Essay on Emily Dickinson’s Poem 67, Poem 1036, and Poem 870

Absence and Loss in Emily Dickinson’s Poem 67, Poem 1036, and Poem 870 Emily Dickinson often refers to loss and absence in her poetry. It is not often seen as strictly negative though. It is, however, seen as inevitable. It is not always inevitable in the negative sense though. It is sometimes seen as necessary in order to understand life. There seems to be an overall theme of loss being a part of life. This theme can be seen upon examining poems 67, 1036, and 870. Poem 67 is a good example of Dickinson portraying absence as positive. The lines â€Å"Success is counted sweetest / By those who ne’er succeed† show that success is most wanted by those who have not succeeded. The absence of success creates a desire for it. The†¦show more content†¦For want to be a commissary for infinity would mean that infinity has charged want with a special duty. This duty is to create want for infinity. It is absence that creates want. The next stanza supports this by saying that to posses something is past the instant of joy. This means that the instant of joy is not the goal itself or even when the goal is achieved. The lines Immortality contented / Were Anomaly. mean that one can never be content. There is always something to want. There is always something to achieve. On the other hand, if there is always something to want, there is also always something to lose. In general, this poem seems to be saying that there will alw ays be want, and that there will always be absence and loss. If there will always be absent and loss, then it is possible that absence and loss are major parts of life. Poem 870 demonstrates absence and loss as inevitable. The poem is obviously a reference to the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts. The lines Third, Expedition for / The Golden Fleece demonstrate this. In this myth Pelias agrees to surrender the throne of Iolkos to Jason if he brings him the Golden Fleece. It is a long dangerous journey, but Jason returns with the fleece. (Haskas) In the poem however, Dickinson is portraying the journey as a continual loss. After the initial gain there is loss after loss. The lines Fourth, no Discovery- / Fifth, no Crew- / Finally, no Golden Fleece- / Jason-sham-too.