Behind Me—dips Eternity—

1. And the Oscar for most depressing poet goes to… Behind Me—dips Eternity— 4th March 2014 Well, it wasn’t going to be Jennifer Lawrence, was it?

2. Behind Me—dips Eternity—Before Me—Immortality—Myself—the Term between—Death but the Drift of Eastern Gray,Dissolving into Dawn away,Before the West begin—'Tis Kingdoms—afterward—they say—In perfect—pauseless Monarchy—Whose Prince—is Son of None—Himself—His Dateless Dynasty—Himself—Himself diversify—In Duplicate divine—'Tis Miracle before Me—then—'Tis Miracle behind—between—A Crescent in the Sea—With Midnight to the North of Her—And Midnight to the South of Her—And Maelstrom—in the Sky— 

3. Consider this reading… • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGIbyTL6zME

4. Both of these could suggest that time is endless both before and after her life. Dickinson seems to be setting herself up at some point in time but is rather frozen at that point. Behind Me—dips Eternity—Before Me—Immortality—Myself—the Term between—Death but the Drift of Eastern Gray,Dissolving into Dawn away,Before the West begin— Her life is this pause in time – a moment in time. As Brooke says “A pulse in the eternal mind”. Here Death is not the end but rather the beginning – it comes with the dawn (Eastern) but it is a ‘drift’ rather than anything more threatening. Life simply ‘dissolves’ rather than ending. The ‘West’ might indicate the idea of rebirth or a sense of paradise.

5. Here we start to see a sense of what Dickinson feels that ‘paradise’ will be like, looking at accepted views – ‘they say’: who are ‘they’? The ‘Prince’ seems to be Christ – who as son of God could be referred to as ‘Son of None’. 'Tis Kingdoms—afterward—they say—In perfect—pauseless Monarchy—Whose Prince—is Son of None—Himself—His Dateless Dynasty—Himself—Himself diversify—In Duplicate divine— Note how she repeats ‘Himself’ three times – tying into God whose reign is endless. This ties into the idea of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Ghost – which fits with the triple repetition of Himself.

6. This sense of ‘before’ and ‘behind’ goes back to verse one. The ‘Miracle before’ could be paradise/immortality whilst the ‘Miracle behind’ is eternity. ‘Between’ may refer to her life – that life itself is a miracle. 'Tis Miracle before Me—then—'Tis Miracle behind—between—A Crescent in the Sea—With Midnight to the North of Her—And Midnight to the South of Her—And Maelstrom—in the Sky—  Her life is like a reflection in the sea – a small patch of brightness in… …a sea of darkness! Having suggested a fairly positive viewpoint in seeing a move toward paradise, she now reflects on how her life is surrounded by darkness – representing the bleakness of her life as well as… …chaos and confusion that presses down on her. Is there evidence that she can escape from this?

7. Summary • This is a far less ‘narrative’ poem than others. Instead it is more of a collection of images and ideas that suggest what she hopes for and believes surrounds her. • We could see it as a prayer for what she desires. • Think about how she represents Death here as compared to ‘Because I could not stop for Death’. • What sense of spirituality is there in the poem? Again, link this to others.

8. THEMES How can you link this poem to others? Things to consider: Death The afterlife Lots more links with imagery of Death, eternity etc etc.

9. Essay How does Emily Dickinson represent Death in ‘Because I could not stop for Death’ and two or three other poems you have studied? For Wednesday 12th.