Poem Analysis - Water Makes Many Beds

A Chilling Embrace: Dickinson's Aquatic Mortality

Emily Dickinson's "Water Makes Many Beds" is a haunting meditation on death, presented not as a peaceful release, but as an unsettling and boundless expanse. The poem's initial calmness, suggested by the image of "Water" making "many Beds," quickly transforms into a sense of unease and dread. The tone shifts from gentle invitation to one of chilling recognition of death's vast and disorienting nature. Ultimately, the poem leaves the reader contemplating the vast unknowable space that awaits beyond life.

Death as an Unwelcome Rest

One of the central themes of the poem is the depiction of death as an uncomfortable and unwelcome rest. Dickinson directly states that the "Beds" are intended "For those averse to sleep," suggesting that death is not a restful slumber but rather a forced and perhaps unpleasant state. The phrase "awful chamber open stands" further emphasizes the intimidating nature of death, presenting it as a grand but frightening room. The paradox of death as a bed—a place of rest—being awful and abhorrent highlights the speaker’s anxieties about mortality, suggesting a resistance to the finality and uncertainty it entails.

The Boundless Abyss of the Afterlife

The poem also develops the theme of the vastness and unknowability of the afterlife. The "undulating Rooms" of death are described as having "Amplitude no end invades" and an "Axis never comes." These descriptions evoke a sense of disorientation and limitlessness. The absence of an "end" or "Axis" suggests that the afterlife is a space without boundaries or structure, a concept that can be both intriguing and terrifying. This idea contrasts sharply with the familiar, structured world of the living, emphasizing the radical difference between life and death.

Imagery of Water: A Symbol of Death's Ambiguity

The poem utilizes water as a recurring symbol of death. While water can be life-giving, here it represents a force that overwhelms and engulfs. The "Curtains blandly sweep" evoke the sensation of being submerged, gently yet inexorably drawn into the depths. The "undulating Rooms" further reinforce this aquatic imagery, creating a picture of constant motion and instability. The choice of water may symbolize the fluid and unknowable nature of death itself. Is it a gentle flowing river, or a turbulent, unpredictable sea? The poem leaves this question unanswered, adding to the overall sense of mystery and dread.

Final Thoughts: The Poem's Enduring Power

In conclusion, "Water Makes Many Beds" is a powerful exploration of death as an uncomfortable and unknowable expanse. Through vivid imagery, unsettling tone shifts, and recurring symbolism of water, Dickinson crafts a poem that invites reflection on our own mortality. The poem doesn’t offer comfort or resolution, but rather lingers in the reader's mind, prompting a confrontation with the chilling and boundless nature of death itself. Ultimately, the poem's strength lies in its ability to capture the complex and often contradictory emotions associated with the ultimate mystery of existence.