Poem Analysis - Ended Ere It Begun

A Premature End: Loss and Unrealized Potential

Emily Dickinson's "Ended, ere it begun –" is a poignant exploration of potential unrealized and opportunities lost. The poem centers on something abruptly terminated before it could even properly begin. The tone is one of quiet resignation and wistful regret, tinged with a sense of divine decree. The abruptness of the ending, coupled with the yearning for what might have been, creates a feeling of profound loss.

The Unfolding Story of What Could Have Been

One of the primary themes in the poem is that of unfulfilled potential. The poem describes a "Story, unrevealed," a narrative that never had the chance to develop. The images of a "Title was scarcely told" and a "Preface perished" highlight the premature nature of the ending. The poem suggests that a narrative or experience (perhaps even a life) was cut short, leaving a sense of what could have been. It speaks to the grief of possibilities extinguished before they could even be explored.

Longing and the Divine Interdict

The theme of longing and desire is strongly present, particularly in the lines "Had it been mine, to print! / Had it been yours, to read!" The repetition of "Had it been" emphasizes the speaker's yearning for the story to be shared and experienced. This longing is further intensified by the introduction of "The interdict of God," which suggests a higher power has forbidden the fulfillment of this desire. This elevates the loss beyond the personal, hinting at a universal sense of constraint and limitation, the power of something beyond human control. This notion ties into the theme of acceptance of fate.

The Book as Symbol of Life's Journey

The poem uses the book as a central symbol, representing a life or experience that is never fully realized. The "Title," "Preface," and "Story" are all components of a book, each symbolizing the stages of a life's journey. The fact that these components are cut short suggests a life that is incomplete. The image of the "Preface perished from Consciousness" is particularly evocative, as it suggests the loss of the initial context or understanding that shapes a life. Perhaps the poem invites us to ponder: could the "interdict of God" be interpreted as life's inherent uncertainties and limitations that inevitably shape and sometimes truncate our experiences?

Resignation in the Face of Loss

In conclusion, "Ended, ere it begun –" is a powerful meditation on the ephemeral nature of life and the pain of unrealized potential. Through its evocative imagery and tone of quiet resignation, the poem explores the themes of unfulfilled potential, longing, and the acceptance of fate. The symbol of the book serves as a poignant reminder of the stories that remain untold and the experiences that are prematurely cut short, leaving a lingering sense of loss and the acceptance that some things are not meant to be, governed by forces beyond our control.