Precedence (Poem by Emily Dickinson)

Precedence

By Emily Dickinson

Wait till the majesty of Death

Invests so mean a brow!

Almost a powdered footman

Might dare to touch it now!

Wait till in everlasting robes

This democrat is dressed,

Then prate about "preferment"

And "station" and the rest!

Around this quiet courtier

Obsequious angels wait!

Full royal is his retinue,

Full purple is his state!

A lord might dare to lift the hat

To such a modest clay,

Since that my Lord, "the Lord of lords"

Receives unblushingly!

Poem Analysis:

Emily Dickinson’s poem Precedence is a powerful meditation on death as the great equalizer, dismantling social hierarchies and rendering all individuals equal before the divine. Through striking irony, religious imagery, and her characteristic brevity, Dickinson challenges the notions of status and privilege, asserting that death grants a form of dignity and reverence that surpasses earthly distinctions.

Death as the Ultimate Leveler

The poem opens with an invitation to wait and witness how death transforms even the most insignificant individual:

Wait till the majesty of Death

Invests so mean a brow!

Here, Dickinson contrasts “majesty” with “mean” (insignificant), emphasizing how death elevates even the lowest-ranked person in life. The use of “invests” suggests a ceremonial bestowal of power or honor, as if death is an ennobling force.

Almost a powdered footman

Might dare to touch it now!

This line introduces a stark social contrast. A “powdered footman”—a low-ranking servant in aristocratic households—would never have dared touch a noble or high-status individual in life. But in death, such distinctions vanish. The phrase “might dare to touch it now” suggests that even those of the lowest rank can approach what was once untouchable, highlighting death’s ability to erase human hierarchies.

The Irony of Posthumous Recognition

Wait till in everlasting robes

This democrat is dressed,

The phrase “everlasting robes” suggests the imagery of divine or burial garments, symbolizing immortality. Dickinson refers to death as a “democrat”—a figure that makes all people equal, regardless of their earthly status. This is a particularly ironic statement, as true democracy was still an evolving concept in Dickinson’s time, and rigid class structures were deeply entrenched in society.

Then prate about ‘preferment’

And ‘station’ and the rest!

Dickinson mocks those who obsess over social rank (“preferment” and “station”) in life, only to see these distinctions rendered meaningless by death. The word “prate” (meaning to chatter foolishly) suggests that discussions about status are ultimately trivial.

Death as a Royal Courtier

Around this quiet courtier

Obsequious angels wait!

Here, the deceased is portrayed as a “courtier”—a term typically associated with royal attendants. This is deeply ironic because, in life, this individual may not have been considered significant at all. Yet, in death, “obsequious angels” (eager, deferential messengers of God) now wait upon him, reinforcing the idea that death grants a form of unexpected dignity.

Full royal is his retinue,

Full purple is his state!

The word “retinue” (a group of attendants) and the phrase “full purple” (a reference to royal robes, as purple was traditionally associated with kingship) further elevate the status of the deceased. In contrast to earthly rulers, whose power depends on material wealth and social structures, this newfound royalty is granted universally in death.

Divine Endorsement: The Ultimate Precedence

A lord might dare to lift the hat

To such a modest clay,

This line completes the irony—now that the individual is dead, even “a lord” (a high-ranking noble) might show them respect. “Modest clay” refers to the human body, which, according to Christian belief, is formed from dust and returns to dust after death.

Since that my Lord, ‘the Lord of lords’

Receives unblushingly!

This final statement delivers the poem’s ultimate argument. While human lords may hesitate to acknowledge the worth of someone of lower status, “the Lord of lords” (God) accepts them “unblushingly”—without hesitation or shame. This is a direct rebuke to societal pretensions, suggesting that divine justice does not recognize worldly hierarchies.

Themes and Interpretations

1. Death as the Great Equalizer: Dickinson’s use of irony and royal imagery underscores how death strips away social distinctions. In life, people may be separated by rank, but in death, everyone is dressed in the same “everlasting robes” and receives divine recognition.
2. The Absurdity of Human Vanity: By using phrases like “prate about preferment”, Dickinson criticizes the obsession with wealth, status, and power. These concerns are rendered foolish when faced with the inevitability of death.
3. Divine Justice vs. Human Hierarchy: The poem suggests that while society may be unjust, God’s judgment is fair. Those overlooked in life are recognized by the divine, reinforcing the idea of ultimate justice beyond earthly concerns.

Dickinson’s Quiet but Powerful Protest

In Precedence, Emily Dickinson masterfully critiques societal norms through sharp irony and striking imagery. The poem presents death not as something to be feared, but as a force that restores true justice and dignity. By portraying the deceased as a “democrat” dressed in “everlasting robes”, attended by angels, and ultimately accepted by God, Dickinson challenges the fleeting nature of human hierarchies.

Through this powerful meditation, she reminds us that while status may govern life, it holds no power over death. Instead, death offers an egalitarian majesty—one that even earthly lords must acknowledge.