Poem Analysis - So Proud She Was To Die

Introduction: A Strange Acceptance

Emily Dickinson's "So Proud She Was To Die" presents a stark and unsettling perspective on death. The poem explores not the sorrow of loss, but the perplexing acceptance, even eagerness, of the dying individual. The tone is initially one of bewilderment and then shifts towards a grudging admiration mixed with envy. Dickinson masterfully uses simple language to convey complex emotions, leaving the reader to grapple with the unsettling idea of death as a desirable destination.

The Unfathomable Desire for Death

One of the central themes in the poem is the mystery of death's allure. The speaker and "us," representing the living, are perplexed by the dying woman's pride and satisfaction. The first stanza highlights this incomprehension: "That what we cherished, so unknown / To her desire seemed." Here, Dickinson suggests that the things valued by the living – life, love, earthly possessions – hold no appeal for the person embracing death. This creates a sense of alienation and highlights the profound difference in perspective between those facing mortality and those still clinging to life.

Mortality and the Envy of Escape

The poem confronts the theme of mortality and the living's relationship to it. The second stanza takes a darker turn as anguish "stooped / Almost to jealousy." This is a shocking admission, suggesting that the suffering of loss is compounded by a secret envy of the deceased's escape from earthly troubles. The phrase "Where none of us should be, / Immediately" emphasizes the separation between the living and the dead and hints at the speaker's longing for a release from the burdens of existence. It’s a stark recognition of death as a potential solution or refuge, a concept that challenges conventional views of mourning.

Pride as a Disturbing Image

The recurring image of pride is central to the poem's impact. The opening line, "So proud she was to die," sets the stage for the speaker's confusion and unease. This isn’t a gentle acceptance or a stoic resignation; it’s a defiant pride, which the poem posits is so profound that it "made us all ashamed." The dying woman’s pride acts as a challenge to the living, forcing them to confront their own fears and uncertainties about death. It's an unconventional portrayal of death, moving away from traditional images of sorrow and emphasizing instead the individual's powerful agency, at least in this final act.

Concluding Thoughts: Confronting Our Fears

In conclusion, "So Proud She Was To Die" is a disquieting exploration of mortality and the living's complicated relationship with death. Dickinson masterfully crafts a poem that challenges our assumptions about grief and mourning by presenting a dying individual who embraces death with an unsettling pride and satisfaction. The poem's power lies in its ability to provoke discomfort and force readers to confront their own fears and anxieties about the unknown. By highlighting the stark contrast between the living's desires and the dying's acceptance, Dickinson offers a unique and thought-provoking meditation on the nature of life and death.