Poem Analysis - Praise It Tis Dead

A Celebration of Absence

Emily Dickinson's "Praise it – ’tis dead –" is a short, sharp meditation on the nature of praise and its relationship to death. The poem possesses a paradoxical tone, simultaneously mournful and celebratory, as it urges us to lavish praise on something that no longer exists. The mood is initially somber, acknowledging the loss, but it quickly shifts towards a kind of defiant affirmation, suggesting that death itself warrants commendation. The poem’s terse and enigmatic style invites readers to consider the purpose and value of posthumous recognition.

The Imperative of Posthumous Praise

The poem centers around the theme of mortality and the act of praising something that is definitively "dead." Dickinson uses direct imperatives like "Praise it" and "Invest" to command the reader’s attention and engagement. This imperative voice emphasizes the importance of acknowledging what has passed. By urging the reader to celebrate absence, the poem subtly suggests that even in death, there is something worthy of recognition and even reverence. The shift from a living presence to "Delights of Dust" underscores the transient nature of existence, highlighting the finality and inevitability of death.

Alabaster and Dust: Symbolic Opposites

Dickinson employs potent imagery to explore the nuances of death and praise. The phrase "alabaster Zest" evokes a sense of purity and coldness, hinting at the lifelessness of the deceased. "Alabaster" often symbolizes purity, but also rigidity and coldness, characteristic of death. Contrasting this is the image of "Delights of Dust," which, while seemingly negative, suggests a return to the earth, a natural and perhaps even pleasurable dissolution. The juxtaposition of these two images serves to highlight the paradox of death, both beautiful and final, worthy of both lament and celebration.

Freedom in Flitting: A Final Escape

The theme of freedom is intricately woven into the poem's closing lines. The phrase "Remitted – since it flitted it / In recusance august" suggests a release from earthly constraints. "Flitted" implies a light, effortless movement, contrasting with the heaviness often associated with death. The word "recusance" suggests a refusal or resistance, perhaps against the limitations of life itself. This "recusance august," or noble refusal, could be interpreted as a final act of self-determination, suggesting that death represents a kind of ultimate liberation. In death, the subject escapes the earthly confines and restrictions.

Eulogy in Miniature: A Lasting Commemoration

In conclusion, "Praise it – ’tis dead –" is a compact yet powerful exploration of death, praise, and liberation. Dickinson uses vivid imagery and a commanding tone to encourage a re-evaluation of how we perceive and commemorate loss. The poem is not simply a lament but a call to celebrate the essence of what once was, even in its absence. The idea of praising something that is "dead" highlights the lasting impact of a life and the freedom found in ultimate release from earthly bounds.