Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Heart, We Will Forget Him!" by Emily Dickinson addresses the struggle of forgetting a loved one, specifically the emotional tug-of-war between intellect and emotion. Through the short span of the poem, Dickinson captures the complex dynamics of human psychology involved in the act of forgetting someone who once held emotional significance. In essence, the poem becomes a dialogue between reason and emotion, a negotiation between the mind and the heart.

The poem begins with a decisive command: "Heart, we will forget him! / You an I, tonight!" This initial proclamation seems resolute, as if the speaker is urging herself to put an end to an emotional entanglement. The urgency in "tonight" reveals a desperate need for quick resolution, as if lingering any longer would be unbearable.

The second stanza continues to articulate the distinction between different facets of memory: "You may forget the warmth he gave, / I will forget the light." Warmth and light here serve as metaphors for emotional and intellectual or spiritual sustenance, respectively. The heart is told to forget the emotional 'warmth,' while the speaker-presumably representing the rational mind-vows to forget the 'light,' or perhaps the clarity and understanding, that the person brought into her life. This division of labor, so to speak, makes the task of forgetting seem almost mechanical, like a duty both parts must perform.

The third stanza brings a sense of urgency and vulnerability: "When you have done, pray tell me / That I my thoughts may dim." The use of the word "pray" subtly exposes the speaker's emotional state, making the line almost sound like a desperate plea. It suggests that the logical part of her is dependent on the emotional heart to complete its part of the job, so that the thoughts tormenting her may finally "dim."

The final lines, "Haste! lest while you're lagging. / I may remember him!" introduce an element of potential failure to this mission of forgetting. It's almost as if the speaker acknowledges that the heart has its own will, that it may not easily follow the decree to forget, thereby pulling the mind back into a state of remembrance and emotional turmoil.

Given that Dickinson lived during a time when themes of love, heartbreak, and emotional struggle were not uncommon, the universality of this theme would have resonated well with her contemporary readers. Additionally, the cultural climate of 19th-century America, particularly its Victorian influences, placed a great deal of emphasis on emotional restraint and the conflicts between reason and passion. Therefore, this poem can be seen as not just a personal meditation but also a reflection of larger societal norms around emotional expression and control.

In summary, "Heart, We Will Forget Him!" is an emotional and psychological journey compacted into a short span of words. Emily Dickinson masterfully tackles the intricacies of forgetting someone emotionally significant, painting a vivid picture of internal conflict. Through her exploration of the struggle between mind and heart, she offers a timeless narrative that resonates with anyone who has ever endeavored to forget a love that once illuminated their life but later caused them anguish.

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