Pain--has an Element of Blank

Pain--has an Element of Blank--
It cannot recollect
When it begun--or if there were
A time when it was not--

It has no Future--but itself--
Its Infinite contain
Its Past--enlightened to perceive
New Periods--of Pain.

            Dickinson relies heavily on imagery to convey that pain has no beginning or end.  The lines “It has no Future—but itself—Its Infinite contain” describe how pain has nothing to do with anything but itself; therefore, it has nothing to stop it from being.  Furthermore, “Its Past—enlightened to perceive New Periods—of Pain” displays the idea that the pain in one’s past foreshadows the pain that has yet to be experienced.  The lines “It cannot recollect when it begun—or if there were a time when it was not” conveys that pain and life juxtapose one another; to have life without it is impossible.

            The central purpose of this poem is to discuss the cyclical nature of pain and support the idea that pain has nothing to stop it or even slow it down; it is something that is and will always be in existence.

            This poem made me realize that pain truly is something that I, and everyone else, must live with forever.  “Pain—has an Element of Blank” is a logistical outlook of pain’s existence in the world.

Remorse--is Memory--awake

Remorse--is Memory--awake--
Her Parties all astir--
A Presence of Departed Acts--
At window--and at Door--

Its Past--set down before the Soul
And lighted with a Match--
Perusal--to facilitate--
And help Belief to stretch--

Remorse is cureless--the Disease
Not even God--can heal--
For 'tis His institution-- and
The Adequate of Hell--

Through the use of metaphor and imagery (emphasized by caesura), Dickinson presents the idea that remorse is a cureless disease that will always return to consume one's mind.  The lines "Its Past--set down before the Soul and lighted with a Match--" emphasize how remorse stays in our minds even if experienced ages ago. Moreover, the line "And help Belief to stretch--" demonstrates how people try to convince themselves of not ever having done their malicious deed by bending the fact in their minds; however, the speaker claims that this is an attempt that is undoubtingly ineffective in the line "Not even God--can heal--."

The central purpose of the poem is to acknowledge the ever-existing presence of remorse in one’s mind after their deed is done.

When I first read this poem it felt like Dickinson’s experience with remorse was easy for me to relate to.  After doing something out of pure selfishness, I always feel guilty and it never seems to go away; it constantly pesters my mind until it is the only thing I can think about.  In her poem "Remorse--is Memory--awake," Dickinson accurately portrays the infamous feeling of remorse at a universal level.

There is a pain--so utter

There is a pain--so utter--

It swallows substance up--

Then covers the Abyss with Trance--

So Memory can step

Around--across--upon it--

As one within a Swoon--

Goes safely--where an open eye--

Would drop Him--Bone by Bone.

                Through the use of imagery and personification, Dickinson conveys the idea that pain is so overwhelming that it consumes the mind. Dickinson’s use of caesura emphasizes the speaker’s realization of the power of pain. The line “It swallows substance up--”demonstrates how pain can take control of every aspect of one’s existence; moreover, this personification of pain implies that its victim can be blinded from the positive aspects of life. The speaker warns the audience that pain is nearly impossible to avoid once it has overtaken one’s mind by stating “So Memory can step Around—across—upon it--”.

                The central purpose of this poem is to demonstrate the negative effects on the life of one experiencing pain.

                When I first read this poem I felt forewarned. Knowing that pain can potentially overtake my mind is a frightening thought. Pain is something that I have always thought to be temporary; however, “There is a pain—so utter” clearly illustrates that if pain is not dealt with, it can become potentially overpowering in one’s life.

Central Purpose

The particular poems we have selected all incorporate a similar central purpose.  These three pieces of poetry all contain messages of pain, anger, and grief.  Feel free to give any feedback you wish, including your own interpretation if different from our own.