Poem Analysis - That After Horror That Twas Us

A Close Call with Eternity

Emily Dickinson's "That After Horror that 'Twas Us" is a chilling exploration of a near-death experience, or perhaps a brush with utter oblivion. The poem plunges into the unsettling aftermath of a terrifying event, leaving the reader suspended between relief and the lingering dread of what almost was. The tone is initially one of stunned disbelief, gradually shifting towards a more philosophical contemplation on death and its potential coldness. The poem's language evokes a sense of fragility and the razor-thin margin between existence and non-existence.

The Precipice of Annihilation

The poem masterfully develops the theme of mortality by placing the speaker on the very edge of death. The imagery of "the mouldering Pier" and "Granite Crumb" suggests a decaying, unstable foundation, symbolizing the precariousness of life. The phrase "Our Savior, by a Hair" implies a narrow escape from certain doom, highlighting the fragility of human existence and the ever-present possibility of sudden and irreversible loss. The idea that they were saved "by a Hair" is almost comical, but it emphasizes how little separates life from death.

The Freezing Face of Conjecture

Another prominent theme is the unknowable nature of death. Dickinson presents death not as a peaceful release, but as a chilling "Conjecture's presence" that is both unknown and terrifying. The simile "like a Face of Steel / That suddenly looks into ours / With a metallic grin" conjures a stark and emotionless image of death, devoid of warmth or comfort. This "metallic grin" suggests a cold, indifferent universe, further emphasizing the theme of existential dread and the human struggle to comprehend what lies beyond the veil of life.

Drilling a Welcome: Death's Icy Cordiality

The poem uses potent imagery to depict death as a forceful and unwelcome intrusion. The concluding lines, "The Cordiality of Death / Who drills his Welcome in," are particularly striking. Here, death is personified as a grim host, forcing an unwanted invitation upon the speaker. The verb "drills" suggests an invasive and violent act, emphasizing the relentless and inescapable nature of mortality. The "Welcome" offered by death is not comforting or inviting; it is a forced acceptance of an inevitable end.

Lingering Echoes of Terror

In summary, "That After Horror that 'Twas Us" is a powerful meditation on mortality and the chilling proximity of death. Through vivid imagery and unsettling metaphors, Dickinson captures the sense of dread and disbelief that follows a near-death experience. The poem ultimately leaves us contemplating the fragile nature of existence and the cold, indifferent face of mortality, offering a glimpse into the existential anxieties that haunted Dickinson throughout her life. The central question that lingers is whether this close call provides a new appreciation for life, or a lasting fear of its inevitable end.