conveys the idea that one's success is directly related to their willingness to take risks and push beyond their comfort zone. The poem also explores the theme of death and mortality. The line, "He can lean against the Grave," suggests that death is looming, and that we must make the most of our time on earth by pushing ourselves to achieve our goals. Additionally, the poem touches on the theme of perseverance. The line, "If he fear to swerve –," emphasizes the importance of staying the course and not giving up in the face of adversity.

Literary Devices

Dickinson's use of literary devices is masterful in this poem. The poem's use of slant rhyme adds to its musicality and reinforces its central theme. The words "deny" and "above" in the first stanza and "grave" and "swerve" in the second stanza are examples of slant rhyme. The poem's use of personification is also noteworthy. The line, "If your Nerve, deny you," personifies one's nerves as a separate entity that can deny us from taking action. The poem's use of symbolism is also significant. The "grave" in the second stanza symbolizes death and reminds readers of their own mortality.

Interpretation

The poem's meaning is open to interpretation, but one possible interpretation is that the poem is a motivational call to action. The poem urges readers to push past their fears and doubts and take action. The line, "If your Nerve, deny you," suggests that one's nerves can hold them back from achieving their goals. The poem encourages readers to "Go above your Nerve," to take risks and push beyond their comfort zone.

Additionally, the image of the grave in the second stanza can be interpreted as a reminder of one's mortality. The line, "He can lean against the Grave," suggests that death is looming, and that we must make the most of our time on earth. The line, "If he fear to swerve," can be interpreted as a call to persevere in the face of adversity.

Conclusion

"If your Nerve, deny you" is a short but powerful poem that urges readers to push past their fears and doubts and take action. The poem's use of slant rhyme, personification, and symbolism adds to its musicality and reinforces its central theme. The poem's meaning is open to interpretation, but one possible interpretation is that the poem is a motivational call to action. The poem encourages readers to push beyond their comfort zone and make the most of their time on earth. Overall, "If your Nerve, deny you" is a testament to Emily Dickinson's mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions in a few lines.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

If your Nerve, deny you by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience and the challenges that we face in life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "If your Nerve, deny you—." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is one of perseverance and determination. The word "nerve" in this context refers to courage or bravery. The poem is addressing the reader directly, asking them what they will do if their nerve fails them.

The first stanza of the poem continues with the lines, "Go above your Nerve— / He can lean against the Grave, / If he fear to swerve." These lines suggest that if your nerve fails you, you should push yourself beyond your limits. The reference to the grave suggests that if you don't push yourself, you will end up regretting it in the end.

The second stanza of the poem begins with the line, "It is easy to work when the soul is at play—." This line suggests that when we are doing something that we love, it doesn't feel like work. The next line, "But when the soul is in pain—," suggests that when we are struggling, it can be difficult to find the motivation to keep going.

The third stanza of the poem continues with the lines, "The hearing ear is always close to the speaking tongue— / And life is loud—." These lines suggest that we should listen to the people around us and take inspiration from them. Life is full of noise and distractions, but if we listen closely, we can find the motivation we need to keep going.

The fourth stanza of the poem begins with the line, "Until the Voices, sweet— / Grow above the Storm—." This line suggests that we should keep pushing ourselves until we can hear the sweet voices above the chaos of life. The next line, "Until the God we never saw / Says 'Stay'!" suggests that we should keep going until we receive a sign from a higher power that we are on the right path.

The final stanza of the poem concludes with the lines, "If your Nerve, deny you— / Go above your Nerve— / He can lean against the Grave, / If he fear to swerve—." These lines echo the sentiment of the first stanza, suggesting that if our nerve fails us, we should push ourselves beyond our limits.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The repetition of the phrase "If your Nerve, deny you—" at the beginning and end of the poem creates a sense of unity and reinforces the central theme of the poem.

The language of the poem is simple but powerful. Dickinson uses metaphors and imagery to convey her message. The reference to the grave in the first stanza is a powerful image that suggests the consequences of not pushing ourselves beyond our limits. The reference to the sweet voices in the fourth stanza is a metaphor for the inspiration and motivation that we can find in the people around us.

In conclusion, If your Nerve, deny you by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that speaks to the human experience. It is a poem that encourages us to push ourselves beyond our limits and find the motivation we need to keep going. The structure and language of the poem are simple but effective, creating a sense of unity and reinforcing the central theme. This poem is a timeless reminder that we are capable of achieving great things if we have the courage to push ourselves beyond our limits.

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