Introduction: “The Dash” by Linda Ellis
The Dash” by Linda Ellis, first published in 1996 in her collection titled Live Your Dash, encapsulates the essence of a person’s life, emphasizing the significance of the dash on a tombstone between the date of birth and the date of death. Ellis urges readers to contemplate the meaning of their own “dash” — the time they spend living — and to consider how they want to be remembered. The poem serves as a reminder to live a purposeful life, filled with kindness, love, and meaningful connections with others. It encourages individuals to make the most of their time on Earth and leave behind a legacy that positively impacts the world.
Text: “The Dash” by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
From the beginning…to the end
He noted that first came the date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years
For that dash represents all the time
That they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
Know what that little line is worth
For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering this special dash
Might only last a little while
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent YOUR dash?
Annotations: “The Dash” by Linda Ellis
| Stanza | Text | Meaning |
| 1 | I read of a man who stood to speak / At the funeral of a friend / He referred to the dates on the tombstone / From the beginning…to the end | The speaker recounts a story of a man speaking at a friend’s funeral who noted the dates of birth and death on the tombstone. |
| 2 | He noted that first came the date of birth / And spoke the following date with tears, / But he said what mattered most of all / Was the dash between those years | The man at the funeral emphasized the significance of the dash between the dates of birth and death, suggesting that it represents the entirety of the person’s life and is the most important aspect. |
| 3 | For that dash represents all the time / That they spent alive on earth. / And now only those who loved them / Know what that little line is worth | The dash symbolizes all the time the person spent living on Earth, and only those who loved them truly understand its value. |
| 4 | For it matters not, how much we own, / The cars…the house…the cash. / What matters is how we live and love / And how we spend our dash. | Material possessions are insignificant compared to how we live and love during our lives. The focus should be on making the most of our time and relationships. |
| 5 | So, think about this long and hard. / Are there things you’d like to change? / For you never know how much time is left / That can still be rearranged. | Reflecting on our lives and considering changes is crucial because we never know how much time we have left to make those changes. |
| 6 | If we could just slow down enough / To consider what’s true and real / And always try to understand / The way other people feel. | Slowing down and being mindful of what truly matters and empathizing with others’ emotions can lead to a more fulfilling life. |
| 7 | And be less quick to anger / And show appreciation more / And love the people in our lives / Like we’ve never loved before. | Advocates for managing anger, expressing gratitude, and loving deeply and wholeheartedly. |
| 8 | If we treat each other with respect / And more often wear a smile, / Remembering this special dash / Might only last a little while | Treating others with respect and kindness, and cherishing the time we have can make a significant impact, as life is fleeting. |
| 9 | So, when your eulogy is being read / With your life’s actions to rehash… / Would you be proud of the things they say / About how you spent YOUR dash? | Encourages introspection and consideration of how we want to be remembered and whether our actions during our life would make us proud in hindsight. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “The Dash” by Linda Ellis
- Metaphor: The dash representing the time spent alive on Earth.
- Personification: Referring to the dash as “little line” and giving it significance.
- Repetition: The repeated emphasis on “the dash” throughout the poem.
- Imagery: Descriptions of tombstones, dates, and the concept of the dash evoke vivid mental images.
- Alliteration: “Beginning…to the end” and “live and love.”
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds in “For it matters not, how much we own.”
- Symbolism: The dash symbolizing a person’s life and legacy.
- Parallelism: The repetition of phrases like “And be less quick to anger” and “And love the people in our lives.”
- Anaphora: The repetition of “And” to begin consecutive lines.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase across line breaks.
- Irony: The contrast between material possessions and the value of how we live and love.
- Hyperbole: The exaggeration of “the dash might only last a little while.”
- Onomatopoeia: The use of words like “tears” and “smile” which mimic the sounds they represent.
- Oxymoron: The juxtaposition of “how much we own” and “how we live and love.”
- Euphemism: Referring to death indirectly as “the end.”
- Allusion: The reference to eulogies and life’s actions being rehashed.
- Foreshadowing: The suggestion that time is finite and should be used wisely.
- Rhetorical question: “Would you be proud of the things they say?”
- Simile: The comparison of “how we love” to how we’ve never loved before.
- Contrast: Contrasting the physical aspects of life (cars, house, cash) with emotional and relational aspects.
Themes: “The Dash” by Linda Ellis
- Fleeting Nature of Time and Intentional Living: “The Dash” by Linda Ellis emphasizes the finite nature of life and the importance of living with purpose. The poem prompts readers to reflect on the significance of the dash between birth and death dates on a tombstone, symbolizing the entirety of one’s life. Lines like “For that dash represents all the time/That they spent alive on earth” underscore the fleeting nature of time and the necessity of making the most of it by living intentionally.
- Value of Relationships and Love Over Material Possessions: Throughout the poem, there is a contrast drawn between tangible possessions like cars, houses, and cash, and the intangible qualities of how we live and love. “The Dash” emphasizes the importance of cherishing meaningful connections and experiences over material wealth. Lines such as “What matters is how we live and love/And how we spend our dash” highlight the significance of nurturing relationships and fostering love.
- Self-Reflection and Personal Growth: Ellis encourages readers to engage in introspection and consider what changes they would like to make in their lives. The poem prompts individuals to be mindful of their impact on others and to strive for personal betterment. Lines like “Are there things you’d like to change?/For you never know how much time is left/That can still be rearranged” inspire reflection and the pursuit of growth.
