Of Tribulation, These Are They
poem 325
Of Tribulation, These Are They - meaning Summary
Triumph Redefined as Quiet
The poem reframes victory as quiet moral endurance rather than public glory. Dickinson presents two kinds of conquerors: the ornate, visible victors and those who win repeatedly yet appear plain, like snow and palms. On a higher moral ground surrender does not exist; past defeats become distant markers. The final scene compresses a small, exhausted group into a moment of private relief, where being "saved" is whispered rather than proclaimed.
Read Complete AnalysesOf Tribulation, these are They, Denoted by the White The Spangled Gowns, a lesser Rank Of Victors designate All these did conquer But the ones who overcame most times Wear nothing commoner than Snow No Ornament, but Palms Surrender is a sort unknown On this superior soil Defeat an outgrown Anguish Remembered, as the Mile Our panting Ankle barely passed When Night devoured the Road But we stood whispering in the House And all we said was Saved!
Feel free to be first to leave comment.