By the Sea by Emily Dickinson (1847)
The poem explores themes of mortality, loss, and the transience of life. The speaker reflects on a past love that has been lost to death, and grapples with the pain of separation. The poem's imagery and symbolism convey a sense of longing and nostalgia for what can never be regained.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1847 · Genre: Poetry, Symbolism, Imagery · 207 words
First lines
I started early, took my dog, And visited the sea; The mermaids in the basement Came out to look at me,
And frigates in the upper floor Extended hempen hands, Presuming me to be a mouse Aground, upon the sands.
But no man moved me till the tide Went past my simple shoe, And past my apron and my belt, And past my bodice too,
And made as he would eat me up As wholly as a dew Upon a dandelion's sleeve -- And then I started too.
What this Textopian page supports
By the Sea is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1847 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Emily Dickinson
- Date: 1847 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Symbolism, Imagery, Romanticism, Metaphysical
- Length: 207 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for By the Sea by Emily Dickinson
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Tomb Of A Young Girl by Ranier Maria Rilke
- Whether My Bark Went Down At Sea by Emily Dickinson
- The Onset by Robert Frost
- Evening by Emily Dickinson
- The Sea Of Sunset by Emily Dickinson
- If Sometimes In The Haunts Of Men by Lord Byron
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Symbolism — The poem uses symbolic elements such as the sea, mermaids, and tide to convey deeper meanings and emotions.
- Imagery — Rich visual descriptions are used to evoke sensory experiences and create vivid mental images.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and the sublime are present, aligning with Romantic literary traditions.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Solitude · Isolation · Longing · Nostalgia · Melancholy · Loss · Grief