I heard a Fly buzz- when I died: Themes & Linking Poems

“I heard a Fly buzz - when I died” is one of Emily Dickinson’s most enigmatic and captivating poems, exploring the theme of death and the surreal moments just before it.

Death and Dying: A key thing to remember is that the poem details the speaker’s experience of death. With phrases such as “The Stillness in the Room / Was like the Stillness in the Air” and “I heard a Fly buzz - when I died”, Dickinson showcases a haunting vividness of death.
Reality and Perception: The fly in the poem represents a shift in reality, disrupting serenity and spirituality. It symbolizes the gross, earthly reality intruding into the solemnity and peacefulness of death.
Acceptance and Regret: Though the exact emotion is hard to pinpoint, there’s a sense of acceptance in the text. At the same time, there’s a hint of regret or sadness as the speaker “could not see to see-“, signifying a last desire or unfulfilled expectation.

Compare and contrast this poem with other Dickinson’s works such as “Because I could not stop for Death”, where she also personifies death.
Additionally, “I felt a Funeral, in my Brain” can be discussed in relation to the introspective and personal nature of death in Dickinson’s poetry.

“I heard a Fly buzz - when I died”: The opening line itself sets the stage for a detailed depiction of death from a first-hand perspective. The fly becomes a potent symbol of mundane life disturbing the serenity of death.
“The Eyes around - had wrung them dry -“: This line vividly describes the sorrowful atmosphere of the room, conveying the intensity of emotion.
“And then the Windows failed - and then / I could not see to see -“: The last two lines of the poem show the fading consciousness of the speaker, marking the transition from life to death.

Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886) lived much of her life in isolated conditions, which is often reflected in the themes in her work.
Dickinson’s poetry is distinguished by her unique style, characterized by dashes, unconventional punctuation and capitalization, as well as inherent ambiguities.
The theme of death is prominent in many of Dickinson’s poems reflecting the inevitable reality everyone has to face. This can be regarded as a contemplation and response to the universal phenomenon of life and death.