Poem Analysis - The Admirations And Contempts Of Time

A New Perspective on Value

Emily Dickinson's "The Admirations and Contempts of Time" is a brief but potent meditation on how our perceptions of value shift, particularly in the face of mortality. The poem suggests that the experience of dying, or even the contemplation of death, offers a unique vantage point from which to reassess what truly matters. The tone is contemplative and insightful, almost clinical in its dissection of human perception, but ultimately hopeful, suggesting the potential for deeper understanding.

Mortality as a Lens

One of the central themes of the poem is mortality. Dickinson uses the image of an "Open Tomb" not as a symbol of despair, but as a lens through which we can see "justest" – most clearly and fairly. The poem implies that death, or the awareness of it, reorganizes our "Estimate," forcing us to reconsider what we admire and what we despise. This theme is developed through the metaphor of dying as a "Height," suggesting a privileged position offering a panoramic view. It is the vantage point from which we are able to gain true and clearer perspective.

The Power of Transcendence

A second key theme is transcendence, the ability to move beyond the limitations of our earthly existence. The line "The Finite furnished / With the Infinite" encapsulates this idea. It suggests that our limited, mortal existence can be enriched by a connection to something larger and eternal. This theme is linked to the poem's religious undertones, particularly in the final lines, "Toward the God of Him," which implies a movement towards spiritual understanding and connection beyond earthly limitations. It suggests that the dying can gain more than they have lost, by achieving some degree of transcendence.

Vision and Understanding

The poem's imagery revolves around the theme of vision and understanding. Dickinson contrasts what "We saw not" before death with what we "distinguish clear" after the shift in perspective. The image of "Compound Vision" further emphasizes this idea, implying a merging of different perspectives – perhaps the earthly and the divine, or the past and the future. The phrase "Light enabling Light" suggests that our understanding grows incrementally, with new insights building upon previous ones. The symbols of "Convex and Concave Witness" bring to mind the curves of lenses, bending and focusing our vision, adding further weight to Dickinson's focus on how our views are shaped by the context of our mortality.

A Timeless Revelation

In conclusion, "The Admirations and Contempts of Time" is a powerful exploration of how mortality reshapes our understanding of value and the world around us. Dickinson uses vivid imagery and careful language to suggest that the contemplation of death can lead to a clearer, more profound understanding of life and the divine. The poem's significance lies in its ability to offer a fresh perspective on something as universal and often feared as death, transforming it into a catalyst for enlightenment.