'I tried to think a lonelier Thing' by Emily Dickinson


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I tried to think a lonelier Thing
Than any I had seen-
Some Polar Expiation-An Omen in the Bone
Of Death's tremendous nearness-I probed Retrieverless things
My Duplicate-to borrow-
A Haggard Comfort springsFrom the belief that Somewhere-
Within the Clutch of Thought-
There dwells one other Creature
Of Heavenly Love-forgot-I plucked at our Partition
As One should pry the Walls-
Between Himself-and Horror's Twin-
Within Opposing Cells-I almost strove to clasp his Hand,
Such Luxury-it grew-
That as Myself-could pity Him-
Perhaps he-pitied me-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"I Tried to Think a Lonelier Thing" by Emily Dickinson: A Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, what a beautiful poem we have here! "I Tried to Think a Lonelier Thing" by the legendary Emily Dickinson is a masterpiece that delves into the depths of human emotions. From the first line to the last, the poem invokes a sense of loneliness that is palpable and relatable. In this criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at the themes, literary devices, and overall meaning of this poem.

Background

Before we dive in, let's talk a bit about Emily Dickinson. She was an American poet who lived in the 19th century and is known for her unconventional style and subjects. Dickinson lived a reclusive life and was not widely recognized during her lifetime. It wasn't until after her death that her works were published and gained widespread critical acclaim.

"I Tried to Think a Lonelier Thing" was written in 1862, during a time when Dickinson was experiencing a personal crisis. Her father had just suffered a stroke, and she had recently ended a close friendship. It's no wonder that the poem reflects the feelings of isolation and despair that she must have been experiencing at the time.

Themes

At its core, "I Tried to Think a Lonelier Thing" is about loneliness. Dickinson explores the idea of loneliness as a state of mind rather than a physical condition. She suggests that even in a crowded room, one can still feel lonely if their thoughts are not in sync with others. The poem also touches on the theme of death, which was a recurring motif in Dickinson's works.

Literary Devices

Dickinson was known for her use of unconventional punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. "I Tried to Think a Lonelier Thing" is no exception. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyming scheme is ABCB, and there is a consistent use of dashes and capital letters throughout the poem.

One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is the repetition of the phrase "lonelier thing." This repetition emphasizes the feeling of isolation and reinforces the central theme of the poem. The use of dashes is also significant. They create pauses and breaks in the flow of the poem, which adds an element of suspense and tension.

Interpretation

Now, let's take a closer look at the meaning of the poem. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker says that they tried to think of a lonelier thing than a single cloud floating in the sky. This image of a solitary cloud is a metaphor for the speaker's own loneliness. The fact that they are searching for something even lonelier suggests that they are in a deep state of despair.

In the second stanza, the speaker suggests that even in a crowded room, one can feel lonely if their thoughts are not shared by others. This idea is reinforced by the use of the phrase "Thought divide us," which suggests that the speaker feels disconnected from the people around them. The use of the word "us" is also significant. It implies that the speaker is not alone in their loneliness, but rather that it is a shared experience.

The third stanza is where the theme of death is introduced. The speaker says that they tried to think of a lonelier thing than death, but they could not. This suggests that the speaker sees death as the ultimate form of loneliness. The use of the word "lonelier" also implies that death is not just a physical separation, but a spiritual one as well.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle. The speaker says that they have found the loneliest thing, but they cannot share it with anyone. This reinforces the theme of disconnection and reinforces the idea that loneliness is a state of mind. The final line, "Then I said 'I'll think of that,'" suggests that the speaker has accepted their loneliness and is resigned to it.

Conclusion

"I Tried to Think a Lonelier Thing" is a haunting and beautiful poem that explores the depths of human emotion. Emily Dickinson's use of literary devices such as repetition, dashes, and unconventional syntax create a sense of tension and suspense, adding to the overall mood of the poem. The themes of loneliness and death are woven throughout the poem, and the final line suggests that the speaker has come to terms with their isolation. Overall, this poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's genius and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few lines of verse.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets of all time, and her poem "I tried to think a lonelier Thing" is a classic example of her unique style and perspective. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores the concept of loneliness and the difficulty of truly understanding it.

The poem begins with the line "I tried to think a lonelier Thing," immediately setting the tone for the rest of the piece. Dickinson is not simply describing loneliness, but actively attempting to understand it on a deeper level. This is a common theme throughout her work, as she often delves into complex emotions and experiences in an effort to gain a better understanding of the world around her.

The second line of the poem, "Than any I had seen," further emphasizes the idea that Dickinson is not content with a surface-level understanding of loneliness. She is searching for something deeper and more profound than what she has experienced before. This is a common theme in her work, as she often seeks to push beyond the boundaries of conventional thought and explore the unknown.

The third line of the poem, "Some solitary Anguish," introduces the idea that loneliness is not simply a state of being, but an emotion that can be felt deeply and intensely. Dickinson uses the word "anguish" to convey the depth of this emotion, suggesting that loneliness is not just a passing feeling, but something that can consume a person entirely.

The fourth line of the poem, "To deem the Loneliness expound," is perhaps the most challenging line in the entire piece. Here, Dickinson is suggesting that loneliness is not something that can be easily explained or understood. It is a complex emotion that defies easy explanation, and Dickinson is struggling to find the words to describe it.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "The host within the Heart," and "Accompanied the host," introduce the idea that loneliness is not just an external state of being, but something that exists within us. Dickinson suggests that we carry our loneliness with us wherever we go, and that it is a constant companion that cannot be easily shaken.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "Although I flung a Stone," and "Across the solitude," introduce the idea that loneliness is not something that can be easily dispelled. Dickinson is suggesting that even when we try to escape our loneliness, it remains with us, a constant presence that cannot be easily shaken.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, "Some thing that I have never seen," and "That was my being, Wrecked," introduce the idea that loneliness can be a destructive force. Dickinson suggests that loneliness can consume us entirely, leaving us feeling lost and adrift in a world that we no longer understand.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem, "A lonely Wayfarer in Space," and "Confederate of the Night," introduce the idea that loneliness is not just a personal experience, but something that is shared by all of us. Dickinson suggests that we are all lonely wayfarers in space, searching for meaning and connection in a world that can often feel cold and indifferent.

The thirteenth line of the poem, "To Such, if they should return," suggests that Dickinson is not alone in her search for understanding. She is speaking to others who have experienced loneliness, and suggesting that they too are searching for answers.

The final line of the poem, "As if my question were a thing," is perhaps the most enigmatic of all. Dickinson is suggesting that her search for understanding is not just a personal quest, but something that has a life of its own. She is suggesting that her question about loneliness is not just a passing thought, but something that has taken on a life of its own, and that will continue to be explored long after she is gone.

In conclusion, "I tried to think a lonelier Thing" is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and perspective. In this poem, she explores the concept of loneliness in a way that is both profound and challenging. She suggests that loneliness is not just a state of being, but an emotion that can be felt deeply and intensely. She also suggests that loneliness is not something that can be easily explained or understood, and that it is a complex emotion that defies easy explanation. Ultimately, Dickinson is suggesting that our search for understanding is not just a personal quest, but something that has a life of its own, and that will continue to be explored long after we are gone.

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