Poem Analysis - We Outgrow Love Like Other Things

Introduction: Accepting Love's Transient Nature

Emily Dickinson's "We Outgrow Love, Like Other Things" is a concise and poignant meditation on the ephemeral nature of love. The poem adopts a tone of detached acceptance, almost resignation, as it explores the idea that love, like material objects, eventually loses its relevance and becomes obsolete. There is a sense of melancholy woven throughout, a quiet acknowledgement of the inevitable decay and displacement that time inflicts on even the most cherished emotions. The poem's brevity amplifies its impact, leaving the reader to contemplate the implications of love's impermanence.

Love as a Material Possession

One of the poem's central themes is the commodification of love. Dickinson presents love not as an abstract ideal, but as a tangible "thing" that can be possessed, used, and ultimately discarded. The image of putting love "in the Drawer" immediately suggests that it is something concrete and manageable, like a garment or a piece of jewelry. This personification of love allows Dickinson to explore its finite nature in a relatable way. The drawer becomes a symbol of forgotten memories and emotions relegated to the past, highlighting the poem's theme of love's eventual obsolescence.

The Passage of Time and Changing Tastes

The poem underscores the theme of time's relentless march and its impact on human affections. The simile comparing love to "Costumes Grandsires wore" reinforces the idea that tastes and preferences evolve over time. What was once cherished and fashionable eventually becomes outdated and quaint. The "Antique fashion" signifies not only the physical aging of objects but also the emotional distance that grows between us and our past selves. This highlights the theme that what held meaning for us at one point no longer resonates in the same way.

Symbols of Decay and Forgetfulness

The recurring symbolism of the drawer as a repository of forgotten items and the image of "Costumes Grandsires wore" both function as potent reminders of mortality and decay. The drawer symbolizes the human tendency to compartmentalize and forget past experiences, while the old costumes evoke a sense of nostalgia and the realization that all things are subject to change. These images contribute to the poem's overall message of accepting the impermanence of emotions, particularly the complex and often overwhelming feeling of love. Could the poem also be suggesting that storing away love leads to its obsolescence, implying a need for constant nurturing?

Conclusion: Love's Enduring Legacy

In conclusion, "We Outgrow Love, Like Other Things" is a small but powerful poem that contemplates the transient nature of love and its susceptibility to the effects of time. Dickinson uses simple language and evocative imagery to convey a profound message about the human experience. The poem's significance lies in its ability to acknowledge the bittersweet reality that even the most intense emotions may eventually fade, leaving behind only a faint echo of what once was. The poem ultimately invites reflection on the meaning of love in our lives and the acceptance of its inevitable evolution.