The Whole of It Came Not at Once
poem 762
The Whole of It Came Not at Once - meaning Summary
Slow, Merciless Diminution
Dickinson’s poem describes suffering as a slow, escalating process rather than an instantaneous event. Using the image of a cat toying with a mouse, the speaker shows how intermittent mercy intensifies torment: brief reprieves raise hope only to deepen final pain. The closing lines argue that a single, complete end is preferable to repeated recoveries that prolong consciousness of dying. The tone is detached and bleak.
Read Complete AnalysesThe Whole of it came not at once ‘Twas Murder by degrees A Thrust and then for Life a chance The Bliss to cauterize The Cat reprieves the Mouse She eases from her teeth Just long enough for Hope to tease Then mashes it to death ‘Tis Life’s award to die Contenteder if once Than dying half then rallying For consciouser Eclipse
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