Poem Analysis - If Any Sink Assure That This Now Standing

Introduction: Resilience in the Face of Failure

Emily Dickinson's "If Any Sink, Assure That This, Now Standing" is a brief but powerful meditation on failure, resilience, and the fear of the unknown. The poem's tone is initially consoling, offering a message of support to those who have faltered. However, it shifts to a more urgent and even slightly unsettling tone as it delves into the anticipation of suffering and the ultimate release of death. The poem suggests that even in failure, there is potential for growth and that the fear of suffering is often worse than the experience itself.

The Shadow of Defeat: Growth Through Adversity

One of the central themes is resilience after failure. The opening lines emphasize the importance of acknowledging past failures not as defeats but as stepping stones. "If any sink, assure that this, now standing / Failed like Themselves," urges us to remember that even those who appear successful have faced setbacks. The crucial element is that the 'standing' entity "Grew by the Fact, and not the Understanding / How Weakness passed or Force arose." This suggests that the mere experience of overcoming weakness, rather than fully comprehending the process, is what fuels growth. The poem implies that acknowledging shared experiences of failure creates a bond and offers solace.

The Terror of Anticipation: Confronting Fear

The poem also explores the theme of fear and its impact on perception. The lines, "Tell that the Worst, is easy in a Moment / Dread, but the Whizzing, before the Ball," highlight the disparity between the anticipation of suffering and the actual experience. The "Whizzing, before the Ball" is a potent image of anxiety, suggesting that the time spent fearing an event is often more agonizing than the event itself. This part of the poem seems to suggest that much of suffering is self-inflicted, born from apprehension rather than reality.

Death as Annihilation: Finding Power in Mortality

Finally, the poem considers death as a release from suffering. The lines "When the Ball enters, enters Silence / Dying annuls the power to kill" suggest that death, though a finality, also represents an end to pain and fear. The "Ball" could be interpreted as the agent of death, bringing with it "Silence." More importantly, the poem declares that "Dying annuls the power to kill." This suggests death robs death of its power, its sting. It is a bold statement that even in the face of mortality, there is a certain form of triumph, a silencing of all earthly threats.

Images of Mortality: The Ball and the Whizzing

The recurring image of the "Ball" is significant. It's purposefully ambiguous. It can represent a physical threat like a bullet, but it also symbolizes any form of suffering or adversity that life throws our way. The "Whizzing" sound before the "Ball enters" is a stark and evocative image, encapsulating the anxiety and dread that precede a painful experience. The fact that these images are set against the backdrop of silence suggests that while suffering may be inevitable, it's often framed by moments of quiet contemplation and, perhaps, acceptance. What if the "Ball" represents not death itself but the realization of mortality, and the "Whizzing" is the sound of time passing, a constant reminder of our finite existence?

Conclusion: Finding Strength in Shared Mortality

In conclusion, "If Any Sink, Assure That This, Now Standing" is a profound reflection on the human condition, exploring the interconnected themes of failure, fear, and mortality. The poem offers a message of resilience, suggesting that growth comes from experiencing and overcoming setbacks, and that the fear of suffering is often more debilitating than the suffering itself. Ultimately, Dickinson's poem finds a strange sort of power in the face of death, suggesting that it silences the very forces that threaten us. The poem's strength lies in its ability to find comfort and even a kind of triumph within the inevitable experiences of failure and mortality.