Poem Analysis - Tis Customary As We Part

A Poignant Farewell: Introduction

Emily Dickinson's "'Tis Customary As We Part" is a short, poignant poem exploring the complexities of love and separation. The poem adopts a tone that is initially observational and almost clinical, as it describes the custom of parting gifts. However, it shifts subtly to become more personal and emotionally charged, particularly in the second stanza, as the speaker focuses on a specific gift and its symbolic meaning. The poem ultimately reflects on the distance that separates lovers and the objects that attempt to bridge that gap.

The Weight of Distance: Love and Separation

The central theme of the poem is undoubtedly the struggle with love in the face of separation. The opening line, "'Tis customary as we part," establishes a ritualized response to the pain of lovers being "afar." The "trinket" is not just a gift, but a tool to "stimulate the faith" – a tangible reminder meant to bolster belief in the relationship's endurance despite physical distance. The poem suggests that distance poses a challenge to love, making it necessary to seek external assurances.

Electric Intimacy: The Symbolism of Hair

The poem's imagery centers around the "single Curl / Of her Electric Hair." This curl serves as a powerful symbol of the absent lover and their connection. The word "electric" is particularly striking; it imbues the hair with an energy, a vibrant life force that transcends mere physical presence. It suggests a passionate, almost volatile connection between the lovers, hinting at the intensity of their emotions. The singleness of the curl could represent a fragment of the beloved, a precious memento, but also a small representation of a much larger, more complex relationship.

Nature's Reflection: A Traveling Vine

The image of "Clematis journeying far" introduces an analogy from the natural world. Clematis is a climbing vine, and the mention of its long journey parallels the lover's distance and perhaps the winding, unpredictable path of the relationship itself. It suggests that, like the vine, love can extend across distances, but it requires something tangible – in this case, the "single Curl" – to maintain a physical representation of that connection. The varying tastes of gifts reflect different ways of managing the challenges of long-distance love. The nature-based metaphor could also suggest the natural human need for connection, even when physically separated.

A Lasting Impression: Conclusion

In conclusion, "'Tis Customary As We Part" is a brief but evocative exploration of love and separation. Dickinson uses the image of a parting gift, specifically a curl of electric hair, to represent the enduring connection between lovers despite the physical distance that separates them. The poem highlights the power of objects to symbolize and sustain relationships when proximity is impossible, leaving the reader to contemplate the delicate balance between physical absence and emotional presence in matters of the heart. The poem's emphasis on the "electric" nature of the hair perhaps hints at the speaker's belief that true love transcends the physical realm.