Poem Analysis - The Manner Of Its Death

A Dignified End: Introduction

Emily Dickinson's "The Manner of Its Death" contemplates the act of dying and the control one might seek even in the face of inevitable mortality. The poem's tone is initially formal and measured, almost clinical, but it shifts subtly to reveal a quiet awe and a sense of judgment toward societal trivialities. It's a poem about dignity, choice, and the contrast between profound moments and superficial concerns. It explores how we approach death and what truly matters when life's end is near.

Andre's Choice: Historical Echoes of Self-Determination

The poem's reference to "Major Andre's Way" provides a crucial historical context. Major John André was a British officer during the American Revolutionary War, executed as a spy. He requested to be shot by a firing squad rather than hanged, viewing it as a more honorable death. This historical detail infuses the poem with the theme of agency in death. Dickinson uses André's story as a framework for exploring the desire to exert control, even when ultimate power over life is lost. He is the example that represents the desire to have dignity until the end.

Stipulating Fate: The Power of Choice in Mortality

A central theme is the power of choice in the face of mortality. Dickinson writes, "'Tis deemed a privilege to choose / 'Twas Major Andre’s Way." This sets up the idea that selecting the "manner of its death" is not merely a preference but a fundamental right, a final act of self-determination. Even when "Choice of Life is past," there remains the "Love / Its little Fate to stipulate." This "Love" might represent the inherent human desire for dignity and control, a desire that extends even to the very end of life. Stipulating one's fate is what brings the dying person comfort, and that allows them to have control in the situation.

The Frivolity of Life: Juxtaposition of Profound and Mundane

Another key theme is the contrast between profound experiences and superficial concerns. The last four lines of the poem introduce a sharp contrast: "The Miracle to tease / With Bable of the styles / How they are Dying mostly now / And Customs at St. James!" The "Miracle" here could refer to the miracle of life itself or the profound experience of facing death. Dickinson criticizes those who "tease" this miracle with "Bable of the styles" – trivial conversations about fashion or societal customs ("Customs at St. James," referring to the British royal court). This juxtaposition highlights the absurdity of focusing on the mundane when confronted with the immensity of death.

A Dying Mostly Now: The Symbolism of Superficiality

The phrase "Dying mostly now" is particularly striking and open to interpretation. One interpretation is that Dickinson is commenting on the spiritual or emotional state of people in her time. They may be physically alive, but they are "dying" in a deeper sense, consumed by superficiality and detached from the profound realities of life and death. The "Customs at St. James!" are symbolic of a society obsessed with appearances and traditions, a society that has lost sight of what truly matters. It creates a contrast between the significance of death and the meaninglessness of the “customs” in the poem. Is Dickinson suggesting that a life lived without depth or purpose is a kind of slow, ongoing death?

Final Insight: A Dignified Existence

In conclusion, "The Manner of Its Death" is a powerful meditation on mortality, choice, and the importance of living a life of meaning. By contrasting the dignity of Major Andre's choice with the superficial concerns of society, Dickinson emphasizes the need to retain agency and focus on what truly matters in the face of death. The poem encourages us to contemplate our own values and priorities, urging us to live and die with intention and avoid being consumed by trivialities. It’s an argument about the importance of dignity and intention, and how that is what gives life meaning.