Poem Analysis - Like Eyes That Looked On Wastes

A Stare into the Abyss of Mutual Suffering

Emily Dickinson's "Like Eyes That Looked On Wastes" is a haunting exploration of shared misery and the inescapable bond it creates. The poem evokes a sense of desolate isolation and mutual recognition of suffering. The tone is initially one of stark observation, shifting into a deeper, more personal lament as the speaker acknowledges their role in the shared pain. It creates a feeling of resignation and the inevitable consequences of their interconnected state.

The Wasteland Within: Themes of Isolation and Despair

The poem revolves around themes of isolation, shared suffering, and the impossibility of individual escape from that suffering. The opening lines establish a scene of emotional desolation, comparing the gaze of another to a barren wasteland devoid of hope or meaning. This imagery emphasizes the profound loneliness and emptiness experienced by the subject of the poem. The speaker's recognition of this same emptiness in their own reflection ("So looked itself on Me") deepens the theme of shared isolation, suggesting a connection forged through mutual despair. The final stanza directly addresses the inability to separate from this shared burden, highlighting the inescapable nature of their suffering.

Imagery of Barrenness and Infinity: Visualizing Hopelessness

Dickinson employs stark imagery to convey the poem's themes. The "Wastes," "Blank and steady Wilderness," and "Infinites of Nought" create a vivid sense of barrenness and emptiness. The phrase "Infinites of Nought" is particularly striking, suggesting a limitless expanse of nothingness, amplifying the feeling of despair and the overwhelming nature of their shared misery. These images aren't just about physical landscapes but represent the internal emotional state of both the speaker and the person they observe. The darkness of "Night" further intensifies this sense of hopelessness, adding a layer of obscurity and the absence of light or guidance.

The Compact of Misery: Exploring Interdependence in Pain

The phrase "The Misery a Compact / As hopeless as divine" is central to understanding the poem's core message. It suggests a binding agreement of suffering, something so profound and inescapable that it borders on the sacred, albeit in a twisted way. This "compact" is not a choice but a condition of existence, a mutual agreement to endure the "Misery" together, suggesting that their suffering has become integral to their identities. The lines "Neither would be absolved / Neither would be a Queen / Without the Other Therefore / We perish tho’ We reign" indicate a codependency born out of this shared pain. They are unable to find salvation or ascend to a position of power (a "Queen") without the other, yet their reign is still a form of "perishing" – a slow, inevitable decay.

Echoes of Inevitability: A Final Glimpse into Darkness

In conclusion, "Like Eyes That Looked On Wastes" is a powerful exploration of shared suffering and the intertwined fate of two individuals bound by their mutual despair. Dickinson uses stark imagery and a somber tone to create a chilling depiction of isolation and the impossibility of escape. The poem's significance lies in its unflinching portrayal of the human condition, highlighting the ways in which shared pain can create a bond as strong and inescapable as any physical connection, even if that bond leads to mutual destruction. It leaves the reader contemplating the nature of interdependence and the dark side of shared experience.