Poem Analysis - Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

Emily Dickinson’s "Sic Transit Gloria Mundi" is a whirlwind of satire and playful irreverence. The poem careens through lofty allusions and mundane details, creating a comical yet thoughtful exploration of fame, mortality, and societal expectations. Its tone is decidedly tongue-in-cheek, often undercutting serious pronouncements with absurdity. The poem's mood fluctuates between mock-heroic and quietly contemplative, ultimately leaving the reader questioning the value of worldly ambition.

A Scathing Critique of Grandeur

The poem's title, "Sic Transit Gloria Mundi" (Thus passes the glory of the world), immediately establishes a theme of transience and the fleeting nature of earthly renown. Dickinson uses this Latin phrase as a lens through which to view various historical figures, scientific discoveries, and patriotic ideals, ultimately questioning their lasting significance. The poem’s humor arises from the juxtaposition of these grand concepts with trivial, domestic imagery.

Fame and the Absurdity of Hero Worship

One of the central themes in "Sic Transit Gloria Mundi" is the absurdity of fame and the often-unquestioning hero worship that society engages in. The poem introduces a series of historical figures – Peter Parley, Daniel Boone, Columbus, and even Adam – and subjects them to a playful deconstruction. The lines "Hurrah for Peter Parley! Hurrah for Daniel Boone! Three cheers, sir, for the gentleman Who first observed the moon!" highlight the indiscriminate enthusiasm with which people celebrate accomplishments, often without fully understanding their true value. Furthermore, the stanza about Columbus ("It was the brave Columbus, A sailing o’er the tide, Who notified the nations Of where I would reside!") borders on the sarcastic, suggesting that his "discovery" was essentially an act of announcing Dickinson's own existence, thus making the grandiose historical event seem strangely personal and somewhat trivial.

Mortality's Humorous Undertones

The poem confronts the somber reality of mortality, but does so with Dickinson's characteristic wry humor. The line "Mortality is fatal, Gentility is fine, Rascality, heroic, Insolvency, sublime!" presents a series of paradoxical statements that undermine conventional wisdom. By suggesting that even negative traits like rascality and insolvency can be elevated to heroic or sublime status, Dickinson challenges the traditional understanding of good and evil, and life and death. The reference to Bunker Hill ("Our Fathers being weary, Laid down on Bunker Hill; And tho’ full many a morning, Yet they are sleeping still,") paints a picture of fallen heroes, but the subsequent image of them rising with muskets and marching to the skies in dreams ("The trumpet, sir, shall wake them, In dreams I see them rise, Each with a solemn musket A marching to the skies!") imbues the scene with a sense of theatricality, diminishing the expected gravity of death.

The Unreachable Hill of Science

The "Hill of Science" serves as a powerful symbol in the poem. Dickinson writes, "I climb the Hill of Science, I view the landscape o’er; Such transcendental prospect, I ne’er beheld before!" This suggests a striving for knowledge and enlightenment, but the subsequent lines, such as the playful explanation of gravitation ("During my education, It was announced to me That gravitation, stumbling, Fell from an apple tree!") and the earth's rotation ("The earth upon an axis Was once supposed to turn, By way of a gymnastic In honor of the sun!"), indicate a certain skepticism about the certainty of scientific truths. The "transcendental prospect" may be less about objective knowledge and more about a personal, subjective understanding of the world.

A Whimsical Farewell

The poem concludes with a series of farewells, each tinged with Dickinson's distinctive blend of sincerity and irony. The speaker’s parting words ("Good bye, Sir, I am going; My country calleth me; Allow me, Sir, at parting, To wipe my weeping e’e.") sound like a dutiful farewell, but the exaggerated wiping of the eye hints at a performative sadness rather than genuine grief. The offer of a "Bonnie Doon" as a token of friendship, with the added assurance that "The memory of my ashes Will consolation be," is both touching and self-deprecating. The final farewell to "Tuscarora" remains enigmatic, perhaps symbolizing a connection to the natural world or to a specific individual, but ultimately adding to the poem's overall sense of playful mystery.

Final Thoughts: A Poetic Paradox

"Sic Transit Gloria Mundi" is a complex and multifaceted poem that defies easy interpretation. Through its blend of classical allusions, historical references, and whimsical imagery, Dickinson crafts a satirical commentary on fame, mortality, and the pursuit of knowledge. The poem's playful tone and unexpected juxtapositions invite readers to question the values and assumptions of their own society. Ultimately, Dickinson suggests that the world's "glory" is fleeting and often illusory, but that true meaning may be found in embracing the absurdities and paradoxes of life. Perhaps, the poem’s enduring power lies in its ability to be both profound and playful, serious and satirical, all at once.