He scanned it – Staggered –

He scanned it – Staggered –

Dropped the Loop

To Past or Period –

Caught helpless at a sense as if

His Mind were going blind –                                                                                          

Groped up, to see if God were there –

Groped backward at Himself

Caressed a Trigger absently

And wandered out of Life –

F(994)        

          Someone who was in a constant internal struggle concerning religion, it is not surprising that Dickinson not only questioned God’s existence but his involvement in our lives. At the start of this poem, the reader is shown a man on the brink of suicide and in search of a reason not to go through with it. In the moment, he feels helpless and unsure of what to do, and opening to the second stanza, he begins his search. He searches not only in God but in himself for a reason to live and when he finds neither, he does the deed. The above image displays a scene of a dejected man as he contemplates whether to live or die. 

           His groping for God demonstrates how religion can serve as both a last-ditch effort and a source of life. In those final moments, the speaker is in desperate need of a force strong enough to tether him to the world. The first place he turns – possibly after having witnessed positive religious experiences – is to God, and despite not finding what he was looking for, his efforts prove a belief or hope in the power of religion to save lives. 

In an interesting manipulation of form, Dickinson uses line length to depict the indecision of the man in the poem. In the first stanza, the lines stagger between short and long which shows the back and forth thinking as he battles over whether to take his life. However, in the second stanza, there is a steady descent as the lines – as well as his list of reasons to live – shorten and he makes a decision. The use of the dash to close the poem portrays the uncertainty of what follows death. Done with his earth-side adventures, he “wandered” out of life and into the next dimension of existence to explore the possibilities there. Similar to a recently released balloon, he was no longer bound to life by his pain, but finally free to explore the possibilities of the unknown. 

           In this poem, much like most others, Dickinson is meticulous in her word choice. The most jarring usage comes in the final lines of the poem with the words “caressed,” “absently,” and “wandered.” Before these lines, the speaker depicts the man as being afraid to follow through and hopeful for a change of heart; this is done with words like “staggered,” “dropped,” and “groped.” At this point, the man is still desperate to be saved and unsure of his thoughts. However, the words in the closing lines of the poem imply that his death was serene, something not toiled over but desired and anticipated. These lines and the language used within them symbolize what death means for someone who has been broken to the point of contemplating suicide. Rather than representing it as a loss of life, it is represented as a gaining of freedom from the hardships of life. Reading this poem brings to mind, “Suspense – is Hostiler than Death – ” F(775) which argues that the unpredictability of life is a greater burden to bear than death which cannot be extended beyond itself; death has a conclusion while suspense is eternal. When thinking of taking their own lives, people are often told to hold on for things to get better, pray, or even find hobbies. The fact that neither God nor himself could offer alleviation from the speaker’s pain makes it clear that for some, dying is easier than finding the will to live.

After great pain, a formal feeling comes –

After great pain, a formal feeling comes –

The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs –

The stiff Heart questions ‘was it He, that bore,’

And ‘Yesterday, or Centuries before’?

The Feet, mechanical, go round –

A Wooden way

Of Ground, or Air, or Ought –

Regardless grown,

A Quartz contentment, like a stone –

This is the Hour of Lead –

Remembered, if outlived,

As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow –

First – Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go –

F(372)
        
           Having experienced a lot of death in her lifetime and having a view of funeral processions from her bedroom window, Dickinson had ample experience dealing with grief. Using her writing as an outlet for her pain, she often wrote about loss and the possibility of life after death. In this poem the speaker walks the reader through the progression of grief. Once the pain subsides, they are left in a numb dissociative state, unsure of who they are and how much time has passed. After enduring the paralyzation and confusion of grief, they walk around on autopilot, not grounded to the Earth or the present moment.

