A Sickness of this World it most Occasions
The poem explores the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. It describes a world where sickness and disease are ubiquitous, and death is a constant presence. The speaker reflects on how this reality affects human behavior, noting that people often live in denial or distraction from the fact of their own mortality. The poem also touches on the idea that even in the midst of suffering and pain, there can be moments of beauty and transcendence. The speaker suggests that these moments are fleeting and rare, but they offer a glimpse into a world beyond the confines of human experience. Throughout the poem, Dickinson's characteristic imagery and symbolism are used to convey the complexities of human emotion and the mystery of death.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1844 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious · 56 words
First lines
A sickness of this world it most occasions When best men die; A wishfulness their far condition To occupy.
A chief indifference, as foreign A world must be Themselves forsake contented, For Deity.
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A Sickness of this World it most Occasions is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1844 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Emily Dickinson
- Date: 1844 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious, Elegy
- Length: 56 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
- It Was Too Late For Man by Emily Dickinson
- On The Bleakness Of My Lot by Emily Dickinson
- In Vain by Emily Dickinson
- To Hang Our Head Ostensibly by Emily Dickinson
- Pompless No Life Can Pass Away by Emily Dickinson
- A Little Road Not Made Of Man by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential and metaphysical questions about life, death, and divinity.
- Religious — The text references Deity and reflects on spiritual and religious concepts.
- Elegy — The poem contemplates the death of 'best men' and the emotional response to their passing.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Nature Imagery · Symbolism · Death · Loss · Isolation · Solitude