Poem Analysis - Dying At My Music

A Breathless Farewell

Emily Dickinson's "Dying at My Music" is a fleeting, intense snapshot of a moment of death, or perhaps, a metaphorical death associated with artistic creation. The poem pulses with urgency and a paradoxical blend of acceptance and resistance. Its tone is both frantic and strangely serene, creating a feeling of being caught between worlds. The abrupt shifts in imagery and command underscore the speaker's struggle for control in the face of oblivion.

Thematic Fusion: Art, Death, and Transcendence

One central theme is the intertwined nature of art and death. Music, the speaker's apparent passion and skill, becomes the very arena in which she is dying. The phrase "Dying at my Music!" suggests not just physical death but also a kind of artistic culmination, a final performance. Another theme is the desire for transcendence. The plea to "Hold me till the Octave's run!" speaks to a wish to complete a cycle, to reach a resolution or completion within the artistic realm before succumbing. A final theme is the brief recognition of, and longing for, the external world. The inclusion of "the Sun!" amidst the impending darkness symbolizes a bittersweet acknowledgement of the life being left behind.

Bursting Bubbles and Shattered Windows: Vivid Imagery

The poem employs striking imagery to convey its themes. The "Bubble! Bubble!" refrain evokes fragility and ephemerality, mirroring the fleeting nature of life and perhaps also the transient beauty of a musical note. These bubbles, however, are also filled with air, representing the very breath that sustains life, slowly being released. The command "Burst the Windows!" presents a powerful image of breaking free from confinement. This could be interpreted as a desire to escape the confines of the body, the room, or even the world, in order to fully embrace the approaching unknown. The image creates a sense of dramatic release and liberation.

Ritardando and the Slowing of Time

The musical term "Ritardando!" is particularly significant. In music, ritardando indicates a slowing down of tempo. In the context of the poem, it suggests a deceleration of time, a prolonging of the final moments. This creates a sense of drawn-out anticipation and reluctance to let go. Perhaps the speaker is attempting to savor the last vestiges of life, or is asking for a reprieve from the inevitable. It presents the intriguing question: Is this a plea or an acceptance?

A Final Cadence

In conclusion, "Dying at My Music" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complex relationship between art, death, and the desire for transcendence. Through vivid imagery and urgent commands, Dickinson captures the intensity of a moment of transition, whether literal or metaphorical. The poem invites us to contemplate the delicate balance between holding on and letting go, and the enduring power of art to both reflect and transcend the human experience. The ending phials likely refer to medicine, which failed, but also perhaps vials of colored glass that prismatically reflect light, which connects to the sun, indicating the poem is also about the power of light and color to bring beauty and joy to even the darkest of situations.