Poem Analysis - Three Times We Parted Breath And I

A Close Brush with Death and Subsequent Resurrection

Emily Dickinson's "Three Times we Parted breath and I" recounts a near-death experience, likely a drowning, followed by a return to life. The poem is initially tense and filled with struggle, detailing the speaker's fight against the forces of death. However, it transitions into a more peaceful, almost detached observation of the dying process, ultimately culminating in a hopeful and triumphant rebirth. The poem explores the themes of mortality, resilience, and the fascinating contrast between struggling against death and surrendering to it.

The Sea as a Battleground and a Symbol of Death

The poem prominently features the sea as both a physical threat and a symbolic representation of death. The first stanza describes the futile attempts to revive the speaker: "But strove to stir the lifeless Fan / The Waters strove to stay." The second stanza vividly depicts the speaker's struggle against the waves: "Three Times the Billows tossed me up / Then caught me like a Ball." This imagery paints a picture of a violent battle, emphasizing the power of the sea and the speaker's vulnerability. The waves "made Blue faces in my face," suggesting suffocation and the pallor of death. The sea, therefore, becomes a powerful symbol of the forces that threaten to extinguish life.

Finding Comfort in the Familiar During Death

Amidst the struggle, a sense of acceptance and even curiosity begins to emerge. As the speaker anticipates death, there is a desire to witness the world continue. The lines "That crawled Leagues off I liked to see / For thinking while I die / How pleasant to behold a Thing / Where Human faces be" reveals a poignant longing for connection and the familiar comforts of human existence. Even in the face of death, the speaker finds solace in observing signs of life and humanity, illustrating a deep-seated desire to remain connected to the world, however remotely. This suggests a fascination with the boundary between life and death, and a search for meaning even in the process of dying.

The Metamorphosis of Resurrection

The final stanza marks a dramatic shift from struggle and observation to a sense of peace and renewal. "The Waves grew sleepy Breath did not / The Winds like Children lulled" indicates a calming of the turbulent forces, suggesting a transition from active struggle to acceptance. The powerful image of "Sunrise kissed my Chrysalis / And I stood up and lived" uses the metaphor of a chrysalis to symbolize a period of transformation and emergence. The speaker's resurrection is depicted as a rebirth, a transition from a state of near-death to a renewed life, bathed in the warmth and light of the sunrise. The chrysalis image implies that the speaker has undergone a fundamental change through the experience, emerging stronger and perhaps with a new perspective on life and death.

Triumph Over Mortality

In conclusion, "Three Times we Parted breath and I" is a powerful exploration of mortality and the will to live. Through vivid imagery and a shifting tone, Dickinson portrays the speaker's near-death experience as a tumultuous struggle followed by a peaceful acceptance and, ultimately, a triumphant return to life. The poem's lasting impact lies in its depiction of resilience, the human capacity to find comfort even in the face of death, and the transformative power of overcoming adversity. It leaves the reader contemplating the cyclical nature of life and death, and the possibility of renewal even after facing the darkest depths.