I heard a Fly buzz-when I Died | Emily Dickinson's poem | Stanza-Wise Summary
Emily Dickinson's famous poem "I heard a Fly buzz - when I Died" is a depth -filled Death Theme English Poem, which is often taught at school and college levels. This poem is one of the selected English compositions that present important subjects such as symbolism in Poetry, Life and Death Analysis, and Spiritual Poems for students.
In this poem, the poetess has depicted the last moments of death that the reader feels himself in that environment. Dickinson said that death is not always divine; it can be strange and uncertain.
If you are looking for CBSE English Poem Summary, Emily Dickinson Poem Explanation, or Death-Related Poetry for Academic Study, then this article is very useful for you.
"I heard a fly buzz - when I died" - This poem by Emily Dickinson is one of her most famous and mysterious poems. It has a deep and subtle depiction of the last moments of a person's death. Let's understand it in detail:
Introduction to poetry
The poem was written by Emily Dickinson around 1862.
It is a first-Person Narrative-that is, poetry is said from the point of view of a person who is dying.
This poem shows death, spirituality, and the severity of the last moments of life.
The poem is in the specific style of Dickinson - in which simple language, severe expressions, and supernatural symbols are used.
Emily Dickinson's poem "I heard a Fly buzz-when I Died" Stanza-Wise Summary
Simple Summary: Stanza 1
I heard a Fly buzz - when I died -
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air -
Between the Heaves of Storm -
Simple Summary:
The poetess says that she heard the sound of a fly while she was dying. There was a deep silence in the room, such as the peace that occurs before and after the storm. This silence shows the seriousness of the arrival of death.
Simple Summary: Stanza 2
The Eyes around - had wrung them dry -
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset - when the King
Be witnessed - in the Room -
Simple Summary:
The people present in the room were tired crying. Now everyone's breath was stopping, as everyone was waiting for a special moment. It was a moment of death - when "King" means God or soul will be seen. This moment is considered sacred and spiritual.
Simple Summary: Stanza 3
I willed my Keepsakes - Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable - and then it was
There interposed a Fly -
Simple Summary:
The poetess says that she had handed over her precious goods or memorable things to others - that is, she had fulfilled all the responsibilities before her death. But then a fly came there and came in the middle and disrupted her last journey.
Simple Summary: Stanza 4
With Blue - uncertain - stumbling Buzz -
Between the light - and me -
And then the Windows failed - and then
I could not see to see –
Simple Summary:
The fly's voice was slow and vague - she was in the midst of a strange "blue" light. This voice came between her and the light (perhaps the light of God or the soul). Then the "windows closed" - that is, their eyesight lost and they could not see anything. She, as if she herself feels, had died here.
Thus, throughout the poem, Emily Dickinson has painted death as a personal experience. The sanctity of the last moments was distracted by the sound of a simple fly - which reflects the abnormality of life and the uncertainty of death.
Main themes: I heard a Fly buzz-when I Died
Peace and sudden deviation of death:
The poetess describes the calm process of death, but then the voice of a fly distracts him.
This fly becomes a simple but mysterious symbol that breaks the severity of death.
Distance between physical and spiritual world:
The poem shows how a person is different from physical objects at the time of death - as he had done his will.
But the fly's "buzz" seems to be a hindrance in the departure of the soul towards heaven.
Contradiction of life and death
On the one hand there is peace and spiritual preparation, on the other hand the intervention of a fly -like thing. It states that death is also not always dignified.
Symbols: I heard a Fly buzz-when I Died
Fly: The insignificance of life, obstruction of death, or uncertainty of the soul may be a symbol.
Stillness in the Room: There is the calm atmosphere before death, such as all breaths stop.
Blue - Uncertain Stumbling Buzz: A vague, scary voice that dissolves spirituality.
Style and Language: I heard a Fly buzz-when I Died
The poem shows the use of the famous dashes ( -) of Dickinson which reflects the uncertainty or obstruction of ideas.
Its meter is usually Iambic Tri-meter and Tetrameter.
The poem does not have a traditional Rhyme scheme, but it hears a strange slant rhyme that further enhances the mystery of the poem.
I heard a Fly buzz-when I Died : MCQ Quiz
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