- Legacy and Remembrance: “The Dash” prompts contemplation about the legacy we are leaving behind and how we will be remembered. It challenges readers to consider whether they would be proud of the way they spent their time when their eulogy is read. The closing lines, “Would you be proud of the things they say/About how you spent YOUR dash?” serve as a reminder of the impact our actions have on the world and the importance of leaving a positive legacy.
Literary Theories and “The Dash” by Linda Ellis
1. Existentialism
Existentialist theory emphasizes individual freedom and choice, and the poem exemplifies this philosophy through the speaker’s reflection on the significance of the “dash” between birth and death dates. The poem encourages the reader to take responsibility for making the most of their time on earth, as evident in lines like “What matters is how we live and love / And how we spend our dash” (emphasis added).
2. Humanism
Humanist theory prioritizes human experience, emotions, and relationships. The poem’s focus on the importance of loving and appreciating others, as seen in lines like “Love the people in our lives / Like we’ve never loved before” and “Remembering this special dash / Might only last a little while,” demonstrates a humanist perspective.
3. Symbolism
Symbolist theory interprets objects or images as representing abstract ideas or concepts. In the poem, the “dash” between the birth and death dates serves as a symbol for the time spent alive on earth, representing the entirety of a person’s life experiences, relationships, and accomplishments. The speaker emphasizes the significance of this “little line” in lines like “But he said what mattered most of all / Was the dash between those years” and “For that dash represents all the time / That they spent alive on earth.”
Critical Questions about “The Dash” by Linda Ellis
| Question | Answers |
| How does “The Dash” challenge conventional notions of success and legacy? | “The Dash” challenges conventional ideas of success by emphasizing the significance of how one lives their life rather than focusing solely on material wealth or achievements. The poem suggests that true success is measured by the impact one has on others and the depth of their relationships, rather than possessions or accomplishments. For example, lines such as “For it matters not, how much we own,/The cars…the house…the cash” contrast material possessions with the importance of living and loving well. |
| In what ways does “The Dash” provoke individuals to reflect on their own mortality and the legacy they are creating? | “The Dash” prompts readers to confront their mortality and consider the legacy they are leaving behind. By highlighting the finite nature of life and the dash symbolizing one’s time on Earth, the poem urges individuals to reflect on how they are spending their time and the impact they are making. For instance, lines like “So, when your eulogy is being read/With your life’s actions to rehash…” encourage introspection about whether one’s actions align with their values and aspirations. |
| How does “The Dash” advocate for a shift in priorities towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life? | “The Dash” advocates for a shift in priorities by emphasizing the importance of meaningful relationships, personal growth, and intentional living. The poem encourages readers to prioritize love, kindness, and understanding over material possessions or superficial pursuits. For example, lines such as “And be less quick to anger/And show appreciation more/And love the people in our lives/Like we’ve never loved before” urge individuals to prioritize emotional connections and genuine expressions of love over fleeting desires or ambitions. |
Literary Works Similar to “The Dash” by Linda Ellis
- “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant: This poem reflects on death and the afterlife, encouraging readers to find solace in nature and to contemplate the inevitability of death as a natural part of life.
- “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” by Mary Elizabeth Frye: Like “The Dash,” this poem offers comfort and reflection on death, reassuring loved ones that the departed live on in memories and the beauty of nature.
- “When I Am Dead, My Dearest” by Christina Rossetti: Rossetti’s poem reflects on the impermanence of life and the importance of cherishing moments and connections while we are alive, echoing the sentiment of making the most of the “dash.”
- “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman: While different in form, this poem similarly reflects on the passing of time and the impact of a life well-lived. It mourns the death of Abraham Lincoln while celebrating his accomplishments and legacy.
- “Because I could not stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson: Dickinson’s poem explores the journey of life and death, presenting death as a gentle carriage ride that leads to eternity. It encourages readers to contemplate the passage of time and the meaning of existence.
Suggested Readings: “The Dash” by Linda Ellis
- Ellis, Linda. Live Your Dash: Make Every Moment Matter. Simple Truths, 2011.
- Lloyd, Roger B. “In answer to “How Do You Live Your Dash?”.” Psychodynamic Practice 29.2 (2023): 159-168.
- Buck, Marilyn. “The dash.” Quest 60.4 (2008): 443-451.
Representative Quotations “The Dash” by Linda Ellis
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “Was the dash between those years” | The speaker highlights the significance of the time spent alive on earth, represented by the “dash” between birth and death dates. | Existentialism: emphasizing individual freedom and choice in making the most of our time on earth. |
| “What matters is how we live and love / And how we spend our dash” | The speaker emphasizes the importance of living and loving well, rather than accumulating material possessions. | Humanism: prioritizing human experience, emotions, and relationships. |
| “For you never know how much time is left / That can still be rearranged” | The speaker encourages the reader to reflect on their life and make changes while there is still time. | Carpe Diem: seizing the day and making the most of the present moment. |
| “And always try to understand / The way other people feel” | The speaker promotes empathy and understanding towards others. | Empathy: understanding and sharing the feelings of others, a key aspect of humanist theory. |
| “Would you be proud of the things they say / About how you spent YOUR dash?” | The speaker asks the reader to consider how they will be remembered and what they will be proud of. | Self-Reflection: examining one’s own life and actions, a key aspect of existentialist theory. |