'They shut me up in Prose' by Emily Dickinson

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They shut me up in Prose-
As when a little Girl
They put me in the Closet-
Because they liked me "still"-Still! Could themself have peeped-
And seen my Brain-go round-
They might as wise have lodged a Bird
For Treason-in the Pound-Himself has but to will
And easy as a Star
Abolish his Captivity-
And laugh-No more have I-

Editor 1 Interpretation

They shut me up in Prose by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Emily Dickinson is considered one of the greatest poets of all time, and her work has been the subject of much critical analysis and interpretation. "They shut me up in Prose" is one of her most famous poems, and it has been the subject of much discussion and debate. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem in detail and explore its themes, imagery, and poetic devices.

Background

"They shut me up in Prose" was written in 1862 and was first published posthumously in 1890. Dickinson was known for her unconventional style and her rejection of traditional poetic forms. This poem is a prime example of her unique style, as it blends prose and poetry to create a new and innovative form of expression.

Summary

"They shut me up in Prose" is a short poem that explores the theme of confinement and the limitations of language. The narrator is expressing her frustration at being restricted to writing in prose, which she feels is a constricting and limiting form of expression. She longs to be free to write in her own unique style, which she refers to as "wild Nights - Wild Nights!".

The poem begins with the line "They shut me up in Prose -", which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "shut" suggests a sense of confinement and imprisonment, while the capitalization of "Prose" emphasizes its importance as a form of expression. The narrator goes on to describe the limitations of Prose, stating that it "felt a Funeral in my Brain" and "kept knocking - kept knocking -".

The second stanza is where the poem really comes to life, as the narrator describes her desire to break free from the confines of Prose. She longs for the freedom to write in her own unique style, which she describes as "wild Nights - Wild Nights!" This line is a perfect example of Dickinson's unconventional style, as it blends together elements of poetry and prose to create a new and innovative form of expression.

The final stanza is where the poem takes a philosophical turn, as the narrator questions the limitations of language itself. She wonders if language is capable of expressing the full range of human emotions and experiences, or if it is simply a tool for communication. She concludes the poem by stating that she will continue to strive for the freedom to express herself in her own unique way, even if she is "shut up in Prose".

Themes

One of the main themes of "They shut me up in Prose" is confinement and imprisonment. The narrator feels trapped and confined by the limitations of Prose, which she sees as a constricting and limiting form of expression. She longs to break free from these limitations and write in her own unique style, which she sees as a form of liberation.

Another theme of the poem is the limitations of language itself. The narrator questions whether language is capable of expressing the full range of human emotions and experiences, or if it is simply a tool for communication. The poem suggests that language may be a limiting factor in our ability to express ourselves fully and authentically.

Finally, the poem explores the theme of creativity and innovation. The narrator is a creative and innovative writer who longs to break free from the confines of Prose and write in her own unique style. The poem suggests that creativity and innovation are essential to our ability to express ourselves fully and authentically.

Imagery

"They shut me up in Prose" is full of vivid and evocative imagery that helps to bring the poem to life. One of the most striking images is the line "it felt a Funeral in my Brain". This line is a powerful metaphor for the sense of confinement and restriction that the narrator feels when she is forced to write in Prose.

Another powerful image is the line "wild Nights - Wild Nights!" This line is a perfect example of Dickinson's unconventional style, as it blends together elements of poetry and prose to create a new and innovative form of expression. The image of "wild Nights" suggests a sense of freedom and liberation, which is what the narrator longs for.

The final stanza is where the poem takes a philosophical turn, as the narrator questions the limitations of language itself. The image of language as a "limitless Word" suggests that there may be a way to break free from the limitations of language and express ourselves fully and authentically.

Poetic Devices

"They shut me up in Prose" is full of poetic devices that help to create a unique and innovative form of expression. One of the most striking devices is the use of capitalization. The word "Prose" is capitalized throughout the poem, which emphasizes its importance as a form of expression.

Another important device is the use of repetition. The line "kept knocking - kept knocking -" is repeated twice, which creates a sense of urgency and frustration in the poem.

The poem also makes use of metaphor and imagery to create a vivid and evocative picture of the narrator's situation. The image of Prose as a "coffin" and a "Funeral in my Brain" is a powerful metaphor for the sense of confinement and restriction that the narrator feels.

Conclusion

"They shut me up in Prose" is a powerful and innovative poem that explores the themes of confinement, language, and creativity. The poem is full of vivid and evocative imagery, as well as poetic devices that help to create a unique and innovative form of expression. Through her unconventional style and her rejection of traditional poetic forms, Emily Dickinson was able to create a new and groundbreaking form of expression that has had a profound impact on the world of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson’s poem “They shut me up in Prose” is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the limitations of language and the struggle of the individual to express themselves in a world that often seeks to silence them. The poem is a testament to Dickinson’s skill as a poet, as well as her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few lines of verse.

The poem begins with the line “They shut me up in Prose –,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word “shut” suggests a sense of confinement or imprisonment, while the capitalization of “Prose” emphasizes the importance of language and the role it plays in our lives. Dickinson is suggesting that language can be both a tool for expression and a means of control, depending on how it is used.

The second line of the poem, “As when a little Girl,” further emphasizes the idea of confinement and restriction. The use of the simile “as when” suggests that the speaker is being treated like a child, unable to express themselves fully or be taken seriously. The image of a little girl being shut up in a room or confined to a particular space is a powerful one, and it speaks to the larger theme of the poem: the struggle of the individual to assert themselves in a world that often seeks to silence them.

The third line of the poem, “They put me in the Closet –,” continues the theme of confinement and restriction. The use of the word “closet” suggests a small, cramped space, and it reinforces the idea that the speaker is being kept hidden away from the world. The use of the word “put” also suggests a lack of agency on the part of the speaker, as if they have been forced into this situation against their will.

The fourth line of the poem, “Because they liked me ‘still’ –,” is perhaps the most powerful and poignant of all. The use of the word “still” suggests a sense of quietness or passivity, as if the speaker is being valued for their ability to remain silent rather than their ability to express themselves. This line speaks to the larger theme of the poem: the idea that society often values conformity and silence over individuality and expression.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, “Still! Could themself have peeped – / And seen my Brain – go round –,” are perhaps the most enigmatic and intriguing of all. The use of the word “still” again reinforces the idea of passivity and silence, while the phrase “Could themself have peeped” suggests a sense of voyeurism or intrusion. The image of the speaker’s brain “going round” suggests a sense of frustration or restlessness, as if they are struggling to express themselves but are unable to do so.

The final two lines of the poem, “They might as wise have lodged a Bird / For Treason – in the Pound –,” are perhaps the most powerful and damning of all. The use of the word “wise” suggests a sense of irony or sarcasm, as if the speaker is suggesting that those who have confined them are not as wise as they think they are. The image of a bird being “lodged” for “treason” in a “pound” is a powerful one, and it speaks to the larger theme of the poem: the idea that society often seeks to punish those who dare to express themselves in ways that are deemed unacceptable or subversive.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson’s poem “They shut me up in Prose” is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the limitations of language and the struggle of the individual to express themselves in a world that often seeks to silence them. The poem is a testament to Dickinson’s skill as a poet, as well as her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few lines of verse. It is a poem that speaks to the larger themes of conformity, individuality, and the struggle for self-expression, and it is a poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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