            When people experience great pain, they assume they have endured the worst when in fact they are only passing through the first stage of their grief. When reading this poem, I am reminded of another of Dickinson's pieces, “Pain – has an Element of Blank – ” which follows a similar theme of how easy it is to lose a sense of time and self when dealing with grief. Once the initial shock of the loss has subsides, a numb, lifeless sensation kicks in and they are left questioning everything. Although the process varies from person and situation, it is rarely ever cut and dry. There will be moments when one will feel everything and nothing all at once, but it is up to the person whether they escape with peace or perish in despair. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses words like “tomb,” “stiff,” “mechanical,” “wooden,” and “lead” to depict how weighed down they feel by their own emotions. When one is in the thick of their pain, it is difficult to see beyond it to a time when things are better. With the use of “tomb” – which elicits thoughts of emptiness – the speaker places a picture of a loss of life and essential purpose in the reader’s mind. This is accurately depicted in the above image as it displays a person slowly fading into a diminished version of themselves as they feebly attempt to hold themselves together.

             To further this feeling of emptiness, the word “mechanical” is used to suggest something which is robotic and unfeeling. Incapable of becoming emotionally invested in their surroundings, machines are immune to pain; they are unable to carry out actions that are beyond what they have been programmed to do. People processing grief are reduced to basic human functions of eating, breathing, and sleeping. To explain Dickinson’s process of creating this phenomenon of being alive and not living, Francis Manley says, “Her problem was to describe an essentially paradoxical state of mind in which one is alive but yet numb to life, both a living organism and a frozen form” (262). This paradoxical existence is intriguing as it highlights something which we all recognize without full acknowledgment. When someone experiences a “great pain,” there will come a time when they reach the end of their ability to outwardly express their grief. No longer able to accurately convey the pain they’re feeling, they yield to the belief that there is nothing that can be done to alleviate it. It is at this point that the numbness settles in as they have now given their grief free reign, no longer attempting to suppress it with anger and denial. Hence, they are alive but frozen in their pain.

With the use of staggering dashes, Dickinson recreates the feeling that comes when one is making the decision of whether to succumb to their grief or accept it. The decision isn’t one that comes without doubt, second-guessing, or back-tracking and by incorporating dashes between each stage of the process, the reader is taken into that feeling of indecision. This is further reflected in the final stanza as the speaker seems to be at a cross roads of sink or swim. Throughout the poem, they have avoided language that would suggest that their grief is a thing of the past; it is something they continue to struggle with. This closing quatrain is the summation and climax of their experience as they anticipate the conclusion and ask the lingering question: Will I survive? The tone of the speaker at this point is uncertain, and yet hopeful. They consider the possibilities, comparing their triumph over the pain to one who survives hypothermia or “freezing.” They will recall the initial force of the pain, the subsequent sensation of emptiness, and the “letting go,” which can either be interpreted as death or a point of acceptance. By returning to the dash and thus leaving the meaning open-ended, Dickinson – much like reality – allows the reader to decide how grief ends.

Manley, Francis. “An Explication of Dickinson's ‘After Great Pain.’” Modern Language Notes,
vol. 73, no. 4, 1958, pp. 260–264.

How much the present moment means

How much the present moment means
To those who’ve nothing more –

The Fop – the Carp – the Atheist –

Stake an entire store

Opon a moment’s shallow Rim

While their commuted Feet

The Torrents of Eternity

Do all but inundate –

F(1420)

Often in life, people attempt to use religion, love, family, etc. to get aligned with a greater purpose. Rather than focusing on the small, fading moments, they dedicate their attention to the bigger picture and how each of those small moments work to craft it. On the other end of this spectrum are those who depend on the present for meaning. These are the “fops,” “carps,” and the “atheists,” or in other words, the vain, pessimistic, unbelievers.

Vain individuals, or “fops” as Dickinson calls them, place more emphasis on inconsequential things like appearance, clothing, and jewelry. With only their personal agendas in mind, these are the types of individuals to be swept away by trends; since the sum of their purpose is wrapped into how every moment serves to benefit them, they develop obsessions with remaining relevant and in the know. Big picture issues are of no importance to them as the focus is inevitably taken away from them and shifted to the well-being of others.

“Carps” are defined as complainers or those who look for fault in every situation. When people have this sort of mindset, it is because they have an inability to see beyond present circumstance and prioritize issues. For instance, a simple inconvenience such as having to park farther from one’s destination than intended would hold the potential to ruin a carp’s entire day. Rather than weighing the issue against larger struggles like world hunger, poverty, or those who lack transportation entirely, they will magnify the situation.

