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  • Analysis: Poem 686 (F861)

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    Emily Dickinson questions the commonly held belief that "time heals all wounds". In an 8 line poem, she argues that suffering actually intensifies over time rather than lessens. She claims that if time truly remedied suffering, it would prove the malady never actually existed. Three years after writing this poem, Dickinson referenced it in a letter to show that she was still grieving the death of her dog Carlo six months after it occurred, demonstrating her view that time does not necessarily assuage suffering as many believe.

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    emily dickinson poem and analysis

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    686_TheySayThatTimeAssuages

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    Emily Dickinson questions the commonly held belief that "time heals all wounds". In an 8 line poem, she argues that suffering actually intensifies over time rather than lessens. She claims that if time truly remedied suffering, it would prove the malady never actually existed. Three years after writing this poem, Dickinson referenced it in a letter to show that she was still grieving the death of her dog Carlo six months after it occurred, demonstrating her view that time does not necessarily assuage suffering as many believe.

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    43 views1 page

    Analysis: Poem 686 (F861)

    Uploaded by

    naphelge
    Emily Dickinson questions the commonly held belief that "time heals all wounds". In an 8 line poem, she argues that suffering actually intensifies over time rather than lessens. She claims that if time truly remedied suffering, it would prove the malady never actually existed. Three years after writing this poem, Dickinson referenced it in a letter to show that she was still grieving the death of her dog Carlo six months after it occurred, demonstrating her view that time does not necessarily assuage suffering as many believe.

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    "They say that "Time assuages" --" By Emily Dickinson [Analysis]

    They say that "Time assuages" --[1] Time never did assuage --[2] An actual suffering strengthens[3] As Sinews do, with age --[4] Time is a Test of Trouble --[5] But not a Remedy --[6] If such it prove, it prove too[7] There was no Malady --[8]
    Poem 686 [F861] "They say that 'Time assuages'" Analysis by David Preest [Poem]

    Emily characteristically wonders if a commonly held belief, in this poem the belief that 'Time is a great healer,' is true after all, and, having concluded that it is not, adds the point that if Time were a Remedy, it would prove that there had been no Malady in the first place. Emily, also characteristically, does not say what malady was teaching her this lesson at the time of writing the poem, but three years later she quoted the second stanza in a letter (L319) to Thomas Higginson to show him that she was still suffering from the death of her dog, Carlo, six months after it had happened. Laurence Whistler's description of his wife, Jill, in his memoir The Initials in the Heart is reminiscent of Emily's attitude. He writes, 'Strong opinions she had, and expressed them with zeal, but as like as not would break off with "Well, I don't know. . .," having instantly seen how an opposite case could be argued. Her mind was open.'
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