Analysis
Safe in their Alabaster Chambers--
Untouched by Morning And untouched by Noon-- Lie the meek members of the Resurrection-- Rafter of Satin—and Roof of Stone! Grand go the Years—in the Crescent—above them-- Worlds scoop their Arcs-- And Firmaments—row-- Diadems—drop—and Doges—surrender-- Soundless as dots—on a Disc of Snow-- |
Throughout the poem “Safe in their Alabaster Chambers”, Dickinson uses symbolism to explore the nature of death and how insignificant the individual is in the grand scheme of life. In the beginning of the poem, the speaker depicts how the lines “Safe in their Alabaster Chambers — / Untouched by Morning / And untouched by noon —” (1-3) symbolize how the dead are forgotten in their tombs. “Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection,” (4) serves as a biblical reference to point to the fact that “the meek (who) shall inherit the earth” are instead abandoned within a “Rafter of Satin — and Roof of Stone” (5) which symbolize the lining of their coffin and the tomb above their heads. The fact that “the meek” are historically revered, but are shown as forsaken in death demonstrates the apathy of the living world towards that of the dead. Dickinson continues to point out the insignificance of the dead by describing the passage of time, “Grand go the Years—in the Crescent—above them— / Worlds scoop their Arcs— / And Firmaments—row— / Diadems—drop—and Doges—surrender— / Soundless as dots—on a Disc of Snow—” (6-10). As years pass kings have been overthrown, wars have been forfeit, and countless lives lost, but, the universe moves on. The dots on the disk of snow symbolize each human life, because of one’s absence the world does not simply cease to exist, the life of one is trivial. Through the poem’s symbolism, Dickinson demonstrates how an individual’s life is buried under the weight of time.
|
Alabaster tomb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oOvvG_SqwI (Link if video does not load)