'Although I put away his life' by Emily Dickinson

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Although I put away his life-
An Ornament too grand
For Forehead low as mine, to wear,
This might have been the HandThat sowed the flower, he preferred-
Or smoothed a homely pain,
Or pushed the pebble from his path-
Or played his chosen tune-On Lute the least-the latest-
But just his Ear could know
That whatsoe'er delighted it,
I never would let go-The foot to bear his errand-
A little Boot I know-
Would leap abroad like Antelope-
With just the grant to do-His weariest Commandment-
A sweeter to obey,
Than "Hide and Seek"-
Or skip to Flutes-
Or all Day, chase the Bee-Your Servant, Sir, will weary-
The Surgeon, will not come-
The World, will have its own-to do-
The Dust, will vex your Fame-The Cold will force your tightest door
Some February Day,
But say my apron bring the sticks
To make your Cottage gay-That I may take that promise
To Paradise, with me-
To teach the Angels, avarice,
You, Sir, taught first-to me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Although I put away his life" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism

Emily Dickinson is known for the depth of her poetry, often delving into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. "Although I put away his life" is no exception. This poem, written in 1863, explores the themes of grief, loss, and acceptance.

Structure and Form

The structure of "Although I put away his life" is comprised of three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem does not follow a strict meter or rhyme scheme, giving the reader a sense of freedom and flexibility in interpretation. The simplicity of the structure and form allows the poem to focus on the emotional weight of the words, rather than on the technicalities of language.

Interpretation

The title of the poem, "Although I put away his life," suggests that the speaker has lost someone close to them. The use of the word "put away" implies that the loss was intentional, as if the speaker had to make a decision to let go of this person. The first stanza of the poem reinforces this idea, as the speaker says "I am not willing yet / For selfish sake to give him up just yet." Here, the speaker reveals their struggle with the concept of loss, as they are not ready to let go of this person despite knowing that it may be necessary.

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the idea of acceptance. The speaker acknowledges that "Death sets a thing significant / The eye had hurried by." Here, the speaker is recognizing the importance of the person they have lost, and how death has given them a newfound appreciation for their presence in their life. The use of the word "significant" highlights the impact that this person has had on the speaker's life, and how their loss has shifted their perspective.

The final stanza of the poem brings us back to the speaker's struggle with acceptance. They say "I deem that I should better / Sustain her loss before." Here, the speaker is admitting that they would have been better equipped to handle the loss of this person before they knew them. This line is particularly powerful, as it shows the depth of the speaker's grief and their struggle to come to terms with it.

Overall, "Although I put away his life" is a deeply emotional and introspective poem that explores the complexities of loss and grief. The simplicity of the structure and form allows the reader to focus on the weight of the words, and the emotional journey that the speaker is on.

Literary Devices

One of the most striking literary devices used in "Although I put away his life" is the use of personification. The speaker personifies Death, saying "Death sets a thing significant / The eye had hurried by." Here, Death is given human qualities, as if it is a sentient being that is intentionally drawing the speaker's attention to the importance of the person they have lost. This personification adds depth and complexity to the poem, highlighting the weight of the loss and the impact it has had on the speaker's life.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "just yet" is repeated twice in the first stanza, emphasizing the speaker's reluctance to let go of this person. Additionally, the phrase "I am not willing yet" is repeated at the beginning of the second stanza, reinforcing the speaker's struggle with acceptance. This repetition adds a sense of rhythm to the poem, and emphasizes the emotional weight of the words.

Conclusion

"Although I put away his life" is a powerful and introspective poem that explores the complexities of loss and grief. The simplicity of the structure and form allows the poem to focus on the emotional journey of the speaker, as they struggle to come to terms with their loss. The use of personification and repetition add depth and complexity to the poem, emphasizing the weight of the loss and the impact it has had on the speaker's life. Overall, this poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet, and her ability to capture the complexities of human emotions through language.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Although I put away his life,” is a classic piece of poetry that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. The poem is a reflection on the speaker’s thoughts and feelings after the death of a loved one. It is a powerful and emotional piece that captures the essence of grief and the struggle to come to terms with loss.

The poem begins with the line, “Although I put away his life,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is acknowledging that the person they loved has passed away and that they are now left to deal with the aftermath. The use of the word “put away” is interesting because it implies that the speaker is putting the person’s life away as if it were an object. This could be interpreted as a way of coping with the loss, by trying to distance oneself from the reality of death.

The next line, “An arrow at a venture,” is a metaphor for the uncertainty of life and death. The arrow represents the randomness of death, as it can strike at any moment without warning. The use of the word “venture” suggests that life is a gamble, and death is an inevitable outcome. This line sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as the speaker grapples with the idea of death and what comes after.

The third line, “Did Him immortalize,” is a reference to the idea of immortality. The speaker is questioning whether the person they loved has achieved immortality through their death. This line is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with the idea of death and what it means for the person who has passed away. The use of the word “Him” is also significant because it suggests that the person who has passed away is male, which could be a reference to a father, brother, or lover.

The fourth line, “I deem,” is a way of expressing the speaker’s uncertainty about what comes after death. The use of the word “deem” suggests that the speaker is not sure what to believe about the afterlife. This line is significant because it highlights the struggle that many people face when dealing with death. The uncertainty of what comes after can be a source of anxiety and fear, as people try to come to terms with their mortality.

The fifth line, “Eternity, some keep,” is a reference to the idea of eternal life. The speaker is acknowledging that some people believe in the concept of eternal life, where the soul lives on after death. This line is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is aware of different beliefs about the afterlife. The use of the word “some” is also significant because it suggests that not everyone believes in eternal life, which could be a reflection of the speaker’s own beliefs.

The sixth line, “Were all that such as I,” is a way of expressing the speaker’s desire for eternal life. The use of the word “such” suggests that the speaker is not alone in their desire for eternal life. This line is significant because it highlights the universal desire for immortality. The fear of death is a common human experience, and many people seek to find ways to live on after they die.

The seventh line, “Might hold for theirs,” is a way of expressing the speaker’s hope that eternal life is possible. The use of the word “theirs” suggests that the speaker is referring to the people who believe in eternal life. This line is significant because it highlights the speaker’s desire to believe in something greater than themselves. The hope for eternal life is a way of coping with the fear of death and the uncertainty of what comes after.

The eighth line, “Had not immortal Alarms,” is a reference to the fear of death. The use of the word “alarms” suggests that the speaker is afraid of death and what comes after. This line is significant because it highlights the struggle that many people face when dealing with death. The fear of the unknown can be a source of anxiety and fear, as people try to come to terms with their mortality.

The ninth line, “Put it away with Him,” is a way of expressing the speaker’s desire to put their fear of death away. The use of the word “Him” suggests that the speaker is referring to the person who has passed away. This line is significant because it highlights the speaker’s desire to find peace and acceptance in the face of death. The idea of putting the fear of death away with the person who has passed away is a way of coping with the loss and finding a sense of closure.

The final line, “Who goes there?” is a way of expressing the speaker’s uncertainty about what comes after death. The use of the question “Who goes there?” suggests that the speaker is unsure of what to expect in the afterlife. This line is significant because it highlights the universal fear of the unknown. The uncertainty of what comes after death is a source of anxiety and fear for many people.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Although I put away his life,” is a powerful and emotional piece that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. The poem is a reflection on the speaker’s thoughts and feelings after the death of a loved one. It is a poignant reminder of the struggle that many people face when dealing with death and the uncertainty of what comes after. The poem is a testament to the universal fear of death and the desire for immortality. It is a classic piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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