Poem Analysis - Glee The Great Storm Is Over

A Somber Celebration of Survival

Emily Dickinson's "Glee! The Great Storm Is Over" is a stark meditation on survival and loss in the face of overwhelming natural disaster. The poem opens with a sense of relief, suggested by the word "Glee," but this quickly gives way to a somber acknowledgement of the devastation. The tone shifts from initial joy to profound sorrow as the poem unfolds, underscoring the unequal distribution of fate. Dickinson masterfully employs vivid imagery and concise language to explore the lasting impact of tragedy on both the survivors and the memory of those lost.

Mortality's Unyielding Grip

One of the central themes of the poem is mortality, specifically the arbitrary nature of who survives and who perishes. The stark contrast between the "Four" who "recovered the Land" and the "Forty" who "gone down together / Into the boiling Sand" highlights this randomness. The phrase "boiling Sand" evokes a violent and chaotic end, emphasizing the brutal reality of death in the storm. The poem doesn't offer any reason for this disparity; it simply presents it as a fact of life, a chilling reminder of mortality's unyielding grip.

The Endurance of Memory

The poem also explores the theme of memory and how stories of tragedy are passed down through generations. The third stanza focuses on how the story of the storm will be told to children, with their inevitable question: "Did they come back no more?" This query brings about a shift. It is no longer just about the story of the tragic event itself, but also how it will impact the future. Dickinson touches on the softening of detail that occurs over time, and how sometimes, the only response to great tragedy is silence, further cementing the power of time to shift even the most horrible of memories.

The Sea as a Symbol of Nature's Indifference

The sea functions as a powerful symbol throughout the poem, representing the immense and indifferent force of nature. It is the agent of destruction, the "boiling Sand" that consumes the forty souls. Yet, it is also the source of "Salvation," albeit a "Scant" one. The final line, "And only the Sea reply," underscores the sea's impassivity. It offers no comfort, no explanation, only the endless, echoing sound of waves, a constant reminder of the tragedy and the indifference of the natural world. The "bonnie Souls / Spinning upon the Shoals" is another powerful image. It represents the chaotic and uncontrollable nature of death in such a storm. This vivid image contrasts sharply with the initial "Glee," further highlighting the poem's somber undertones.

Silence as a Final Testament

In conclusion, "Glee! The Great Storm Is Over" is a poignant exploration of loss, survival, and the enduring power of memory. The poem's initial burst of relief quickly fades into a somber reflection on the indiscriminate nature of death and the enduring impact of tragedy. Dickinson's use of vivid imagery, particularly the sea as a symbol of nature's indifference, and the shift from glee to silence, create a powerful and unsettling meditation on the human condition. The poem suggests that in the face of overwhelming loss, sometimes the only appropriate response is silence, a testament to the profound and enduring nature of grief.