If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
"Do some selfless service for people who are in need. Consider the whole picture, not just our little selves." (Nina Hagen). Hagen's 2 sentence quote describes the idea that Dickinson is trying to portray in her entire poem. This idea of selflessness can be difficult to portray; however, there is always the hope that when this act of selflessness is portrayed, it can lead to something great for not only the one being helped, but the helper.
"I shall not live in vain" (Dickinson). This is the only repeated line in Dickinson's poem If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking. This repeated line gives the reader the idea of the selflessness that Dickinson is trying to portray. Selflessness is an idea that many try to portray in their lives, trying to be like a perfect person. Dickinson, throughout the poem, is trying to convey this idea of how selflessness will ease her pain and make her feel that she can do good in the world. As small as this selfless act may be, Dickinson will feel satisfied and no longer feel the idea of vanity lingering around her. She will feel complete and content after making the life of another easier.
There are two delicate things within this poem that are so fragile that can be broken just as easily as glass: a heart and a robin. These are the two major symbols in If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking. The heart and the robin are the delicate items that symbolize Dickinson's release from vanity. They symbolize how Dickinson feels that she is becoming a better person, all by helping with such a small scale and helpless problem. The robin is also used as a symbol for a human who needs to be able to stand on both feet again. All of the symbols and the ideas revolving around them are portrayed in an ABABCBB type of rhyme scheme, making the poem sound similar and flowing.
If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking is a poem that makes the reader feel selfless and the need to be selfless, since they will know how helpful one small act of selflessness can be.
"I shall not live in vain" (Dickinson). This is the only repeated line in Dickinson's poem If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking. This repeated line gives the reader the idea of the selflessness that Dickinson is trying to portray. Selflessness is an idea that many try to portray in their lives, trying to be like a perfect person. Dickinson, throughout the poem, is trying to convey this idea of how selflessness will ease her pain and make her feel that she can do good in the world. As small as this selfless act may be, Dickinson will feel satisfied and no longer feel the idea of vanity lingering around her. She will feel complete and content after making the life of another easier.
There are two delicate things within this poem that are so fragile that can be broken just as easily as glass: a heart and a robin. These are the two major symbols in If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking. The heart and the robin are the delicate items that symbolize Dickinson's release from vanity. They symbolize how Dickinson feels that she is becoming a better person, all by helping with such a small scale and helpless problem. The robin is also used as a symbol for a human who needs to be able to stand on both feet again. All of the symbols and the ideas revolving around them are portrayed in an ABABCBB type of rhyme scheme, making the poem sound similar and flowing.
If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking is a poem that makes the reader feel selfless and the need to be selfless, since they will know how helpful one small act of selflessness can be.