Poem Analysis - Twas Comfort In Her Dying Room

A Momentary Stay Against Confusion

Emily Dickinson's poem, "‘Twas comfort in her Dying Room," explores the poignant contrast between life and death. The poem captures the speaker's experience of witnessing someone die, and it’s filled with a mixture of solace and pain. Initially, there's a sense of comfort found in the ordinary sounds of life, but this quickly turns to a sharp realization of the unfairness inherent in death. The overall tone is one of quiet observation that becomes increasingly tinged with grief and, finally, a sense of injustice.

Echoes of Life Amidst Death

One of the central themes of the poem is mortality. The setting itself, a "Dying Room," immediately confronts the reader with the presence of death. The speaker finds "comfort" in the "living Clock," the "wind" that knocks, and the sounds of "children play," yet these sounds ultimately serve to emphasize the stark reality of death. The clock, traditionally a symbol of time passing, emphasizes the remaining time of the person dying and the ongoing march of time for the living. The brief relief the speaker experiences from these "Diversion[s] from the Dying Theme" only intensifies the awareness of death's imminence.

The Juxtaposition of Hope and Loss

The poem also grapples with the theme of contrast between life and death. The imagery used to describe the sounds of life is vivid and active: the clock is "living," the wind "Walk[s] boldly," and the children "play." This lively imagery is juxtaposed with the stillness and silence implied by the dying person's room. This contrast highlights the unfairness and pain of death, especially because death seems to interrupt life. It also showcases the natural order of the world that continues indifferent to personal tragedy. The poem emphasizes the tension between the world's continuation and personal loss.

Nature's Indifference and Human Grief

A powerful symbol within the poem is the "wind" that "Walk boldly up and knock." The wind represents a natural force, indifferent to human suffering. Its bold approach to the dying room suggests that nature continues its course regardless of the tragedy unfolding within. This adds another layer of complexity to the poem, illustrating how even elements considered comforting can become painful reminders of life's persistence in the face of death. The natural imagery serves to highlight the lack of control that humans have over mortality and reminds the reader of the overwhelming power of life and death.

An Unfair Exchange: Life for Death

The poem’s concluding lines, "But wrong the more / That these could live / And this of ours must die," crystallize the theme of injustice. The speaker feels a sense of outrage and bewilderment that the dying person must relinquish their life while others, particularly the children, continue to live. This sentiment reveals a deep-seated human struggle to reconcile death with a sense of fairness or reason. Is this feeling of injustice a commentary on the randomness of death, or is it a deeper reflection on the perceived value and potential of different lives? The poem leaves this question unanswered, encouraging reflection on the meaning and fairness of mortality itself.

Final Reflections on Mortality and Acceptance

In conclusion, "‘Twas comfort in her Dying Room" is a moving meditation on the complexities of death. Through its use of contrasting imagery, the poem captures the simultaneous comfort and pain found in the presence of life amidst death. The poem ultimately explores the human struggle to reconcile with mortality and the feeling of injustice that often accompanies the loss of a loved one. The poem's enduring power lies in its ability to evoke empathy and to provoke contemplation about life's fragility and the inevitability of death.