Poem Analysis - Two Travellers Perishing In Snow

A Quiet Demise in a Frozen Landscape

Emily Dickinson's "Two Travellers Perishing In Snow" is a poignant meditation on death, love, and the solace found in companionship during times of extreme adversity. The poem's tone is initially somber and descriptive, detailing the travelers' struggle, but it shifts to one of solemn reverence as they find comfort in each other's words and ultimately succumb to the elements. The poem evokes a sense of quiet dignity amidst suffering. It examines the human spirit's ability to find meaning and connection even when faced with imminent mortality. The atmosphere created is both heartbreaking and strangely peaceful.

Echoes of Transcendentalism

While Dickinson's poetry often transcends specific historical contexts, her work is often associated with the 19th-century Transcendentalist movement. Transcendentalism, prevalent in New England during Dickinson's lifetime, emphasized intuition, individualism, and the inherent goodness of both people and nature. Dickinson’s exploration of themes like the connection between humanity and nature, the significance of individual experience, and the potential for transcendence through death resonates with some Transcendentalist ideals. However, her skepticism and focus on the more unsettling aspects of existence set her apart from the more optimistic transcendentalists.

Love as a Balm Against Mortality

One of the poem’s central themes is love, not necessarily romantic love, but a deep, empathetic connection between the two travelers. As they face death, they find strength in each other's words, reminiscing about “Heaven if Heaven must contain / What Either left behind.” This suggests that their love and memories of their lives, and those they love, offer a form of comfort and perhaps even a sense of immortality. The poem posits that love, in its various forms, can serve as a buffer against the harsh realities of death. They are literally keeping each other warm with the love they have for those left behind. That love manifests through their strengthening words.

Nature's Indifference and the Impossibility of Escape

Mortality is, unsurprisingly, a prominent theme. The image of the "Two Travellers perishing in Snow" immediately establishes the inevitability of death. The "Forests as they froze" symbolize nature's indifference to human suffering. The harsh environment provides no escape, emphasizing the powerlessness of the travelers. The wind itself seems to be an active force in their demise. It "Long steps across the features took," suggesting a gradual erasure of their individual identities. The imagery supports the fact that they are now becoming a part of nature once again, a blending and disappearing.

Symbolism of Morning and Hyacinth

The phrase "Love had touched the Morn / With reverential Hyacinth" presents a complex and intriguing image. The "Morn," usually associated with new beginnings and hope, is touched by "Love," suggesting that even in the face of death, love's presence can bring a certain beauty or grace. However, the "Hyacinth," often associated with sadness or regret, introduces a contrasting element. It might symbolize the bittersweet nature of love and memory, the recognition that even the most cherished moments are tinged with loss, or that love itself is born out of a kind of mourning. Alternatively, the hyacinth could symbolize constancy in times of sorrow. This ambiguity leaves room for interpretation, highlighting the multifaceted nature of Dickinson's poetry.

Beyond the Veil: A Final Acceptance

Ultimately, "Two Travellers Perishing In Snow" is a powerful exploration of the human condition when confronted with mortality. The poem suggests that love, memory, and companionship offer solace and meaning in the face of death. While the natural world appears indifferent, the travelers find strength in their connection and in their thoughts of those they love. The poem's final lines, "Led absent, were procured of Heaven / As Those first furnished, said," suggest that their fate was somehow preordained, a part of a larger cosmic plan. The emphasis on acceptance, even in the face of tragedy, gives the poem a quiet, haunting beauty.