            The last group that Dickinson mentions are atheists which are individuals who do not believe in a god. In the case of this group, without the existence of a supreme being or higher purpose, there is no true reason to consider a “bigger picture.” For them, life is made up of small moments and how each moment affects the next is of no consequence; the only priority is satisfaction of the present. When speaking on this need to be seen, Gary Lee Stonum said, “An existence oriented toward the masses, spent in pursuit of recognition, exhausts life but bears no fruit; it does not end the need for self-understanding” (179). In saying this, he suggests that a life consumed by shallow ideals is devoid of meaning and significance. This quote brings to mind Mark 8:36 which reads, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” These individuals – like those addressed in the scripture – chase the temporary satisfactions of the world while dismissing the permanence of that which truly matters. Their souls. 

           With this poem, Dickinson is making a similar argument as she subtly belittles them for placing too much significance on fleeting moments. The final two lines harp on this ignorance to time and the existence of an afterlife. The use of “commuted” which means redeemed, is suggestive of Christ dying for the sins of the world. With this definition in mind, a rough interpretation of the closing lines would be that these people do not acknowledge the sacrifice which was made for them, nor are they privy to the waves of reality looming over them in every moment. As depicted in the image above, the inevitable “torrent” awaits them. Whether they choose to believe in something bigger or not, truth will always be there waiting to reveal itself.

Stonum, Gary Lee, et al. Emily Dickinson and Philosophy. Cambridge University Press, 2013.

Triumph – may be of several kinds –

Triumph – may be of several kinds –

There’s Triumph in the Room

When that Old Imperator – Death –

By Faith – Her only Throng –

There’s Triumph of the finer mind

When Truth – affronted long –

Advance unmoved – to Her Supreme –

Her God – Her only Throng –

A Triumph – when Temptation’s Bribe

Be slowly handed back –

One eye opon the Heaven renounced –

And One – opon the Rack –

Severer Triumph – by Himself

Experienced – who pass

Acquitted – from that Naked Bar –

Jehovah’s Countenance –

F(680)

As a woman who found comfort in the simple things of life like nature and letter-writing, Dickinson recognized the importance of the small moments. Allowing herself to ponder her beliefs and dwell in the possibilities, she had an outstanding ability to find beauty in the world around her. By combining her appreciation for the simple things with her religious backgrounds, Dickinson explored the triumphs that aren’t usually viewed as such.

Referring to the figurative definition found in the Lexicon, triumph is the chorus that accompanies the entrance of a mortal into heaven. Following along with this theme of recognizing spiritual achievements, the poem comes off as an invocation to celebrate small victories or “triumphs” as the speaker calls them. People often get tunnel vision when it comes to reaching their spiritual pinnacle – all they can see are their faults and failures – and forget to acknowledge progress and the seemingly inconsequential wins of the day to day. The first stanza brings the reader’s focus to a triumph that would typically be considered a loss: death. According to the Bible, those who believe in Jesus have been given victory over sin and death. It is likely that the concept of these first four lines alludes to I Corinthians 15:55 which reads, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” When applied to this poem, it is evident that the speaker does not view death as defeat because “by faith” he who has been lost, has already been saved. The stanza finishes in saying that faith will be Death’s only throng; the Lexicon lists the figurative meaning of throng as a funeral procession or group of mourners. In the context of the poem, this suggests that what “should” be a time of devastation and sorrow for the loved one’s of the deceased is a celebration of life and faith.

As the poem progresses into the second stanza, it continues with a similar theme of spiritual triumphs. This stanza comments on a mind which has finally been solidified in its Truth. Originally described as being affronted – or shy and reserved – the mind is now free to “Advance unmoved – to Her Supreme –” (7). The word choice of this line suggests a gain of power as Dickinson could have chosen to say it “moved forward” or “proceeded,” but the use of a word with such a concrete image provides a greater sense of triumph. Standing alone, “advanced” has strong connections to war-like atmospheres in which armies march toward their enemies; followed up with “unmoved,” Dickinson crafted a mind that is incapable of being deterred from her Truth and her Supreme understanding. As throng can also mean a crowd or gathering of people, its usage in the final line of this stanza demonstrates an enhanced spiritual experience. The mind has reached a point where she no longer needs the validation or company of others; she is fully satisfied with the presence of her God. In line with the overarching theme, this stanza suggests that developing a relationship with God alone is enough to be considered a triumph. Perfection is not necessary.

