Tis Not That Dying Hurts Us So
poem 335
Tis Not That Dying Hurts Us So - meaning Summary
Living Wounds More Than Dying
The poem argues that living causes more pain than dying, which is simply another state. Dickinson uses the image of migrating birds to contrast those who leave for kinder conditions with humans who remain and endure hardship. We are portrayed as birds that stay, relying on reluctant charity until winter forces a return. The tone is resigned, observing human endurance and the quiet inevitability that compels shelter or death.
Read Complete Analyses‘Tis not that Dying hurts us so ‘Tis Living hurts us more But Dying is a different way A Kind behind the Door The Southern Custom of the Bird That ere the Frosts are due Accepts a better Latitude We are the Birds that stay. The Shrivers round Farmers’ doors For whose reluctant Crumb We stipulate till pitying Snows Persuade our Feathers Home.
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