Poem Analysis - Of Nearness To Her Sundered Things

Emily Dickinson's "Of Nearness To Her Sundered Things" explores the poignant intersection of memory, loss, and the blurring boundaries between the living and the dead. The poem evokes a sense of gentle melancholy, a quiet contemplation of grief's enduring presence. It moves from a general observation about the soul's experience with loss to specific, vivid recollections, creating an intimate and somewhat surreal atmosphere. The tone is reflective and accepting, tinged with both sorrow and a strange comfort found in the persistent presence of the departed. The mood is ethereal, dreamy, yet grounded in the concrete images of loss.

The Soul's Special Times: Confronting Loss

One central theme in this poem is the soul's unique encounters with loss. Dickinson suggests that the soul has "special times" when the separation caused by death feels less absolute. Lines like "Dimness looks the Oddity/Distinctness easy seems" imply that the usual barriers between the living and the dead become porous. This is not a violent haunting, but a softening, a temporary lifting of the veil. The phrase "sundered Things" itself emphasizes the initial trauma of separation, but the poem goes on to describe how that separation is not always permanent or complete in the realm of memory.

Memory's Enduring Embrace: Transcendence over Time and Grave

Another prominent theme is the power of memory to transcend death's finality. The "Shapes we buried" are not gone; they "dwell about" in familiar spaces. The image of the "Mouldering Playmate" returning, untainted by the "Sepulchre," vividly illustrates this idea. The sepulchre, a symbol of death and decay, has no power over the playmate. Time and decay have no power over the essence of memory. The poem reinforces the idea that memories can resist decay and death. The return is not monstrous but rather a comforting familiarity, a testament to the enduring presence of the past in the present.

Reversed Roles: Who Mourns Whom?

The final stanza introduces a fascinating twist, highlighting the theme of a shifting perspective on grief. The lines "As we it were that perished/Themself had just remained till we rejoin them/And ’twas they, and not ourself/That mourned" suggest a reversal of roles. It implies that the dead are not the ones who are gone, but rather those who patiently wait for the living to join them. It further implies it is they who observe our lives. This perspective challenges the traditional understanding of grief as a burden carried solely by the living. It proposes that the departed may also feel a sense of loss or longing for the connection they once shared with us. Perhaps the true loss, according to Dickinson, is felt by those left behind for the living.

Vivid Images and Their Meanings

Several striking images contribute to the poem's impact. The "Jacket that he wore/Long buttoned in the Mold" is a particularly poignant detail. The mold, associated with decay, contrasts with the intimate image of the jacket, creating a powerful juxtaposition of life and death. It evokes a specific, personal memory, making the loss feel immediate and palpable. It represents a very specific memory, emphasizing the loss of that specific person. The "Bright Knots of Apparitions" that "Salute us, with their wings" offer a more ethereal and hopeful image. The apparitions, illuminated and winged, suggest a transcendence, a transformation that brings comfort rather than fear. They are not spectral and frightening, but radiant messengers from the past.

Final Thoughts: The Comfort of Constant Presence

In conclusion, "Of Nearness To Her Sundered Things" is a deeply personal meditation on loss, memory, and the enduring connections that transcend death. Dickinson uses vivid imagery and a reflective tone to explore the idea that the departed remain present in our lives, not as terrifying ghosts, but as comforting figures from our past. The poem ultimately suggests that memory has the power to bridge the gap between the living and the dead, offering solace and a sense of continuity in the face of loss. It is a testament to the enduring power of love and connection that continue past death.