Throughout the poem, word choice and definition are pivotal to the comprehension of its meaning, and no exception was made in the final stanza as Dickinson drives home the core of the poem. Reading the closing lines of the piece, I was intrigued by the phrase “that Naked Bar” (15). Referring to the Emily Dickinson Lexicon, I discovered that “naked” implies mortality and “bar” is an altar of judgment before God. Paired with the final words of the poem, “Jehovah’s Countenance” – defined as Jehovah’s glory – the phrase alludes to the crucifixion of Christ. In accordance with the belief that Christ rose from the dead, Dickinson is asserting that His overcoming of death is the greatest or “severest” triumph ever experienced.

I had no time to Hate –

I had no time to Hate –

Because

The Grave would hinder me –

And Life was not so

Ample I

Could finish – Enmity –

Nor had I time to Love –

But since

Some Industry must be –

The little Toil of Love –

I thought

Be large enough for Me –

F(763)

As a highly reflective person, Dickinson spent hours on hours contemplating life and circumference – the extents of the human experience. Dedicating so much of herself to the exploration of the mysteries of life inevitably left her with a greater understanding on what matters, and in this poem, it is clear that the only thing that does is love.

           The theme of this poem follows along the concept that life is too short to waste time dwelling on negative emotions. The speaker explains that if they were to hate, the grave would “hinder” them; the use of “hinder” over its more direct equals, “stop” and “halt,” implies that death will not bring an abrupt or forced end to hateful emotions, but it will lead to a period of reflection. The typical goal of a hindrance is to cause a person to pause and reconsider their course of action, and in this poem, death or the “grave” does exactly that.

In instances of anger, the best ways to avoid sacrificing energy and valuable time, is to refocus on the priorities of life. The final three lines of the first stanza reinforce the notion that life does not permit extra days to carry out frivolous rivalries. Whether a person is allocating their time wisely is of no consequence to life and the grave which will carry out their duties regardless of one’s choices.

The entirety of the first stanza asserts that there isn’t enough time for things that offer no enhancement to life; this idea is supported in the second stanza in which the speaker – despite a lack of time – permits themselves the liberty to love. Although there is no time for it, they understand that love is an essential part of the human experience, not to be forfeited under any circumstances. It is often said that people will make time for the things that are important to them, and this poem solidifies that argument. It is easy to get swept away by our emotions as we are emotional creatures by nature, but discipline is necessary to navigate through life and all the curve-balls it will throw our way. The speaker of the poem understands that if we allow ourselves to be controlled by every negative emotion we experience, we will spend our lives as bitter, cynical, pessimistic individuals.

Much like the speaker of this poem who is selective in the way they utilize their time, Dickinson devoted the bulk of her time to poetry. Never documented to have gotten married or engaged in romantic relationships, the only space in her life Dickinson made for love was through close friendships and family. There were a few chosen people she allowed in her personal bubble –many of which she corresponded with by way of handwritten letters. In doing so, she combined the two things most important to her into one activity, and this “little toil of love” was “large enough” for her. However, with these closing lines, Dickinson created an interesting paradox.

The speaker begins the second stanza by declaring that they do not have time for love which implies that – much like the argument of the preceding stanza – love is too consuming to indulge in. Despite this belief, the speaker goes on to make an exception and describes love in contradictory terms: little and large. And this begs the question of how the descriptions can simultaneously be true, but with a sensation as complex and unexplainable as love, contradicting characteristics are not out of the realm of possibility. Dickinson often explored the dualities of life through her poetry, and with this poem she encapsulated two extremes of love.

Love is “little” in that when healthy and reciprocated, it doesn’t feel like a task but a privilege for those involved. Unlike hate, love is not a hindrance or something that will serve as a wasteful expenditure of time; it will enhance that which already is. In turn, it is this enhancing quality that can make the “The little Toil of Love” become “large.” I believe it is Dickinson’s intention to demonstrate that once someone experiences great love from one or a few individuals, they realize its ever-growing nature. From a solitary drop, and ocean shall be formed.